Customer Reviews

Conceived Without Sin

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Readers of Bud Macfarlane Jr. fall into two categories: haters and lovers. Both positions are understandable. Haters contend that Macfarlane is a terrible writer. His style is sophmoric and obvious, and occasionally contains typos. His subject matter is fantastic and fanatical; at least to people who aren't fervent Catholics. Lovers reply that the characters that Macfarlane comes up with are among the most real and most personal that they've seen in a long time. I'm personally among the lovers, although as a literature student, I understand the haters' point of view. Conceived Without Sin, MacFarlane's second novel, contains some of the the most rounded, expertly portrayed characters that I've ever seen in a popular novel; they far outshine the cardboard cutouts in Cricton and Grisham. I don't want to give away the ending, but let me just assert a few things; first, that Macfarlane writes with an instinctual, untrained talent that is both accesible and passionate; he tends to drag on at times, but readers who stick it out will be well rewarded by the conclusion, which is both surprising and satisfying. There are approximately seven subplots that occur and link together, and the many characters are rounded out by entertaining and realistic conversation. Macfarlane has an uncanny knack for portraying an interesting character at first glance, and then revealing the inner workings of that character through conversation and interior monologue. The best example of this is Buzz Woodard, who is first portrayed as a devilishly funny orthodox Catholic, and then is revealed as a desperately lonely man haunted by his demons, who nearly falls into despair before returning to his faith. Conceived Without Sin is not without flaws; there are some subplots and some discussions that could use a little editing, and they dimminish some of the power of the main story involving the three friends Buzz, Sam and Donna. But readers who plow through some of the duller parts will be amply rewarded by the ending. Although Bud Macfarlane's first book, Pierced by a Sword, will grip you and excite you, Conceived Without Sin will stay with you longer.

I think that perhaps Bud should re-read his own book. His insights on marriage seemed to be so on the money, his characters learn to sacrifice in order to save their marriages. Now Bud himself apparently has walked away from all he taught, while he still makes money off people who believe his previous message. The message of the book is still valid, the author apparently no longer believes it. He now believes, according to quotations from court documents that such an attitude towards marriage is too conservative. Too bad, so sad, maybe Mr. MacFarlane should go back to marketing or better yet go back to his wife.

MacFarlane is no Shakespeare. This is not the best writing on the planet (far from it) but it is pure A+ popcorn literature. MacFarlane creates characters so real that I feel they must be real. The dialogue is so insightful that I have new insights on the religious life, priesthood, marriage, and a host of other things. Every Catholic should read this book.

It isn't as good as "Pierced by a Sword", his first work, for those who read it, only because this is not apocalypic at all. The supernatural elements of the previous book aren't here and I love science fiction, so I recommend that first.

This is the second book that Bud McFarland, Jr. has written, and it is AWESOME! Much like his first book "Pierced by a Sword", it is based on real life things that could be, and probably are, happening today! I found myself really being one of the characters, as I too have a friend who is an atheist!

I recommend this book to EVERYONE! It's a great story, very well written and easy to read! You will get drawn into the characters, and have a difficult time putting it down!

This is a great book! Check it out!

These days, it seems as if there are few Catholic novels around. I found Conceived Without Sin to be a great book! The characters are so realistic. They grow and change throughout the book, but they're still the same lovable people in the end. The way they think and talk, and how they live their faith is so familiar to me, as I'm sure it is to many Catholics. Their spiritual and worldly battles are what so many people go through! What I didn't like about the book is the number of characters. There are so many! It was difficult at times to remember who was who. All in all, though, I loved this book! I definitely recommend it!

I have to admit that I read this book out of order. It is the second of what could be considered a trilogy with Pierced by a Sword and House of Gold being the first and third books in the series. I read this book first. I have since read both of the other books and recommend them highly. However, I consider Conceived Without Sin to be one of the most important and meaningful books that I have read in my life. Bud MacFarlane, Jr. has created a totally realistic view of contemporary American life and given it a kick-in-the-pants with his memorable characters who represent each of us. I found myself identifying with various characteristics from each of these characters. While the main plot is absolutely riveting and worth the time to read the book, I found the most insightful portions of the book to be contained in its various subplots.

In one of the subplots, the character named Mark Johnson, who believes that he is a real man's man, learns what being tough is all about. His wife throws him out of her life and seriously threatens divorce. He finally seeks and finds help, through other characters, to learn what marriage and family life is all about and how to be a real husband. Through this experience and his subsequent renewal of faith, he learns about what it take to be a truly tough guy; sacrifice.

While there is a great deal of the profound contained in the pages of this book, it is enjoyably and understandably delivered though everyday life situations. Many of these situations will make you laugh and some will bring tears to your eyes but what is great is they ultimately help you to better understand the truly profound. As with any good book that I have ever read, I did not want this one to end. I wanted to know what happened to the characters that had become my friends; Buzz, Donna, Sam, Ellie, Mark, Bill and "The Man." I got that opportunity in the third book, House of Gold. However, it was this book, Conceived Without Sin, that brought me to a deeper understanding of friendship, marriage, my faith and being the person God wants, no, expects me to be.

I give this book my highest recommendation.

Bud has the God-given ability to create realistic and memorable characters. Bud will tell you that they live and breathe in his mind. On the page they come to life in the mind of the reader.

Again, Bud weaves a true-to-life story of love, friendship, and faith.

If you have a friend who prefers to read trashy novels or romance novels, get them this instead. Not only will they enjoy it, but they will learn something along the way - something they will carry with them forever.

The ending will move you to tears. Not only because of the story, but because you've gotten to know the characters so well you hate to see the book end.

Macfarlane has a gift for taking the ... teachings of the Catholic Church and letting them play out in his characters and their lives. He is preachy, but in an enjoyable way because he dosen't sound like he is and Buzz (the preacher) is so doggedly liekable. This book is a lot better that Pierced by the Sword because it deals with real life and isn't saddled with the apocalyptic, xenophobic paranoia that bogged down that first work.

Great story! I LOVED Donna Beck. That is the most personal insight on a search for a vocation that I have ever read. Also, if anyone out there is married or is going to be married, or just wants a good view on the subject, this book is for you. It has a lot of "Men are from Venus, women are from Mars" (or whatever it is) insight to it, too. Though different from PBaS, MacFarlene has made another interesting novel.

This book is written a little different from Pierced by a Sword, as was Bud Macfarlane's intentions. It deals more with getting to know the characters than romance and leaving the reader at the edge of the seat. The character with the most "character" is by far Buzz Woodward. Behind the eccentric exterior lies a heart of gold. He has to learn his lessons the hard way, but keeps going in life, thanks to his Maker. He's crazy about the athletic Donna Beck, who only likes Buzz as a friend. Ellie James is the popular, beautiful, and successful businesswoman who falls in love with Sam Fisk, a shy but likeable computer whiz who doubts the existence of God. All 4 become good friends and share their experiences in both the Midwest and the New Jersey shore. In their neighborhood is the successful Mark Johnson whose marriage doesn't seem to be working out. With faith all things are possible, as each of them eventually discover....