“He knows things about me that no one else does.”
The words rocked my world a bit. It wasn’t that someone would know her secrets. It was more that she is the kind of person who’s very open and transparent about who she is. I had the hardest time imagining that she had any secrets. But what else would “things that no one else knows” be but secrets?
That conversation came to mind as I read a book last night. Funny thing is, I requested the book months ago and promptly forgot about it. However, when I returned from Missouri, among the stacks of packages–mostly all books, of course–waiting for me was that free review copy I’d requested. I couldn’t wait to dive in, but I still had a month or more to go.
Was it worth the wait? What did I learn from it? Will it change my life? So many questions… and of course…
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What Deep Secrets Are You Hiding Behind?
In his signature, almost allegorical style, David Rawlings sends you on a journey of self-discovery in The Camera Never Lies. A deep story, just enough twists and turns, and a lesson that should feel preachier than it actually does. Don’t even ask how that’s possible. I’m calling it great writing. With all that in the book, what more could you ask for?
How about excellent characterization? A multi-layered personality just flawed enough to make him relatable and deeply flawed enough to learn from, Daniel Whiteley offers more than a great protagonist… he offers a glimpse into your own soul as well.
Rawlings understands human nature and reveals it for all its raw imperfections and ugly shadows as well as its beauty and worth. Best of all, he does it by stripping away everything that Daniel can hide behind until the man is forced to see himself as he really is.
The cross does that for us. Jesus does that.
My only quibble with this book is that once again, Thomas Nelson, a Christian publishing house has given us so-called “Christian fiction” without bringing Christ into it. Sure, there are allusions to Biblical truths, but they are weak and any reader without a solid grounding in Scripture would find it difficult to know where the Biblical truths are hidden. If Thomas Nelson hadn’t made a habit of putting out this “clean” fiction instead of Christian fiction lately, I might lay the responsibility at the feet of the author.
As it is, I beg Thomas Nelson to let readers know if they’ve shifted their focus from Christian fiction or not. I’d rather not be disappointed every time I pick up one of their books. Regardless, I enjoyed the book, am glad I requested and received a free review copy, and will continue to read Rawlings’ work in the future.
Recommended for lovers of cautionary tales and truths told through story. If you enjoyed the author’s first book, The Baggage Handler, you’ll love this one, too.
Just be careful. The book will make you examine yourself to see the deep secrets you’re hiding behind.
The Camera Never Lies
About the Book
Book: The Camera Never Lies
Author: David Rawlings
Genre: General fiction/allegory/magical realism
Release Date: December 3, 2019
David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler, returns with another probing story: what would you do if your secrets were revealed to those around you?
Daniel Whiteley is a successful couples counselor who regularly puts families back together, helping them face up to the things in life they hide. But his own marriage is falling apart.
His wife, Kelly, knows Daniel is hiding something from her, but she doesn’t dare probe for fear her own secrets will be revealed.
When his grandfather dies, Daniel inherits an old SLR camera from a time when cameras pointed away from the person taking the photograph. On the camera is an inscription: “Use this camera wisely and remember, regardless of the picture you think you took, the camera never lies.”
When Daniel first uses his new camera he finds someone has already filled the roll of film. Annoyed, he processes the film and finds photos of a secret that he’s been hiding from his wife and daughter.
He has no idea who took them.
Now every time he uses the camera, the photographs reveal another secret about himself that he is desperate to keep–as well as those of his wife, which he is desperate to uncover.
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