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WestBow Press, January 2006
Reviewed by Susan Conatser
Jordan Kerrigan is a novelist. She's written an eleven book series
featuring super spy Rex Tower under the name Jordan Casey. The public
thinks Jordan Casey is a man---until she agrees to teach a writing course
at the community college. On the first day of teaching her classroom is
filled with Rex Tower groupies, curious fans and students, one of whom
challenges her writing skills. The student, Ian Morley, thinks Jordan has
been dishonest. Not just about her gender, but because she is detached
from her writing. How else could a wife and mother write about a single,
ex-Navy SEAL whose only intimate relationship is with his dog? Morley's
jabs resonate with Jordan and as she teaches the students what she knows
about novel writing, they teach her a few lessons about life as well.
Jordan's college-age son, Zachary is a troubled young man dealing with an
alcohol addiction. His behavior has a painful impact on the Kerrigan
family. Outside the classroom Jordan begins a new writing project about
the fall and redemption of a troubled young man, one she hopes will speak
to Zachary, one she hopes will show him that God can "use our mistakes to
mature us." The project demands that Jordan pour herself into the story as
she explores issues of her faith. As she makes the journey---along with
her new fictional character---she discovers insights that help her
understand both her son and God's grace in a new way.
THE NOVELIST is an imaginative and refreshing tale. It is also a story
within a story. It's has a clever plot, complex characters and is so
skillfully written I felt like I was in writing class myself. Author
Angela Hunt has a unique style and voice. The chapters are divided between
the classroom, her home life and the world of her fictional character.
Zachary's struggle is examined through Jordan's writing process as her
son's drama is played out. The scenes are written mostly from Jordan's
point of view, sometimes from her fictional character, but I would have
liked to see a bit from her son Zachary. His crisis drives the family
conflict, but we never really get to know him completely.
This is an amazing book from an author who is new to me. THE NOVELIST is a
book I plan to share with my reading buddies. It includes a reading guide
for book clubs. Angela Hunt has a long backlist of titles, well over
seventy-five books. They range from contemporary and historical fiction to
children's books and nonfiction. She is an award-winning author who has
received the Christy Award, Book of the Year by ForeWord Magazine and
National Readers Choice Award for excellence in Christian fiction. The
author has created an interesting website connected to this book for the
fictional author Jordan Casey. It appears real, but the books offered for
sale and the press releases are added to promote the realism of this
character as a novelist
www.jordancasey.com.
February 2006
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