TANDO NKUNGWANA
Local pastor Matthew Faure’s debut book, Ghost in the Passenger Seat is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of grief, faith, and loss.
Through the story of a father navigating the aftermath of his son’s passing, Faure takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption.
A pastor at East London’s Halieus Ministries Soul Centre, Faure said the inspiration behind writing this book stemmed from his personal experience with grief. He describe this period of his life as a place of “real grief,” that did not come with answers, only questions.
“In that quiet space where words often fail, I sensed God was not absent, just silent.
“That silence became sacred, and it stayed with me.
“This book honours that kind of grief — the slow and sacred kind — and is meant to remind people that Christ does not wait at the end of our pain, He walks with us through it,” Faure said.
The book explores the impact that grief has on individuals and families. The author’s portrayal of the protagonist’s emotional journey is raw, honest, and deeply relatable. As the protagonist navigates the dark landscape of loss, he is forced to confront the limits of his own understanding and the fragility of human existence.
Additionally, the author notes that there are elements of the protagonist’s character that directly portray himself.
“There is more of me in the protagonist’s voice than I expected when I started writing this book. The monologues that he shares, his prayers, his regrets, the way he talks to his son, these all came from places in me that still ache,” he said.
“While the story is fictional, the emotional thread running through it is real. I had conversations with grieving parents, sat in the silence with them, and that deeply shaped this narrative”, Faure said.
One of the most striking aspects of Ghost in the Passenger Seat is the exploration of faith in the midst of suffering. The protagonist’s relationship with God is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the messy and often contradictory nature of human experience.
“I want readers to wrestle with what it means for God to be near even when He feels far. I want to highlight His presence in the silence, the beauty of broken faith, and the kind of healing that does not erase pain but rather transforms it.”
Faure said the protagonist’s faith evolves throughout the novel, becoming less of a belief system and more of a companionship.
“Through his grief, Christ becomes more real to him, not as a distant figure, but as someone who understands grief from the inside. It is not about having answers, it is about having Him,” he said.
The book’s structure is unique and effective in conveying the themes of grief and loss. It portrays the idea that grief is a process, not a destination. It is a journey with no clean breaks or easy answers.
“The structure mirrors real grief. Each chapter feels like another road marker in a journey that is more about process than destination. I wanted readers to feel like they were driving with him, mile after mile, memory after memory, until something shifts quietly inside.
“I hope this book gives people space to feel, to not tidy their sorrow or explain it away. The book does not rush to fix grief because real grief does not work like that. This book is for the reader who has had to whisper prayers through tears and who knows the road does not always lead to answers, but just to being in God’s presence,” Faure said.
The book is available for download from Amazon.
