One Shenandoah Winter

Rating:
Summary: The truth of Ps. 90: number your days!
Review: "One Shenandoah Winter" transports us 1960s Hillsboro, a small town in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Don't expect blazing action, because the conflict is primarily internal and emotional, centring around the human relationships between three key players in the town. First there's the ambitious assistant mayor, Connie Wilkes. Then there's her enigmatic 83 year-old uncle Poppa Joe, a grand old hilly-billy type who contracts cancer. And finally there's the town's new doctor, Nathan Reynolds, a brilliant and dedicated doctor described as "the most irascible, difficult, stubborn, domineering, extraordinarily infuriating individual you have ever met." (p.133). The bulk of the novel describes the interplay of feelings and emotions as Poppa Joe is faced with the eternal life that follows death, and Nathan Reynolds is faced with the new life of a Christian.

I cannot wholeheartedly endorse Bunn's theology, such as his commitment to Arminianism (p.221-2), and his surprising use of veiled blasphemy (p.8, 160). The idea of "carrying something good" into heaven to set before God's throne (p.175) had me especially puzzled - it certainly gives the impression that our works somehow earn merit before God, although it may not be Bunn's intention to convey this. But especially weak is the portrayal of conversion. Bunn glamorizes the beginning of faith, which forms the novel's climax (e.g. Nathan's baptism p.264-5), resulting in an overly optimistic conclusion that downplays the struggles and sorrows experienced in a life of faith. Nor was I fully satisfied with the source and nature of the change experienced in Nathan's life. The "enemy" is not portrayed as sin and Satan, but the bad experiences of the past and sorrowful sicknesses of the present. Consequently, the "solution" is simply a calming "presence" (pp. 217-222), and being a Christian is presented as experiencing a warm fuzzy feeling. But this misses the heart of the gospel - where the real problem is sin, and the real solution is the justifying and sanctifying work of Christ in overcoming sin. Sadly, it seemed to me the work of Jesus Christ was short-changed with a superficial gospel of warm feelings.

But don't let these weaknesses prevent you from reading this book. The novel has much to recommend it, not least the beautiful hardcover presentation, attractive dust-cover, quality paper, and lovely pencil illustrations. Bunn beautifully conveys the magnificent way in which God reveals himself in creation (pp. 91-2), a theme strongly reminiscent of Psalm 19. But what I particularly enjoyed about this novel is that it has none of the sappy sentimentalism that normally characterizes Christmas novels. It deals with the hard facts of life, and is often a very moving story. Nathan Reynolds' initial antagonism is somewhat unrealistic, but aside from that Bunn relates very real feelings and emotions. The significance of life and death is an important theme, as is evidenced by the quotation of Psalm 90:12 that prefaces the book - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Here the character of Poppa Joe is presented as a shining example - a mountain man with simple faith. Bunn beautifully depicts the simple faith of a solid believer who is faced with serious struggles - yet without resorting to an unrealistic and superficial one-dimensional experience of joy that some Christian novelists are guilty of depicting.

Despite its flaws, this book is thus still a very worthwhile read, far superior to the shallowness of most contemporary evangelical fiction offerings. Especially for someone struggling with a difficult illness or trial it would make a wonderful gift. Our days are often difficult, but with the "heart of wisdom" of Psalm 90, we can carry on in faith and hope.

Rating:
Summary: The truth of Ps. 90: number your days!
Review: "One Shenandoah Winter" transports us 1960s Hillsboro, a small town in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Don't expect blazing action, because the conflict is primarily internal and emotional, centring around the human relationships between three key players in the town. First there's the ambitious assistant mayor, Connie Wilkes. Then there's her enigmatic 83 year-old uncle Poppa Joe, a grand old hilly-billy type who contracts cancer. And finally there's the town's new doctor, Nathan Reynolds, a brilliant and dedicated doctor described as "the most irascible, difficult, stubborn, domineering, extraordinarily infuriating individual you have ever met." (p.133). The bulk of the novel describes the interplay of feelings and emotions as Poppa Joe is faced with the eternal life that follows death, and Nathan Reynolds is faced with the new life of a Christian.

