Quote:
Originally Posted by nomesque
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In fact, I did enjoy this short story quite a bit. I started reading this afternoon, during slow bits at work, and finished up at home after cuing-up Newsboys mp3s on the computer. (I had an all aussiee evening!) I'll post a review on Smashwords, as promised.
Spoiler:
I think the characters are well-developed for a short story. Maisy's complexities develop through the story, especially given the events of the story, this makes a lot of sense.
I feel the questions raised about the Bible's view of sexual-sin (of the varieties mentioned in the book) are not addressed fully, although — when Maisy turns up preggers, her boyfriend all but abandons her, she's rejected by her pseudo-friends, the church, and seemingly every one but her mum and the creepy school counselor — the response may be interpreted as this is why you don't do those things. I will allow, that the format of a short story cannot fully or properly address those questions, so thank you for not trying to make it appear otherwise.
It IS entirely proper to raise questions about people not being (at least) personally admonished about gossip, pride, and being unloving. Jesus gave the world permission to judge the genuineness of His followers by the Love they had for each other, and for those outside the Church. Maisy is one of the kids in youth group I always worry about, but because I'm a married male in my 50's, I won't approach. The creep factor is too high.
I really love Maisy's Mother. She's a gem. She loves Maisy unconditionally, as a parent should, as the "mature Christians" in her church should.
Hurry for Mrs Jansen. When Maisy asked for help, she didn't back off or make excuses. I like how she let Maisy in on something that, probably, most of the congregation did not know.
All in all, well done. I'll recommend this with caution among my Christian friends, and with a little less caution to those friends outside the Church.
I'd figured out most of the aussie slang by context, one exception (left undefined) being ZOMG. I was pretty sure OMG meant the same it does in the States (“Oh, My Goodness,” right?)
I'll rephrase the author’s warning. This book has cussin’, teen sex, homosexuality, and portrays Christians as the fault-filled, sometimes judgmental persons we often are. It does the same for apparent non-Christians. So take your lumps, and say ‘Thank you, may I please have another?’