JourneyOnline
Gallery Books and MTV Books,
2004
RRP $19.99
Reviewed by Tara Burton.
Soul Surfer tells the courageous story of Bethany Hamilton who at just the tender young age of 13 got attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark off the shores of her hometown Hawaii.
She was left with one arm and the devastating news that she may never be able to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a professional surfer.
Since then Bethany Hamilton has taken the world by storm as she inspires other amputee and shark attack victims.
Not only did she get back into the water just a month after her ordeal but she is also turning heads in the professional surfing world and on the 2010 ASP Women’s Tour she ranked 20th.
What I found most enlightening and refreshing about Soul Surfer was Bethany’s openness and utter trust in God throughout her ordeal.
She turned tragedy to triumph as she held onto her faith and became a beacon of hope to millions around the world.
“I believe in God. Nobody made me believe; I don’t think you can or should try to force someone to believe something. The way I see it, putting our faith in God is something that each person has to come to on his or her own” (exert from Soul Surfer).
Ms Hamilton is a great Christian role model and her story has been told in hundreds of media outlets around the world.
She has talked about her faith and commitment to God on such programs as Oprah, The Today Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Her auto-biography is complete with pictures of Bethany and her family, which I thought added a nice personable touch.
Soul Surfer is an incredible, thought-provoking and inspiring book that helped me to put what’s truly important into perspective.
It built on my own relationship with God.
Ms Hamilton brought a tear to my eye and a smile to my face.
A definite must read for all ages.
