Author- Ted Dekker
Title- Boneman’s Daughters
Genre- Fiction/ Thriller
Publisher- Center Street (Hachette Book Group)
Street date- 14 April, 2009
Really I’m beginning to think Ted Dekker needs to slow down in his writing and give his fans more books in the styling and quality of the likes of ‘Blink’ and ‘A man called blessed’ . I was so excited about the release of ‘Boneman’s daughters’. I couldn’t wait to get it till I got it and started reading it. My dilemma started when I heard that Ted wouldn’t be publishing this one from Thomas Nelson. I don’t mean to be a critic or unappreciative. Ted Dekker is a skilled and innovative writer. He has a way of bringing the truth to life via fiction. The problem I had with ‘Boneman’s daughters’ was the inconsistency of the story and lack of character depths (even the main characters). Still, even with this ruffles, the novel has a powerful and profound theme, a father’s love for a child, which Ted uses to depict our heavenly father’s love for us.
The book starts s off with Intelligence officer, Ryan Evans captured by terrorist in a desert somewhere in the Middle East. Ryan is asked to make a decision between the survival of his family and the survival of various children who are to suffer death by breaking of bones. The novel takes a sharp turn with Ryan’s arrival in the United States some weeks later seeking the approval of his ‘neglected’ wife and daughter. A serial killer known for breaking bones of teenage girls without shedding blood also comes back on the scene at the same time of Ryan’s arrival.
For edge of the seat suspense, ‘Boneman’s Daughters’ got it. Let also bear in mind that this is Dekker’s first work from this particular publishing company (Center Street). Though Dekker could have delivered more on this project, long time fans and also new ones would be thrilled to read one of Ted’s latest addition to his expanding library of writings. Ted’s latest work might not read like what we are use to, but one truth shines through the whole novel, and that is ‘God loves us with an unconditional love that goes way beyond our sin’ and that does it.
David Brollier from CFRB here. I'm almost done with Boneman's Daughters, by Ted Dekker, and could not disagree more strongly with your general comments, although I might assign some of that to Burn. There are all kinds of things in this book that will engrave images on your heart and mind. One of them is that you simply cannot hold to more than one loyalty. Just as Jesus said, "“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." We find people trying to serve different masters, trying to juggle loyalties, only to, in the end, being forced to make a choice, which is what Jesus meant. I think it's a great book. The only thing I didn't like was the the cover where it said the Boneman had killed 6 girls and then chose Bethany as the 7th... The story begins after Boneman has already killed 7 girls and Bethany is number 8. Little things like that bother me, like couldn't those putting the cover together at least read the book?
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the comment and I hope you enjoyed the book. I'm so sorry this reply is coming late. I would love it if you follow the blog and recommend it to others. You can also follow me on twitter @ayostephens. Would love to chat up close. Once again thanks :D