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39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How do you top this one?, February 11, 2000
As an awe-struck reader of Deadline, I felt I had to read Dominion, even though I knew that sequels are usually not near as good as the original. This book develops Clarence, who was an obscure character from the first novel, into someone everyone can know and love. While much ties in to the first book, we are spared syrupy coincidences so common to much "christian" fiction. This book is spell-binding, exciting, and compelling. As one who reads much fiction from the "other side" as well, this stacks up with Grisham's best, and proves that you can have a good novel with professional technique, believable characters, and frank portrayals, without even using one of the puerile off-color words that even Grisham considers necessary for a sell. It would stand alone as a detective novel; it would stand alone as a social commentary; it would stand alone as an allegorical fantasy. The fact that it can do all three at once makes it a book that would be unique, had the first one not done so also. The murder mystery was actually more intricate, more interesting than the first one. The glimpses of heaven bogged me down just slightly, though Alcorn has made me think like I never thought before. I still think I can wait at least a thousand years before I sit under a verbose C.S. Lewis explaining things to me. For those who thought the first book was too "right wing," I challenge anyone to say that about this one. Alcorn camps in the liberals' back yard and shows them some truth they should have thought about before. This was the best book on race relations that any Christian has ever written, and I marvel that he could create such a believable Black character. Clarence's dad is a treasure, too, and I found that I wish I could have spent a morning fishing with him like Manny got to do.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Sees No Color? Not True!, May 22, 2001
Randy Alcorn writes fiction with more lessons than a month of Sunday sermons. Although bordering on preachiness at times, he manages to work the lessons in around a detailed and believable plot, thus allowing us to swallow the medicine he delivers. Through the eyes of a black reporter in Portland, OR, Alcorn tells a mystery revolving around the murder of one of the reporter's relatives. The story, though heavy and thought-provoking, gives glimpses of hope and the rewards of the hereafter. In "Dominion," Alcorn tackles racism head on. I, like the characters in the book, live in Oregon, but Alcorn really opened my eyes to the reality of this issue still present in our society. He doesn't retreat from the tough questions, he faces them with wisdom and courage. He refuses to whitewash the skin issue; instead, he shows us that love does see color, and learns to appreciate others for their differences. By acting color blind, we only reveal our deep-seeded prejudice and miss out on the beauty of God's colorful creation. Alcorn's writing is tight and well-characterized. In particular, his ghetto and gang scenes are effective without resorting to profanity. The book is long, but worth the effort. The rewards are there in every way, and the story will linger in your mind for a long time. A mystery? Yes. A treatise on respect for all races? Yes. A great read? Yes. Alcorn, again, delivers with tough and timely storytelling.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why he's one of the best!, February 10, 2005
This book had the heart rate going a few times! Man, Randy Alcorn knows how to keep your attention! He also knows how to lift the spirit, than let us know who is in charge and why.
He takes a friend of journalist, Jake Woods, and gives us that is just as equal to "Deadline"! We join Clarence Abernathy in his search for justice. He teams up with Ollie Chandler, who seems to be a hick. But the two forge an unforgettable friendship, as well as a good team! This book takes you into the heart of racism, then power drives it with a force that can't be stopped. I really liked how Obadiah (Clarence's father) simply talked about the good old days, especially the part about Negro League Baseball. He talks about Hank Aaron along with Cool Papa Bell, and tells about the earth shattering home runs of Josh Gibson. You read baseball books, you know this isn't just made up stuff. We are also given verses of "Amazing Grace" and other tunes that just light up your world, and God's world! To make matters more interesting and more sumptuous, he gives a tempting decription of home cooking, with more than just corn bread and chicken!
Alcorn writes something that probably won't be popular with all audiences, but he doesn't have to worry about that. This was never a skin issue, but a SIN issue, and when it comes down to it, when does it end? What will the body of Christ do about it? More heart pounding illustrations from Randy Alcorn make "Dominion" demanded to be read, today and tomorrow. It is why he is one of the best out there! Well done!
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