Book Reviews of Hope and Optimism, Christian

Book Review: Rough Way to the High Way by Kelly Mack McCoy

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Redemption through adversity.

Kelly Mack McCoy’s Rough Way to the High Way strikes a chord with anyone who has ever felt lost, adrift between faith and life’s harsh realities. Imagine being at a crossroads in your life, stripped of purpose and peace, only to find both in the most unlikely places—on the open road and through the unexpected presence of strangers. The journey of Mack, a pastor-turned-trucker, embodies this sentiment perfectly, as it explores deep grief, questioning faith, and divine intervention. As Albert Einstein once said, “God does not play dice with the universe,” which resonates with Mack’s unplanned encounters, especially his picking up a hitchhiker who seems to be both a burden and a vessel for spiritual growth.

The novel tells the story of Mack, a man seeking solace after his life falls apart following an unthinkable tragedy. He buys a Peterbilt truck, intending to find peace on the road, but the journey becomes more than a physical one as he wrestles with his broken faith. Along the way, Mack encounters a hitchhiker near his childhood home, an event that sets off a chain of danger, mystery, and spiritual renewal. As his life on the highway unfolds, Mack realizes that the road he thought he was escaping to is leading him straight into a collision with his own past and unresolved grief. The story is both a suspenseful thriller and a reflection on life’s spiritual struggles, framed by Mack’s personal quest for healing and his unexpected new ministry on the road.

What makes Rough Way to the High Way compelling is its heartfelt exploration of human vulnerability. One of my favourite parts of the book is how McCoy captures Mack’s moments of quiet introspection while behind the wheel, the solitude allowing him to confront his doubts and inner turmoil. The vivid descriptions of the endless stretches of road, combined with Mack’s emotional landscape, create a tangible sense of isolation and self-reflection that many readers will relate to. The tension that builds between Mack and the hitchhiker is gripping and unpredictable, while the divine nudges Mack receives show the subtle ways faith can guide us, even when we don’t want to listen.

Readers looking for a fast-paced action novel alone might not appreciate this book. However, those who enjoy a blend of suspense, introspective spiritual journeys, and character-driven narratives will find it deeply rewarding. Fans of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road will appreciate McCoy’s meditative prose on the road as a metaphor for life’s struggles and the redemptive power of faith.

Rough Way to the High Way is like a lonely highway at dawn—silent, winding, and full of promise, with the road ahead representing the unpredictable yet inevitable journey of faith, healing, and self-discovery.

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