Executive Reviews

"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

"Thomas Fargnoli’s The Stream: Keys to Peace is a story-within-a-story, dual timeline spiritual allegory. With deliberate storytelling choices and a parable-like tone, the author has successfully delivered a powerful message: wisdom can unfold across generations and cultures."

"On one side, we follow Benito, a bullied grade school boy in the Philippines; on the other, Bob, a man in his fifties facing a looming forced retirement anxiety in contemporary America. Early on, we discover that Bob reads the very book we, readers, are holding. This metafictional element adds a layer of immersion and deepens the interpretation we may extract from the pages.

Fargnoli’s rich yet restrained writing is worth highlighting. A faith-based fiction, we already anticipate the reflective language, yet here we also find his effort to invite us into stillness. To illustrate, here’s a passage from the first chapter, where Fargnoli takes Benito and, in extension, us, to the stream."

“A few more steps and he saw it: a sparkling, crystal-clear ribbon of water. It moved over smooth, time-polished stones, with a gentle current rippling its surface as it carved through the lush greenery. The sound of it was as inviting as a song.”

The narrative structure and Fargnoli’s voice lend the book its greatest strengths, giving the story both universality and intimacy. Other outstanding elements of the fiction are the theme, characters, and the thoughtful integration of Filipino culture and faith."

Theme, Characters, and Culture

"The Stream centers on the pursuit of inner peace and the spiritual discipline required to sustain it. To understand this more deeply, it’s essential to discuss the book’s central metaphor: the stream, which represents the bridge between the physical and the metaphysical."

"Fargnoli skillfully intertwines Benito’s rural upbringing with Bob’s suburban professional life by making them share a similar dream. Through this dream, they find peace, and they soon act to find such serenity in reality. By this, the author suggests that while the sources of our stress may vary with age and place and social standing—from a schoolyard bully to a corporate downsizing—the spiritual remedy remains the same."

"The “Five Keys,” which, for the sake of avoiding spoilers, will not be revealed here, form a practical framework, too. Presented as daily, attainable practices, each key is explained clearly in the book, while keeping the storyline tight and engaging."

"The characters are just as recognizable, thus, effective. Benito has the emotional honesty that we once had in our youth. Bob, meanwhile, mirrors the overextended, spiritually lost versions of ourselves in adulthood. He is the very reflection of many readers who will pick up this book. The young boy’s Lolo (Filipino for “grandfather”) is a wise, compassionate mentor whose teachings carry both authority and warmth."

"Including bits of the Filipino spirit in the book seems apt, as the Philippines is known for being Asia’s only predominantly Christian nation. The Filipinos have long been recognized for their warmth and faith, with their devotion elaborately expressed through packed festivals, public masses, and processions, which often make rounds across the globe."

Visuals and Interior Layout

"This literary executive review wouldn’t be complete without giving attention, as well as a well-deserved praise, to the book’s visuals. It is an absolute Fargoli—fresh, meaningful, and consistent—and it fits seamlessly into the author’s broader body of work."

"The central image of a clear, flowing stream set within lush green surroundings immediately conveys serenity. Water, which is both gentle and luminous, references the book’s central metaphor for peace. The title’s clean, centered typography also guides the eye naturally toward the stream.

The cool greens and soft blues are also aligned with calm and restoration. This color palette subtly prepares the reader for a contemplative experience even before the first page is turned. Inside, the manuscript flows smoothly, with modest spacing fit for long periods of reading and reflection."

Recommendation

"With all elements considered, Fargnoli’s The Stream: Keys to Peace is a successful modern parable. The tone remains devotional without becoming forceful, and the lessons unfold through dialogue and symbolic events. The result is a calm and steady reading experience.

It is a promising narrative with well-balanced visuals that deserves praise for its ability to translate spiritual concepts into concrete experiences through story. The five keys provide readers with a clear spiritual roadmap, while the parallel journeys of Benito and Bob demonstrate how these principles apply across age, culture, and life stage.

Though seemingly instructional, its compassionate voice makes the book effective for readers seeking reassurance, clarity, and renewed trust in God’s presence. The symbolism of the stream and the relevance of the characters’ anxiety and searching for peace in their lives are timeless—and they all fit like puzzle pieces that create a cohesive picture the further we read."

 - Readers Magnet, February, 2026