Doesn't compare to Blink
I found the beginning interesting, but after expecting more of the action seen in his book "Blink" found this book disappointing in the time spent developing a love relationship between the two main characters - Helen & Jen. This was written when I was half way through. After finishing it I am reducing the stars to two. The ending is weak and the type bothered me from the start - it is small and faint which makes for difficult reading. I called, asking for a version with larger type. but non existed. I have enjoyed Ted.s writing in other books but would not recommend this one unless you like to get hung up in descriptions of interpersonal relationships.
Wonderful! What a ride!
I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. It helped me gain a better understanding of love, sacrifice and sin. I actually gave this book as gifts. Wow! What a ride!
Engaging!!
Another outstanding novel by Ted Dekker. Filled with everything from suspense to romance and faith and love. Emotionally engaging right from the start.
Now I get it!
I graduated from college with a major in Bible.
I have preached in California and done mission work in India and Japan. I have read Hosea and listened to Michael Card sing.
But I have never understood the love of God like I do now after reading this book.
I was so frustrated by Helen's repeated forays back to Glen. Then at some point it hit me. This is what I am doing when I return to my favorite sins. I am putting God though pain, I am rejecting his love. But like the Father of the Prodigal, he welcomes me back. Like Jan welcomes Helen back.
Somehow Ted Dekker has the gift to make Biblical truth plain and relevant to me.
A Great Story
This book is basically a romance with a major lesson. Had I known it was a romantic type book before starting it, I'm sure I would have passed on it as those have no interest for me. That would have been a major mistake. This is an excellent novel with a great message.
The story is primarily set in the United States in the 1960s. It has some flashbacks to Bosnia in WWII. The protagonist, Janjic Jovic, was a Yugoslav partisan during the war with a band that performed some horrific acts. This was mostly due to the pushing of the leader, Karadzic, who was a major bad guy. Jovic was heroic in challenging Karadzic over some of his atrocities. He ended up being imprisoned for his valor.
Two decades later Jovic is a successful author in Atlanta who has written a bestselling account of events during the war including Kardzic's evils such as the martyrdom of a priest and a young girl who refused to renounce Christ. This was a major life altering event for Jovic and many of his readers.
Jovic ends up becoming involved with Helen, who is a drug addict who is the sexual slave of a particularly evil man, Glenn Lutz. The story has elements that seem utterly absurd on the face. Jovic almost instantaneously develops an unconditional love for Helen who continues going back to Lutz for drugs in exchange for sexual favors.
Although few would continue to love and tolerate her in the face of her continual betrayals, Jovic does so with fervor. On the surface, he appears to be the biggest schmuck on the planet. However, Dekker does a masterful job of showing how we are Helen and Jovic represents Christ's love in the story.
To avoid spoiling the storyline, I will refrain from further commentary here. I would highly recommend this book and encourage readers to really focus on the underlying message. It is a great read.
(50 reviews)
