Now I See - by Eugene J McAllister (Paperback)

About the Book

A powerful novel, a brilliantly crafted testament to the grace of second chances.

Book Synopsis

Fleeing a past he can't escape, Peter Schmidt takes a teaching job in the blue-collar town of Five Falls, Montana, sight unseen. He just wants to keep his head down and "do his job," but the troubled kids in his classroom demand more - Agnes, who vanishes for days; Pablo, who pulls a knife on bullies; and Mike, whose defiance masks a deep sense of failure.

When an act of violence shocks the community, Peter is forced to look more closely. He is drawn deeply into the lives of two students and their families as he struggles to understand. Guided by an unlikely mentor, he begins to see grace, dignity, and compassion. His response changes lives-including his own.

Now I See is a powerful, brilliantly crafted testament to the grace of second chances. It is an unforgettable story of the courage required to truly see the forgotten and one man's profound transformation from a detached bystander into a fierce protector of his flock, ultimately finding his own long-lost purpose.

Review Quotes

"McAllister's tale of simple small-town living with the accompanying complexity of community issues rings true to someone who knows this type of town firsthand. Small town doesn't mean small challenges: poverty, broken homes, and cross-town rivalries are all part of the everyday fabric that weaves through the lives of its citizens. The characters in "Now, I See" struggle with change, opportunities, new friendships, past relationships, and daily reminders of how much we all need each other, young and old alike. Pulsing through the story is the underlying sense of goodness and grace that is needed to realize who we are and how we can help our community in big and small ways."

- Bob Kelly, former Mayor of Great Falls, MT

"'Now I See' is very much my kind of book, softly moving and populated with wonderful complicated characters, and I suspect it will be yours, too... relatable and realistic... moving and approachable... I encourage anyone who loves Allen Levi's novel, 'Theo of Golden', to read 'Now I See'... The world needs more books like this one."

- Ben Johnson, PhD, Psychologist