Christian historical fiction

Reading The Abbess of Whitby

Title: The Abbess of Whitby: A novel of Hild of Northumbria
Author: Jill Dalladay
Published by Lion Fiction
Year: 2015
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 380
Language: English
ASIN: B0156O6148
Dates Read: 2023, January 7 to 28

I found this book while browsing for different types of Christian books to read. I wanted to read a biography or historical fiction novel about a nun. Although I was unfamiliar with Hild of Whitby or Northumbria, this book seemed interesting.

The story takes place in 7th century Northumbria. This is a prose novel, but like a play, the author lists virtually all of the characters who will be in the story at the start of the book. She also lists maps, a family tree, and well-titled chapters. All of this detail before the story begins made me wonder if I would be able to keep up with all the details through the story, but it ended up being nothing to worry about. I like Dalladay’s writing style. Many sentences are packed full of detail, unusual words, and read rhythmic like poetry.

All types of events and adventures happen fast: conquests, battles, festivals, riding, etc. Many characters are historical figures, and many events that occur are recorded in history. While Hild is the novel’s main character, many others receive ample attention. I’ve never read a novel with so many historical characters, but thankfully, I was able to keep up. I only confused around 3 characters because they had similar sounding names.

The dynamic in the first part of the novel was the most intriguing to me: King Edwin and his people are pagans. Queen Elthelberga is a Christian from another place whom he married. She came to his kingdom with her own chaplain, monks, and other Christian people. Her chaplain is constantly striving for a Christian influence in the kingdom. Hild is growing up during this time. She, her sister, and mother are handmaidens to the queen and serve the king’s court.

Hild and others have to accept a compulsory baptism. She still prays to older gods and believes in them for years. Eventually, she grows to appreciate the Christian teachings and the monks’ gospel work. The dynamic with her husband and son are so fascinating, deep, and tragic that I was surprised that they were some of the few non-historical characters. By the last part of the book, she is helping to lead a double monastery or mixed community. This was cool to read about. You have people who are a part of the order but lay people as well. They help each other out. It seems like an amazing community with people of different stations. The monks spread literacy, travel to other places, and just seem to have so much peace and joy in life. A lot of people visit as well. They trade scrolls of scripture and enjoy teaching. Hild helps operate the community and the infirmary for the sick. The children help, play, and hunt. Caedmon makes a cameo, and he makes music.

This book was amazing to read, and I loved it. I especially enjoyed reading about the love that the different Christians had for each other and the gospel; this made me feel like I was transported far above the daily grind. I read online that the author passed away in 2019; I would have loved to read more of her books.

Some Quotes:

The chapel looked like a workshop: plain, bare wood, with monks on either side of a cross on a table. The queen knelt, head in hands, soft skirts fanning out in the straw. In a monotone, one group echoing the other, the men chanted softly. Mesmerized, Hild felt herself relax. So this was Ethelburga’s secret. Far from kindred, ill-matched consort of a fierce old warlord, prey to insult and pain, she always shed calm. It came from worshipping her God. There was no climax, none of Thor’s frenzy, no High Priest or sacrifice. The singing simply stopped, leaving an echo in the stillness. Then the monks bustled forward like ordinary men. (pg. 42)

“Erpwald!” Edwin had heard him. “Come and ride with me! About the route…” “Honoured, my lord.” He spurred forward: too eagerly for her liking. He was friendly, funny, and she wanted to know him better. Coifi, the king’s priest, awaited them in a hilltop grove, his white robes shining through the trees. His stance, his stillness, made Hild shudder; someone had told her that, before living memory, Eostre’s maid was herself the spring sacrifice. “Name?” With a start she saw Coifi holding out his arms for the child. “Anfled.” Edwin’s voice rang out. “To Woden’s shrine,” Coifi cried, bearing the baby into the trees. “Follow me!” (pg. 51)

Credo in unum Deum… Surprisingly soon she was, slowly and laboriously, writing the familiar Latin words. I believe in one God… And she really did, she realized with amazement. It had taken an age to shake off Thor and the fear of woods and thunderclaps, but at last she was winning through. Her new God did not mete out erratic punishments. He loved her as his daughter. “The Creed, summary of Christian belief,” Utta explained. “That and Jesus’ model prayer. The two basics.” And with a new clarity she understood why each convert must take them to heart before being baptized. (pg. 253)

Regarding Daughter of Rome

Title: Daughter of Rome
Author: Tessa Afshar
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
Year: 2020
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 378
Language: English
ASIN: B07T32RZMF
Dates Read: 2022, October 22 to October 30

The book was captivating. Every chapter is an adventure. The character, themes, and touching moments really pack a punch, and there is an edifying sermon every chapter. After reading Thief of Corinth, I wanted to read another book by this author. Priscilla and some others make a cameo appearance in Thief of Corinth. Some characters from that novel are mentioned in Daughter of Rome. I like how Afshar’s novels are somewhat linked, but they are not a series so a person can start with any book. At the start of the novel, I knew why Priscilla was trying to see the physician even before the reason was revealed. This was the only predictable part of the book for me, and the rest of the book was more unforeseeable and engaging.

