Bryan Davis, the Christian author famous for his young adult fantasy series' has taken a bold step into adult fiction.
Though I haven't personally read, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, I've gathered it's more hard hitting than some are used to--certainly more so than his young adult fiction.
I meandered over to Amazon and checked out the reviews. For the vast majority, there was lots and lots of praise, but then I spotted a few dissenters...my curiosity was piqued.
One person gave the book a single star, and another person gave it two. What did these two lonely individuals have to say in the face of so much praise? The answer is quite interesting!
-The novel is too violently graphic
-Doesn't encourage your Christian walk
-and lastly, one of the reviewers saw danger in the idea of parallel universes because they are not realistic
This last point is the most interesting to me. the statement, it's not realistic, pretty much sums up all speculative fiction. Is there danger in painting a picture using make-believe? Using star ships that go faster than the speed of light, using mythological creatures, or creating Frankenstein monsters?
Yes, there can be danger, but the danger lies in misinterpretation. Speculative fiction is meant to be speculative. Quality speculative fiction can be used as parable and allegory. That's what makes it so fascinating.
I doubt that Bryan Davis believes in the parallel universes as told in his story, however, I am quite sure he was able to explore issues and philosophical questions using his fictional setting. And that's what much speculative fiction is, exploration.
Exploration of ideas, philosophy, and the future. Exploration of allegory: placing a new light on anything from true love to theology.
Thanks for stopping by...and please check out these fellow CSFF blog tour members.
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Courtney
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Mike Lynch
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or
Mir's Here
Chawna Schroeder
Greg Slade
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
Though I haven't personally read, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, I've gathered it's more hard hitting than some are used to--certainly more so than his young adult fiction.
I meandered over to Amazon and checked out the reviews. For the vast majority, there was lots and lots of praise, but then I spotted a few dissenters...my curiosity was piqued.
One person gave the book a single star, and another person gave it two. What did these two lonely individuals have to say in the face of so much praise? The answer is quite interesting!
-The novel is too violently graphic
-Doesn't encourage your Christian walk
-and lastly, one of the reviewers saw danger in the idea of parallel universes because they are not realistic
This last point is the most interesting to me. the statement, it's not realistic, pretty much sums up all speculative fiction. Is there danger in painting a picture using make-believe? Using star ships that go faster than the speed of light, using mythological creatures, or creating Frankenstein monsters?
Yes, there can be danger, but the danger lies in misinterpretation. Speculative fiction is meant to be speculative. Quality speculative fiction can be used as parable and allegory. That's what makes it so fascinating.
I doubt that Bryan Davis believes in the parallel universes as told in his story, however, I am quite sure he was able to explore issues and philosophical questions using his fictional setting. And that's what much speculative fiction is, exploration.
Exploration of ideas, philosophy, and the future. Exploration of allegory: placing a new light on anything from true love to theology.
Thanks for stopping by...and please check out these fellow CSFF blog tour members.
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Kathy Brasby
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Courtney
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Shane Deal
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Todd Michael Greene
Katie Hart
Timothy Hicks
Joleen Howell
Jason Joyner
Kait
Mike Lynch
Magma
Terri Main
Margaret
Rachel Marks
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Ashley Rutherford
Mirtika or
Mir's Here
Chawna Schroeder
Greg Slade
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Laura Williams
Timothy Wise
6 comments:
Brandon,
Thank you for posting about my book.
I, too, found the negative reviews on Amazon informative. The "unrealistic" one made me grin. And too graphic? Well, I think the Bible has more graphic descriptions than my book does. As far as encouraging a Christian's walk, it's interesting how many readers have told me that the story has encouraged theirs. Go figure.
You're right. I don't believe in the parallel universes at all, and it did give me the opportunity to raise questions about free will verses determinism in the minds of astute readers, though I didn't raise the issues at all in the narrative. As you noted, that's what speculative fiction does. It allows us to speculate.
Thank you again for your thoughts.
Bryan Davis
Hi Bryan,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, you've chosen to write in the speculative genres because they give writers the freedom to explore concepts like--as you described, free will vs. determinism.
That's what makes this genre so amazing. Unfortuntely, some readers haven't caught on to the deeper ideas within the fantastical story, and the underlying ideas you explore.
Keep writing for the rest of us!
Brandon,
Even though you didn't read the book, your comments added a lot to the discussion. So, how'd you get Bryan Davis to stop by your blog site and not mine?
Mike
Well Mike,
...I don't know what tell ya...
(FYI Mike is a good friend, any sarcasm is purely a result of my knowing he will completely understand it and not take offense. Thank you)
Great post, Brandon. Made me think!
Thanks Robert.
Post a Comment