I thought I had noticed a pattern in Dekker’s writing. I’d found that his series seemed to fall into the lower category (at least for me) while his individual novels seemed to stand fairly strong. I had hoped that Boneman’s Daughters, a stand-alone novel, would hold this pattern true – especially coming on the heels of Adam. Unfortunately – it doesn’t. Not that its a bad novel – James Rollins gives it accolades, so it has to be decent right?

Boneman’s Daughters is the story of a father (Ryan Evans) whose wife (Celine) and teenage daughter (Bethany) feel abandoned and independent as Ryan has spent years serving in the military away from them. Ryan has a life-changing experience that renews his desire to correct his relationships with his wife and daughter – but is he too late? Given enough time perhaps he can win them back – but there is a killer (“Boneman”) on the loose who steals daughters and breaks their bones horrifically – and he’s about to take Bethany. How will Ryan save her and if he does save her will she even want to be saved? Or is Ryan really Boneman?

A number of interesting questions with potential thrills – but the story fails to grip and hold. The spiritual aspect is at times absent (Dekker’s first “secular” book) but at other times feels heavy-handed. There aren’t the same sort of psychological insights and emotional twists that Adam offers in Boneman. If I had to rate it I’d give it a seven on a ten point scale. Its a decent read if you are bored, but not revolutionary. Read Adam instead.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

One of his earliest books was Desiring God with the provocative subtitle of “meditations of a christian hedonist.” For those not familiar with the word – a hedonist is someone who pursues pleasure – as such the title seems antithetical to how many Christians (and non-Christians) perceive the Christian faith. Yet within the pages of this book one finds not a call to shallow living but a call to deeper living and a vision of a faith that stretches farther and deeper than many of us had previously imagined. Piper is extremely orthodox and conservative (in an evangelical fashion) theologically but his writings push readers to imagine and understand their traditional faith in deeper (not necessarily new) ways.

It took me several years to read John Piper’s Desiring God…and I am a fairly avaricious reader. The first several times I tried I threw the book down in disgust due to Piper’s heavily deterministic, predestinatory, Calvinistic/Augistinian bent, but at last I struggled through and found that he had much worthwhile to say even if his ideas in this one area were disturbing to me. But even from here, it would be another year or two until I finished this hefty volume – not because of its sheer length but because of its content. So many books are filled with fluff essentially regurgitating the same statements in different guises – each page of Piper’s Desiring God is filled with challenging, convicting, uplifting, need-to-think-this-over content…there is no fluff. This means that I would only read a few pages each day – there was just so much to chew on.

Whether you are a Christian or not I would recommend John Piper’s Desiring God. He does a great job at laying out an exciting vision of the Christian life.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The first book I read by Ted Dekker was Thr3e, which I enjoyed thoroughly from start to end. But then it felt like Dekker hit a dry spell. I read House which he had co-authored with Frank Peretti[1. Peretti is probably my favorite fiction writer, especially in the Christian genre. He, however, also disappointed me first with Monster and then with House.] and it disappointed thoroughly. House seemed to lack real story (as most horror does) and focused on an extremely fragmented narrative.[2. By this I mean the book is told in small segments, swapping back and forth between characters, times, places, etc. This is fine when done in moderation (e.g. one chapter about one character, the next about another), but when it becomes pervasive it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I consider it an artificial method of creating a driving thriller. Instead of real substance one breaks up the story in a way that feels "fast-paced" but if placed in order would simply feel simplistic and dull.]

After that it was Showdown and Saint (The Paradise Series), both of which I found somewhat boring – probably due to the imaginative storyline which felt just a bit too fantastical for my tastes. I picked up Obsessed but never was obsessed with it and haven’t finished it yet (not sure if I will). I’d heard good things about his Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, and White) but have avoided them out of my distaste for The Paradise Novels.

