From Publishers Weekly
In his first novel, Foss, an elder of a communal Mennonite church, pens a parable about a young couple who, brought together by God, must confront an ugly truth before they marry. In 1932, Jonas, a 20-year-old inexperienced preacher, is commanded by God in a dream to go to the tiny Michigan fishing community of Norsk Island. There, working as a preacher and a hired hand, he meets Sally, a troubled young woman with a four-year-old daughter. After confiding to Jonas that her child had been conceived as a result of rape, Sally finds her faith in God. Jonas soon hears God tell him to marry Sally, who happily accepts his proposal. But before they announce their engagement, Sally wants to reveal to her fiance the true identity of her rapist, who still lives on the island. The not-so-shocking revelation forces both Jonas and Sally to choose between forgiveness and revenge as they try to understand God's will. Stiff prose, stilted dialogue and a predictable plot give this novel a tract-like air.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Jonas, an inexperienced 20-year-old preacher, feels called to a small island in Lake Michigan inhabited by commercial fishermen. He meets Sally and her four-year-old daughter, conceived as the result of a rape. Falling in love with Jonas, Sally confesses that it was her father who violated her. Jonas, brimming with anger, struggles with the conflict between his calling as a preacher and his hateful feelings toward Sally's father. Jonas' mentor, Daniel, helps Jonas and Sally deal with issues of doubt and pain as they plan their life together. Daniel teaches Jonas to be less fundamental in his beliefs and shows him that it's acceptable to have the angry and hateful feelings he experiences. Basically a character study, the novel offers readers realistic alternatives to bitterness and resentment. It illustrates how to reach out to even the worst of enemies while still dealing with natural human anger. Although first-time author Foss is a bit slow in developing the plot, the story eventually picks up nicely. Objectionable language is considerably overdone and often unnecessary, but the book supports traditional family values and would be a welcome addition to any fiction collection. Patty O'Connell
