Customer Reviews

Honor in the Dust: A Winslow Breed Novel (House of Winslow)

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I hesitated to read this book for review as I hate posting reviews about books I do not like alot, and when I saw it was about the Winslows and by Gilbert Morris, I wondered if I would be able to like it! But since I know that some of Gilbert Morris books I have loved as well as hated some, I got it and I am glad I did. It may be a precursor to the long House of Winslow series, but you do not see it in this book. I loved the story!
It really wound alot of history through it with King Henry lllV, Anne Boleyn, William Tyndale, and other well known characters in history through it. If these were the ancestors of the House of Winslow, he did an excellent job of telling a good story of their history. Don't get me wrong, I loved the House of Winslow series, the first several that is.... Anyhow, if you enjoy a good historical fictional story, you will enjoy this one. True to Gilbert Morris fashion, the young man in the story is somewhat wild though before coming to Christ, but there is a conversion and change in him that is obvious and not a overnight switch. But because of some of the things mentioned in his wild part of his life, I would recommend this for older readers

I was very hopeful for this book, but was pretty disappointed. I have read many historical fiction novels about the time period this book takes place in, so when historical inaccuracies showed up in this one, it was glaringly obvious. Queen Catherine would not have been still at court at when point in the story when it puts her there and the main character would not have had the access and familiarity with the royal family that he had. It was so unrealistic at points it was painful for me to read. I did like the story of redemption and how Morris tied in the story of the English translation on the Bible, but for historical accuracy, this one gets a big C-.

Gilbert Morris - known as the grandfather of Christian fiction - has once again crafted a wonderful story set around the time that William Tyndale began translating the bible into the English language. But the story is not of this brave man who gave his life to bringing the Word of God to the common people. Instead, it is the story of Claiborn and Stuart Winslow's life. The book begins with Claiborn's story and then continues on to give Stuart's life the center stage.

He attracts the attention of the king as a young man and lives in the King's courts, where evil runs thick and is openly accepted. Characters often discuss the different affairs King Henry VIII became involved in, but they don't go into much detail except naming the mistresses. While Gilbert doesn't shirk from showing the immorality and adultery that ran high in the courts, he doesn't go much farther than telling it like it was. It was sad and sobering to watch Stuart fall - throwing away his money, purity, and honor - but the message the author conveyed through Stuart's testimony was strong. Stuart fell, but God raised him up.

The writing was different from what I am used to, but it wasn't difficult to read and after a few pages, I was used to it. It was a bit different in that the book opens up with Claiborn and Grace as main characters, and then halfway through the book shifts to their son, Stuart, as the main character.

The culture of that time was really neat to read about. I really enjoy reading a book where I actually learn something about that time period - and that's how it is in "Honor in the Dust"! I have read a few of Gilbert Morris' books through the years, and this is one of my favorites. It really picks up towards the end and for the last hundred pages I could not stop. A very recommendable read.

I received this book from Christian Review of Books in exchange for writing this review. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

"Honor in the Dust" is my first experience reading a book by Gilbert Morris if you can believe that with my loving Christian Historical Fiction, but you can believe that it will not be my last. This being a prequel for a previous Winslow Series, I am excited that there are already some books for me to jump back to as well as being excited for the rest of the Winslow Breed series to come in 2010 and 2011. Set in England in the time period of King Henry VIII makes an interesting background as the story goes through two generations and really brings a reader to care about the families and individual characters involved, one can really see the young men grow and blossom in their relationships.

There are many themes in this book. Besides from being a good read overall, there are lessons available to learn. From similarities in life to Biblical lessons to trying to hold strong in ones "honor" in a temptation arena, the challenges are realistic and hard. With historical characters such as Queen Catherine, King Henry VIII, and William Tyndale make it very interesting. There is sword play and adventure, betrayal and romance, espionage and disguise and a dozen other features that make this an all around enjoyable read.

Honor in the Dust blew me away. I was totally enthralled by the book and didn't want to put it down. I don't think I've ever read a book by Gilbert Morris before, though my husband has and he seemed to enjoy the stories. Now I can see why.

