Grasping for the Wind

CSFF Day 2: The Restorer

Sharon Hinck writes books for women. Of all the reviews I have read, (at least half of this month's tour participants) almost all the rave reviews have been women and all of the critical or poor reviews have been men (myself included). I think this simply shows who will make the best audience for The Restorer. Wayne has called us to be critical but honest in our reviews, and I think that is a good call. It's obvious that the book is geared towards women and that men will probably walk away unsatisfied. That doesn't make the book bad (something I recently learned while reading my wife's favorite Christian book) just different or designed for a different audience. Quality will transcend genre, and the success or failure of The Restorer will ultimately depend on its longevity and effect, not our response to it.

Pastor John (the male exception so far) loved it but I think getting to interview her made his outlook a little biased, although the interview is great! D. G. D. Davidson hated it, but he is obviously a well read sci-fi reader, especially the harder sf (as evidenced by the comparisons he made). Yet while I thought his attempt to take apart the theology of the book (something best not attempted in a fiction book, I think) was a little rough, he had valid points about the quality of the plot line, the holes in it, and the excessive use of deus ex machina. I hope Sharon Hinck will be able to take all our reviews and improve her writing. She already has skill in integrating Scripture and character development, perhaps plot and setting will be her next hurdles to tackle. After all, as a failed writer turned blog critic myself, I appreciate even her attempt to write such a book, even if it isn't my favorite. But hey, who am I to judge? I like to read shared-world books for goodness sakes.

Perhaps Hinck has asked some of us to suspend disbelief to far. For others it is not far enough. Does this say something positive or negative about our own humility or ability to trust? I don't know. You tell me.

Sharon Hinck Wayne Thomas Batson Trish Anderson Brandon Barr Jim Black Justin Boyer Grace Bridges Amy Browning Jackie Castle Valerie Comer Karri Compton Frank Creed Lisa Cromwell CSFF Blog Tour Gene Curtis D. G. D. Davidson Chris Deanne Jeff Draper April Erwin Linda Gilmore Beth Goddard Marcus Goodyear Andrea Graham Russell Griffith Jill Hart Katie Hart Sherrie Hibbs Heather R. Hunt Becca Johnson Jason Joyner Kait Karen Dawn King Tina Kulesa Lost Genre Guild Rachel Marks Rebecca LuElla Miller Eve Nielsen John W. Otte John Ottinger Robin Parrish Rachelle Cheryl Russel Hanna Sandvig Chawna Schroeder Mirtika Schultz Steve Trower Speculative Faith Jason Waguespac Daniel I. Weaver

Posted by John on June 19, 2007 03:39 PM | Posted to Christian SF&F
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