Oliver Twist ~ Charles Dickens

This review was written by Sam's older sister Kelly Taylor. Thank you for the contribution Kelly!
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“Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: ‘Please, sir, I want some more.’” - Pg 25, Oliver Twist

The classic tale of Oliver Twist was originally penned by Charles Dickens in 1839, a social novel written to call attention to the revolting state of England’s lowlife, the wrongs of the welfare system, and other evils such as child labor and the recruitment of children as criminals.

Young Dickens experienced a fragment of this first hand when at the age of 12, his father was imprisoned for overspending and Charles was sent to the workhouses, working 10 hours a day at Warren’s Boot Blacking factory. The reader feels Dickens reflections of childhood and his passion for public awareness as he reads this classic story revolving around an innocent orphaned boy, Oliver Twist, born into a poor house outside of London.

As the tale takes its ups and downs, Oliver finds himself with the best and the worst of London society. He encounters various people from the detestable Fagin, and his unruly gang of pickpockets to the benevolent Mr. Brownlow, who kindly offers Oliver a home. The plot thickens with the beautiful Rose Maylie, a compassionate young woman with a strangely mysterious past and uncanny resemblance to Oliver.

The story reveals the nature of man in many ways, as some are destined to be evil (see Proverbs 16:4) and others destined for good and greatness. Characters like villainous Bill Sikes and Monks show how destructive acting rashly can be on ones life. Harry Maylie teaches the value of life, and love with poverty, over riches accompanied by loneliness. The haughty Mr. Bumble unwittingly educates us on the value of humility, while Mr. Brownlow demonstrates love even through difficulty. Through Nancy we learn faithfulness, and by Noah Claypool we see the folly of trying to gain wealth by thievery and falsehood, and the benefits of prosperity gained by labor and honest hard work. Along for the ride are memorable characters such as Mr. Grimwig, a funny old man, who distrusts Oliver, but comes to love him in the end after he finally stops offering to “eat his head.” (For the reason, you will have to read the book!).

This exciting tale is interwoven with innocence and iniquity, love and hatred, joy and sorrow. I myself am an avid Dickens fan, and this book didn’t let me down in the least! Recommended as a good introduction to Dickens works, Oliver Twist is well worth your time as it shows us more than the sorrows of London’s poor in the early 1800’s and how to guard against the mistakes of the past, but also many valuable life lessons from the brilliant mind of Charles Dickens

Written by Kelly Taylor, Vancouver WA

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Bruchko

This book is not your everyday missionary biography. It’s not a story about a missionary who worked in Europe connecting with some exciting culture. That is good and it can still be hard and trying, but there is something awesome about reading the story of one person who did all God told them to do, even if it meant giving up their life.

I am around missionaries a lot through my family and church so I get to hear a lot of powerful stories. And, of course, I love missionary biographies. Some of them were really powerful. Stories of the lives of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Cameron Townsend, and William Carey made me think twice about my life and how selfish I could be. But none of them affected me the same as reading Bruchko, the story of Bruce Olson, a guy who at 19, without funding or any experience went into the jungles of Columbia to share the Gospel with a stone age tribe known as the Motilones.

Bruce Olson was just another kid from Minnesota who probably wouldn't go anywhere big in life. He wore glasses, wasn't very athletic or strong, and he wasn't even that smart. His parents were Lutherans, he wasn't a Christian, though he thought he was. Then he began to go to a friends church were he learned about the true God. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and began to live his life for him. From the outset he faced difficulty. His parents didn't agree with him about his new found religion. His Dad would even lock him out of the house at nights when he came home late from church. He had been going to his new church for quite some time when one day during a week when his church had missionaries come and share their stories he felt God telling him to go to Columbia.

So, with no promises of support, no training, and only God's leading in his life, Bruce gets on a plane and flies to Columbia. His adventures in the jungles and cities of this country are frightening and powerful. Many times different people tried to kill him. He has almost died of a number of different diseases. His best friend is shot by outlaws, and his fiancee dies in a car wreck. Yet, amazingly, he trusts God.

