Gladys Aylward: The adventure of a lifetime (by Janet and Geoff Benge)

(Amazon UK link)

This book is an inspiring biography of Gladys Aylward, a young housemaid who felt called to missionary service in China in the early part of the 20th century. The film 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness' was based on her life, and I'd seen that but never read a more accurate account of how she got to China, and what she did.

Written for younger teenagers, this is a good book with an inspiring account of a very courageous and resourceful young woman. Little seemed to daunt her, yet she remained humble and always cared for individuals, particularly children.

It's a relatively easy read - I didn't read it at one sitting, but could probably have done so. Nevertheless it's well-enough written that I didn't find it too simple or childish. Some events are covered that aren't in the film, and while there's no detailed blood or gore, there are some unpleasant events mentioned, including atrocities during the war against Japan.

I enjoyed it more than I expected to, having borrowed it from a friend. 

Recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 25th August 2009

Looking Good, Being Bad (by Adrian Plass)

(Amazon UK link)

I do like Adrian Plass. Some of his writing is so clever and funny that I laugh aloud - he's probably the only writer who has ever been able to make me do that consistently. Others of his books are moving, bringing a tear to my eye. Most of them are thought-provoking, using either humour or story-telling to make important points.

'Looking Good, Being Bad' is different from all his other books, although in a sense it's classic Adrian Plass satire. The idea is that he supposedly came across a document outlining the annual report from the College of Churchmanship.

The book goes, chapter by chapter, into such topics as Prayermanship, Distractmanship, Weekend Awaymanship, and much more. It's basically advice, written in serious vein, on how to be a comfortable, even popular 'churchman' (or woman) without any of the discomfort of the Christian faith.

I found it amusing in places, thought-provoking, and slightly disturbing in others since - as the author intended - I recognised some of the negative traits not just in other people, but also myself.

It reminded me, very slightly, of CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters in the way it made many important points in satirical light humour. It wasn't the greatest book I ever read, and it's not something I could have sat down and read straight through. It didn't make me laugh, nor did it make me cry.

But I certainly smiled several times during the book, and thought it extremely clever. Definitely recommended to anyone who has anything to do with the church.. but be prepared to recognise yourself at times, and to become rather cynical about some of the 'pillars' of the church we meet from time to time!

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 20th August 2009

Jane of Lantern Hill (by L M Montgomery)

(Amazon UK link)

I enjoy reading the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, who is best known, of course, for the series featuring 'Anne of Green Gables'. I've collected a few of her other books over the years, but many of them are currently out of print.

So I was pleased to see a copy of 'Jane of Lantern Hill' on a friend's shelves, and borrowed it recently. It's the story of Jane Victoria, a girl who lives with her pretty but rather fluffy mother, and her strict, rigid grandmother. There's some secret about her past - Jane assumes her father is dead, but her mother never talks about him. She's not happy, most of the time, and being an imaginative, dreamy child, she is frequently in some kind of trouble.

Then a letter arrives which changes Jane's life... to say any more would be a spoiler. It's a charming book, with a predictable but satisfactory ending. The writing is old-fashioned, but then the book was written early last century. The people are a bit caricatured, but delightful - or horrible - nonetheless, and the characterisation is cleverly done.

A bit too much description for my tastes, but overall it was a gentle, light read which I enjoyed. Recommended.

2016 note: this book has recently been republished both in paperback and in Kindle form, so is much more widely available than it used to be.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 17th August 2009

Wide open spaces (by Jim Palmer)

(Amazon UK link)

I first came across Jim Palmer a few months ago, when I read his excellent book 'Divine Nobodies'. As soon as I had finished it, I determined to read anything else he had written. I had to wait a few weeks for it to be available...

And now I've recently finished 'Wide open spaces'. In a way it's a sequel; I'm glad I read 'Divine nobodies' first. But it also stands alone as a step further along Palmer's journey with God. He writes honestly and openly about the problems he has with organised church, with structures and programmes in Christian circles. He also writes about the many misunderstandings and confusions that seem to arise among people who genuinely wish to follow Jesus.

Palmer has a wonderful knack of telling a story, and this book is peppered with anecdotes about his life, and that of his family and friends. He explains, too, where his theories and ideas came from, and he frequently returns to Scripture as he shows where he believes that so many Christians seem to have got things wrong.

He does not, in any way, attack the organised church. For those who find it brings them closer to God, he has no problem with it. But, like an increasing number of believers in the 21st century, Jim Palmer's Christian walk takes a slightly different direction.

I found the book inspiring, encouraging, and frequently thought-provoking. Purists might complain that he seems to espouse universalism, but I don't think he gets quite to that stage.

He does, however, point out the many evidences of God at work, in believers and unbelievers alike, and makes the obvious (though frequently missed) comment that if God is love, then love is, in some sense God.

Highly recommended to anyone who thinks outside the box, or who has any concerns about the state of the church today.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 14th August 2009

Before we say Goodbye (by Louise Candlish)

(Amazon UK link)

I'd never heard of Louise Candlish. But when I was offered her book to review, by The Bookbag, it sounded exactly my kind of novel.

'Before we say goodbye' is a character-driven novel featuring Olivia, in the aftermath of her mother's death. She goes away for a weekend, to see if she can find someone she used to know... and the weekend turns into a week, then more than a month. She leaves behind her husband and teenage sons as she tries to come to terms with pain from her teenage years.

Past and present intertwine, with chapters written from both perspectives. There are also some chapters written from her husband Russell's point of view, which blended in nicely and helped me to get to know him.

I became very fond of a five-year-old girl who featured in much of the book, although I was a bit disappointed that Olivia's relationship with her sons was not really explored at all.

The writing is good, the story works well as the past and present gradually come together in Olivia's mind, enabling her to wake out of her emotional trance and make the right decision about her future. The ending of the novel was bittersweet but satisfying.

All in all, I enjoyed it very much. I shall be looking out for more books by this author!

My longer review of 'Before We Say Goodbye' can be read on the Bookbag site.