The Dark Sun Rises (Roots of Faith) [Paperback]

Denise Williamson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | Series: Roots of Faith (Book 1)

An Epic Story of Enduring Faith

From classics like Gone with the Wind and Uncle Tom's Cabin to the unparalleled recent success of Cold Mountain, the world of the Civil War South has captivated and fascinated readers for generations. Now in The Dark Sun Rises, author Denise Williamson opens another rich and powerful page in that tumultuous history.

Delora Plantation in antebellum Charleston is the setting for this powerful examination of the friction between faith and darkness, freedom and suffering, love and intolerance. As the godly plantation master, Abram Callcott, struggles with his rebellious son, Brant, a manservant, Joseph Whitsun, lives out his own courageous love for a beautiful housemaid. With honesty and deep emotion, The Dark Sun Rises tells a vivid story that confronts the most difficult era of American history.

Examining the difficult principle of servitude to God as the mark of obedience to Christ, Denise Williamson has crafted a subtle and gripping tale that will resound for readers with the other great stories of that era.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Williamson does a masterful job of showing the societal, legal, economic, and emotional damage that slavery entailed." -- Historical Novels Review, Aug. 2001

About the Author

Denise Williamson is a full-time writer and the author of six books. Coming from a family of writers, she has written for many magazines and worked as an Environmental Education Specialist for the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks. She and her family live in Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556618824
• ISBN-13: 978-1556618826
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Novel of Faith, February 22, 2002

By 

Cindy Thomson "Author and Family Historian" (OH, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Sun Rises (Roots of Faith) (Paperback)

The author has done a wonderful job depicting a terrible time in our nation's history from the perspective of those who had to live through it.

The slaves had to endure and put their hope in the afterlife, the Christian slave owners had to consider that their slaves might be better off being under their protection that to be free in the South. Their dilemna also included the fact that their plantations depended on slave labor. The white slave driver had to decide whether it was better for him to remain there and keep the slaves from enduring an abusive driver, or to seek out cheap land for himself and his family in the west.

Hate still abounded among nonChristians and those who called themselves Christians. The main character Joseph endures so much pain (physical and emotional) that you cry for him throughout his struggle. Some parts of the book were a bit wordy, but many other parts were painted vividly with such gripping descriptions that you feel you were there.

I finished the book with a new understanding of the struggles everyone in those times faced in the disgrace of slavery.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, thought-provoking, November 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dark Sun Rises (Roots of Faith) (Paperback)

Ę This is a wonderful book that explores the complexities of how to live an honorable, Christian life in a society that approves of discrimination. In a world where laws and social prejudice dictate that some humans are less worthy than others, how is a Christian to act if he or she is a member of the oppressing group, or a member of the oppressed group? What can or should one do? The parallels for today are powerful for those who look.

My only criticism of this gripping tale is that the evil characters donŐt even pretend to be Christians, and the Christian characters always are good, even if they are weak. In my experience, sometimes Christians deliberately do evil things, and many non-Christians are wonderfully moral and loving people.

Nevertheless, this is a book well worth reading and discussing with your friends. It is told in a manner that involves the reader on all levels. Marvellously written, with a powerful message.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dark Sun Rises, January 28, 2000

By 

susan (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Sun Rises (Roots of Faith) (Paperback)

As an avid reader, it is an extreme compliment that I give this book my A#1 best book ever vote! It was hard to turn the pages without my tears falling on the words! Wonderful story, beautifully written!