| Book
Review – Conceived Without Sin |
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by
Bud Macfarlane, Jr.
Publisher: St. Jude Media
Book review by Tom Gilbert © 2003
What is real friendship all about? Is it possible to be truly intimate with
another, even when talking about God and religion? Does God guide people
into our lives?
These are a few of the questions that might
go through your mind while reading Conceived
Without Sin, the second novel from Bud MacFarlane
Jr. These are good questions for all of us to
ponder. Because this very subject matter is
the heart of the book you can really benefit
from reading it, and that makes this book even
more impressive than MacFarlane’s first effort, Pierced
by a Sword (although that is a good read, too).
The story revolves around four main characters:
Sam Fisk, Donna Beck, Ellie James and Buzz
Woodward. Given their different characteristics
it seems they would not mix, much less become
fast friends. Yet that is what happens. There
is a great deal of struggle and conflict which
is a must in any good story. You’ll also find a large amount
of humor. This is real life, not a fantasy story.
Each of the participants in the novel goes through
any of the same situations you, I or any
of our friends and family members do. How any
of us make it through the ups and downs has a
lot to do with real faith in a loving God
and a willingness to practice it in good times and bad.
The book is highly readable because a good story
is brought to life through these vivid characters.
You’ll agonize over Donna’s
life path and her torn desire to be married to
a man in love with somebody else. Sam is one of those natural born
entrepreneurs so pragmatic
he can only take life as he sees it. He’s an atheist, but with
a good heart and a basic moral code. Ellie is
beautiful with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings and
her worldview goes through
a radical change when she falls for Sam. Buzz
is the greatest gift to the story because his challenges are so great,
his highs and lows
so exhilarating and devastating, and his alcoholism
and recovery truly a “one day at a time” challenge.
There is a lot to this story I could reveal. However,
I don’t want to take away any of the joy awaiting you.
Suffice to say that basketball, love, marriage,
marriage troubles, job challenges, movies,
drinking and faith are all major players.
MacFarlane has a gift as a writer. The surprise is how he really
seems to be letting God use his talent for a higher calling. He could
easily take the route of big dollar publishing contracts and movie
options but he chooses instead to give his books away free as part
of the St. Jude Media/Mary Foundation ministry. To get your copy and
find out more visit the web site at CatholiCity.com.
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Scripture taken from
the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society.
All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by
permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are
registered trademarks of International Bible Society.
Use of either trademark for the offering of goods
or services requires the prior written consent of
International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from
the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright
©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights
reserved.
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