The book gave me the impression that it would mainly be about Priscilla, but Aquila seems to have an equal part. They start out as both outcasts from their world who come to find love and acceptance. I love how the book shows that they are partners in ministry. For some reason, while reading this book, I kept imagining it as an anime. I wish there was an anime like this and relatively clean, popular and made especially for Christians. I especially loved how the story demonstrates Christian characters releasing or overlooking offenses, being able to love, extending hospitality, and showing grace even to some of the most infuriating people. I enjoyed how the story shows both married and single people caring for each other in a community and having deep love, concern, and relationships with each other like adopted siblings.

One scene that I thought that could have been crafted better is when certain characters go to rescue Paul from a kidnapping. The scene reminds me a bit of “The Beggar’s Opera” by John Gay. Also, when the dog Ferox is introduced, I was given the impression that there would be a mysterious path there that would be eventually unraveled. He’s a mysterious dog that shows up out of nowhere. He saves Priscilla and is a part of the family but there’s no unraveling or discovery of his origins like there is for the orphan Marcus. Sometimes, to me, the romance scenes were very passionate and a bit more descriptive than I anticipated or thought necessary. Also, who gets her brother’s “estate” at the end or does it go to creditors? The book is a great read overall, and I look forward to reading Afshar’s other works.

Contemplating Lost in Darkness

Title: Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men)
Author: Michelle Griep
Published by Barbour Books
Year: November 2021
Format Read: Kindle
Pages: 323
Language: English
ASIN: B09FP1WHKN
Dates Read: August 1 to August 8 2022

I was enthralled by Gallimore, so I wanted to read another book by this author. Since I absolutely loved reading Frankenstein in school, I decided to go with Lost in Darkness, a Christian novel inspired by the famous assigned reading. Each chapter begins with a quote from Shelley’s famous novel. The story setting is in 1815, England. I thought that it would take a few chapters to build intrigue, but the story immediately starts out dynamic. The entire novel has a pensive and/or ominous mood with just a few funny moments. It was a nice nod of Griep to write Mary Godwin/Shelley into the novel as a character-an eventual neighbor of main character Amelia. The historical notes and bibliography were very helpful in understanding time period elements included in the story.

Several of the characters are Christian. At various times, one will act or say something super devout and full of spiritual wisdom, then at other times, the same character acts like someone new to the faith and full of doubt. Moreover, it’s like everyone, whether antagonist or protagonist, is kind of lost in their own darkness of some sort (unmended relationships, choices, full of regret, unruly emotions, pride).

For me, this story’s ending is bittersweet. I thought that the brother would have had a more satisfying ending. While reading the novel, I was thinking that either the surgery would be successful or that he would not have the surgery at all. I thought that either way, he would be able to go on with his life by the story’s end. He was portrayed as such a comprehensive and good-natured character that I was not expecting such a tragic end. I know that Frankenstein was not exactly a happy ending either, but I thought this novel would be a bit more hopeful. It was actually more realistic here than science fiction and fantastical. I thought that maybe he would actually get to have a normal appearance, but he has to learn not to become arrogant or something. Also, to me, it felt like the ending for the antagonist could have been different-something felt missing-perhaps a trial scene? However, the romance and career aspects among the two leads end rather well.

Thief of Corinth, A Review

Title: Thief of Corinth

Author(s): Tessa Afshar

Published by Tyndale House Publishers

Year: 2018

Pages: 379

Format Read: Kindle

Language: English

ISBN: 9781496428677

I aimed to read a novel from the biblical fiction genre since, surprisingly, I don’t recall reading a novel from that genre. I found this book which is still considered biblical fiction, but most of the main characters are not known biblical characters. However, the setting is New Testament times and the story takes place mostly in Corinth. This is the first book I have read by this author. I read the novel’s blurb on Amazon, and the story sounded so intriguing. Ever since Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, I have wanted to find another novel written in first person with an ancient world setting.

This book is labeled Christian fiction; I expected Christian characters from the story’s beginning, but the Christians do not appear until probably the last 3rd of the book. The book mostly covers the main character Ariadne’s life after she escapes her grandfather’s home in Athens with her foster brother Theo to return to her father’s home in Corinth. Years prior, the mother divorced the father because of his secret, and she took the kids with her to her father’s house. I thought the secret was that he became a Christian since they are pagans but no, it’s that she discovers he is a thief. This plays a huge part in the novel’s development. However, before the Christian faith is even introduced, there are actually times that I assumed that a character was secretly a Christian because they do something randomly virtuous or show lots of mercy like how Theo rescued Delia or when Justus stopped his steward from beating another servant. The plot demonstrates the characters’ development. Familial love, rejection, acceptance, honor, and faith are main themes.

