Riven

If there was a title for “Most Renowned Christian Novelist”, Jerry B. Jenkins would be a top contender. With more than 170 published works, fiction and non-fiction, 12 New York Times bestsellers and over 63 million copies of his books sold since 1995 I’m not sure who else could come close to claiming the title. With such a massive body of work, I cannot claim to be remotely acquainted with his range of writing abilities. I have read the Left Behind series, co-authored with Tim LaHaye, that catapulted Jenkins into the household conversations of Christian families nation-wide.

Jenkins’ latest solo novel, Riven is both similar to and completely disparate from the series that drove him to fame. While the Left Behind series did speak show more to me during the time that I was first coming to know Christ, I’m pleased to say that Jenkins’ writing has markedly improved since then.

Riven is the story of two men – a sinner and a saint. Thomas Carey is a devoted man of God. Committed to pouring himself out for God’s people, he and his wife Grace are devout followers of Jesus; never failing in their devotions, always striving onwards and upwards, despite the lack of fruit from their ministry. Brady Wayne Darby is the archetypal bad boy. Raised in a trailer park by an alcoholic mother, he soon falls pray to the sinful nature that begins to devour him. Like us all, he is unable to escape from sin under his own power. He quickly falls prey to lying, theft, drug abuse, and various felonies that lead to repeat visits to correctional institutes over the course of his adult life.

While the contrast of these two lives may seem contrived within the context of a review, it is anything but. The characters of these two men are developed over the course of hundreds of pages. We follow each of them through their struggles, their difficulties and their crises. We become first hand witnesses of their lives; we come to know them as personally as a friend or relative.

I know these men as I have known few other characters – I will never forget them. Thomas, so stubbornly faithful, clings to the rock though he lacks a fruitful ministry. Brady slips deeper into darkness, the burden of his sin mounting, and no hope in sight. I came to love them both. I have never developed such a heart for an unsaved character. Brady must have been difficult for Jenkins, a believer, to write. Once a man is saved it is difficult to remember the burden, the despair, being lost. Jenkins captures it all, magnificently. Thomas and Brady need each other, and when they finally meet the world is shaken for Jesus.

I’m surprised that controversy hasn’t arisen over this title. The entire premise, particularly the conclusion, is sensational, unbelievable. I was swept away in an emotional maelstrom that had me weeping throughout the last 100 pages. It is easy to suspend disbelief when you can hardly see through your tears. Read with Kleenex at hand is my cautionary warning.

Jenkins makes it work, once again rattling hearts for God. I was not at all expecting what this book offered me: a graphic reminder of what Jesus has done for me, a story of radical redemption, the promise of hope, and something more than these three added together, something elusive and hard to define that exists in the melding of these elements.

Who’s to know what impact Riven will have as the good news spreads? Jenkins work has touched the hearts of many and led them to repentance and belief. I can picture it happening again. Riven is a treasure to share, not only amongst believers, but also for those who don’t realize that what Jesus did on the cross was for them.

Reviewed at Quiverfullfamily.com show less

This is definitely worth your time reading. The book raises many moral and religious questions. Yes, the author comes at this from an evangelical angle. But, this book is far from being a syrupy sweet, idyllic view of religion. It embraces the grit that is present in real-life, such as a child that turns her back on the faith, petty church congregations, and the lack of immediate (visible) results from devout response to one's calling (including the frustration and energy-sapping that follows). In the end, the book made me think, which is really the highest praise I can give any book.

Brady is a young man full of potential. But even considering the broken home and underprivileged background he comes from, he proves to be his own worst enemy. And he’ll one day cross paths with Thomas, a chaplain who feels he’s got very little good to show for all of his years of ministry.

Author Jerry B. Jenkins says that Riven is his life’s work, the novel he’s always wanted to write. So I approached this novel all the more seriously.

Although it’s darker and a lot more depressing than my usual reading preference, and I found much of it to be predictable, the story still kept me interested through most of its 500+ pages. I’ll admit I didn’t always find the characters or the plot to be the most convincing, and the way the show more story rushes over some crucial years is unfortunate. There are also key areas of the story that I couldn’t get with—theologically, politically (though I almost hate to use that word, due to its tendency to minimize critical matters affecting humanity), and just as a reader of fiction.

Nonetheless, I have to applaud the intense and risky route the author takes to get an earnest message across, and the way he does it is ultimately powerful. I do think a reader has to be good with highly evangelistic, Christian material to enjoy this book, so if you have an appreciation for “the greatest story ever told,” this novel may very well hit you where you live. show less

The story was interesting enough that I wanted to find out what happened next - but the format of the novel was clunky (the continual changing back and forth from one story to the next). Also, I felt like the message overtook the story and it became more sermon than novel. But I found the message challenging in a thought-provoking way.

from my goodreads review:
The overzealous tone ruined this book. This book will appeal to only the most evangelical of Christians, if even to them. The story jumped needlessly (every paragraph or 2 between the main characters) which critically destroyed the ease of reading this book. Then it decided to get overly preachy (I mean beyond what it already was) on about page 390. This COULD have been a much better book...if the much of the theology and gospel hymns were left out. I can honestly say it HAD promise, and the young man taking responsibilities for his actions could have been done without all the tedious moralization. This COULD have been a great story, alas, it was not. Unless you are a born again evangelical who doesn't really show more care about how a book is written, then I would stay away (I wish I would have) show less

Really awesome book of a criminal and a chaplain and how their lives eventually entwined. I enjoyed both parts of the story, though I could have done without the hymn sings. (I listened to the book) and Darby's story was a bit more exciting.

Jerry Jenkins does not disappoint in his novel about two men seeking to find purpose and place in their lives. The story told in parallel dialogue gives the reader a plethora of rich characterization. The plot winds its way through the lives of both men whose paths crossing brings about a truly ironic and unforeseen ending.