"Six different stories, six different notes in the human song of longing for the unattainable."

Sarah Krasnostein tells six stories that are all different yet connected in the examination of faith and belief in things that can't rationally be proven. Gorgeously written and well researched, the book deep dives into topics ranging from deaths, ghosts, UFOs and extreme religions.

Everyone interviewed in the book holds views that are on the fringes and are people who I'm sure are met with frequent judgements. But Sarah Krasnostein keeps her bias out of these interviews. We see a beautifully humane side to everyone and their stories.

If you're a fan of Louis Theroux, I think you'd enjoy this book. Sarah and Louis have a similar way of breaking down barriers and letting people tell their stories in their own words. There's no scorn or disbelief; just a whole lot of respect.

I loved the chapters about Annie, a fascinating women who works as a death doula. I could have read a whole book about Annie, her life and the terminally ill clients she works with.

The whole book is a showcase in how good journalism can be. Every story is explored with sensitivity, empathy and respect. While we see some of Sarah's thoughts, she writes as an observer and not a judge.

The complexity of humanity and faith is explored beautifully on every page. The Believer is a well-crafted narrative non-fiction that even those who are ardent fiction-only-readers would enjoy.