If you’re familiar with scripture, then you probably know how this book ends. This knowledge, however, does not take away from the experience of reading Dismas’ story from start to finish. If anything, this intimate perspective offers a chance for deeper empathy.

Starting in Dismas’ youth, we see the young boy’s role in his family, the youngest and a typical little brother who likes to give his sister a hard time. But even then, we get a glimpse of the man he grows up to be, going just a bit too far and fearing the wrath of his father. This time, his punishment is less of a scolding. His father speaks of witnessing the Messiah in a manger.

Dismas isn’t sure what to make of his father’s, family, and friends’ faith as he grows up. While he believes in a greater power, he’s stopped going to the temple, and faith ends up as more of an afterthought. He’s taken more with earth’s pleasures. Slowly, he descends deeper into his weaknesses despite increased talk of the Messiah among the Jewish people.

The book ends with a scene taken from the Gospels, in which Dismas encounters Jesus as they suffer together at Golgotha. It is, of course, a powerful scene of redemption and forgiveness.

I’ve always been intrigued by Dismas’ story, so I was excited to see a novelized take on his life. There is creative liberty applied, which is to be expected, but I feel it must be stressed as the majority of the book is not factual scripture. The voice of the characters can sound quite modern at times. This doesn’t take away from the book’s message and purpose. Any story that ends with such a scene cannot help but bring tears to the reader’s eyes.

With the season of Lent approaching quickly, I highly recommend this book for some recreational reading in preparation for Easter.

Thanks to Reedsy Discovery for providing a free digital ARC of the book!