I stopped by the library recently and picked up two of his latest – Skin and Adam. I read Skin first. I was solidly disappointed yet again. I was tempted to just return Adam without even a second glance. I’m not trying to say Dekker’s books where awful – they weren’t – they were okay, good, average. They just weren’t great and I have a reading list a mile long. I decided to give it a try anyways – a few pages, then put it aside. Dekker grabbed me in the first several pages and wouldn’t let me go. Wow! By the end Charity had joined me and we were reading the story together. We both agreed that it was his most mature work to date. In fact, I would consider it a masterpiece in its genre.

Synopsis:

Daniel Clark works for the FBI and is hunting down a mysterious serial killer known only as “Eve” for taking innocent women and murdering them via a lethal biological injection. Clark has been hard on Eve’s trail for a long time and has lost his marriage over his obsession to catch Eve. Now it seems that Clark is finally getting close, but Eve outsmarts him again – shooting him in the head and killing him. Miraculously, Clark is resuscitated, but not without losing his memory of the killer’s face. The key to capturing this devious criminal is locked in his damaged mind.

Okay, so the storyline isn’t perhaps all that different from any number of other crime thrillers, or for that matter many of Dekker’s other stories – but the execution is flawless. Dekker interweaves the current narrative of the serial killer chase with fictitious newspaper articles written after the case describing the evolution of Alex Price (Eve) from a man into a killer.

There are only so many times one can read a crime thriller. They pretty much have the same narrative structure and storyline – bad guy kills people, bad guy gets caught. Flesh it out and you have your story. So how does one separate oneself from the masses? Dekker does it (and rightly so) by asking deeply philosophical (and theological) questions via his narrative[3. He does this in some of his other novels, but generally I have found the execution flawed with the exception of Thr3e and Adam.], specifically, “What is it that causes an individual to become a serial killer? Is one born as such or bred as such? Can a good man become a bad one?” This questions can be asked in a heavy-handed manner that demands a certain pathway be followed and fails to truly explore the questions and accept the unanswered dimensions, but Dekker succeeds in asking these questions in a way that feels real and authentic.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a thrilling read, Adam is a great place to look. I have read few books that have grabbed me in such a firm way – and that I look back on with deep thoughts. I think the question of the darkest edges of humanity (e.g. serial killers) fascinates us because we believe at some point that it gives us insight into the whole of humanity. We want to understand how we can aberrate so far – we want to find an answer. Dekker encourages us to search our souls for the right answers.[4. This book is not a pure criminal thriller. If you want to get an idea of the secret twist (which makes the story even more frightening) click here, it'll take you to a book referenced in the novel that is tightly intertwined with the plot - but warning - its a spoiler!]

Related posts:

1. Boneman’s Daughters (Ted Dekker). Ted Dekker has written some excellent books. Adam is my...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Part One (6/15/07):

Today I received a small package in the mail. What was this? I hadn’t remembered ordering anything off Half.com recently. I busted it open. Ohh, it was Demon a memoir by Tosca Lee. I had seen the book in a Crosswalk review and decided that I would like to get my hands on it. Amazingly, Tosca happened upon my “wish list” and offered to send me a complimentary copy. So here it was. While I hadn’t asked, I was happy to see she had taken a moment to sign it. Since running several websites on the internet over the years I have accumulated quite the small stash of items from various authors, publishers, etc., but few that I have looked forward to so eagerly.

Tonight was a youth event, so I didn’t have much time but I sat down and began to read. I was happy to see it was published by NavPress, a Christian publisher I trust. The first chapter read smoothly enough, but started more slowly than most. Many novels these days begin with a cliff hanger seeking to immediately draw their readers in. Tosca avoids this traditional formula – perhaps to her monetary detriment, but not to the detriment of her storytelling. Rather she slowly picks up pace – revealing layers of mystery and pain.

The story of Demon a memoir is a twin tale. First of Clay, a man who has lost everything when his wife Aubrey divorces him, and of the demon that desires to have his story told by Clay to the world. Such a premise is fascinating. Humans are always drawn to the unknown – that is why genres such as science fiction and fantasy attract us and why we are so driven to scientific discovery.

