father dark -- a book review

Steven Case's Father Dark:  A Novel is perhaps the most unique Christian fiction I've ever read.  It's creative theology mixed with rich characterization.  Padi and Miss Roberta were particularly convincing and made the novel a real joy to read, because they bring the struggles of urban life to real life, and mix them with elements of intriguing fantasy.  Father Michael Dark is the priest I aspire to be in my own ministry, both down-to-earth and non-judgmental.  And while the mysterious "dark angel" tries to stop the drug-dealers and pimps, he isn't innocent either -- he has a secret of his own.

Ultimately, Father Dark is a novel that asks us to take seriously the simple fact of our faith:  That God's love is unconditional and open to all.  In this novel, God often shows up in ways and in people that might remain unsuspected to the Church that hasn't developed the imaginative vision to see God at work in the world.  That imaginative vision is what Father Dark most nourishes and enables, and it's that vision that ultimately made me fall in love with Case's writing and his vision of the Christian faith.

Father Dark is a quick read -- I read it in just one afternoon.  But it's a reading that takes the New Testament's vision of spiritual battles on earth seriously.  This isn't a book, though, that reinforces a spiritualism that is disconnected.  Instead, Father Dark is thoroughly incarnational.  And in that way highlights the biblical witness' own ideas about the Kingdom of God.

This novel is a fantastic read!  Anyone who loves Christian fiction should pick it up.

I can hardly wait for the next installment.  (Mr Case, please tell me there's a follow-up novel about Father Dark.)

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I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, as part of the Speakeasy book review program, in exchange for my honest review here.