This is a book of parables, or tales, or very short stories. As Rollins states in his introduction, you can decide how to classify them. In any case, they are all great works of fiction that do their job of shifting the reader to see things from a new viewpoint, offering to show our own minds what we mostly already know, but from a new perspective. Often it is this new perspective that is the very thing we need to gain a deeper understanding to those things we think we already understand.
I enjoyed all the stories. At first I was a little disappointed that Rollins added a commentary after each one, preferring the idea of grappling with the point of the parable myself. Giving an explanation in a sense takes some of the power out of the parables themselves. However, in hindsight I am glad he did give us a commentary, as his own insights and thoughts give a deeper understanding to his parables.
His style of fiction reminded me, in some ways, of the short stories of Ray Bradbury. In particular, his ability to make the final sentence not only take the reader by surprise, but add an entirely new depth to the whole story.
From what I know of Rollings he is primarily a non-fiction writer, and this is good news, for he has plenty of unique and valuable insights into the spiritual life and the human experience. However, I do hope he decides to at some point to pen a full length novel. He has shown through this small book of parables he has the skill to do it.
Mick Mooney,
author of
God's Grammar: A Novel
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
