Anne LeGare

Unseen Christianity

It’s hard to categorize this book into a certain genre.  It could be called a techno-thriller; but then again it could be called spy fiction.  When I got further into the book I realized it had some cold war themes mixed in, so it might appeal to conspiracy seekers.  One thing is for sure:  it wasn’t Christian.  I guess this was the biggest surprise of all since it was published by Thomas Nelson.  It’s certainly not a “chick” book either; but I found myself unable to put it down.

Its author, T.L. Hines, calls this genre “Noir Bizarre,” which is an apt title for such a work. I think Hines has found his writing niche – very few could craft such a story.

The main character, Lucas, is an unfortunate loner who gets his kicks by secretly watching people.  But he’s no kook or peeping Tom – he only watches people in public places.  That bit of information alone puts the reader in a position of superiority – we know that if he’s a voyeur, (getting vicarious kicks from the stories he invents about people) that he’s surely a sicko.  But then we find out – we think – that he’s an orphan and had a terrible, lonely life.  This should excuse some of his eccentric behavior, shouldn’t it?  And then the reader wonders:  Were there really orphanages in Washington D.C. in the late 1970s and early 1980s?

If I had to rate it using the movie rating scheme, I’d give it a “PG 13,” for violence.  I was thankful that Hines stayed away from making his character a sex predator; but at the same time it was a bit unbelievable, because the main character’s voyeuristic behavior most certainly would  be mixed in with sexual dysfunction in the real world.

Hines is a master at getting his reader to think and strategize throughout the book.  He gives us just enough information to think we “get it,” and then dangles a piece of new information that throws us off track.  That makes the reading fun, and ultimately is what had me rooting for Lucas, the unlikely weirdo-turned-hero of the tale.  And I liked the people who liked Lucas.  His co-worker could be anyone’s good friend, and ended up providing an opportunity at normal life for Lucas.  But she shouldn’t have been his source of ultimate redemption.  That was my biggest internal complaint about the book.

I was specifically looking for something or someone in the story to point Lucas to the One who could truly save him from his unhappy and disjointed life.  There were several opportunities Hines could have used to tell readers the good news, but didn’t.  Again, since the book was published by a major Christian publisher, I expected to see some reference to Christ in its pages.  When I didn’t, I was sorely disappointed.  As Christians, aren’t we to give glory to God in all we do?   Apparently, Hines doesn’t think so.

Here’s what he says at his website about the lack of a spiritual message in his books:

“But if it makes you feel any better, I’ve heard from more than a few people who have felt my books aren’t “religious enough,” for lack of a better term. My faith is an integral part of who I am, and so the worlds of my books naturally reflect some of that. But not overtly so. Nowhere in any of my books will you find a big conversion scene, or a thinly-disguised sermon telling you to repent. I write novels, not tracts. And if you think I’ve preached at you in any book, let me know. I’ll buy it back from you.”

Is he saying that the skillful manner in which Francine Rivers weaves the gospel into her superb historical fiction is a sermon or a tract?  There are plenty of excellent Christian writers who use their talents to bring others to Christ without veiling the gospel at all.

The book was a great read.  The author’s tepid Christianity isn’t so great.