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Others have said this is a novel of goodbyes, of closings and shutting down, and that is true. Kristen's life is winding down, and in this third book she is gradually bereft of every human relationship she once valued, from husband and sister to friend and sons. Alone, she turns to God, who remains with her. Central message of the series is delivered in that sentence. While I understand the popularity and the literary value of this series of novels, I cannot say that I "liked" them, because they left me just sad and a little angry rather than ever feeling delighted, hopeful, or uplifted. I found very little joy in them, and the overall spirituality was pretty depressing : basically, cling to God because you ain't got nuttin otherwise.

I also struggled mightily from the very start of the series with Kristen's continued devotion to a man clearly incapable of caring for her, or even of growing up and behaving like an adult. It poisons her entire life, it poisons the lives of others-- from her sister (that poor girl) to her sons-- and in the end, it breaks her own heart completely. I never understood her attraction to him (was it just a sexual thing at first? Then she felt like she had made her bed so she had to lie in it?) nor her refusal to throw him out, given his HORRIFIC and stupid actions. This made it difficult for me to connect to her, and since the whole series is ABOUT her, I had to literally drag myself through books two and three.

So, for me, not a great series, but I understand the literary value and the reason it is popular among some groups. But my God is a God of joy and hope, not just one of suffering.