tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post4083445433606252283..comments2024-03-22T17:51:15.887-04:00Comments on The Edge of the Precipice: "Lizzy & Jane" by Katherine ReayHamlette (Rachel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11961916847426233995noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-34559695467955083362016-03-02T08:47:43.812-05:002016-03-02T08:47:43.812-05:00Kara, I kind of forgot to mention this in my revie...Kara, I kind of forgot to mention this in my review of <i>Dear Mr. Knightley</i>, but I did think it had a more natural blend of faith and fiction than her later two. I'll be interested to see what she does with her next book. Barnes & Noble had them shelved with Christian Fiction, which kind of makes me want more from them, if that makes sense.Hamlette (Rachel)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11961916847426233995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-6257472944455103282016-03-01T18:03:20.904-05:002016-03-01T18:03:20.904-05:00I'm pleased you liked this one as well! Reay c...I'm pleased you liked this one as well! Reay certainly has a way with words, doesn't she? :)<br /><br />I didn't really notice the lack of discussions about God on my first read through, but after I finished and was thinking back on it, it became apparent. It didn't bother me, but I did notice it. As Birdie said, it's a fine line between just the right amount of Christianity mentioned and too much sermonizing. So as you said, if one goes into Reay's books with the idea that it's a really clean and wonderful story that has godly themes, then it'll work. Just don't go expecting overt mentions of God. I've seen this complaint on her books several times, so we're not the only ones who've noticed. But that has never taken away anything from my enjoyment of her stories! :)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-8297829819928294572016-02-10T08:12:27.259-05:002016-02-10T08:12:27.259-05:00Birdie, so true! I struggle with this in my own w...Birdie, so true! I struggle with this in my own writing -- trying to make the inclusion of faith in their lives natural and not forced, serving the story and not just wedged in.<br /><br />I like Jan Karon's books for the same reason. Father Tim, being a minister, thinks and talks about God a lot, but never in a pushy way.Hamlette (Rachel)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11961916847426233995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-9590574499062822062016-02-10T08:03:58.897-05:002016-02-10T08:03:58.897-05:00It's difficult to strike a good balance in Chr...It's difficult to strike a good balance in Christian books isn't it? Some books have, as you so aptly describe 'a sermon sandwiched into every third chapter', which often doesn't even match well with the storyline of the novel. But also, you quite often read books from Christian publishers which have no mention of God at all. I was always impressed by how well Francine Rivers could write faith-filled stories without coming over preachy. I miss her books, I hope she writes a new one soonBirdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09240886179336298463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-8238366730146707842016-02-06T18:55:32.718-05:002016-02-06T18:55:32.718-05:00Carissa, yes, I assume that's why she did it. ...Carissa, yes, I assume that's why she did it. And with <i>The Bronte Plot</i>, the story itself didn't necessarily lend itself so easily to including a discussion of faith. But this one, with all the stuff about facing death and forgiving people... and we don't once have a mention of going to heaven? Of being forgiven and in turn forgiving others? Nothing? It didn't ring true to who people I know live and think and speak.<br /><br />But otherwise, brilliant indeed. I have <i>Dear Mr. Knightley</i> on hold now.Hamlette (Rachel)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11961916847426233995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5587150608901957801.post-45687559916545679272016-02-06T18:09:31.108-05:002016-02-06T18:09:31.108-05:00Yes, you noticed the same thing I did, the whole n...Yes, you noticed the same thing I did, the whole nominal Christianity thing. I think possibly she wrote it that way so it would appeal to secular readers too, which I get, but I could have done with a little bit more faith-based story telling too. It's kind of the singular flaw in the novel, if it has one. Otherwise, it's brilliant. I'm so glad you loved it! I'm still on hold for <i>The Bronte Plot</i>. I'll be waiting 'til the cows come home, I'm sure!Carissa (Regency Woman)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16052175780167961631noreply@blogger.com