Elijah’s Coin: A Lesson for Life

Steve O’Brien has written an excellent book and one everyone should read over and over. His description of the characters and events are vivid, colorful and full of adventure.

There really are two parts to this thought-provoking story. In the first part, Tom, a college student, is devastated over the loss of his mother and his father is lost in his own grief. Deciding that he can do whatever he wants and take what he wants, like his mother was taken from him; he begins a disastrous journey to a life of crime.

One night he decides to break into a store that is not monitored by the police or have a security guard. Little does he know there actually is a security guard; however, it is not your average security guard. Tom meets Elijah King. Leery of Elijah’s asking all types of personal questions, Tom decides to play along so King won’t turn him over to the police. Elijah takes Tom’s drivers license and requires him to come back for two more meetings with him. On the second night Elijah gives Tom a coin with G2G on one side and EK on the other. On the third night Tom returns but Elijah is not there.

Deciding to search out the men Elijah said he has mentored, Tom discovers each has an identical coin and each are just as mysterious in their responses to where Elijah can be found. Tom begins his journey of transformation and eventually ends up being needed by others who seek him out due to Elijah talking about him

"Elijah’s Coin" by Steve O’Brien is a very thought-provoking book of change. It really will make you look at who you are, what you want and where are going? It’s not about you- it’s about giving, sharing and loving unconditionally.

Elijah’s Coin: A Lesson for Life
Steve O’Brien
A & N Publishing (2009)
ISBN 9780982073544
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (5/09)