Anatomy of a Miracle

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. From the publisher A profound new novel about a paralyzed young man’s unexplainable recovery—a stunning exploration of faith, science, mystery, and the meaning of life Rendered paraplegic after a traumatic event four years ago, Cameron Harris has been living his new existence alongside his sister, Tanya, in their battered Biloxi, Mississippi neighborhood where only half the houses made it through Katrina. One stiflingly hot August afternoon, as Cameron sits waiting for Tanya during their daily run to the Biz-E-Bee convenience store, he suddenly and inexplicably rises up and out of his wheelchair. In the aftermath of this “miracle,” Cameron finds himself a celebrity at the center of a contentious debate about what’s taken place. And when scientists, journalists, and a Vatican investigator start digging, Cameron’s deepest secrets—the key to his injury, to his identity, and, in some eyes, to the nature of his recovery—become increasingly endangered. Was Cameron’s recovery a genuine miracle, or a medical breakthrough? And, finding himself transformed into a symbol, how can he hope to retain his humanity? Brilliantly written as closely observed journalistic reportage and filtered through a wide lens that encompasses the vibrant characters affected by Cameron’s story, Anatomy of a Miracle will be read, championed, and celebrated as a powerful story of our time, and the work of a true literary master.

This book confused me at first as I thought that I was reading a non-fiction book as it is written as a long journalism piece/story about a veteran who experiences what seems a miracle. It really annoyed me that the Catholic Church, of course, took responsibility for said miracle totally ignoring that it could be a scientific discovery that could cure millions of paralyzed people worldwide. Once I realized that it was a fiction novel … a story … I guess I got more into it. Johnathan Miles is a good writer as it got me thinking and angry yet still enjoying this book at the same time. This would be a great book club pick that would be sure to start some arguments and provoke deep discussions.