I used to devour Christian fiction books --- two or three to a weekend, two or three during the week. The past six or seven years, though, I've really struggled as they've seemed more and more shallow and juvenile. This book is one of five that I've chosen to read through over the next couple weeks in an attempt to see if Christian fiction has improved since I decided to give up on it. After reading this first book, I'm wondering if the problem isn't so much the genre as it is the depth. Perhaps I've moved on to a season where I thrive on more literary material. In any case, I'll report the results on my YouTube channel, Belle's Library.
Style wise, I found the writing frustratingly filled with fills, fillers, and fillings. The âactionâ, a term that is relative and questionable in this case, doesn't show up for 150 pages. I was bogged down by the many characters introduced too quickly and quite frustrated by the extremely slow start. At over 250 pages, I noted that I definitely would have DNF'd the book by that point if I hadn't already committed to reading it for my project.
For an author that often claims to be inspired by Jane Austen, I found it ironic that the story contained several elements that Austen actually would have parodied. The "nervous table napkin" of page 48, the maid being so ready to let someone pose as her and risk losing her needed position of employment, the coincidence of the nuns which began in chapter 20. Even a character hangs a lantern on the idea that it'd be unlikely there'd be two nuns running around. Most of all, though, is the use of made up sanitized Regency Christian curse words. âThunder and turf!â Who says that??!! No 18th or 19th century story I've read uses such ridiculous terms. I can't honestly believe these are authentic curse words. They used the same words we do. I'm going to guess these come purely (a little too purely) from Georgette Heyer's imagination. This is probably a pet peeve --- but it's a huge pet that flings its nasty slobber around the room every time it shakes its overgrown head.
My final complaint comes about 300 pages in when I start to think maybe the story is growing on me. Then Rebecca responds to her brother and his sin in a way that is so lenient and not normal, promoting dangerous toxic relationships even. I don't know if this is a common trope now in this genre, but it's not the first time I've been disgusted by this over-extension of grace. (Talking to you Jaime Jo Wright!!)
One huge plus for this author is the way she handles differences in mental illness well, making a distinction between those who are certifiably insane and need life-long supervisory care vs. those who are dealing with heavy depression or trauma and need temporary care. I believe her solutions for depression are Biblical and I was happy to see those promoted.
The majority of this story annoyed and bored me; though the last 40 pages or so wrapped up to a satisfying, if not easily discerned, ending. Many of Rebecca's thoughts and decisions irritated me; though when I tried to look at her situation with more grace and less logic, I found that she did eventually summon the strength to make the decisions that were best for everyone and I admired that strong finale.
One of the questions I'm asking myself during this project is, what makes a book considered to be Christian or inspirational fiction in this generation? Is it put on that shelf in the bookshop because of its lack of content or its inclusion of content? Is it just clean or is it specifically Christian? In the case of this story, I would argue it is specifically Christian. We see flaws resolved based on Biblical principles. We see honor given to YHWH as the only God. The two terms I throw around for this genre, "contrived" and "preachy" did not so much apply to this story, when considered as a whole. While some scenes came together just a little too easily, overall I see this as a simple, solid story.
Style wise, I found the writing frustratingly filled with fills, fillers, and fillings. The âactionâ, a term that is relative and questionable in this case, doesn't show up for 150 pages. I was bogged down by the many characters introduced too quickly and quite frustrated by the extremely slow start. At over 250 pages, I noted that I definitely would have DNF'd the book by that point if I hadn't already committed to reading it for my project.
For an author that often claims to be inspired by Jane Austen, I found it ironic that the story contained several elements that Austen actually would have parodied. The "nervous table napkin" of page 48, the maid being so ready to let someone pose as her and risk losing her needed position of employment, the coincidence of the nuns which began in chapter 20. Even a character hangs a lantern on the idea that it'd be unlikely there'd be two nuns running around. Most of all, though, is the use of made up sanitized Regency Christian curse words. âThunder and turf!â Who says that??!! No 18th or 19th century story I've read uses such ridiculous terms. I can't honestly believe these are authentic curse words. They used the same words we do. I'm going to guess these come purely (a little too purely) from Georgette Heyer's imagination. This is probably a pet peeve --- but it's a huge pet that flings its nasty slobber around the room every time it shakes its overgrown head.
My final complaint comes about 300 pages in when I start to think maybe the story is growing on me. Then Rebecca responds to her brother and his sin in a way that is so lenient and not normal, promoting dangerous toxic relationships even. I don't know if this is a common trope now in this genre, but it's not the first time I've been disgusted by this over-extension of grace. (Talking to you Jaime Jo Wright!!)
One huge plus for this author is the way she handles differences in mental illness well, making a distinction between those who are certifiably insane and need life-long supervisory care vs. those who are dealing with heavy depression or trauma and need temporary care. I believe her solutions for depression are Biblical and I was happy to see those promoted.
The majority of this story annoyed and bored me; though the last 40 pages or so wrapped up to a satisfying, if not easily discerned, ending. Many of Rebecca's thoughts and decisions irritated me; though when I tried to look at her situation with more grace and less logic, I found that she did eventually summon the strength to make the decisions that were best for everyone and I admired that strong finale.
One of the questions I'm asking myself during this project is, what makes a book considered to be Christian or inspirational fiction in this generation? Is it put on that shelf in the bookshop because of its lack of content or its inclusion of content? Is it just clean or is it specifically Christian? In the case of this story, I would argue it is specifically Christian. We see flaws resolved based on Biblical principles. We see honor given to YHWH as the only God. The two terms I throw around for this genre, "contrived" and "preachy" did not so much apply to this story, when considered as a whole. While some scenes came together just a little too easily, overall I see this as a simple, solid story.
