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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Now I'm giving away The Lost Mission by Athol Dickson. Bonus review included!

To enter to win a copy of this novel simply read my review of this book below and post a comment related to what I've noted. I will pick a winner next Sunday. :)


About the book:

Buried beneath the poverty-stricken barrios and wealthy enclaves of Southern California, a Spanish mission is uncovered during a construction project---along with evidence of a crime. When four people begin work on unraveling the mystery, they each face a moral dilemma. Will their choices perpetuate the very crime that doomed the mission hundreds of years before?

My review:

I wish there was a way to give this story 4.5 stars but since I have to choose I'd say it's closer to four than five. The reason for this has more to do with a few minor things, like how the story dragged in the beginning. But that's because it was written in a "telling" style of storytelling at the outset. To give you an idea of what I mean, think about the movie Ella Enchanted and how it starts out...Once upon a time there was a little girl named Ella...etc. Anyway, it starts out with the Mexican Spanish settlements and the Catholic padres in Califormia in the 1700s and each chapter morphs into the present day almost seemlessly and sometimes even in the same paragraph.

However, the transition is not always subtle, like when it says...but two hundred years from that day such and thus happened, then it breaks back into the story. It's the oddest style, but it's different and I have to say that was hooked on this story once I started to see what the author was trying to do. Some people might not give the story a chance, but I'd say if you find the beginning a bit dry, give it a chance. It all goes together nicely when you see the pattern. I also didn't agree with some of the theology, but in spite of that I found some of the spiritual lessons and insights to be profound and compelling.

I love it when a story makes me think, especially when there is tragedy upon tragedy that could've been prevented. You can see the ship sinking, but there are many unforseen waves that rise up and hit you, the reader, along the way. Mr. Dickson knows how to torture his characters so that you feel their pain. This makes the story a page turner for me. I didn't know what to expect and I love that when I'm reading a book. I also love stories that show us just how deceitful and wicked our own hearts can be and why we need a savior every day and not just when we find faith convenient or something to be used for our benefit. Well done, Athol. I enjoyed this story because it made me think about my life. Highly recommended.

20 comments:

thecoolmom said...

The morphing between the two times and the Spanish missions make this book sound really intriguing. I'd love to read this one!

Mark said...

Sounds interesting, never read about Mexican settlements before, but the book sounds good
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jack Robinson said...

Enjoying the smooth transitions from past and present gives the reader a unique form of reading.

The style of writing is slow to grasp when first starting the book but when adapted to one's senses, the book will keep your attention till the end.

Jack Robinson
GySgt., U.S. Marine Corps, retired

http://www.resurrection-mission.com

Giveaway Lady said...

It sounds interesting:) I have read one of his books before and enjoyed it. Please enter me in the giveaway.
esterried@yahoo.com

Sally Bradley said...

I'd heard that he was using a different writing style on this book. Loved Winter Haven and They Shall See God. (email on site)

Nicole said...

A lot of contemporary writers have resorted to this method recently (Susan Meissner for one), and I for one don't care if a story begins slowly as long as it delivers with the writing. Athol Dickson never fails to deliver on the writing.
Please enter me, Michelle.

Anonymous said...

hummm interesting... ussually a book that starts as a "snoozer" ends as one too.. l like the Spanish mission too, course you know if it says Spanish l am hooked... Percy..

Anonymous said...

Sounds interesting. Please enter me.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Deborah M said...

Well, I must say I'm intrigued. I've heard Anthol's name on the ACFW loop many times. I would be interested in reading one of his books. Please enter me in the contest.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

Anita Yancey said...

Great review. I would really like reading about the Mexican Spanish Settlements, but the whole book sounds very interesting to me. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Paris said...

Most books are so easy to guess how it's going to end, so I'd like to read this one :]
parisakins@gmail.com

Aggie Villanueva said...

I too love a story that makes me think, and historical faction is so great at that because we are "suppose" to learn from history. Thankx for letting us know about this one.

Edna said...

This book sounds so good, I would love to win it, needs some new reads.



mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I've read Mr Dickson's books before...and always enjoyed them. Please include me in this giveaway. thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hope said...

Sounds like an interesting book!
Please enter me in the giveaway!
Hope
onepilgrim86@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I haven't read any of Athol Dickson's novels, but the story idea sounds interesting. I'm not sure if the slow beginning will keep me turning pages, but the story concept sounds so promising that I'd hang in there just to see where the author led me.

Unknown said...

I haven't read any of Athol Dickson's novels, but the story idea sounds interesting. I'm not sure if the slow beginning will keep me turning pages, but the story concept sounds so promising that I'd hang in there just to see where the author led me.

Katie Marie said...

The books sounds really good! I usually am not a fan of books that are slow to start, but if they make up for it at the end with some interesting twist and turns, then it's not so bad. You leave the book with the end fresh in your memory, and therefore don't dwell on the slow begining as much. Please enter me in!

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

And the winner is...

Sharon Ball!

Unknown said...

How wonderful!!! Thanks, Michelle!

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