Customer Reviews

Blind Faith

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Blind Faith chronicles the plight of a young couple whose relationship with God is as strong as steel. We flow with them through brief internal conflicts about their relationship, and fight with them through external nuances for validity and acceptance of their relationship. Blind Faith has a spectacular balance of characters. They are well defined, colorful, and brazen. All are strong and passionate in their beliefs and their commitment. The story initially unfolds slowly, but once it gets going, you won't want to put it down. The controversy, conflict, and tension lure your nerves and attention until you reach page 286.

We meet Courtney Young three months after she graduates from Northwestern. Courtney belongs to an extremely tightly woven family, which includes aunts, uncles, great aunts, and cousions. All for one and one for all. The Youngs are a middle-class family spinning their future and pride on the present generation of young adults. Courtney is an only child, but labels Aunt Sis' two boys, Edwin & Jamal, her surrogate brothers.

Sebastian Alexander Whittington the third is a brash, intelligent, handsome, and rich young man. His family comes from old Boston money. He's at Penn State seeking a law degree and an MBA. He knows exactly what he wants, "When I asked you for my soul mate, I had no idea you would make her so beautiful, so radiant, so perfectly suited for me. Let the walls of racism fall down far enough so Courtney and I can climb over into the land that you have established and purposed for us before the beginning of time. I thank you God...Amen."

We watch as a budding, yet subdued friendship blossoms between Courtney and Sabastian. As they spend time together Courtney realizes that "Sebastian didn't look like her, but he sure thought a lot like her, not in every area, just when it came to their views on education, their careers, the Lord, their families, and even their ideas of how to have fun. Wasn't that what she'd hoped and prayed for in a man? But he was the wrong color." While Sebastian knew exactly whom God had for him, Courtney was still praying for direction. She thought God was slow in speaking to her. She'd soon learn that she was slow hearing God.

In this didactic novel Haley gives faces to the many black males who are harassed by the men in blue just because their skin is darker than vanilla. She gives voices to the broad cultural differences between blacks and whites, and highlights that the chasm between the races exceeds past slavery injustices, plowing into modern discrimination that is subtle and backstabbing. She approaches the race `issue' from a heritage perspective leaning back on our familial cocoons at night and showing how we must be bicultural at work during the day.

What I liked most about this novel is how Haley presents the flip side of racism...black racism against whites. While she doesn't make you feel guilty or bad, she does make you examine your values as a Christian. She puts religious hypocrites on the spot...those that attend church religiously on Sunday, then forget about God until the next Sunday. During the week they practice bigotry, racism, gossip, and unforgivingness just to name a few. It takes remarkable writing talent to eloquently weave such touchy issues into a story without sounding preachy and judgemental.

Once I got to page 100 things flowed smoothly. Prior to that the establishment of `blackness' was loud, but as you continue reading you'll see that the beginning is integral for establishing the eventual growth of the main characters. After getting off that shaky limb, the novel flowed serenely. This is truly Christian fiction. This couple could only fight the obstacles in their way by having faith and a real relationship with God.

Reviewed by KaTrina Love (MissLove)
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

In our daily Christian walk, many obstacles can get in the way. We have to remember that if we seek the Lord's guidance, he will help us make the right decision. In Patricia Haley's Blind Faith, the protagonist Courtney Young faces a difficult decision when trying to find Mr. Right. Would the Lord really place someone in her life who her family is against and who is so different from her? She struggles to believe God even when His word has been confirmed.

Courtney is a graduate of Northwestern University. She has returned to Philadelphia to work in a Marketing firm. College friend Sebastian Whittington, III, moves to Philadelphia to attend law school. His ulterior motive is to be close to Courtney and to establish a serious relationship with her. The big problem is Sebastian is white and her family members, especially Aunt Sis hates white people and can never accept Sebastian. The shoe is also on the other foot, and Sebastian's family will not accept Courtney either. These oppositions do not stop Sebastian from claiming what he feels God has for him, however, Courtney is very uncomfortable with the relationship. Both have to depend on their strong faith and relationship with God to help them through this matter.

