Synopsis: Deciding to walk away from God did not come easily or quickly for Lin Wilder. Nor did the decision to return. As she explains: Exactly how much of my personal life should be included in this book has been a tough decision to make. This is, after all, the story of a conversion, not an autobiography. Many of my choices, judgments, and their consequences remain painful, even humiliating to revisit, writing them down, even more so. Initially, I questioned the relevance of describing elements of my career, education and relationships with men- in short, my pre-Catholic world in detail. Since I did not convert until midlife, there are a lot of territories to cover. But I realize that my use of the term 'lost years' makes no sense unless I place them squarely in the context of the person I was then. Without the details of my early life, unpleasant as they are to recall, much less write, this sense of drifting and of aimlessness are merely words which lack substance. They are unidimensional. In talks to church groups about life with and without my faith, I frequently used 'ground' while I stomped the floor I stood on, forcefully, as I worked to convey what is gained and lost with and without faith. Faith and all which accompanies religion like regular church attendance and a belief that there is something greater here, someone present, informs our decisions and choices, even our goals. Just so, its absence widens all boundaries. More and more is acceptable. This, at times, brutally honest story of the reasons for Wilder's walk away from God, then years later, return, cannot fail to provoke and challenge. Her decision to reveal intimate and painful details of the life lived during the years she refers to as 'lost' will cause even the most devoutly faithful reader to take a peek at the shadows of the self we hide from the world and from ourselves. Critique: An exceptionally candid account that is impressively well written, organized and presented, "Finding the Narrow Path: Patterns, Faith and Searching" is an inherently fascinating and consistently compelling account that is as informative and thoughtful as it is insightful and ultimately inspiring. While very highly recommended for Christian Studies reading lists, it should be noted that "Finding the Narrow Path" is also available in a Kindle format ($6.99). midwestbookreview.com/sbw/dec_16.htm#ChristianStudies