Rainbows Through the Rain

Rainbows Through The Rain
By Fiona Castle
Hodder & Stoughton. 143 pages. £9.99
ISBN 0 340 70986 4

This is a wonderful little book. Fiona Castle, widow of Roy Castle, has produced an anthology of poems, prose, hymns, thoughts and Bible verses which helped her through her time of grief and have given her hope and a new perspective.
You could question the point of a book which, with the exception of some paragraphs of explanation by Fiona, is full of writings that are already in print, but that would indicate that you had never picked it up. I found the book inspirational. The sure and secure faith of the author shines through the pages. At no point is it trite or platitudinous, nor does it attempt an in-depth systematic theology of the problem of suffering. Instead, it shares the hope of someone who has suffered deeply but not grown cold or cynical. Indeed, the reality of a faith that has not just endured but has conquered personal loss permeates the book.
Readings range from classic old hymns to modern songs; from Oswald Chambers to James Dobson; Eddie Askew to Christina Rossetti; Steve Gaukroger to Julian of Norwich. Some were sent to Roy during his illness. For example: 'Jesus did not come into the world to stop suffering, nor to explain it, nor to take it away, but to fill it with his presence.'
This is a book that could easily be shared with friends who are not Christians who are suffering. My only complaint is that it is not a cheaper paperback so that I could share it with more people. However, don't wait until you are in pain to read it - it is a spiritual tonic whatever your state.

Deborah Hardyman
Cambridge

© Evangelicals Now - October 1998
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