Customer Reviews

The Prodigy

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let's put it this way...reading Gansky can be compared to going out to a buffet after a hard day's work. Gansky's books provide a variety of flavors--action, mystery, supernatural elements, even attempts at hinted romance--and are sure to have something for just about everyone.

In this, the fourth of Gansky's novels I've read ("A Ship Possessed" is still my favorite), the story centers around a young boy with supernatural abilities to see people's pain, emotional and physical, and to bring healing. Young Toby is a prodigy of sorts, sought after by the money-hungry and the disease-stricken. His mother is a simple, but honest woman, caught up in the flurry of activity around her son. Thomas York, a seminary student searching for truth in his relationship with God, meets up with Toby, awed by the supernatural power.

These characters have elements worth caring about, but Toby's basic invincibility and the criminals' basic stupidity (you know, the ones that always talk instead of shooting the hero) made it difficult for me to feel genuine concern for their well-being. Also, the radio-talk-show-host-turned-cult-leader was a bit of a stretch for me. That said, I think Gansky deftly handles some scenes, particularly a harrowing battle for survival in the ocean. He serves up a buffet and I closed the final pages feeling as though I'd been fed and generally satisfied. The message of seeking after a relationship with God over miracles was well-made without discounting God's power.

I read many books, particularly thrillers. Only on occasion do I get to enjoy the delectable home-made feasts of a Frank Peretti, John LeCarre, or James Lee Burke. Though this doesn't reach that level, it does make an entertaining and thought-provoking read. As long as Gansky keeps serving them up, I'll keep going through the line.

What struck me about The Prodigy were the three difficult questions Gansky posed. 1) Does God still work through "healers?" And I'm not talking Marcus Welby, MD. and 2) Would God use a non-believing little boy to heal? The Prodigy displays our preconceived notions, our quick answers, and then asks-- 3) Well why ever not? Fast paced and thrilling, yes, but The Prodigy doesn't deliver yet another plot filled with pat, easy theology. For this reason, I give it five stars. We need more books willing to ask hard questions and unwilling to give easy answers.

Because I hoped it would get better....The story had potential. A little boy and his mother, trying to escape a hard-knock life in Appalachia, set sail for California (cause where else do people escape to?). Along the way they encounter people who Toby seems to know intimate details about. He can see inside them, know their suffering and heal them if the need is there. Toby is discovered by a man who doesn't have his best interests at heart, who then (of course) exploits Toby's gift for fame and profit. And there's a "Shadow Man" thrown in there for a supernatural twist. This is a typical protaganist vs. antagonist story. And of course, the protaganist overcomes. A boring and overdone theme. The writing in this book is painful to read. I can tell the author is trying to be creative and original in his descriptions but comes off painfully cliche and sounding like he's trying too hard. Also, the names of some of the characters are cringe-worthy. A name can define a character. It can sometimes stand alone in revealing the personality of a character. But, when it's obvious, like some of the character names in this book, it induces a groan. In the end, the story is wrapped up all too quickly and tidily. Honestly, I wouldn't waste any time reading this book.

The Prodigy is one of those books that occasionally makes you say outloud "Yeah!". But unfortunately has a few moments where you say, "That's it?" I think Alton Gansky is a great writer, but I think he needs to concentrate on the climax of his novels. He starts off his novels with a punch so strong, sometimes the endings can't live up to the previous writing.

However, all that said, I think The Prodigy is an excellent story. I felt the pain and suffering of Toby's mother through-out this story. Anyone who wants to read a suspense/mystery novel written by a storyteller committed to his craft (not just after a paycheck) should purchase The Prodigy.

I would also highly recommend all of Gansky's other novels. I haven't found a bad one yet.

See ya next time!

www.therunninggirl.com

Gansky's story could have been 200 pages longer, or 100 pages shorter. He develops the characters and their dilemmas so well in the first two sections of the book, that the reader is prepared for some incredibly in-depth suspense, philosophy, even theology, to be intertwined into the ending. Instead, the final section wraps the story up a little too neatly--and far too quickly.

I liked this story--and it is well worth reading. However, it is a bit uneven in tempo and style. A wavered between 3+ and 4-, but finally gave it a 4-star rating, because Gansky drew me into the world of these characters, made me care, and managed to raise some intriguing questions.

I bought "The Prodigy" because it was one of my Amazon recommendations and it sounded like a good read. I enjoy Christian fiction, especially those that pit "good" vs "evil".

While I wouldn't put this in the realm of Peretti's writing, there is definitely an evil presence through this book -- attach your own label to it.

A naive, innocent young boy who has the power to heal people is exploited and becomes a commodity. He helps many people be healed, but he has no knowledge of his gift or why he can do it. He does know that evil surrounds his "benefactor". Until he meets a mentor who befriends him, he has never heard of the Bible nor does he know who God is. Is his gift from God? Is it possible that God would work such visible miracles in our time? Read the book to find out!

The book is a definite good read, but the reason I left off a star was because the ending was not only a given, but the events and the questions were answered too quickly.

Still, a highly recommended good read!

What a great book this is!! From start to finish this was a well written and extremely enjoyable book. The final confrontation was somewhat predictable and slightly anticlimatic. I feel that Gansky could have gone into a bit more detail with the ending, however this in no way lessened my enjoyment of the book. Very few books seem to translate well to film.
Peretti's This Present Darkness was a good book, however it would be extremely difficult to do it justice on the big screen. As I read The Prodigy I could very easily imagine seeing it on the big screen. The book is filled with well rounded characters and their actions and motivations were clearly presented. Along with Bill Myer's Blood of Heaven, Frank Peretti's The Visitation and Randall Arthur's Wisdom Hunter, I would highly recommend The Prodigy.

The premise of this book unfolds quickly. A boy born to a poor single woman in rural Appalachia has the ability to heal others with a glance, and see into the hidden psyche of the people he meets. After going to the hospital with an injury that quickly heals on its own, he simply walks down the hall and people are healed of terminal illnesses! The story is at its best from here.

His mother who tires of the abuse by the boys father, moves with just her belongings in an old car and sets out across the country for California and a better life. This part of the story was wonderful, rich and full of images and moods. One could almost see the country unfolding along the way, as anyone who loves road trips can attest to. When a late night conspiracy based talk radio disc jockey gets a call about a boy with strange powers, a cross country search for the boy by a super rich and dying business man ensues.

While I loved the story, and the experience, the author really doesn't fully explore the theological implications and the ending wraps up all loose ends except for the main premise itself. It is obvious the author is talented, and the book has wonderful moments, but a sequel would be great to further explore the life of the prodigy.

I have read all of Alton Gansky's books and enjoyed them all. My two favorites have been Ship Possessed and The Prodigy. Whenever I want to turn someone on to Mr. Gansky's books, I let them borrow The Prodigy. It is well written and grabs the reader from the first page. I usually read his books in 1 or 2 days because I can't put them down! I may be a little biased, as I know Al Gansky personally. I attended his church for 2 years and he officiated at my son's wedding. When my husband and I moved 2 years ago, Al presented me with a typed manuscript of The Prodigy. I was privileged to be one of the first to read this terrific book (typed pages in a 3 ring binder) and purchased myself a copy as soon as it was published. 5 stars to the book and it's author!!

I enjoy this book very much. It does show how a person with a talent that God has given them can be exploited and used. But is also shows love and humanity.