Also, this novel is a coming of age story for Ariadne and covers her life from around 16 to early 20s. She is a cool, witty, active first person narrator who gives historical or background information in a helpful way that is not too technical or long-winded. Reading the book is like a diary of her thoughts and feelings. There are mysteries and twists in the plot which make the storyline somewhat unpredictable. We have a sense she will accept Christ, but her life continues afterwards, and it is dramatic, full of weighty decisions and tests of faith. She’s very reflective on her life before and after she becomes a Christian, perceiving God’s sovereignty and his mercy and grace and how she fell short.

Several New Testament characters are mentioned and/or introduced in the novel such as Lydia, Priscilla and Aquila. If I’m not mistaken, the author also has Christian fiction books about these characters and others. Paul and some traveling companions such as Timothy are eventually introduced; it’s very charming, historical, and biblical how the author does it. Ariadne’s brother, the stoic philosopher, is the first to be introduced to Paul’s speaking. I really liked Paul’s characterization, but when I think about it, this may be the only book I’ve read with a fictionalization of Paul’s life. I wrote a play in Creative Writing in high school about some events in the book of Acts, but it’s fantastic to read another characterization. Anyway, most of the main characters become Christians by the end of the book. This could be considered young adult fiction. I would probably give this book hard PG, light PG-13 due to some of the topics, mild violence and romance. It is a satisfying read.

Dates Read November 25 to December 21 2021

An Appraisal of the Christian Novel, Steal Away Home

Title: Steal Away Home: Charles Spurgeon and Thomas Johnson, Unlikely Friends on the Passage to Freedom

Author(s): Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey

Published by B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, Tennessee

Year: 2017

Pages: 272

Format Read: Kindle

Language: English

ISBN: 978-1-4336-9065-5

I enjoyed reading this! In the introduction, the authors discuss their inspiration and research. They explain that the book has a high degree of historical accuracy with some liberties taken where necessary to fill in the blanks. This is a very moving Christian historical fiction novel.

The book begins with the two main characters’ youthful days in the 1840s and progresses through to their mid to later life in the early 1890s. Growing up in England, Spurgeon has a loving and devout Christian family. However, at times, he struggles with depression and unwanted sinful thoughts. Johnson grows up as a slave on a plantation in Richmond, Virginia. He is separated from his family at an early age, and he deals with mistreatment. The book describes how they find Jesus who helps them overcome issues in life. Throughout the novel, God mightily puts people around them to encourage their spiritual growth and comfort them during struggles. The authors alternate back and forth conveying both characters’ progression and key events in their life, how they meet, and their perceptions. The authors are able to convey God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. Spiritual warfare in a believer’s life is clearly demonstrated.

I only knew that Spurgeon was a famous British preacher and that a lot of evangelicals in the USA admired his life and sermons. One of the many things that this book displays is how he is aware of the social ills in society (Victorian era) and the actions he takes to help downtrodden, poor people. A key event that is discussed is the tragedy at Surrey Hill which I have heard of or read about in a Christian publication.

I had never heard of Thomas Johnson until I picked up this novel. He is super interesting as well. The writers express how he is tormented by fear, grief, loneliness as a slave and how he hates being in bondage; however he hears the gospel when his friend is secretly preaching in a cabin one night. Although Thomas still wants to be freed from slavery, he finds peace and comfort in Jesus. His thoughts are no longer full of hatred. I didn’t realize that “Steal Away” is a real hymn. The slaves whisper sing this the night that Thomas visits that cabin and hears the gospel. Later on, he sings this with the Spurgeons.

Spurgeon constantly preaches against slavery. An intriguing event that this novel covers is how Spurgeon’s writings were burned in book burnings in the American South due to his strong abolitionist stance. Johnson first hears of Spurgeon from his plantation owner and a Baptist preacher angrily discussing him and making Johnson drive them to one of the book burnings. This was fascinating to read in the novel, and I looked up this information later online.

After Johnson’s emancipation after the Civil War, the historical novel discusses how he meets his wife Henrietta, that he becomes a pastor, and has a desire to improve in his knowledge of the Word in order to take the gospel to his homeland Africa. He befriends a British businessman who makes a way for him and his wife to go to England and study at the college that Spurgeon established.

Thomas and Henrietta finally get to meet Charles and Susannah in the Spurgeon home, and they are able to fellowship together; they become friends. Henrietta and Thomas are finally able to go to a country in Africa, but he returns to the United States and England after she passes. Charles and Susannah deal with bouts of ill health. They continue to encourage each other. Thomas is one of Charles’ friends at his deathbed in France.

Although I liked this novel a lot, I wish that there was more interaction with Spurgeon’s twin boys Charles and Thomas. They are mentioned a few times but there is barely, if any, dialogue or description of them. Anyway, this was a beautifully written Christian historical fiction novel.

Dates Read August 15 to August 28 2021

A good, comprehensive article with more details about Johnson and Spurgeon’s life:

“Let the Dear Man Come”: C. H. Spurgeon’s Influence on Thomas Lewis Johnson (1836–1921), a Freed Slave, Former Student and Forgotten Missionary