Executive Reviews

"Now, I’ve come across several other books here in ReadersMagnet that talk about what heaven is like. A lot of them claim they are visions of the afterlife from near-death experiences. They have always been so fascinating to read!

However, this one, Magnolia: A View of Heaven, is a little bit different. It is a work of fiction that shares the author’s really beautiful vision of what he might see when he passes on."

"Before we go on, though, here’s the background of the book’s author, Thomas Fargnoli. He has quite the work history! He is a retired systems engineer, but he’s also a stage magician and has even served as a Catholic deacon. His way of writing is very much influenced by his talent for 'making the complex, less complex.' So, I definitely went into this book with that in mind. On the other hand, I still found a lot of pleasant surprises when I read along."

A Visual Road Trip to the Devine

"The lead character in the book is named Lou, and it's told from his first-person perspective. The book opens with a view of a very beautiful yard. I was really impressed by Thomas’s style of imagery. It is very vivid, and the image that comes to mind really echoes a lot of moves about people who are passing on.

Now, the yard is apparently some vision of Lou’s childhood home in Magnolia before he is suddenly thrust back into reality. He is lying in a hospital bed, and it’s revealed that he’s already over 90. His adult son is by his side, and the atmosphere is definitely far from cheerful."

"The writing comes across as very personal, and it has added more color to the story’s imagery. The same goes for the dialogue. As I read along, I’m gradually learning a little more about Lou. In contrast to the opening of the book, it doesn’t sound like he has had the happiest life. There has been a lot of tragedy in his family. It has affected his marriage as well as his relationships with his kids. And, unsurprisingly, he has held a lot of bitterness in him. Still, I can also see he is trying his best to sort it all out. Without spoiling too much of the whole book, I can tell our dear readers that Lou passes on and meets his guardian angel."

"And again, we see Thomas’ skill with descriptive imagery. It really echoes a lot of similar stories where the person who dies starts going to heaven by revisiting places they have been to in their past. When I see other books or films that talk about the afterlife, they always try too hard to be like Dante’s Divine Comedy. Fortunately, Thomas Fargnoli doesn’t make that mistake. He really carries that personal tone in describing Lou’s journey to see heaven alongside his angel."

"Speaking of which, the name of the angel in the book is Micah, who is also a prophet in the Bible. It is just one of the many things in this book that truly cement it as a work of Christian fiction. And on that note, I think it really presents its intentions very well. Rather than focus on a lot of flashy golden gates and cities, Lou’s journey focuses on his own history in his hometown of Magnolia. Here, you can see how the story is something of a device for talking about personal spirituality and one’s relationship with God. Of course, Lou’s relationship is far from perfect. And throughout the course of the story, I got the strong sense of spiritual transformation even as he and Micah journey to heaven itself. This is a bit different from other stories about the afterlife, wherein the person traveling there isn’t really changing. I think that’s because those other books teach that you are already set when you die."

"It’s very interesting that Thomas, in writing this book, presents something that is more nuanced. (And I admit, it’s made it more exciting to read.) Some might think this makes the book sound less supernatural. But as I read further along, I’m reminded of a really powerful religious term: beatific. I think that is a very good description of what readers will see as they go through this book (without me giving too much away)."

A Few More Touching Details

"At this point, I think it’s worth mentioning that each chapter also has either a quote or a passage from the Bible. I always found these to be very good touches because they help center on the theme. And when I look at the cover, I find that it also has that same, spiritually uplifting effect. The atmosphere of a peaceful yard by the lake, with a large tree and the sun shining through its branches, is a vibe that’s felt throughout the book. In fact, even that lion lying there near the tables is not there by accident.

Overall, I think this is a great book for Christian readers who always love stories about what heaven may be like. Yet at the same time, it will appeal more to those looking for an afterlife story that is just a little bit different, yet still has that strong sense of what it means to be in a relationship with God."

 - Readers Magnet, October, 2025

"Now, I’ve covered one of Thomas Fargnoli’s other books before. On the other hand, The Deacon: An Unexpected Life is actually his first book, and I’m really intrigued by the differences between it and the others."

"Because even from the back cover, I could tell this one deals with much heavier topics than the rest. It shares a more personal story (if not the most personal story). The subject matter is suicide (which I’m obviously obliged to put up as a disclaimer). The book is his detailed account of surviving the suicide of his first wife, and how it started him on the spiritual journey he is still on today."

"However, such heavy subject matters only add to the importance of sharing, and just the fact that I’m holding this book and being allowed to read it is a privilege.

That aside, here is just a quick refresher about who Thomas Fargnoli is for those who may be stumbling upon our reviews for the first time. He is a former Catholic deacon as well as a retired systems engineer. He started publishing books as a way to share his faith while also sharing his unique way of “making the complex, less complex.” He is also a talented stage magician on the side, so expect a bit of that as well from his work."

Back on the subject of The Deacon now, I might actually recommend this as the very first thing to read from his work. This isn’t to say his books are best read by publishing date. It is just that this book, in particular, can share a lot about where he is coming from as a storyteller. Readers would have a better appreciation for his style by reading this book first!"

Thomas' Unexpected Journey

"The book begins with an anecdote about Thomas being with his second wife and then receiving a call from Rick, a reporter for the Courier-Post. Rick was doing a story on Catholic deacons and took particular interest in why Thomas left the diaconate and his ministry as a hospital chaplain.

The start here is already a good one, because it sets the readers up with the right questions. It reminds them that this is a person’s life story being shared here. You could sense the weight of it as Thomas talks about preparing for his interview with Rick."

"And much like a lot of life stories, the first few chapters tend to cover more occupational stuff. In Thomas’ case, I got to learn more about what he did in the hospital as a deacon.

We also get a lot of very good information, such as what differentiates them from priests. There is a good run-down of their formation, and then the wonderful people who spiritually mentored him. But all throughout, you also get a strong, sincere sense of calling. It is not purely technical! You can really feel how dedicated and devout he was to his calling to alleviate the spiritual and emotional burdens of people at the hospital. This is most evident in the way he described what drew him to serve in the first place. I think this is something best left for readers to learn for themselves, so I’ll only say it is genuine."

"At this point, though, I’d like to follow Thomas’ example when it comes to crediting Rick. Readers should definitely expect his interview with the author to fill the entire structure of the book. It was he who initiated Thomas’ decision to share his story and have a sort of catharsis in retelling it in the book. It is clear that even having the interview at all was proving to be a very good part of healing from the trauma."

Handling the Contrast of Trauma and Pursuing Spirituality

"As I read further, I was really surprised at how complicated the chain of events in the book actually was. If you think the back of the book tells you everything, then I must honestly tell you that it just scratches the surface!

"Thomas really, if not painfully, shares how a suicide is not something isolated. Without giving it all away, you can see how it is something that can really impact many people’s lives, even behaving in a manner similar to an epidemic!

Yet despite it all, and despite it leading Thomas to consider some other path in finding God, Thomas still chooses to believe."

"Regardless of denominational differences or how various churches handle difficult problems, this should always be commended. From holding on to faith to still striving to be a positive and uplifting force in the world despite all tragedy, his is a story that demands to be shared.

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this review, it was a real privilege to read about his story. I wholeheartedly encourage others to do the same if they are also sincerely searching for answers about how people of faith can still hold on despite going through so much."

 - Readers Magnet, October, 2025