I cannot wholeheartedly endorse Bunn's theology, such as his commitment to Arminianism (p.221-2), and his surprising use of veiled blasphemy (p.8, 160). The idea of "carrying something good" into heaven to set before God's throne (p.175) had me especially puzzled - it certainly gives the impression that our works somehow earn merit before God, although it may not be Bunn's intention to convey this. But especially weak is the portrayal of conversion. Bunn glamorizes the beginning of faith, which forms the novel's climax (e.g. Nathan's baptism p.264-5), resulting in an overly optimistic conclusion that downplays the struggles and sorrows experienced in a life of faith. Nor was I fully satisfied with the source and nature of the change experienced in Nathan's life. The "enemy" is not portrayed as sin and Satan, but the bad experiences of the past and sorrowful sicknesses of the present. Consequently, the "solution" is simply a calming "presence" (pp. 217-222), and being a Christian is presented as experiencing a warm fuzzy feeling. But this misses the heart of the gospel - where the real problem is sin, and the real solution is the justifying and sanctifying work of Christ in overcoming sin. Sadly, it seemed to me the work of Jesus Christ was short-changed with a superficial gospel of warm feelings.

But don't let these weaknesses prevent you from reading this book. The novel has much to recommend it, not least the beautiful hardcover presentation, attractive dust-cover, quality paper, and lovely pencil illustrations. Bunn beautifully conveys the magnificent way in which God reveals himself in creation (pp. 91-2), a theme strongly reminiscent of Psalm 19. But what I particularly enjoyed about this novel is that it has none of the sappy sentimentalism that normally characterizes Christmas novels. It deals with the hard facts of life, and is often a very moving story. Nathan Reynolds' initial antagonism is somewhat unrealistic, but aside from that Bunn relates very real feelings and emotions. The significance of life and death is an important theme, as is evidenced by the quotation of Psalm 90:12 that prefaces the book - "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Here the character of Poppa Joe is presented as a shining example - a mountain man with simple faith. Bunn beautifully depicts the simple faith of a solid believer who is faced with serious struggles - yet without resorting to an unrealistic and superficial one-dimensional experience of joy that some Christian novelists are guilty of depicting.

Despite its flaws, this book is thus still a very worthwhile read, far superior to the shallowness of most contemporary evangelical fiction offerings. Especially for someone struggling with a difficult illness or trial it would make a wonderful gift. Our days are often difficult, but with the "heart of wisdom" of Psalm 90, we can carry on in faith and hope.

Rating:
Summary: An uplifting story of one town's journey into greatness
Review: One Shenandoah Winter brought me to a place in the Appalachians where I got to know its heart and soul--through its people. Bunn's characters are fascinating and he explores their struggles in depth. It's hard to find contemporary books that don't include vulgar language so what struck me particularly was that Bunn uses not one swear word! He portrays the gamut of emotions and conflicts without resorting to crudity. I marveled at his descriptions which were succinct yet touched all my senses. I literally felt the place he set his story in. This is one book I'm buying for our at-home library and as gifts.

Rating:
Summary: An uplifting story of one town's journey into greatness
Review: One Shenandoah Winter brought me to a place in the Appalachians where I got to know its heart and soul--through its people. Bunn's characters are fascinating and he explores their struggles in depth. It's hard to find contemporary books that don't include vulgar language so what struck me particularly was that Bunn uses not one swear word! He portrays the gamut of emotions and conflicts without resorting to crudity. I marveled at his descriptions which were succinct yet touched all my senses. I literally felt the place he set his story in. This is one book I'm buying for our at-home library and as gifts.

Rating:
Summary: Heart-felt, touching, warm & cozy fiction.
Review: T. Davis Bunn's writing is extraordinarily touching in his book "One Shenandoah Winter." I especially enjoyed the fact that it took place during a time period that has been neglected in Christian fiction -- the 1960's. Bunn lets his readers get to know his characters on a very personal level. I'm impressed with the way he accurately portrays female emotions -- a talent that very few male authors possess. Thank you, T. Davis Bunn, for a soul-warming experience.

Rating:
Summary: Heart-felt, touching, warm & cozy fiction.
Review: T. Davis Bunn's writing is extraordinarily touching in his book "One Shenandoah Winter." I especially enjoyed the fact that it took place during a time period that has been neglected in Christian fiction -- the 1960's. Bunn lets his readers get to know his characters on a very personal level. I'm impressed with the way he accurately portrays female emotions -- a talent that very few male authors possess. Thank you, T. Davis Bunn, for a soul-warming experience.