Marguerite Keiffer credits her father’s organ-playing talent for inspiring her to pursue a lifelong love for music. At a young age, Keiffer began learning to play the piano, while also meeting many famous musicians through her father’s connections. She wrote extensively and lovingly about some of her musical heroes, In fact, the beginning of the book reads like a musician’s biography. While she never attained critical acclaim as a concert pianist, music still influenced her in helping to define her life’s overall purpose.

Before Keiffer found her true calling, however, she needed to overcome a few major hurdles. For example, she described her junior high and high school experiences as an awkward period in her life, at best. Like many young girls, she was highly critical and personally unsatisfied with her looks. Part of these feelings were due to the physical disabilities she dealt with since birth. However a Church friend also pointed out an observation that she was coddled and spoiled, which helped foster an underdeveloped sociability personality characteristic. She goes into depth explaining how she had a lot of trouble making friends, as well as forming romantic alliances during these important years in school.

In college, however, she met Jerry, whom she recognized immediately, on sight, as the man of her dreams. With Jerry, she went on to raise a family of three children. Although she had set aside her musical ambitions to focus on her family, Keiffer eventually returned to playing piano. But then, at a relatively young age, she suffered yet another ‘thorn’ — a stroke. Even though she could only play the piano with one hand after suffering this stroke, her piano teacher encouraged her to consider becoming a piano teacher. Although hesitant to do so, Keiffer soon took up teaching piano to mostly young people. Warmly, a few of the book’s latter chapters feature some sweet testimonials from her former students.

Keiffer, who has common human frailties after all, had these issues amplified when faced with daunting emotional and physical setbacks as well. These physical obstacles in her past only slowed her down and never completely stopped her. She credits her strong Christian faith with giving her the strength to never give up. Furthermore, while Keiffer is not shy at all about her Christianity, she treats this sensitive issue extremely well; avoiding the pitfall of morphing her book into what may be a completely religious theme. Scripture verses are sprinkled throughout, but these texts are included solely to enforce Keiffer’s storyline points, rather than to serve as a basis for a sermon-laden book.

Thorns is a fairly slight book. There is an economy and brevity, which is refreshing, as Keiffer gets to the point effectively, not having to resort to the use of a lot of flowery language to tell her story. She also doesn’t turn her ailments into epic struggles of good vs. evil. One is left with the impression that Keiffer’s faith in God, for her, was truly a powerful weapon, which can be embraced by all in the fight against the “fiery darts” of what life can throw your way. The reader, clearly realizing this underlying message, is embedded with the lesson of faith and spiritual inspiration when used as a foundation in life, can enable one to handle virtually any obstacles and challenges which may come your way. Marguerite Keiffer has a beautiful passion for life and love for God. It’s amazing and encouraging to read through her trials and strength. Thorns will leave a lasting memory in your mind, which I highly recommend.