title: The Meeting Point by: Caldwell, Lucy published: 2011-02-03 read: 2023-02 preview

The Meeting Point describes Ruth and Euan Armstrong, and their daughter, going on a missionary expedition to Bahrain. Illegally, they bring bibles for distribution in Saudi Arabia.

While Euan is going about his dangerous business, Ruth is at home, and tries to discover the country with a guide who soon becomes her lover. Infidelity being punishable too, the intricate stories of hiding, secrecy, and illegality develop as the book progresses. Then there’s Noor, the daughter of neighbour in the compound, struggling with her own demons and seeking solace in unexpected places.

The story plays in the wake of the 2001 Iraq war, and perhaps abandonment, disconnectedness and loneliness are central themes.  

The story itself is sometimes gripping, making the book a quick read. At the same time, I had difficulty connecting with the story, the backdrop, and the struggles of the main characters.