QUICK Notes from the Trail

Holy cow. I just put it down and told Carolyn that this may be one of the most moving and dramatic fiction epics Iâ've ever read. Does that grab your attention?



I read Black, the first book in the Circle Trilogy many months ago. It left me with a curious interest in what came afterwards, but I had almost decided not to follow the tale any longer. I was at Monticelloâ's public library a few weeks back and saw Red on the rack of new books and picked it up. Iâ'm so glad I did.



Before I realized it, I was so thoroughly immersed in this epic tale that weaves the realities of two dramatic worlds as effortlessly as Brett Favre throws a touchdown pass. The further into the book I got, the more I found myself not only intellectually engaged but even emotionally moved at places.



Dekker is unapologetically a follower of Christ, and the Circle Trilogy is weaved with two other series that have just been completed as of October this year. Dekker says,

Three series, each dependent on the others, yet each completely independent. Stories that twist in and out of each other like grapevines before the harvest. You can read any of the three series first or last, but it is best to read the books within each series in order.

Red is full of love, war, terror, betrayal, and surprising twists that parallel the greatest redemptive story of history ⓠthat of Jesus Christ.



If youâ're looking for a compelling, stop-your-heart read, I would encourage you to pick up Black and start there. Just be forewarned. It will be a different kind of tale than youâ've ever read before. And if Black doesnâ't fully pull you in ⓠlike it perplexed me ⓠkeep reading. Youâ'll be grateful.



On to White and the rest of Books of History.

âœThe love shack⦠itâ's a little old place where we can get togetherâ¦â"



With refrains of that song in my head, I would have to say that love is what The Shack is about. Many have billed the short story as a modern day Pilgrimâ's Progress. I donâ't know how âœclassicâ" this book will become (after all, Bunyanâ's work was published in 1678 and remains eminently readable and inspirational); however, Iâ'll confess that the story drew me in.



Jeremy and I read it on the way back from Glorieta. Well, I read it to Jeremy as he drove. We got about a quarter way into before my voice gave out. Iâ've finished it since then, and he has picked up where I left off.



The book is about a husband and father who has experienced incredible pain, disillusionment and loss in his life. Author William Young does a masterful job at engaging you in his life and emotions. The story culminates as he makes his way to an abandoned shack deep in the mountains to face his past, and possibly his future.



Once there, the man has a dramatic and playful encounter with God, who appears to him in a surprising form (or should I say forms?) This is where the meat and message of the story takes place. The author essentially uses the manâ's tale to creatively communicate his beliefs about God and man and their relationship with one another.



I think youâ'll be surprised at just how much theology can be joyful as you read Youngâ's book. He does a wonderful job at bringing some deep discussions to life. I would guess that most Christians do not ever think deeply about some of the issues he has his protagonist wrestle with.



Therein lies a caution of this book as well. It reminded me a little of the Left Behind series in that it promotes some rather interesting interpretations of theology. For the most part, I wasnâ't too bothered by it, but I would simply encourage the reader to compare what heâ's reading with scripture.



Otherwise, I was also a little put off by how the author uses the bulk of the book to share his view about God and man. Though itâ's really a good read, the larger narrative is not intertwined much in the middle of the book. Itâ's rather pieced together like this: narrative ⓠspiritualized theology ⓠnarrative.



Iâ'll give Young credit. He has some remarkably powerful and poignant insights into the love of God. You will enjoy God and your relationship more after you see what âœcould be.â"



Overall, itâ's a compelling read if youâ're prepared for the not-to-hidden agenda and personal theology of the author throughout.