Dekker Fan Searching for MoreJanuary 8, 2009 I received Sinner has a Christmas present and was excited to read it during my winter break. The first half of the book flew by in Dekker's typical style, but right around the middle of the book I put the book down. That is the first time I have ever put down one of Dekker's novel and not finished it in one day. It was an unfortunate surprise.
What this book missed for me was the depth his other novels usually have. Sinner seemed to be more about Dekker's opinion on religious tolerance than about the Paradise storyline. The sort of blatant dialogue by the characters in Sinner is why I don't really like reading Christian fiction because I can listen to a sermon or read a theological book to be preached at. I love Dekker's usual subtle messages that make you think. Or like in the Circle trilogy that provokes thoughts through the contrast between worlds.
But, I did finish Sinner and was mildly satisfied because I am a great fan of Dekker. It may have lacked some of my favorite aspects in Dekker's writing, but it is still entertaining.
Better but not there yet.January 7, 2009 I will leave the plot for others to rehash. Instead, I would rather comment on the journey Dekker seems to be making. As I have noted in other reviews, The Circle Trilogy was the height of Dekker: fresh, innovative, multi-layered, and spiritually profound. The Books of History novels have headed downhill from there. Showdown was still very good, Saint okay, and Skin barely passable. Sinner offers me hope but still doesn't rise back to the level of Black, Red, White.
Some will not like Sinner because it is "preachy". That isn't its problem. House and Skin were almost devoid of any obvious spiritual underpinning so it's good to see Dekker move back toward that. The real problem is what another reviewer has noted. I'm starting to feel like we have another Left Behind on our hands. It took God 21 chapters to tell the story of Revelation and Tim Lahaye hundreds (12 books, I believe). I am truly excited to see Dekker's upcoming, Green, and wonder if he shouldn't have allowed it to be the finish of the Books of History.
Some aren't going to like this review and that's okay. I am aware of Dekker's love for Steven King and his desire to pattern his novels after the Dark Tower world. It just seems forced at times. This review is not written as a Dekker hater but rather admirer. And, as an admirer, I keep hoping he will not be sucked too far into the mass marketing trap and lose sight of the wonder of his stories.
Ted Dekker????December 31, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
If you are a Ted Dekker fan, do yourself a favor. Read the first couple chapters, then read the last 4 chapters. You won't miss out on much. It was boring and repetitive. It was almost as if the author needed to end the series to explain everything and didn't have enough material for an entire book so he just kept typing until he had enough pages to publish.
If you are new to Ted Dekker-read his Circle Trilogy. It's amazing!
A likely presentation of what persecution will be likeDecember 13, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
There's no doubt that Christianity is getting persecuted for simply stating what all they believe in, but Dekker has pushed the limit in this new book, presenting a future not too far from now where proclaiming Christ would be considered "hateful" and how one man is prepared to take on the challenges, both physically and politically, to gather 3,000 people (including a former witch who renounced all religions) to publicly and unashamedly proclaim they all believe in Christ in a very unlikely place.
worst dekker bookDecember 2, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
theres one word for this book borrrring !!!!!!! i have read all of the history books and couldnt wait for this one to come out. man was i disappointed. it took me two weeks to read. just alot of repetition and boring characters who in the other books were quit exciting. this book wasnt even necessary. cool cover though
