Review: The Divine Dream by Christopher Schmitt

In The Divine Dream, author Christopher Schmitt finds a new – and quite brilliant – take on life and death. The novel explores the breaking point between science and faith, while also offering the author’s personal reconciliation between these two complex, dynamic subjects.

After suffering from an inexplicable collapse and tragically dying, young Apollo, the spiritual protagonist of this story, enters a strange realm between life and death, where souls and spirits mix and mingle – a waiting room after leaving the world of the living, which also acts as a time-bending training ground. While years of spiritual enlightenment and education pass there, only a few days pass on Earth, so when Apollo miraculously comes back from the dead in the middle of his own funeral, it obviously draws the attention of the world.

Apollo’s resurrection launches him into the spotlight, and his mere existence becomes the subject of global debate. This provides the ideal platform for Schmitt to share his own revolutionary views on mortality and spirituality, embedded within a thrilling and completely unpredictable plot. Not only does Apollo have to wrestle in his own battles of self, but he also has a job to do, one that could change the destiny of trillions of lives. This disinterested high school student is catapulted into the center of the greatest battle in history – the struggle for the very soul of humanity.

Partially in the real world, and sometimes set in the inner universe of Apollo’s mind and spirit, Schmitt is a master world-builder, and even at the book’s most abstract points, there is an element of reality to keep readers grounded. The book excels at mixing together fascinating theological ideas with a well-honed plot, without ever seeming like a parable, or beating the reader over the head with the author’s worldview.

However, while Schmitt is keenly adept at plotting, his character development suffers, as does his overall use of language. Aside from Apollo, there is limited effort put into expanding or strengthening his foils, forcing a single character to shoulder most of the book’s weight. The heavy reliance on internal dialogue can become wearing, at times, particularly when butted up against narration that could easily express the same internal sentiment. Additionally, the language is overly spare at times, and sloppy at others, with simplistic descriptions that seem out of place within such a significant and grandiose plot context.

That being said, these are small details that most readers will accept in exchange for such a heady and unique read. If you have ever struggled with the fundamental aspects of faith, this is a respectful and thoughtful musing on the role that it can and should play in our lives. Without being preachy or judgmental, Schmitt welcomes curious and questioning readers into his philosophy, couched within the story of an engagingly eccentric protagonist. Thought-provoking and admirable in its scope, The Divine Dream opens up important questions for anyone to ponder, in an entertaining and illuminating exploration of life, death, and belief.