My earliest days of reading
lessons included learning to read the title page, the publication page, and so
on before actually beginning to read the first chapter. So, I didn’t do this
yesterday while reading the delightful and thought-provoking Fenton
written by Noel Meyer.
I read the publishing page
this morning and got one of several laugh out loud moments this gem of a book
provided me. It starts with the traditional, “This is a work of fiction…” and
then continues , “excluding this section, as that would cause quite a
distressing paradox.” There is more – I won’t spoil it for future readers.
I purchased Noel’s first
book after meeting him virtually during a work-related function. I hope we get
the opportunity to meet him in person this coming year on our travels. Fenton has been
sitting on the top of my “to read” stack of books since mid-October. Yesterday
morning, I woke up determined to start on the pile. And what a treat to start
with Noel Meyer!
The back cover reads: While
awaiting trial for an unknown crime, vagabond city-dweller Fenton Le Marke forges
an unlikely bond with a devout priest, Father Elijah.
In 110 pages, Noel’s words
transported me to a place and time unknown. Yet it was a world I quickly
visualized. I could hear sounds and see places through Fenton Le Marke’s eyes. He makes
choices that go against his nature and deals with the demons of life-long
habits. And the question you may ask yourself at the end is, “was Fenton redeemed?”
Meanwhile Father Elijah
stays true to his calling as a priest. His faith and belief cause him to act in
ways that are at first foolish and ultimately sacrificial. Parts of Noel Meyer’s
book remind me of one of my all-time favorite books, “Magnificent Obsession” by
Lloyd C. Douglas. Does any one person’s life have more value than another’s?
Who decides?
For me the book also evoked
a sense of Charles Dickens “Oliver Twist” and a little bit of Stephen King
(pick any book).
This post, by the way, is
not a paid promotion! It is simply a tribute to one young man’s first
publication as a writer. You go, Noel!
If you are interested in
your own copy of Fenton you can purchase it on Amazon.
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