What follows is an amazing display of Bruce’s faith in God and God’s power through Bruce. I won’t get into everything that happens because I want you to read it and gain something from it. Trust me when I say that it will make you stop and think about the way you are living your life. After reading this book I looked at my life and realized how selfish I really was and how much I needed God to change me. So be warned, it will affect you.

Bruchko is a story set in the jungles of South America, and consequently, there are many things that might frighten or disgust younger readers. Also, Mr. Olson is not the best writer, and his book is not exactly great reading in the purely physical sense, but the content is still very much worth it. For those 13 and up who read it, read all of it. Skip nothing. It is an awesome book that should be read and put on everyone’s reading list.

Bruce Olson's life wasn't and isn't easy. Nobody ever said it would be. But he chose to follow were God led him, and because of that hundreds if not thousands of people will stand with us in heaven. Right next to one more guy who did everything God told him to and persevered.

Ted Bradley

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Guest Review on The Valiant Seven

I have been taking a summer unit on Oregon history. I thought I would read a book on this time period, so I looked on my dusty book shelf and that’s were I laid my eye on The Valiant Seven. The Valiant Seven, written by Netta Sheldon Phelps in 1941, tells the remarkable story of the Sager family traveling by covered wagons on the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon. From what the title describes, there are 7 children in the family, 2 boys and 5 girls.

In their dreadful, long journey the children’s parents die, which leaves them orphans and in the care of a Dutch doctor who is part of their caravan. But not losing hope, each child stands firm and presses on to their destination. With attacks by buffalo, sightings of Indians, and breathtaking moments, this book is not boring in the least. Netta Sheldon Phelps does a fantastic job describing what it was like during that time on the Oregon Trail. I’m from Oregon, so I probably appreciate the book more than others who live out of state.

I learned that nothing can break a real family apart, even when it means losing a family member. These children never lost hope or ever gave up, except for a moment of wishing they would have stayed in Missouri fighting malaria instead of losing their parents on the Oregon Trail.

I would recommend this book for educational and casual reading. The Valiant Seven is definitely a classic. I now know a lot about the Oregon Trail and how much sacrifice it was to take it. When I read this book it made me appreciate my family members more. The chapters are considerably short and easy to read. The book is based on a true story but Phelps adds a little more story line to make it interesting. The Valiant Seven is a must read.

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Written by Ben Edmonds from Gresham, Oregon

The Archives of Anthropos

Good and Evil… Great battles… Epic love stories…
A good fantasy story excites something from within all of us. Fantasy stories are made to be that way. They try to draw you in, make you feel part of it.

I am a big fan of books such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. I love the fact that the authors, who were both Christians, instilled Christian morals into the books. Many times I have heard non-christians say how they, “Love Aslan because he is perfect.” I want to shout, “Can’t you see? This isn’t a mythical creature! He exists in real-life!”

I would like to introduce to you, a series of books that may not be widely recognized, but they are still one of the top books on my list. May introduce to you, The Archives of Anthropos…

I was recommended this series of books by my brother and sister. They said it was a great series, and that I would like it. "Yeah right", I thought. They were wrong. I loved it. These were some of the coolest books I had read. I finished the whole series, eight books and all, in three days. Needless to say, I really enjoyed them and ordered my own private collection of them.
Anthropos (like all other magical lands), exists in a different universe. The creatures, are, of course, different from any you might see on earth. Matmon(dwarves), Dragons, Goblins, Talking animals, and Regents roam the wild land.

