This is a tough book to rate. I want very badly to believe all that is written and the experiences relayed in the book, it is hard. This family is so grounded in the Word and their faith in Jesus that I felt inadequate myself. I never heard of this child before reading the book, it is just unbelievable, you need to draw your own conclusions to this book, you will need to rely on faith alot.

Share/Like this Review?

The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven was a very interesting book and I read it in the space of about five hours. It was very easy to get lost in the story of the little boy who was in a coma for two months after a very serious car wreck. Alexs dad told the majority of the story with sections from Alex throughout the book. As you would expect, the story begins with the accident and goes through the chronological events as they took place. The descriptions of the accident, the lengthy hospital stays, Alexs heavenly encounters, and how the family managed were all very interesting. The photos in the middle of the book added a lot of insight to the experience. Although I liked the book, it was not quite what I expected. It would have been nice to have had a little more information at the last of the book as to exactly how Alex is doing now, several years after the accident. Also, I chose the book because I wanted to see what Alex had to say about his experiences in heaven. I was a little surprised that more time was not devoted to what he saw in heaven and his interactions with the angels, but it did all make sense in the way the story was told. Even though my expectations were slightly different from the actual book, I have no doubt that this boy had a very intimate encounter with God and his family can testify to a miracle.



I received this complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was okay.I would have liked to hear more about heaven from the boy who died instead of short little blurbs.Even though the blurbs were fascinating and I did learn more about heaven from them.This story was a harrowing tale about a father who has a car crash and how his son is injured and he blames himself.This story centers more around them being in the hospital than the boy being in heaven. It is a story of redemption.This story will touch your heart.I would highly recommend reading this book.

Share/Like this Review?

For those considering this book, know that the story was retracted. It was a hoax. See the article linked below. That said, there is One who did rise again--Yeshua, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/tyndale-sued-boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-alex-malarkey.html

Share/Like this Review?

This story of one boys escape from almost certain death is truly inspiring to read. Its the story of Alex, a six year old that suffers horrific trauma in a car accident and defies all the doctors expectations. How does he do it? Through God. Because once Alex is well enough to speak, he tells of amazing sights and conversations with Jesus himself. He describes things that happened during the accident and immediately after that he couldnt have possibly known...and then he starts speaking of angels, of Heaven and God.

Even if youre not a true believer, this story is miraculous in that such an injured little boy could come back as well as he has and with such an unselfish attitude toward it all. Definitely worth a look.

Share/Like this Review?

Read newspaper accounts from January, 2015. The boy (and the mom) say it was made up. Dad was seduced into writing this book, now mom and dad aren't speaking. I think we should consider the miracles of modern medicine more than communications about "life beyond the world", and maybe new insights into manipulations by media types. I'd say the boy was pretty brave to contradict all of the so-called adults who had power over him.

Share/Like this Review?

For those considering this book, know that the story was retracted. It was a hoax. See the article linked below. That said, there is One who did rise again--Yeshua, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/tyndale-sued-boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-alex-malarkey.html

Share/Like this Review?

For those considering this book, know that the story was retracted. It was a hoax. See the article linked below. That said, there is One who did rise again--Yeshua, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/tyndale-sued-boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-alex-malarkey.html

Share/Like this Review?

For those considering this book, know that the story was retracted. It was a hoax. See the article linked below. That said, there is One who did rise again--Yeshua, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/tyndale-sued-boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-alex-malarkey.html

Share/Like this Review?

Remarkable how the boy knew so many things that were otherwise impossible to "know."

Share/Like this Review?

This is a really inspirational book especially for those of us who have lost loved ones and to know that we will see them again and that there really is a better place to be, when it's our time to leave this earth.

Share/Like this Review?

I could not get into this book. I'm not one for organized religion and I didn't know this book was heavy on preaching. I just didn't like it.

Share/Like this Review?

Very good book written by the child's father. There is alot of talk of prayer, church and God and this is just a miraculous story!

Share/Like this Review?

Excellant book. If you want to know what heaven is like, read this book. Also how a family survives a horrible accident with faith.

Share/Like this Review?

Very interesting. Thought provoking.

Share/Like this Review?

Very inspirational. For those who truly believe God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond anything we ask or even think--this book is for you.

Share/Like this Review?

This was an excellent and inspiring story!! Sometimes slightly confusing because of all the different perspectives...but enjoyable none the less.

My 2 daughters 11 and 14 also really enjoyed reading it and still reference the spiritual content in relation to happenings in our own lives.

Share/Like this Review?

For those considering this book, know that the story was retracted. It was a hoax. See the article linked below. That said, there is One who did rise again--Yeshua, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/tyndale-sued-boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-alex-malarkey.html

Share/Like this Review?

The boy in this book has recanted.

Share/Like this Review?

