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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 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
byChautona Havig

I had a delightful chat with historical romance author, Tracie Peterson, a couple of weeks ago, and boy did I learn some cool stuff!  Listen in to find out what prompted Tracie to write about trains and New Mexico and just what horned toads have to do with any of it.  She even gives us a sneak peek into what’s coming next!  Hint: it involves “brownies,” freezing people (we presume), and gold!

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

When You’ve Written This Many Books, You’re Sure to Be a Favorite

Tracie Peterson has been one of my favorite authors for years. I knew I’d read her books since at least the early days of this century, but when she said 1995, I knew I’d probably read every one of those first books, too. 

Though her first love might be Jesus, her first writing love is definitely historical fiction with romance, adventure, and maybe a little intrigue to boot! As with many historical authors, research consumes a lot of her time. Find out which books involved her going to a trick riding school and how a book about a “horny-toad man” helped her write the Love on the Santa Fe series!

In addition to chatting about her books, we also discussed the writing process. And even better, about the wonderful letters from readers.. Tracie Peterson is one prolific writer with over a hundred thirty books to her name! There’s sure to be something for everyone, wouldn’t you say?

Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson

Can she reconcile who she’s become with who she’s meant to be? Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents’ small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled. But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father’s health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she’s been leading. Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

You can preorder the eBook and audiobook from Amazon or you can get the hardback or paperback from BakerBookHouse.com.

Find out more about Tracie Peterson and her books on her WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
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Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
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Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
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Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
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Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
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Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
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Episode 145: A Chat with Debut Women's Fiction Author, Sara Brunsvold
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Episode 144: Chatting about Restored Grace with Kathleen J. Robison
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