Thus far Tosca has managed to powerfully portray the surroundings, individuals, and storyline. The story reads with great detail but not so much (that like Dostoevsky) it becomes overwhelming and brings the storyline to a painful halt (though I still like Dostoevsky). I have begun to feel the pain that Clay is experiencing over his wife’s betrayal. The anguish is almost palpable. At the same time I am drawn to the story of the demon, Lucian. Tosca is building up camaraderie and sympathy with the demon. The demon seems honorable, humble, and earnest. What story does he have to tell? Is God really the bad guy in this cosmic war? Tosca gives no hints as to her plans, though the publisher and some of the recommendations give away where the story is headed.

The real question now is, which I cannot answer until I have pierced more deeply into the novel, will Tosca be able to offer insight into the demonic nature? Will she be able to maintain the tension of the storyline? Or will Tosca’s novel become just another plodding example of Christian apologetics roughly pressed into the mold of entertainment? If so, I am sure she will find her place on my list (not a good place) amongst Unidentified, The Moment After 2: The Awakening, and Left Behind. But here’s hoping…

Part Two (6/22/07):

I am now on page 146 of 322, this compared to perhaps page 60 the last time I wrote. I find the novel fascinating and am continually picking it up throughout the day – whenever I am at home. I am attempting to pace myself, to force myself to enjoy it like a sweet chocolate rather than gulping it all down in one large bite and feeling as if I had just gorged myself – missing out on the flavor and depth.

I must say, I have been extremely impressed with the book thus far. It is not a cliff-hanger. Each chapter doesn’t end forcing you to read the next (as say, Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Dan Brown, etc.) – but there is this overall pushing forward which keeps you reading. There is this continuous thread slowly being unraveled as we learn about Clay and his demonic friend, Lucian. Tosca slowly, tantalizingly reveals to us the truth – and it is both delightful and painful. Tonight I seriously contemplated jumping to the end of the novel, to find out what secrets she has hidden – but I doubt that the novel will end with a summary conclusion, rather it is spread throughout – each chapter revealing more secrets.

Besides writing a compelling novel she has written a novel well-founded. It is based upon firm biblical interpretations, though not necessarily always ones I would agree with. While binding herself to the text of Scripture thus far she has also loosed herself from it. She walks a balanced road – painting broad strokes around the Scripture’s fundamental story while not undermining the essential details.

Finally, I would note that her writing skill is immaculate. I do not know whether she sat with a dictionary as she typed up each page but the variety and depth of her vocabulary is astonishing. Each page flows with details and grandeur – yet not so much so as to become academic and dry.

So, halfway through the novel how do I feel about it? I feel that it is amazing. No, its not your average thriller and it doesn’t force you to stay up nights – but it does draw you back daily and leaves you with a deep satisfaction upon the completion of every chapter.

Part Three (6/27/07):

Tonight I read perhaps a dozen chapters. I had been trying to keep myself to only one to three chapters a day – preferably one at a time, but tonight I had to finish it. Not only because I desired to know how the story ended, but also because I was eager to write this review and begin lending out my book to anyone who would read it. I was not disappointed and I have given Tosca Lee’s rating a near-perfect review (4.99/5.00). Amongst literary writers I would compare her most closely to C.S. Lewis, especially in his The Great Divorce (I read The Screwtape Letters as a pre-teen and have not had the opportunity to re-read them, at the time they seemed dry and boring, so I will not compare Demon to it). She ranks with certainty alongside of some of our most accomplished and popular Christian writers – e.g. Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Randy Alcorn.

