Donald Miller Book Review: To Own a Dragon:

With his trademark authenticity and disarming wit, Donald Miller has released his latest effort, To Own A Dragon. Most famous for his unexpected hit Blue Like Jazz, Miller has become known for his rare way to say what many are thinking and doing so unabashedly. At the same time, that honesty never offends because of the satirical and honest way that he approaches the topics he covers.

To Own A Dragon is quite a bit more personal, however - even for someone who is known for being so open. Miller, along with mentor figure and teacher John MacMurray, has crafted an exploration of his personal journey to fill the void left by the lack of a father. His own father having left him at a young age, Miller expresses his longing in ways that will make you both laugh and cry.

While this book is vintage Donald Miller and his fans will no doubt long to read the book, there is a specific audience that will appreciate this more than others: namely, the very group that the author himself is a part of. Children of divorce or whose childhood has more scars than memories concerning a father figure (or lack thereof) will find plenty to relate to. Miller deftly handles his own emotions without sounding whiny, while also being blunt about the pain that he continues to feel.

There are other moments, however, where Miller's wit steals the show, particularly in the opening chapter. In it, the author speaks of the various father figures who tried in vain to fill a void in some hilarious ways that lead to unforgettable scenes at a father-son campout. The reader will no doubt find himself rolling with laughter by the end of the first chapter.

The best part of the book is where his journey ultimately brings him. To find that bitterness and resentment leaves us feeling cold is a fantastic discovery. Instead, Miller finds his true Heavenly Father to be one that he can always count on and this is something we can all relate with.

To Own A Dragon is everything we have come to expect from Donald Miller, whether in Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, or Through Painted Deserts. However, this time, more of his heart is exposed and that's a good thing for all of us.