Twice Freed

Rating:
Summary: Christian yes; historically accurate not really.
Review: Christian Focus books claims that it publishes "biblically-accurate books" and while this fictional retelling of Paul's letter to Philemon may be true to the New Testament account, it is not true to the historical reality of its time. It isn't that St. John doesn't grasp the horror of slavery, in fact she plays it down a bit but this is more for children and teenagers than adults. But the period, 1st century not long after the death of Jesus, is too early for so many Christians, especially among the middle and upper classes of Rome, to be running around everywhere. The character of Onesiumus though is well done and shows complexity and conflict where it should -- other characters too are fairly done. Its a good book to preach with, just not a good both to teach history from.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I first read this book when I was about twelve--then the book was fascinating. I re-read it about a month ago (I am currently nineteen), and it was incredible. Obviously coming from a Christian perspective, the book was very uplifting, but just as another book, it is truly wonderful. It captures the essence of the early wave of Christianity in Rome, including the accurate portrayl of the persecution, but doesn't spend time dwelling on it. The only thing slightly inaccurate was the portrayl of Onesimus as a gladiator. The psychological and emotional stages were effective, but it seems as though the author had seen "Spartecus" and borrowed the fight scene and gave it a different ending. Moreover, the condition of the gladiators was greatly downplayed. But despite this slight shortcoming, the book kept my attention. Also the dialogue in several situations is somewhat juvenile, but the speakers usually were quite young, so the situation remains suitable. I highly recommend this book.