I loved this book and one I recommend it. It is a true account of a little boy who was in a horrible car wreck that left him in a coma for two months. When he awoke from his coma he had an incredible story to share. He talked about the accident and events that happened during this and at the hospital while he was unconscious. He spoke of angels who led him thru the gates of Heaven itself and much more. You will come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father's love.

Share/Like this Review?

VERY GOOD BOOK !!! Found it hard to put down as it is a true story!

Share/Like this Review?

A story of God's faithfulness and provision

With a title like "A boy who came back from heaven" I expected something like "Heaven was really cool." "The streets were gold." "I got to talk to Moses - he was really old." Standard, hokey, fake. In other words, I went in entirely skeptical. And, let's face it, the authors having the last name of Malarkey didn't bolster confidence. Sorry.

I believe in Jesus and the Bible 100%. I also know that near death, out of body, and resurrection experiences sometimes do happen. In those cases, though, the burden of proof is entirely on the person. I don't go in expecting to believe them.

Instead of the story I expected to read, I found that the focus of the book actually wasn't the heaven experience (a relief), but instead an account of God's faithfulness to the Malarkey family.

I read the book waiting to pounce on any statement that contradicted Scripture - the ultimate litmus test. What I found was that while I might have phrased a few things differently, there was nothing that jumped off the page screaming that it contradicted God's word.

Two things that impressed me most with this story as it relates to Alex (the boy who came back from heaven) are
1) he remains silent on many things that he saw or gained knowledge of while in heaven - because God told him not to tell. This is very consistent with the Bible.
2) Alex doesn't want the story to be about him, he wants people's focus to be on God. He says that he isn't a special Christian because of what happened, he just had a special experience. Alex's father also notes that Alex gets very uncomfortable when people make the story about him, and ignore God. Alex always redirects to God. Again, this is very Biblical - the Spirit always draws attention to Jesus, not to self.
These two things, are huge points in favor of an accurate story.

Another point in that favor is that Alex was six when all of this happened - according to his parents and friends, his story has never wavered. As he relearned how to talk, a few details were added in, but the substance of the story never wavered. If he was making all of this up, he would've been sure to start contradicting himself. Also, some of what he talks about he had to way of knowing because he was dead/in a coma. Yet he relayed that information accurately.

Some people have said that Kevin (the father, and the book's main author) complains too much about finances in the book. Those people miss the points that Kevin is making - whenever he mentions money it is to praise the Lord for his provision.

Kevin also doesn't try to sugar coat the shortcomings of him and his family. This also provides another ring of truth to the story - if he said that there were never any times of short tempers or bumpy roads I wouldn't believe him. That's not how life works.

Some have also criticized the parts of the story in Alex's words saying that the vocabulary isn't that of a six year old. That's true, it's not, but is consistent with the vocabulary of a twelve year old (his age when this book was published).

I think that this book can serve as an illustration of God's provision and faithfulness, but no one should ever let it stand above the Bible. Kevin Malarkey even makes that point in the book - that everything Alex portrays is and should be compared against Scripture. They haven't found where his story doesn't meet that test. In fact, the older Alex grows and the more he learns about the Bible, the most excited he gets. He loves finding out that something he saw is mentioned in the Bible.

Do I recommend this book for others? Yes, I do. I didn't expect to when I started reading it. But only with the qualifier that this work should never take the place of the Bible - either in your life or in your outreach to others. The Malarkey's cannot save anyone. Jesus can.

Share/Like this Review?

I liked the book but found out that it was a made up story and only then was I disappointed. I guess when you really try to hard to believe in the afterlife you will read anything. i was really surprised that someone so young could have made up such an elaborate story

Share/Like this Review?

In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son, Alex, suffered an horrific car accident. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex -- and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. â "I think Alex has gone to be with Jesus," a friend told the stricken dad. â But two months later, Alex awoke from a coma with an incredible story to share. Of events at the accident scene and in the hospital while he was unconscious. Of the angels that took him through the gates of heaven itself. Of the unearthly music that sounded just terrible to a six-year-old. And, most amazing of all . . . of meeting and talking to Jesus.

The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven is the true story of an ordinary boy's most extraordinary journey. As you see heaven and earth through Alex's eyes, you'll come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father's love.

Share/Like this Review?

This book will help restore any misgivings you have about God,Jesus,and the angels around you. It is both moving and sad. As an RN I would have wanted the boy to be just let go so as not to endure any pain and suffering. God had other plans for this child! You have got to read this one!

Share/Like this Review?

In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his six year old son Alex suffered a terrible car wreck. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex-and it seemed impossible that he would survive. But when Alex awoke from his coma two months later, he had an incredible story to share. This is a true story of an ordinary little boy's most extraordinary journey to Heaven. A very good read

Share/Like this Review?

In January, 2015, the boy admitted that he made it all up (his confession wasn't forced, he and his mother had been trying to convince publishers of this for a while).

Share/Like this Review?