by Joseph F. Girzone
I have read a fair amount of Christian fiction. Much of it has interesting and important stories to tell, whether they are rooted in the facts of scripture or not. But this book misses the mark. While it shares an important message of freedom in religion through loving faith, the style is clunky, the prose awkward. Characters speak in pedantic, pompous paragraphs (enjoy the alliteration, Mom), and Joshua himself repeats his message over and over in much the same words each time. The few actions described carry much more weight than the many verbose soliloquies delivered by the various characters. Joshua's carvings, healings, and acts of mercy and kindness toward the people in the town are much more powerful than the theological arguments he delivers to ministers of escalating importance.
Overall, an interesting idea that was executed poorly. Would not read again.
I tried to read that book once ... I couldn't finish it! Have never picked it up again, not sure I would even know where to find it.
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