Pillar & Bulwark

By: Marcus Grodi

Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien

After nearly losing his life to an assassin, Stephen LaPointe resigned from his pastorate as a Congregational minister. He made this radical decision as the result of a crisis of truth. This decision had many immediate ramifications for his vocation, his career, and most significantly for his marriage and family. Now, a year later, no one knows where he is. He has disappeared. Out of love, as well as remorse, several people - an old friend, his estranged wife, and a potential enemy - set out separately to find him. This is a story of conversion of heart, of mind, and of love.

©2011 Marcus Grodi (P)2012 Marcus Grodi

Great book, painful narration

What made the experience of listening to Pillar & Bulwark the most enjoyable?

The story is a good one; coming home to the Catholic church from an evangelical background of pastoring is tough, and Grodi knows this all to well. He tells the story with compassion and gentleness.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think the pastor and his wife are both excellent, with a good supporting cast of characters.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

As long as this reader just reads description, he's fine. But, his voices for women and children are grating and horrible! As a professional storyteller, I know it is very possible to nuance characters without making them silly. Please, no adult men trying to sound like kids or old ladies!

If you could take any character from Pillar & Bulwark out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I think it would be the pastor's wife, because she is a woman who fels rather steamrolled at times by her husband's direction. As a spouse, who wants to always be supportive, but doesn't always get it myself, I had great sympathy with her.

Any additional comments?

I want to read the 2nd book, so have bought it. But, I wish I could read it in print to avoid the awful narrator. I give him 3 stars, only because he isn't too bad when it's not dialogue. Sadly, being visually impaired, I'm limited to the audio version of this book. But, in the future, please get Marcus to read his own stuff! He has a lovely, and facile voice.

Loved this book!

Great story about conversion. The narrator did an excellent job with the portrayal of each character! This was an entertaining book, but also excellent in its apologetic aspects.

Glad to see this one on Audible!

What made the experience of listening to Pillar & Bulwark the most enjoyable?

The story was very good. A lot of disparate threads all come together in the end.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Kevin O'Brien?

Maybe. At first I thought "This is the worst narrator EVER." As I got used to him the experience improved. I don't think he was the best choice for this book, but it didn't ruin it for me either.

Who was the most memorable character of Pillar & Bulwark and why?

Rafe. Because he grew so much during the course of events.

Any additional comments?

I am very familiar with Marcus Grodi from his radio and television programs. I read the first book in this sequence, "How Firm a Foundation" and liked it, so I was glad to see they are now available in audio format.

Follow-up to How Firm a Foundation

Marcus Grodi made us hanker for this follow-up with the fascinating tale of Rev Stephen LePointe in HFAF regarding the agonies that come with the thought of converting. Personally I would have preferred Marcus to be the reader - as in HFAF - but the chosen reader does very well.

Excellent read

Didn't know Marcus Grodi wrote any novels. Just recently discovered this. What a great book! Good job Marcus.