Salient Features:

• Story: So many Christian products are repackaged secular products (this is especially true in the music and film industries). Lee separates herself as an original and innovative writer who provides a gripping story. She also manages to avoid the pitfall of Christian art. Creating a work which forgets that it is art by becoming so enamored with powerfully portraying the gospel, to the abandonment of its method. Lee skillfully balances these two – ensuring that truth is clearly demonstrated while at the same time raising the bar for Christian fiction artistically. Her story is fascinating and engrossing.
• Grammar, Structure: In both its vocabulary and style Demon manages to be a piece of art. Where many Christian volumes fall into redundancy and formulaic expressions she manages to skillfully weave a masterpiece.
• Theology: One could read her volume not only as fiction but also as commentary. The depth of expression and insight is breathtaking. Yet at the end she humbly writes in an “Author’s Note”, “…despite my research, I have never come to the point that I feel I completely understand the implications of God’s relationship with spiritual beings or the nuances of passages like Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. I chose the interpretations I did for the sense they make to me and also for their storytelling merit. I encourage you to pass my approach through the sieve of your own discernment and to use it as a springboard for your own investigation.” (pg. 320)
• Un-Answered Questions: Tosca does not attempt to answer every question raised and while oftentimes suggesting what she feels is the answer, allows the reader to continue to wrestle with the unanswerable questions. This may be considered frustrating, but it is excellent in refusing to provide the pat answers we so often desire.

To those who are looking for a piece of summer fiction or the next must read I wholeheartedly endorse this volume as eminently readable and enjoyable.

Related posts:

1. Boneman’s Daughters (Ted Dekker). Ted Dekker has written some excellent books. Adam is my...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Stephen Lawhead is a prolific author. As a teen I always wanted to read his fantasy books but never had the opportunity. I recently borrowed his historical novel, The Iron Lance, from my local library (Pennwood). I’m sure if the librarians stumble across this post they curse my name – the book is long overdue. But in my defense – the volume totals nearly five hundred pages and it’s not a oversize font![1. Libraries generally max out your fine. I realized I could keep returning it and getting new fines or just hold onto it and return it when I was all done and pay my fine once. Keeping it is cheaper. Of course, I could also just return it on time...and pay no fine] I’m a fan now and intend to read all his volumes – historical novels and otherwise.

The Iron Lance is part of a trilogy about The Celtic Crusades. In this first volume Lawhead follows several different storylines. The first is a macro view of the historical environment – the battles and political intrigures in the crusade that took Jerusalem. The second (and largest) focuses in on Murdo Ranulfson who is forced to stay at home while everyone else goes on Crusade, but in the end must travel to Jerusalem as well due to dark circumstances at home. A third tells of a mysterious secret order in nineteenth century England which appears to be a latter incarnation of the Cele De, a monastic order, which Murdo encounters on his journeys. Finall, the story at times returns back to the homeland to discuss the fate of the womenfolk left behind under the cruel oversight of corrupt churchmen.

The book feels epic in scope and the writing is both detailed and attractive. While not the thrill-a-minute offered by writers like Michael Crichton or Frank Peretti, for those who enjoy historical novels (such as those by Jeff Shaara) it will be a sheer joy to read. Lawhead manages to bring many famous characters and events to life – something which is extremely difficult during the especially convoluted middle ages when rulers and kingdoms are made and deposed faster than one can blink.

It is worth noting that Lawhead comes from a Christian background, yet he spares few blows when striking at the hypocrisy and bloody carnage perpetrated on behalf of the Church and in the name of Christ. While he attempts to balance the cruelty portrayed on all sides he isn’t afraid to note the boredom and lechery so common. His book, in fact, seems almost anti-Christian as times but much later in the book he significantly develops Christian themes. In part, he is only being faithful to the history of the times – which was thoroughly permeated with Christianity amongst the Western nations. For those who are Christians the read will be both challenging and encouraging. For those who aren’t, he treads lightly and doesn’t preach to the reader. Preferring only to illuminate beliefs and systems within a narrative that carries it own apart from the religious elements[2. Unfortunately, many Christian novels are written to portray a point rather than carrying a point in their portrayal. The former is fine, but it is oftentimes done so poorly that the work cannot be considered art or even good writing. Lawhead does not succumb to any such foibles.]

Related posts:

1. Boneman’s Daughters (Ted Dekker). Ted Dekker has written some excellent books. Adam is my...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.