In the story, there is an all-powerful being, called the Changer, who created this world and all worlds. His enemy, the Abomination, seeks to destroy all influence the Changer might have in the land. On such occasions, the Changer magically pulls people from our own world into Anthropos to assist him in carrying out his plan. I don't wish to ruin the books for you so I won't say anymore. With a cool twist of Chronicles of Narnia, and his own distinct flavor, John White makes the book understandable to young and old alike. I love how clearly White presents the gospel message in the books. One of my favorite parts in the book is when some creatures are asking questions to a man who had seen the Changer:

…"What is he, sire?"
“He is the Unmade Maker, the Beginner without Beginning, the Changer who cannot be changed. What more can I say?”…
“Is he an animal, sire?” Oso asked curiously.
“Animal—no, he is not an animal.”
“A Matmon?” Bjornsluv asked.
“No, not a Matmon either.”
“Is he then a man?” King Bjorn asked.
“Can a man make man? No, the Changer is not a man. He is a maker, the maker of everything that ever was made, a maker made by nobody.”

The quality with which White wrote this series amazes me. He, and his books have not received the attention they so well deserve. Not only does the Changer have a major role in the story, but the Changer’s son, Gaal, dies so that he might have the ultimate victory in the end, a clear depiction of Jesus Christ.

I found these books to be an amazing read. They are sound in doctrine and exciting in content. I give this series five stars!

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Isaac Harris

Guest Review on The Hiding Place

As part of my history class for school, I read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, along with several other books about World War II. I had heard a lot about this book, but never bothered to pick it up and read it, perhaps subconsciously thinking that it was just another sad story about the atrocities that the Jews suffered during that time. After reading it, however, I noticed that there was something radically different about it in comparison to all the other books I read on the subject of World War II.

The first part of the book introduces the ten Booms. They are a closely-knit family. Corrie and Betsie still live at home with their father, while their siblings Willem and Nollie have families of their own. The ten Booms watch in horror at the rising power of Germany and the persecution of the Jews there. Eventually Holland, their home country, is invaded. Jews start showing up on the doorstep of the ten Boom’s watch shop to seek protection, and so the ten Booms get involved in the underground. For a while, they contribute greatly to the cause of protecting the Jews. But then they are betrayed.

The second part of the book tells of Corrie’s experiences in the German concentration camps. She and Betsie have the support of each other, but they must primarily rely on God to carry them through. Corrie relates with saddening clarity the humiliation and trials they must endure. Yet while they have an abundance of hardships, they also experience many instances of God’s blessing. In one incident, Corrie receives a bottle of vitamins. Although she feels like hoarding them exclusively for Betsie, instead, she shares them with the inmates around her. Like the woman in the Bible whose oil jar had no end, Corrie’s vitamin bottle never runs out. That is, until she receives another bottle. Then she can’t get one more drop from the old bottle. God miraculously provided.

So what was the difference between The Hiding Place and all the other books I had read? The answer is that it was the only book that mentioned the possibility of actually forgiving the very people who had perpetrated the brutal imprisonment and death of so many innocent people. While many of the other books I read detailed the self-sacrifice of the people who had helped to hide the Jews during that time, no other book even hinted that the Germans were in need of forgiveness. The prevailing attitude seemed to be that the Nazis deserved to be hated. And perhaps that is what they deserved. But the Christ-like love of the ten Boom family was so great, that they showed mercy even to the ones who had caused them so much suffering.
If that had been all, I may have walked away from the book inspired by Corrie ten Boom’s example, but thinking, “That’s just because she has some sort of special superiority that I don’t. I could never do that.” That isn’t the case. Corrie ten Boom makes it perfectly clear that she is no superwoman. At the beginning of the book she gives this rather unromantic description of herself: “forty-five years old, unmarried, waistline long since vanished.” Not exactly a picture of a heroine. Throughout the book, she is very open about the emotions she experiences—fear, temporary hate for her captors, and discontentedness with her circumstances. It is only because she clings to God that she is able to ultimately have the attitudes that she does. And because she is not perfect, her example challenges me.

Because of the subject matter of this book, I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. Readers younger than thirteen should probably have one of their parents evaluate the book to see if it is appropriate for them to read. But I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that everyone should read this sometime in his or her life. It really is a powerful, life-changing book.

Written by Joanna DiFonzo from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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