Customer Reviews

The High Calling: 1940 (The House of Winslow #37)

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The House of Winslow series is such a wonderful contribution to Christian writing. I love historical novels and have found the journey form the Mayflower to the 1940s one I'm sad to see coming to an end. I have loved each book and have appreciated everything I have learned and all the research Gilbert Morris has put into his writing. It's really too bad this series is out of print now ... it contains so much formative American history it should be available for future readers to enjoy! There are forty books in the series and I guess my only complaint would be the repeat of a several scenes that pop up in quite a few books, and there are a few sayings that the author must have favored, because they show up in probably the first twenty books(and also in other series he's written!). Other than that, if you want a sweeping view of history and romance, then do not miss out on The House of Winslow. It is so worth every second put into forty books!

While the main storyline about Kat, Parker, Brodie, and the others is great, one big error screams for recognition.

I've seen historical errors in Gilbert Morris books before, but this mistake tops them all - Mr. Morris clearly does NOT know the difference between bulls and steers! At the start of the book, "Hercules" is introduced as a steer expected to win a prize at the county fair. Kat Winslow has treated him like a pet since the day he was born, and her family is concerned about how she will take it when Hercules will be butchered later. As the story progresses, Parker Braden agrees to buy Hercules and take him to England to be used for STUD SERVICE! (???) No cattleman in his right mind would buy a STEER to help increase their herd, you need a BULL for that! Furthermore, when Hercules is mentioned in future chapters, "bull" and "steer" are used interchangeably, in some cases on the same page! Fortunately I have enjoyed most of the House of Winslow series; if "High Calling" had been the first Gilbert Morris book I'd read, it also would be the last due to such ignorance!

The High Calling by Gilbert Morris. It's the 37th book in the House of Winslow series, and unfortunately, I seem to be reading them just for the sake of the series. I'm so frustrated with the writing in these books; it seems to be deteriorating as the series goes on. Katherine Winslow feels called to something higher by God, so when she meets Parker Braden of England, she turns down his proposal. He returns to England and marries, but they meet up again during the beginning of World War II. What happens next is obvious to anyone who has read the other books in the series. Morris reuses plot devices from previous books, including some dialogue. I know that I read the raccoon hunt chapter in one of his previous books. There is so much exposition and history, that there's very little room for actual plot, although Morris does take the time to vilify Joseph Kennedy in a few lines. Characters seem to change on the head of a dime. Why does Meredith flirt with Parker only to tell Brodie she's too broken-hearted for a relationship? Katherine is wishy-washy with no real character traits to speak of. I'm glad that Morris is writing books for the Christian audience, but I'm tired of reading such poorly written stuff. I know that when #38 comes out I'll read it, but I hope it's better than this one.

Okay, let talk formulas: WWII; hero brit pilot from the nobility, brash american hot-shot pilot, both in the RAF and both in love with the same woman. Enter Kat Winslow. I think she had more character when she was a spunky tomboy preteen. Ahem, back to formula - Kat Winslow = missionary/ nurse. She works hard and is selfless to a fault and falls in love the end thank you very much for buying.

All that cynicalness said, it's a decent read. If you're a diehard Winslow fan you'll still have a pleasant time reading, and many people (self included) don't know the difference b/t a bull and steer so the using interchangably thing won't phase 'em.