This novel truly impressed me. For people who love reading about King Henry VIII and his many problems having a son, his issues with the church, and his numerous affairs, this will definitely fit that taste. However, the book is more about God using William Tyndale to translate the Bible into English so the common people could read God's word. It follows the infamous Winslow clan that Gilbert is known for creating for his many House of Winslow books.

I love stories that delve so much into the culture that you feel like you are there. Morris does this well with just enough detail to make the setting come alive, but without grossing you out at the same time. He also lets his characters mess things up and suffer the consequences. He doesn't gloss over their sin and the shame that comes with it.

Morris also does a fantastic job of putting his characters into seemingly impossible situations and having God and/or His people come through for them, but not every single time. Life isn't like that and Morris doesn't portray it that way. However, when good triumphs over evil and when God changes the hearts of several characters, as a reader I couldn't help cheering for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Gilbert Morris has always been my favorite author and this book is just another one of his great works. A Winslow Breek Novel is a continuation of his best-known series, the House of Winslow, but the series is written in a way that it could stand alone. You won't feel like you're missing anything by not reading the House of Winslow books. I really enjoy the moral issues this book talks about, as well as the unique approach to history. This book is one that you won't be able to put down once you start reading it!

Set in the late 15th and early 16th centuries during the time of Henry VIII. Stuart Winslow was born into poverty when his aristocratic father ran away with his mother, the woman his uncle wanted to marry. Raised in a faith-filled home, Stuart learns about God at his father's knee, as well as falconry and weapons design. When his skills attract the attention of the king, Stuart is delighted to find himself a part of the royal court. He soon learns, however, that the court is a place of wickedness and immorality and finds it difficult to maintain his faith in God.

His presence at court, however, allows him to become friends with Queen Catherine, and that friendship will ultimately save his life. As he comes to realize that God has other plans for him and Stuart soon finds himself helping William Tyndale, the man responsible for first translating the bible into English. Tyndale's work has marked him as a traitor to the crown and sentenced to death.

Fascinating. Enthralling. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down. The characters were terrific and likeable. I thought Gilbert Morris did a fabulous job of contrasting the excessiveness of the royal court against the humble circumstances of those who loved God.

I'm not very familiar with the Tudor period, nor am I very familiar with the life of William Tyndale. However, I found the historical aspects of the story fascinating. This is the first in a trilogy and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

It's seldom that I get to read about Tutor life in such wonderful detail. Included in this story are: King Henry's Progress, falconry, life in the mews, masques, and the various sports played during that time period. Politics and crimes abound in King Henry VIII's court. This Christian historical fiction is a delightful read.

The characters are quite believable. I really liked Stuart, even though there were times that I wanted to sit him down for a talk! Although historically correct, the ending cannot be easily guessed. This is the first in the trilogy; I cannot wait for the next novel! Discussion questions are included.

As he struggles with achieving acceptability and affluence amidst the aristocracy, Stuart Winslow adheres to his vow to never do what his father did. Stuart loves his mom, but his dad chose her and abject poverty over his aristocratic family's wealth; his steadfast goal is to obtain what his father threw away. He works hard at weapons design and shows a natural propensity for falconry. These two skills obtain him a position in the court of King Henry VIII. Stuart feels great that he achieves the first step in his strategic life plan. However, he finds the court frighteningly wicked and enticingly tempting as vice is the norm; he also learns the hard way to trust no one as backstabbing is the other norm.

William Tyndale proclaims for all to hear that he will translate the Bible from Latin into the language of the commoner. Henry VIII declares that is heresy, arrests William and sentences him to death. Anyone who speaks out for William, his project or against his sentence will also be executed. Stuart finds himself in a dilemma as he believes in William's project that will bring Jesus to the masses. If he chooses the King's world as represented by Nell his soul will probably die; if he chooses William's world as represented by Heather; his life will probably end.

Over several decades mostly in the early sixteenth century, Gilbert Morris compares the overindulgences of the materialistic Tudors starting with the monarch and the courageous pious actions of those who risk their lives for their beliefs like real person William. Thus Stuart desires to be accepted by the former as one of them though he disdains their behavior and admires the latter. Fans will enjoy this well written historical drama as Mr. Morris captures the essence of the era of the first Tudor monarch while inspiring his audience to not let material desires for more than one needs supersede faith.

Harriet Klausner