Tuesday, 19 June 2007
The Restorer by Sharon Hinck - the very best in fantasy
This book reached me at a time when I badly needed a break from my own life. Instead of running away, I ran into its pages and met people – and a woman like me – dealing with tougher things than I’ve ever had to face. I huddled on my sofa, glancing out at the thunderstorm beyond my window, and relished this balm for the soul – words to comfort and empower.
Susan, prime-aged mother of four, happily married, has struck a crisis and gotten bogged down in a housewife’s daily slog. Her thoughtful husband provides a possibility for her to take time-out, but before she can catch her breath, a mysterious portal whisks her into a strange and terrifying place – a land where she has a task she knows nothing of.
Randomly memorized Bible verses often provide precise help when she most needs it along her journey of discovery – what it means to be this peculiar land’s prophesied Restorer. This story will keep you panting as you follow its jagged, twisting path, and a constant stream of breathtaking surprises are coiled around every corner.
The characters are rough-edged and realistic, carrying their weaknesses with courage, no matter how severely dysfunctional they are. One object lesson stuck particularly in my mind: as Restorer, Susan is given the ability to heal quickly from any injuries she receives. To prove she really is the Restorer, various locals frequently use their knives on her so they can watch the miracle healing take place within seconds. Thus, the proof of one’s strength is seen in how your wounds heal. Isn’t that true of real life, too?
Susan sees it all with the eyes of a mother, her feelings mirroring what you or I would go through if we were suddenly transformed into another world’s heroines. The impossible odds she faced and conquered tell me that although this is a fantasy, God’s faithfulness and love are no fairytale and remain the same – in any world.
The only other book I can even remotely compare this to is Karen Hancock’s Arena, although it’s actually completely different. They share the theme of an ordinary woman being dumped into a hostile fantasy world, so if you enjoyed Arena, you’ll love Restorer too. It’s a rich feast for the senses, earthy and inspiring. It left me with lots of questions, but of the kind that open a horizon of hope. I ponder: If I trust God to patch me up and make me whole, maybe I can be a Restorer, too. And that’s something our own world can sure use plenty of.
Click here to see The Restorer at Amazon
Other tour participants: Trish Anderson - Brandon Barr - Jim Black- Justin Boyer - Amy Browning - Jackie Castle - Valerie Comer - Karri Compton - Frank Creed - Lisa Cromwell - CSFF Blog Tour - Gene Curtis - D. G. D. Davidson - Chris Deanne - Jeff Draper - April Erwin - Linda Gilmore - Beth Goddard - Marcus Goodyear - Andrea Graham - Russell Griffith - Jill Hart - Katie Hart - Sherrie Hibbs - Holly - Heather R. Hunt - Becca Johnson - Jason Joyner - Kait - Karen - Dawn King - Tina Kulesa - Lost Genre Guild - Rachel Marks - Rebecca LuElla Miller - Eve Nielsen - John W. Otte - John Ottinger - Robin Parrish - Rachelle - Cheryl Russell -Hanna Sandvig - Chawna Schroeder - Mirtika Schultz - Steve Trower - Speculative Faith - Jason Waguespac - Daniel I. Weaver
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5 comments:
You said "To prove she really is the Restorer, various locals frequently use their knives on her so they can watch the miracle healing take place within seconds. Thus, the proof of one’s strength is seen in how your wounds heal."
I hadn't thought of it that way. I had actually thought of the healing aspect as detrimental to the story a la Aristotle, but your point makes good sense.
I like the way you tie in the theme to real life, specifically YOUR life, Grace. That, to me, is what Christian fantasy is all about. Thanks for your candor.
Becky
I mentioned this at my blog today, but wanted to stop by here as well to tell you again. When you first emailed me after you'd read the Restorer, it was one of those beautiful circles of grace (no pun intended). Five years ago when I was writing the book, God knew what themes would one day bring comfort to a woman in Germany who would read it on a specific weekend. And He knew that her letter to me would bring encouragement during a time of great grief. Isn't He awesome?
I love that Susan discovers that as Restorer, she must also be 'restored'. That ultimately, The One is the true Restorer, and to be qualified to fulfill her new roll, Susan must allow God to restore her own soul. She's forced to face her own inner hurts and poison and find healing before she can bring true healing to those around her. It's such a great type and shadow of our own Christian walk.
Thus, the proof of one’s strength is seen in how your wounds heal.
Wow ... yes, it is just like real life.
Thanks for sharing, and for being part of the tour, Grace! (Love your name!!)
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