November 12, 2009
Today we view R. M. Ballantyne's books as historical fiction, because to us, the periods he covers are in the past. However, when he wrote his classics, many of them took place concurrent with his life span. The boys of the Victorian era read about characters who lived at the same time as their own selves, and who experienced great adventures around the world. In my opinion, this aspect is lacking for Christian young men today.
Although there are a few "modern" or recent authors who produce wholesome fiction, most of the worthwhile authors of boys' adventure literature are dead. Am I saying that there's a problem with reading their books? No! However, I do believe that the men of this generation must rise up to take dominion over the literature of today. There are many vitally significant issues in our day which Ballantyne and others never dreamed would occupy our thoughts.
With this said, one Christain author has risen to the challenge. Just a few days ago I had the opportunity to read a newly-released novel called Glory, Duty and the Gold Dome by T. Nathaniel Darnell. This book covers a huge gamut of issues that are pressing today, delivered in an exciting and suspenseful style that would make Ballantyne and Henty proud.
Plot
Thomas Richards is not an average fourteen-old boy. He serves as the legislative aide to his father, Representative John Richards, who serves in the Georgia legislature. As a personal assistant, young Thomas handles details for his father and is familiar with the inner-workings of state government. His biggest job at the moment, however, is helping his father in his rapidly approaching election for Congress.
If John Richards can win the electoral race, he could move to Washington D. C., bringing with him the firm Biblical principles needed to govern a solid nation. The prospects are bright, and young Thomas is hopeful about the campaign. This, however, is soon to change when a fateful car accident plunges both into an issue of epic proportions, and life-threatening consequences.
Angela Bauer lives on her own, a sorrowful, bitter young lady, forsaken by her self-serving husband and expecting a child. She is surviving, but just barely, on her cashier's salary. A reckless decision leaves her stranded in an intersection, broadside to oncoming traffic. Unable to stop, another vehicle pounds into her car, smashing glass and bending metal. The shock knocks her senseless, and she sinks into a coma.
The other driver experiences only minor injuries, but as a friend of the family, John Richards races to the hospital to check on the young man's condition, and provide legal counsel to his father. In the same hospital rests Angela, unresponsive and comatose.
Terri Schiavo
John and Thomas learn of the girl's condition, and visit her room where they find her delinquent husband demanding life support to be removed! Although the hospital refuses to do so immediately, the issue quickly escalates to the courts in a battle similar to that of Terri Schiavo. A cold-hearted judge rules that she has no "quality of life," and must die in twenty days. It is now that John Richards makes a fateful decision. He must put aside his campaign for Congressional election, and focus his efforts on a different race - a race for Angela and her baby's life.
There are two options before him: either the legislature must vote that the court decision is unconstitutional, or the Governor must rule the same. John and Thomas have twenty days to convince an unwilling legislative body and a wary politician to overrule the previously unchallenged court.
Father and son meet opposition on every side, experiencing death threats, personal assaults, violent protestors, and shadowy villains. Meanwhile, they must discover more about Angela's husband, and what is so mysterious about his job. It's a wild, breath-taking ride with twists and turns on every side, and involves significant moral issues such as abortion, home schooling, governmental corruption, and personal defense.
I could tell you how the story ends, but I won't. You must find out for yourself by purchasing Glory, Duty and the Gold Dome from Vision Forum. I guarantee an unexpected ending!
Critique
The above is an overview of the plot, but that's not all that a book involves. The author, T. Nathaniel Darnell, incorporates many book-writing techniques, some tried and true, and some quite fresh and fascinating, to make this tale gripping.
Father and son discipleship is one of the main points of the novel. Throughout the story, Thomas and his father grow closer together, learning about each other. Darnell uses a unique but effective approach of narration, switching back and forth between the first-person narrative of father and son, allowing the reader to explore the intimate thoughts of each character.
The supporting characters are also colorful, producing an added depth to the story. My particular favorite is Clinty, another young legislative aide with a jovial personality and eccentric aspirations. Another is Rachel Richards, who fulfills the role of loving mother and wife.
I must confess that I'm wary of first-time book authors, who may have done well in shorter articles and editorials, but have not previously tackled such a large project. I was pleasantly surprised in this case by the splendid balance of detail, dialogue, and action. It is evident that Darnell has learned from generations of fiction authors, and has implemented their techniques. I give Glory, Duty and the Gold Dome my full support, and urge that everyone who reads this article will read the book.
For the glory of God, and the redemption of literature!
Tutela ex Vulnero,
John
P. S. It might be helpful to have a quick summary of the above thoughts. If I were asked to write a book recommendation, I would say that Glory, Duty and the Gold Dome is a tale of father and son discipleship, which grapples with key moral issues and is packed with action and suspense."
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The Betrayal
R.M. Ballantyne and his brother John in the uniform of the Edinburgh Volunteer Corpes, 1859.