My biggest complaint is that I would have rather the characters tell the story than be told the story in a lot of narration. I thought the twist regarding Sebastian's heritage was a bit of a stretch and unnecessary. Ms Haley does a good job of exploring the ramifications of interracial dating. I liked the other different storylines regarding police brutality, and the relationship between Courtney and her cousins and family. I am sure those who are in an interracial relationship or contemplating one will find words of encouragement in this novel and find it quite enjoyable.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

"Follow your heart" is the main theme in Blind Faith.  Throughout this book, faith in God and how people who profess to be Christian are supposed to regard one another makes walking by faith and not by sight a practice, not just a sometimes-overused cliché. This book tackles racism and I think Ms. Haley has done a great job of bringing a new way of addressing this sensitive issue.  Introduce yourself to Courtney a recent graduate of Northwestern University who has returned to Philadelphia and a nice job as a marketing executive. She's returned home to the same tired life she left 4 years ago, she's returned home to her boyfriend Paul who isn't about anything and isn't trying to get anything and Courtney is tired of the same experience. Her family is head over heels for Paul though. Her cousin Edwin, a successful attorney is experiencing many of the same feelings as Courtney and family pressures from Aunt Sis really make the story twist. Courtney receives a call from a classmate of hers Sebastian, who has decided to relocate from Boston to Philadelphia to attend business and law school. He comes into town and immediately falls in love with Courtney and she is smitten by him as well. Her relationship with Paul meets a successful conclusion and if not for the fact that Sebastian is white their relationship would grow. Edwin's brother Jamal also enters the picture and has suffered at the hands of the police department. Constantly harassed because of his color he continually winds up behind bars. Edwin, the attorney of the family, is charged with getting him out while calming his mother (Aunt Sis) down and catering to her every whim. The family dynamics weigh heavily on Courtney's decision to pursue a relationship with Sebastian. Courtney often wonders why the lessons taught at church on Sunday at Fifth Baptist aren't practiced during the week and throughout the community. The plot twists are dynamic-- race, class and religion are well written and expertly examined. Each character learns more about their individualist nature and matures from the inside out. Blind Faith speaks about the way we should conduct ourselves around others. We should be blind to what the world says is right and have faith in a higher power to do what is right.

I tried to like this book but, just didn't. It was filled with stereotypical characters and situations. The only (2) characters that were enjoyable were Sheila and Sebastian. Especially, Sebastian and that was because he knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Why he wanted someone so spineless as Courtney I couldn't begin to understand. This book was a definite disappointment.

The subject matter has been better handled in another book. See Boaz Brown, for example. This book was definitely not a page turner. The story was too predictable and it took Courtney way too long to stand up to her family.

Ok I am a fan of interracial stories both Christian and non Christian fiction but I must admit I had to force myself to finish this book, I think is was too long and could have ended a lot sooner. I can understand the heroine being conflicted about the pursuing the relationship but to end it just because one relative, not even her mother had problems with it- well Courtney you have no backbone girl! Her parents were happy, her close cousins were happy and her good work colleague was happy for her but still she ended it due to one aunt...As for the guy she went out with for 4 months I doubt any man or women would appreciate playing second fiddle to someone else. Roger took her rejection of him very graciously, considering how long they dated, not sure how realistic that is whether the man is Christian or not- he probably went home and punched the wall.
As for Sebastian he is either a saint or something he waited for this girl for 5 years he knew what he wanted from the beginning and hung in there- good for him I suppose that requiresgreat faih and for one so young (they were only 22, 23 years old) that is something. The twist regarding his background I suppose helps us to understand his parents objections especially his father but it was not necessary to have this as part of the plot. All in all an ok read but borrow from the library rather than buy.

I purchased this book on the reviews. Although I understand Ms. Haley focusing on Courtney and her confliction between heart and mind and Sebastion's patience waiting for Courtney to realize what was in front of her all this time. It just failed to maintain my attention to read it page by page. I have read books that concentrate on the racial aspect of the relationship, and maybe it is the way it was written. The addition of police bruitality and class, although very true, it didn't seem to fit in the story. Maybe it's just me......?

I enjoyed this interracial romance because it dealt with the real issues of interracial dating and family opinions verses God's will. I liked how Sebastian new God's will and didn't waiver form it no matter the challemge. That's encouraging. I also liked the fact that Courtney struggled with whom she was to be with. This is also a reality. I feel that Ms. Haley did an outstanding job of capturing the true feelings and struggles of interracial dating. Well done!

This has got to be one of the best books I have read about a child that grows into a woman with so much courage and determination in her character no matter what was put upon her shoulders. Mother to the famous Stevie Wonder or not, this woman is an inspiration within herself for all of the pain she has went through. The book speaks of a hard life, a hard childhood like that of Nightmares Echo-a memoir. It also reminds me of a couple of other books such as A Child Called It and Running With Scissors. I am just in utter amazement with this book. Pride shines in my eyes along ith the tears I shed while reading this wonderful book. Belinda Sampson

I am surprised at Ms. Haley. Her other book No Regrets was good. She wrote this book, Blind Faith, without feeling it. I did not like it at all. Too many narratives. Characters were too flawed. Maybe she should try writing a sequel to No Regrets cause this book just wasn't happening. It was so boring. No recommendation on this one.