This is a lovely, lyrical, occasionally humorous novel about the kind of holy "slow work" done by those who help us cope with that porous and emotionally fraught border between life and death. The hero is continuing his grandfather's art of gravestone masonry. While I am no fan of geology myself, stone and the art of working it is brought very beautifully to life here. (I couldn't help thinking it also worked metaphorically if applied to literary writing itself.) The grand question is whether stone mason Eli will do what is expedient and profitable and, ultimately, may get him a second chance with the love of his life, or stick to what he considers beautiful and true and eternal. As a reader, I was satisfied with his choice. SLOW WORK is a Christian novel that shares little in common with the pieties that dominate that genre today. Highly recommended for those interested in the contemplative life, or in watching a sympathetic character wrestle with his own morality, needs, desires, pain, and understanding in the face of truly enormous temptation.I should disclose that I consider Tim Farrington a friend and a fellow writer who has been more than generous to me. That doesn't mean I'll review a book I find significantly frustrating just because of that. In this case I have no hesitation in recommending this book to literary readers.