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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Beware: This Book Has the Power to Crush Your Heart

by Chautona Havig · 6 Comments

Reading Something I Am Not will challenge you in multiple ways and leave you wondering if you've forgotten that once you were something you didn't have to be. via @chautonahavig

Today, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (so, maybe 8 p.m. if past history proves true), in expected temperatures of only 106 degrees (thank goodness it wasn’t last week’s 113!), our electric company is shutting off our power to do “repairs.” Because they couldn’t have done these, oh, three months ago when it wasn’t so hot, or wait another two months for it to be only 98…ish.

No, as usual, they think it’s smart to shut off power to an entire area of town populated by young families with babies and the elderly. Like my mom. And because of the lovely hours they’ve chosen (there’s no sarcasm in this post, can you tell? Ahem), getting a hotel room was tricky. See, the worst of those hours… during that 3-hour window when hotels don’t accept new guests.

Guess who had to rent a hotel room for two nights just so we could have a comfortable place for our family for eight…ish hours? Possibly twelve. Because the electrical geniuses who run our power company thought this was a good idea. Yay. Them.

So, at seven-thirty last night, I checked myself into this room (that doesn’t have the couch promised, mind you), and was grateful that I had a nice, thick book to read. Sure, I wanted to write, but first… escape.

What was I not thinking?

The book? A nice, fluffy little tome about human trafficking and abuse—horrible, horrible abuse. The title? Something I Am Not. And you know what? It fits the book just as much as the character of Billy. Because this isn’t just a YA book about tough topics. It’s so much more.

Something I Am Not Review

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I received a free copy of the book and chose to review it here.

Beware: This Book Has the Power to Crush Your Heart

I loved the character of Billy from the first page. This poor, flawed man-boy resisted every attempt to make him become what he did not want to become. He was every abused and broken person you’ve ever known, and yet he was himself, too. Uniquely him.

And despite wanting to devour every word of his story, I skimmed large sections of Something I Am Not.

It wasn’t the writing. Despite wanting to say there were more words than necessary to tell the story, I disagree with myself. Looking back now that I’m done, I realize my resistance to “all the words.” It’s what they conveyed.

With gentle delicacy that juxtaposes brutal abuse and boxing, of all things, Something I Am Not unfolds the story in such a way that you never doubt the horrors this boy goes through. And as much as you know them, you never see them. Cher Gatto keeps most of that off the page but never out of the forefront of your mind. It’s brilliant, beautiful writing.

And I hate it.

Not only that, but I should. The author wants me to. That’s the point of this book—to take your heart, pummel it until it’s left battered and bleeding on the mat, and then ask one question. “What are you going to do about it?”

Books like Something I Am Not? These are why I love Christian fiction. This is the point of fiction for me. They help me see what I know is there but can sanitize, gloss over, ignore. Books like this won’t allow that.

And this book is a perfect example of exemplary word choice. Not once… not once did the words feel sanitized or out of place. And yet, not a single “foul” word in the bunch. Instead, skillful use of words created a story that shows that foulness without resorting to lazy writing with “just” swearing to do the hard work.

And seriously, that is the only reason this book is getting five stars.

See, I liked the book. I think it’s an important book—a necessary book. But I didn’t love it. And that’s what it usually takes for me to punch it up to five. But what I did love was how this author took vile, nasty, horrible people and showed them for all their ugliness, and I didn’t once think, “well that got sanitized for CF.”

Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful. I don’t want that sort of language in my fiction—Christian or secular. But for someone to do that so well… I think she’s earned that extra star. I’m grateful that I received a free review copy.  Here’s my review. I hated that I needed to read it.  I liked the story it told.  I loved how she told it.

Recommended for people who can take the hard stuff or skim when it gets too difficult. Not recommended for the sensitive who are truly crushed by how vile humanity can be. Also not recommended for those who like to pretend the world is a shiny happy place. Can’t destroy the delusions, can we?

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Comments

  1. Debbie P says

    July 18, 2020 at 1:59 pm

    This sounds like a great read about some really tough subjects.

    Reply
  2. James Robert says

    July 18, 2020 at 12:54 am

    Thanks much for sharing your book and a giveaway. Sounds great!

    Reply
  3. Emma says

    July 17, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    This sounds absolutely heartbreaking. I don’t like to think about things like this existing–but it’s good to be reminded of the sin in the world at times.

    Reply
  4. Caryl Kane says

    July 17, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Wonderful review! Sounds like a must read.

    Reply
  5. Amelia says

    July 17, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    Thanks for the review!

    Reply
  6. Rev Andrea Stoeckel says

    July 17, 2020 at 10:04 am

    With our denominational and Native focus on those who are murdered, missing trafficked, homeless, I am very intrigued by Gatto’s premise and was able to everything except tweet. Thank you for being brave enough to write this, and for anyone who reads it

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
byChautona Havig

A chat with Sarah Sundin is always fun, so when I learned we’d be discussing her upcoming release, The Sound of Light, last October, I was excited. Well… we chatted, and it’s finally time to share that interview. Listen in to what the title means, where Sarah came up with it, and the delightful story that she’s got waiting for us. I’m glad this episode came out in time for me to get the 40% off and free shipping deal from Baker because I apparently didn’t order it back when we chatted!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

How I Fell in Love With This Haunting Title

I didn’t know much about Denmark and WWII, so chatting with Sarah about The Sound of Light shed definite light (no pun intended) on the history of the Danes and how they stood up to Hitler… and got away with it (for the most part).

The Sound of Light tells the story of a physicist who meets a “slow, dull” guy who intrigues her in spite of herself. Come on… if that doesn’t grab you… Maybe the fact that this slow dude is really an Olympic rower in disguise who uses his father’s company as a front for who he is and how he helps Jews escape?  Yeah. That.

As always, Sarah Sundin has done her research and the result is a gripping story of resistance, protection, and ultimately love for God, our fellow man, and maybe… each other.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for my copy of The Sound of Light to arrive.

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research–her life’s dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand–the merman–and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

You can also grab this book from Baker Book House at 40% off with free shipping! (which is cheaper than the Kindle version!)

And you can learn more about Sarah Sundin on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
Episode 204: A Chat with Sarah Sundin about The Sound of Light
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