Read this on my brother's blog-
http://disqus.com/forums/kylegoenblog/raising_global_christ_followers_pt2/trackback/
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
PRICELESS: A Novel on the Edge of the World
So i have been postponing this review in an attempt to get the book back in my hands. The day that i finished my friend, Shannon, who was leaving for vacation called and asked if i would leave the book on my porch for her to pick up. The day that i got the book back- my great aunt, who is 79, took the book to read because she had heard my ranting about it! so- i do not have the book in my possession at this time...HOWEVER, i will REVIEW!
Let me begin by saying that Tom Davis is a phenomenal story teller. I am not easily captivated. i find that i am an easily distracted, mind wandering, Mother of 4. I hate that this consumeristic, entertainment, novel world has shaped me as much as it has. However,this is where his ability to capture the reader comes in. He has a powerful ability to arrest the reader and transport them to a world that is completely foreign. He waste no time and uses no unnecessary explanations or descriptions.
To say that this book is fast-paced is an understatement. It is a dark, suspenseful ride.
The character development is great. Presently i am reading a book that has multiple stories, involving numerous characters and I must say keeping them straight has been laborious. Priceless is the opposite. This work is focused and clear. From the beginning I was intrigued by the accusation that the Church was somehow instrumental in the trading of these young girls for prostitution and slavery. There were times that i was sickened by the underworld of those who should be "rescuing the perishing."
The thing that I appreciate the most about Tom's writing is the capacity that he has to connect the reader with the character. I loved the weaknesses that he exposes in the main character, Stuart Daniels. From the minute this married man reconnects with his Russian contact and ex-girl friend he is aware of his attraction to her. I love that he is faithful to his wife. I love that Stuart is a fringe church member. And that the church where is beginning to re-connect is not one that is considered modern evangelical. Tom is an author that I believe understands his audience- which in turn tells me that he understands people.
This book, as well as Fields of the Fatherless, that he authored and i read last year , truly motivated me. I feel like a dweeb in saying that "they made me want to be more involved" and "i want to help the hurting." So i won't say that. His books make me want to help one person. He rattles my benevolence grid and pushes me to stop seeing wrecked lives as $50 projects. I feel like I have the ability and the resolve to live wholeheartedly for myself. I have the will and fortitude to loose myself in me and all that reminds me of me. Mr. Davis has a way of pressing the pause button on my self indulgent world. Reading his work is like sitting down to a fabulous meal, with fabulous drinks, in a fabulous place, with all of my fabulous people surrounding me and the minute that i am about to engage in my fabulous first bite i make eye contact with the lonely and distraught, orphan prostitute who misses her mom and just needs to borrow my iPhone long enough to call home. His writing reminds me that i must take a step. i must engage with a world that has gone absolutely crazy. when i look into the eyes of the hurting i must see my children, my mother and my brother.
Let me begin by saying that Tom Davis is a phenomenal story teller. I am not easily captivated. i find that i am an easily distracted, mind wandering, Mother of 4. I hate that this consumeristic, entertainment, novel world has shaped me as much as it has. However,this is where his ability to capture the reader comes in. He has a powerful ability to arrest the reader and transport them to a world that is completely foreign. He waste no time and uses no unnecessary explanations or descriptions.
To say that this book is fast-paced is an understatement. It is a dark, suspenseful ride.
The character development is great. Presently i am reading a book that has multiple stories, involving numerous characters and I must say keeping them straight has been laborious. Priceless is the opposite. This work is focused and clear. From the beginning I was intrigued by the accusation that the Church was somehow instrumental in the trading of these young girls for prostitution and slavery. There were times that i was sickened by the underworld of those who should be "rescuing the perishing."
The thing that I appreciate the most about Tom's writing is the capacity that he has to connect the reader with the character. I loved the weaknesses that he exposes in the main character, Stuart Daniels. From the minute this married man reconnects with his Russian contact and ex-girl friend he is aware of his attraction to her. I love that he is faithful to his wife. I love that Stuart is a fringe church member. And that the church where is beginning to re-connect is not one that is considered modern evangelical. Tom is an author that I believe understands his audience- which in turn tells me that he understands people.
This book, as well as Fields of the Fatherless, that he authored and i read last year , truly motivated me. I feel like a dweeb in saying that "they made me want to be more involved" and "i want to help the hurting." So i won't say that. His books make me want to help one person. He rattles my benevolence grid and pushes me to stop seeing wrecked lives as $50 projects. I feel like I have the ability and the resolve to live wholeheartedly for myself. I have the will and fortitude to loose myself in me and all that reminds me of me. Mr. Davis has a way of pressing the pause button on my self indulgent world. Reading his work is like sitting down to a fabulous meal, with fabulous drinks, in a fabulous place, with all of my fabulous people surrounding me and the minute that i am about to engage in my fabulous first bite i make eye contact with the lonely and distraught, orphan prostitute who misses her mom and just needs to borrow my iPhone long enough to call home. His writing reminds me that i must take a step. i must engage with a world that has gone absolutely crazy. when i look into the eyes of the hurting i must see my children, my mother and my brother.
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