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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerfully, Toe Crushingly Poignant..., September 10, 2008
This review is from: Wounded: A Love Story (Paperback)
Wounded is a challenging novel. Personally challenging in what will I, an evangelical Christian who has concerns about Catholic doctrines, do with a book that is very much about saints, stigmata and Christ's wounds? For starters, I won't recommend it to anyone who is confused about Mary worship vs. Christ worship. Can I recommend it to those who are mature enough in their walk with Christ that they know His words and His heart? Yes I can, because a person who is mature is going to be able to discern the truth throughout, within and behind this novel about very broken people who are in need and receipt of scandalous grace.
I know folks who won't read C.S. Lewis because of his deep questions. Others in my circle of influence don't believe a Catholic can be saved because of the tradition and error that stands between soul and Savior. Still others label things outside of their experience and knowledge heresy. If you fall into any of these camps, don't pick up Wounded because you will be offended.
However, if you believe that Jesus works today as He did when He walked the earth, that He is not bound by our expectations, that He is lavish and almost wasteful with His grace then read the first chapter. If you are intrigued by stories of those who sacrifice everything for Jesus or powerful and unexpected healing from hideous consequences and lives, Wounded may speak to the very center of your soul. If you are broken and don't want to be broken anymore, if you feel like you are a blindman and you are looking for another blindman who can accompany you while you search for freedom you may want to stumble to the bookstore to pick up a copy of this novel.
Claudia Mair Burney writes with passion and poignancy. She also writes as if she is using "ink" from her own veins. Her characters are haunting. People who are broken, blind and needy, and people I recognize when I walk through my safe little suburbs and sometimes even when I look into a mirror.
Wounded is not for everybody, but it is for some. I think you will know who you are.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerfully devastating book about passion for Christ, September 8, 2008
This review is from: Wounded: A Love Story (Paperback)
Wounded by Claudia Mair Burney is the unlikely story of a young, black single mom, Gina, who experiences the wounds of Christ on Ash Wednesday, the drug-addicted journalist, Anthony, who can't seem to stay away from her, and the story that God makes through them. As a Protestant, the stigmata is something that seems unreal to me, more than a little bit crazy, and Burney tackles the story from just that frame of reference. Gina suffers from bi-polar disorder and is a Protestant, so even she can't be sure if this eruption of bleeding from her hands and feet is real or just another twist of her fragmented mind. Anthony has been a drug addict for so long, he doesn't know any other kind of life, and more than three hours away from heroin has him writhing in pain from withdrawal, but one touch from Gina's hands, and the craving and addiction is gone. Anthony and Gina become connected to each other while he cares for her and her daughter, Zoe. Anthony tells Gina stories of saints who have suffered stigmata throughout the centuries to help her make sense of her own story that is quickly disintegrating. Anthony's mother, Veronica, has caused him no end of suffering through her hatred of his conception. When she discovers Gina and her wounds, she takes charge and determines to make this her chance to be a part of something bigger. Her religious zealotry gives the story a sense of urgency and also helps ground the story. Burney captures the wide range of reactions to Gina's story with startling clarity. The most powerful message in the book is Gina's passion for Christ, her Lover. The faith that I experience is so weak and watered down compared to the love that she (and the other stigmatics from history) bears. Gina makes me want more. I want that kind of passion in my faith, even if it means suffering. I want to love God that whole-heartedly. Burney weaves Scripture with the writings of saints into a powerful love story that leaves the reader wounded, wanting more from their own faith.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
unique inspirational tale, September 20, 2008
This review is from: Wounded: A Love Story (Paperback)
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, due to her health issues, twenty-four years old African-American Regina "Gina" Dolores Merritt is very aware of her fitness as she suffers from bipolar, fibromyalgia and migraines. Gina has tried suicide when her mental wellbeing turned so bleak even for her depressing standard, but miraculously (or in her mind despondently as even Hell rejected her) she survived. She turned to Jesus for salvation for her and her child Zoe as she feels she shares his suffering.
On Ash Wednesday at the Vineyard Church Gina attends, she is stunned and near hysterical when Christ wounds, the stigmata, begins to appear on her. As the flock is in shock with this seeming miracle occurring to the crazy person, word begins to spread around Ann Arbor. Many assume Gina the insane did it to herself as the self proclaimed pious prophets insist Jesus would never pick a certifiable suicidal single mom. However soon afterward, addict Anthony Priest offers his help to the beleaguered stunned single mom as does his estranged mom Veronica Morelli; but even Gina wonders what does either expect to gain with their self-proclaimed pious offers.
This unique inspirational tale is an entreating character study, but not your typical faith fiction. Jesus is treated both as a person with human lovers and as the Son of God; while Gina is the last person anyone would expect as the Chosen One. The story line is told mostly from a first person introspective that rotates amongst the key players; especially fascinating is Gina, the self anointed oldest twenty-four years old person in the world. Through her, the audience obtains an insightful exacting look at sharing Christ's suffering rather than the distant metaphysical metaphor that is like the Iraq War for many Americans. Although there is some intrusive padding involving saints, readers who prefer well written but different spins to their Christian literature will enjoy the crazy woman's miracle.
Harriet Klausner
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