Week 4: Nov. 25- Dec. 1, Chapters 23 - THE END!!

[Francesca]

First, remember we're taking the rest of this month off. We'll plan to resume Jan. 6, 2008!!

Second, do you remember how beccalou opted out of her pick in our first year. WELL, I accidentally skipped her again this year - OOPS!! Normally it would be Diggers pick, but we're going to go back for beccalou and then catch up with Digger. Having written all that, beccalou get with me on your choice for our next book.

Oh, and third, although Sherlock Holmes was not read this time around, I have a feeling that pick will be coming up again...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

[Kellieara]

Well, I had about a 1/4 of the book left when I got in bed on Monday night around 10:30. I finished the book at 12:45 am. I just couldn't stop. I've been paying for it some this week, but this week is so freakin' chaotic anyway that it really doesn't matter. Plus that's what strong coffee is for.

I really and truly loved this book. And now that I'm finished with it, I will admit that I was skeptical when it arrived and I saw the cover. It looked like some sappy early 90s Christian romance novel. I just wish Christian publishers would get past the doe-eyed girl look for their covers once and for all. Yet, after I began to read, I found between those covers a rich, well-written novel that I feel blessed to have read.

If I have any criticism at all, it would be the somewhat one-sided view that Ms. Austin gave of the Southeners. Caroline is viewed as a freak basically, and I don't think that was completely the case. Also, the author had a very black and white (no pun intended) attitude toward what the whole war was about. After reading pretty intensively about the Civil War a couple of years ago, I came to the conclusion that it was about so much more than slavery. That's why I found Caroline's decision to spy and give information to the North a little shocking, and I'm not sure that I altogether agree that it was the right thing to do. I cannot imagine doing something like that when there were so many unknown factors looming and if I had loved ones that might be harmed by my choices. I was also a little surprised that in a Christian novel nothing was said about Gen. Lee's character or faith.

I don't want you to think I am in any way for slavery. I think overall it was (and is) an evil institution. At the same time, I know that there were godly, sincere Christians who lived in the south, who were slave-owners. I just feel that both sides could be portrayed more equally in this book.

All of that said, I'm still happy with the way it turned out. I was glad the author didn't allow Charles to completely and immediately forgive Caroline for her actions. That would have been too far-fetched. I am equally glad that he did, in fact, eventually forgive her and they had a chance to start over. Josiah's conversation with Charles was one of my favorite moments of the novel, and in some ways redeemed my uneasiness with the writer's politics.

Now to finish the trilogy.....

[Francesca]

I have to pretty much agree with Kelliara on her critique of this book. But, knowing that the other two books deal with two other persepctives I think the author was truly just trying to discuss one thought provoking aspect of life in the South.

I also agree that Josiah's talk with Charles was the hightlight of the book. Second to it, for me, was when Eli was talking to Caroline and explaining that his position as a slave made him better serve Christ. He understood that when the "Massa" backons, you stop what you are doing, run to his feet and find out exactly what he needs. What an amazing word picture!

I am anxiously awaiting the remaining books in this trilogy.

Also looking forward to our next pick, beccalou! Just get with me in the next little bit to share your choice!

[beccalou]

Well, I loved this book very much. I have a little bit of a different view of it then some others but all in all I thought it was tremendously written. The only person that I really didn't like in the whole book was Caroline's mother. I have to admit that I was glad she didn't make it through much of the book.( Not a very Christian attitude I know ) I also wasn't sure about Josiah at first but the small light that Caroline was passing down was a stronger light then she even knew. How great is our God. Even in the darkest of times our light can still shine and where there is light darkness cannot live.