Can we forgive without getting an apology from the offender? In this latest from journalist, teacher, and writer Shapiro (
The Byline Bible), she recounts being deeply hurt by a mentor, who didn’t apologize, and how that affected her life and left her longing for a resolution. In her quest to recover from her feelings of betrayal and devastation, over the next few years, Shapiro asked her friends, her rabbi, and various other religious leaders whom they deserved an apology from and why. She recounts the stories of those who found a way to forgive even in the most horrifying circumstances, including war atrocities, abuse, and abandonment, each with more at stake than Shapiro. She asks them two questions: “What would you want your offender to say to you?” and “What would it take to make it right?” What flows from these interviews is a book full of fascinating stories of brutal honesty and human resilience.
VERDICT Readers will find hope and examples of paths toward forgiveness here. Casting a wide net, Shapiro’s book will appeal to those who love human interest stories, people seeking to forgive in their own lives, and those wondering about the deeper meaning of forgiveness in many different traditions.
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