The Baggage Handler

I had heard a lot of great things about The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings, so I was thrilled to get the chance to read this debut novel. The buzz said it is a parable, and it certainly is. This book made me dig deep into my own attitudes, expectations, experiences, and insecurities — the baggage that is part and parcel of who I am. Insightful, thought-provoking, and a real conversation starter, this book gets a very highly recommended rating from me.

It all begins with three people with lost baggage. Each is facing struggles at the end of their plane rides, and the experience of searching out their lost baggage is not pleasant. Add an enigmatic baggage handler who forces them to face their real selves, and you have a riveting look show more into what people carry around with them and their inept means of dealing with it. The characters Rawlings created are well-developed, not the stereotypes often found in parables. They were very real and relatable from the opening chapters. Did I see myself in any of them? Maybe. 😉 The baggage they carry, often unrecognized or not of their choice, includes envy, unforgiveness, and unworthiness. The doubts and fears each exhibit come from the depths of the human experience. And that is what makes The Baggage Handler so powerful — its universal message. A light is shown on what we all need to deal with. The setting of the baggage facility is masterfully depicted — you’ll see when you read the book. Not everything is resolved in the way I would have liked, leaving me feeling both hopeful and sad. But isn’t that how it is in real life as well?

Perfect for a book club discussion ( you will want to talk about this book!), The Baggage Handler is a must-read! I cannot wait for more from Rawlings.

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I found myself doing some real introspection as I read this modern day parable. The author has taken three travelers that clearly are carrying baggage that doesn't belong to them or shall we say, appears to be incorrectly assigned. Are you trying to live out someone else's dream, or is it really your own? Perhaps by not always looking for more, enjoyment and love will grow for the people and life we have already been given. Removing the wrong bag from the baggage carousel of life will possibly send you down a path that is not preferred. Are you ready for the results?
I received an ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.

The Baggage Handler was certainly an interesting read with the Baggage Handler. As the author states, we all have baggage we carry around every day. This story focuses on gaining freedom from your baggage. With the Baggage Handler being a symbol of Jesus, the meaning is clear. The story made me think. It made me contemplate what I need to hand to Jesus. A book like this can't be ignored. Try as hard as you might, but this story will stick with you. That is what all stories should do and this one nailed it on the head.
The writing style is relatable and understandable. With smooth transitions and an engaging tone, this supports the plot.
I suppose you want to hear about the plot. In all honesty, it had some surprises that I saw coming and show more others that I did not see.
I would recommend this novel to those who know they have baggage to sort out and those who don't think they have any - because you do. (sorry if i burst your bubble)

Personal Rating: 4 Stars
Content Rating: 4 Stars

I received this book in exchange for a honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. show less

I really enjoyed this little book. it's an allegory, but it is so much more. In it we meet three people, each battling their own demons. I challenge those who read this book to find someone or even themselves in this book. How much baggage do each of us carry around? How does it limit our our options? How does it adversely affect our lives and our health? I really can't say I loved the three people's stories. I can't say that i found myself in one of these three people, but I can say that it made me realize that I had baggage of my own. Is it going to change my life? I don't know, but self awareness is worth something. I think we all need a baggage handler to help us through this life of toil and trouble. I highly recommend this book. show more And I have my own copy which makes it so much more special. I intend to share it with anyone who asks. show less

The book is similar in content to a few others I have read. I did enjoy the book and meeting the three main characters. We all have baggage we hold on to and don't realize how it slows us down in life. I loved how the author took three different characters and allowed us to watch them unpack their baggage with surprise and confusion. I often wonder how many people have picked up the wrong baggage and realized it after they left the airport? For each character there is an urgency to retrieve the right baggage and scurry on their way.

It is easier to stuff your baggage with regret, anger, low self-esteem and other emotions and forget about them. What we don't realize is that someday those forgot about emotions will unpack at a time we are show more not ready for them. As each character is sent to a place to pick up their correct baggage, we see each one open up the heavy burdens they have been carrying. It reminds me of a backpack filled with bricks. You carry it around because you don't want to put it down and see what's inside . When you decide you cant go on, you unburden yourself of the baggage and there waiting is all the baggage called anger, deceit, forgiveness, pride and many other things that stare you right in the face.

As you read this story, immerse yourself in it and allow God to take your burdens away. The lies we have believed and the struggles we have encountered have loaded us down and it is time to be set free . As the Baggage Handler explains to each of the three people, they must be able to let go of the baggage once they give it to him. How many times have we told God that we give our troubles to Him, then pick it up again? At the end of the book are questions that are worth looking at. These questions are for you to examine yourself and see what baggage you need to get rid of. The choice is ours to make: do we want to get rid of baggage that leads us to joy and freedom or hold on to it and continue to be unhappy ?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less

Whether we want to admit it or not we are all carrying baggage. For Gillian Short, David Hawke, and Michael Downer after a normal flight, and an encounter with a seemingly normal baggage handler, they go about their lives but with one little problem: a crazy baggage mix up that ends up being more than they bargained for. This little mix up leads Gillian, David, and Michael to confront more than their physical baggage but also emotional baggage that is weighing each of them down, whether they want to admit it or not.

Gillian is the wife and mom that feels like herself and her life do not measure up, David is putting all of his focus on work and trying to deal with a marriage that is broken, and Michael is the son that is trying to do show more everything he can to please his father instead of pursuing his own passion. Each person has baggage that we can all relate to in one form or another, which really pulls you into their plight and delves you deeper into their stories.

Incredibly thought-provoking and very well written, The Baggage Handler really hits home, moving you to examine your own life and your own baggage, and motivates you to take action in dealing with the things that weigh you down and hinder you from being your true self. It's a speedy read that packs a powerful punch, and is worth every second. show less

“The Baggage Handler” is an entertaining, quick read I finished in one sitting (ironically, on a plane). The handler himself has a spiritual aspect to him, and is certainly well versed in pop culture references. This is an approachable read a lot of folks could enjoy as it doesn’t mention religion...then again, I found that lack a bit disappointing and kept expecting it, given that the book is published by Thomas Nelson.

Not everyone got a happy ending, which made the story more realistic...not everything can get wrapped up in a few pages, and each character took a different amount of time to “get” the handler’s memo.

Overall a decent read with some challenging one-liners.

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Publicity show more Tours. All opinions are my own. show less