Barriers Burned Away
by E. P. Roe, copyright 1900, 435 pages.
Genre: Historical Fiction/Great Chicago Fire
RL: 8th - adult
Upon the death of his father, 21 year-old Dennis Fleet, became the sole provider for his mother and younger sisters. Dennis is a young, devoted Christian and he eagerly sets out for Chicago to find a job. But finding a job isn't as easy as he thought it would be, he is not good at any one thing and no one wants to hire him. After several long days of searching, his money is just about gone and Dennis begins to despair. But he asks the Lord to provide a way, and He does - the very next day! Dennis finds a job working as a porter for Mr. Ludolph, the highly respected proprietor of an art gallery. Mr. Ludolph and his daughter, Christine, are both proud, selfish individuals. Christine, having been taught by her father, believes in neither God nor eternity. In fact, the only thing Christine does believe in, and worships, is art. This causes no small amount of consternation for Dennis; he prays that he might one day lead her to the Truth. As time passes, Dennis seeks to live out the love of Christ, praying earnestly for Christine. There are so many barriers around her heart that she cannot see the Truth. The night of the Great Fire, Christine begins to think that perhaps there is a God, but she cannot get past her reason to see the Truth. It's not until every barrier is burned away that Christine can finally see!
This beautiful story of love and redemption begins in the months before the Great Chicago Fire. From the very beginning I was hardly able to put the book down! It was so refreshing to read a GOOD historical fiction written from a Christian perspective. This book is not loosely a Christian book, but is steeped in Christian principles and truths. You will love Dennis, for most of the book, despise Christine and rejoice in its conclusion. When you read the last sentence and close the book you will sigh and muse: "THAT was a GOOD book"!!
Genre: Historical Fiction/Great Chicago Fire
RL: 8th - adult
Upon the death of his father, 21 year-old Dennis Fleet, became the sole provider for his mother and younger sisters. Dennis is a young, devoted Christian and he eagerly sets out for Chicago to find a job. But finding a job isn't as easy as he thought it would be, he is not good at any one thing and no one wants to hire him. After several long days of searching, his money is just about gone and Dennis begins to despair. But he asks the Lord to provide a way, and He does - the very next day! Dennis finds a job working as a porter for Mr. Ludolph, the highly respected proprietor of an art gallery. Mr. Ludolph and his daughter, Christine, are both proud, selfish individuals. Christine, having been taught by her father, believes in neither God nor eternity. In fact, the only thing Christine does believe in, and worships, is art. This causes no small amount of consternation for Dennis; he prays that he might one day lead her to the Truth. As time passes, Dennis seeks to live out the love of Christ, praying earnestly for Christine. There are so many barriers around her heart that she cannot see the Truth. The night of the Great Fire, Christine begins to think that perhaps there is a God, but she cannot get past her reason to see the Truth. It's not until every barrier is burned away that Christine can finally see!
This beautiful story of love and redemption begins in the months before the Great Chicago Fire. From the very beginning I was hardly able to put the book down! It was so refreshing to read a GOOD historical fiction written from a Christian perspective. This book is not loosely a Christian book, but is steeped in Christian principles and truths. You will love Dennis, for most of the book, despise Christine and rejoice in its conclusion. When you read the last sentence and close the book you will sigh and muse: "THAT was a GOOD book"!!