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Critic's Corner
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"The robed man sat motionless in the faded light, hoping the wait would end soon . . . He whispered another prayer for strength and guidance . . . "Father Luigi Giuseppe Vincenzo investigated the lives of sainthood candidates. His colleagues called him the saint-maker. The Pontiff had acted favorably on more of Father Luigi's findings than those of any other investigator assigned to the Congregation for the Causes for Saints. Twice the priest had made confession on his vanity; another loomed ominously. But penance for a venial sin was not what had the priest worried. This young nun whose life and untimely death he had chronicled into the manuscript — the positio — he held so tightly, this one deserved special treatment." With these words, r. r. bryan launches readers into his awesome debut novel, "All the Angels and Saints." This brilliantly woven tapestry of spirituality, politics, intrigue, and cultural insight is the epic story of Sister Nicole McHenry as she fulfills her vocation in a tiny mission in strife torn Guatemala. Refugio, Guatemala, Nicole's first post as a nun, is a poor village without electricity or running water, yet here the young woman finds her work as a teacher the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Bryan's research and descriptions of the natural beauty of Guatemala, the simplicity of its people with their longing for a better life for their children, and the unrest that threatens peace not only in Refugio but in the whole country, are impeccable. The most intricate details of Nicole's life are revealed through her eyes and the eyes of those she touches in her short time on earth. Mac and Elizabeth, Nicole's parents are stunned upon learning of their daughter's senseless murder. Just eighteen months ago, news reporters came to the McHenry's door announcing Nicole's death saying she had been killed in a rebel uprising in Refugio. Stunned, the McHenry's turn to their parish priest who all too soon confirms the terrible news. Cable TV splashes news of the uprising in Guatemala and more about Sister Nicole who only the previous year had been in the news for the miraculous healing of a young village girl dying from a vicious fever. Each Character that steps forward to show the impact upon their life by this wonderful young woman deepens the intensity of the story. Evan Montgomery, an English journalist who lives part-time in Refugio and travels throughout Central America is an integral part of Nicole's story. Miguel, the grandfather of little Maria who was delivered from death by Sister Nicole, plays a major role as the father of the man accused in her murder. Others also lend their input into the joyous little nun's influence upon their lives. Elizabeth, Mac, and Monty all wear different hats of grief. Mac, looks at the dark side with anger, blame, and self-guilt, and an unsatiable thirst to avenge his daughter's death. Elizabeth, is concerned with the day to day events of Nicole's last days, but is not interested with the ugliness of her death. Monty, who loved Nicole with a deep spiritual love feels guilt for not having saved her. What happens next is almost unimaginable, yet in this author's capable hands reads with so much truth it is difficult to retain the reality that "All the Angels and Saints" is only a novel . . . not real . . . just a story conceived in a writer's mind. Haven't we all read or heard of Catholic priests and nuns murdered in various lands during uprisings? Yes, we have, but has the Church ever been held accountable for their deaths? Mac McHenry is determined that this time it will be . . . until . . . But those details, readers must discover for themselves. Suffice it to say, the resolution of this powerful and inspirational story turns on events so wondrous I dare not reveal them here. Bravo to r. r. bryan for a story that could have been ripped from news headlines, and is told with a master's touch. Copyright Patricia Ann Jones
Save Up to 30% on this book at Amazon.com Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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ALL
the ANGELS and SAINTS
