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Comments from around the Web...
FROM: ChristianReviewer.com
Kassel is writing a series of novels depicting the effect of controversial issues on Christians. As the story opens, two people have been found dead at the scene of an upcoming dramatic festival. The play was to depict the history of the valley. There are many colorful characters including an elderly Catholic priest, nuns, and the local Catholic church's musical director. Others include a college professor who agrees to direct the play. Today's society faces many controversial issues. The morality of Hollywood is among those issues. The actors and actresses represent all the problems commonly associated with theater companies. Unfortunately, they also reflect the moral code and lifestyle of these people. The other controversial issue is how the local priest deals with the homosexuality of Peter. Peter's lack of being "gay" about his feelings as a refreshing change from those who would have us believe that homosexuals are not suffering inner conflict because of this lifestyle choice. May, 2006
FROM: Waiting in Joyful Hope (In this thoughtful commentary, Canadian priest, Fr. Thomas Dowd, offers an honest appraisal of what he sees as the book's strenghtens and weaknesses - in the end coming to a nuanced endorsement.) THIS SIDE OF JORDAN, BY BILL KASSEL "...If, on the other hand, you are looking for an interesting and human take on the bigger questions of Truth, Beauty, and the truth and beauty of human sexuality (and one that is far less dry than a catechetical textbook), then this book is for you - or for someone you know who needs to read it." Click Here to Read Fr. Dowd's Review
FROM: Adoro te Devote As Christian writers we need to be aware of even a higher standard, namely, as that set down by our faith. We have to be true to Jesus Christ in the words we set down on the page. Debates rage around this topic...use of profanity, use of sexual intimacy, etc. How much is too much? Is it even appropriate to bring it up? It's difficult to avoid these issues if one is writing truthfully, but it is possible. I offer as an example Bill Kassel, who wrote a couple of great books dealing with the issue of abortion and homosexuality. If you haven't read his work, look him up. February 12, 2006
FROM: Sacred Miscellany
Still sorting through the wreckage of my move (i.e. tackling those boxes we all know how to avoid), I found a review copy of Bill Kassel's THIS SIDE OF JORDAN. When I did book reviews as part of my work, I found them exhausting. So let's just call this a "book comment." While I'm somewhat allergic to most religious fiction written later than MR. BLUE, this book wasn't half bad and might definitely be an addition to parish libraries. The mystery plot is pretty good. What seemed to me more valuable is the extent to which This Side might help others find words to talk about the Church's position of homosexuality and true vs. false compassion. January 4, 2006
FROM: Free Dominion
(Excerpted from a commentary by By Pete Vere) ...Coincidentally, I had just finished reading THIS SIDE OF JORDAN when I came across Pinn and Dalrumple's allegedly homophobic wedding. THIS SIDE OF JORDAN is Bill Kassel's latest novel and it addresses the topic of homosexuality from an orthodox Catholic perspective. Although a tad sermonizing at times, I found the novel highly entertaining. In my somewhat cantankerous opinion, the book's exchange between two fictional priests catches the essence of the word homophobia. "I frankly think the biggest problem the Church faces right now is homophobia," states Lowell Walton, a progressive pastor who eschews the title Father. "Homophobia, Lowell?" replies Fr. Karl Muller, the protagonist and a champion of Catholic orthodoxy. "An even bigger problem may be homophobiaphobia, the fear of being called homophobic. I think it's crippling our ability to discern truth from falsehood."... October 4, 2005
FROM: Catholic Report
THIS SIDE OF JORDAN joins a growing list of popular Catholic fiction books. Bill Kassel's work may be new for Catholics, but Christian fiction books have been a popular staple for some time, especially in the Evangelical world. This book will be well received by people of all faiths but most especially by Catholics. Any Catholic can easily relate to the cast of characters. A Catholic reader who has done volunteer or paid work at the parish or diocesan level can just simply close their eyes and picture the cast of characters from the book, because they are all too familiar to the Catholic volunteer or employee. Kassel is able to touch on several subjects that promote controversy in the Church, two of the most interesting being liberal baby boomers in positions of importance within the Church, and homosexuality. Kassel is able to touch on the subject of homosexuality that is both compassionate to all involved, yet stays completely within the bounds of Church teaching. This is a book that people of all faiths will enjoy. Yet, I suspect many Catholics will read it again and again and again. August 28, 2005
FROM: Amazon.com (An enthusiastic customer comment posted on THIS SIDE OF JORDAN's Amazon.com listing page...) Rating: 5 Stars FINALLY, CATHOLICS AND ISSUES OF FAITH ACCURATELY PORTRAYED IN MODERN FICTION! On the suggestion of friend, I read THIS SIDE OF JORDAN with a bit of skepticism. But I've been pleasantly surprised to find an author who actually knows what it's like to be an ordinary Catholic! And what it's really like for believers facing some of today's toughest issues. Kassel's handling of the homosexuality issue is charitable, insightful and respectful from every angle. Not an easy topic to incorporate into a Christian themed novel, but well done! He also touches on the degeneration of popular entertainment and how easily we come to accept what is often times unacceptable. Worth the read. August 14, 2005
FROM: Catholic Light HOMOPHOBEPHOBIA Like some other bloggers, I received a review copy of Bill Kassel's THIS SIDE OF JORDAN, which I just finished reading. For the most part I concure with Curt Jester's review, although I did find it a tad sermonizing in parts (even though I agreed with the content of the sermons). Nevertheless, I must agree that I found Kassel a much smoother novelist than Bud MacFarlane. Some of the parts I found most humorous in this novel are his observations about modern nuns. Kathy Shaidle would probably concur with Kassel's description of how modern nuns dress and groom -- that is, despite getting rid of the veil and habit, you can still tell a nun in an airport by the way she dresses. The other enjoyable part is an exchange between an old conservative priest and a boomer modernist priest, where the latter claims homophobia is the greatest threat facing the church. The old priest responds something like "No, I think the greatest threat is homophobephobia -- or the fear of being called a homophobe." From my little computer in Canada's capital, I wholeheartedly concur. In fact, just blogging this thought is technically a felony in our country, if I am not mistaken. One punishable by up to two years in prison. August 13, 2005
FROM: The Curt Jester THIS SIDE OF JORDAN I recently finished the new novel by Bill Kassel called THIS SIDE OF JORDAN and I found it to be both an entertaining and informative read. Some aspects of it are as a mystery novel, but that is not the main thrust. The book starts with an incident in a small town and then goes back to pick up the threads of what lead to it. The novel's plot revolves around a festival the town is putting together to to promote tourism and around the famous director they bring in to pull it off. The main character is a Catholic musician who does the music for the local Catholic church and is writing the music for the festival. Interesting enough one of the plot threads is on homosexuality and how the main character and the town priest pastorally deals with the issue. The priest in the novel is old school and accurately reflects Catholic teaching. In fact the whole novel addresses the Church's teaching on homosexuality and dealing with those same-sex attraction. Though the book does not just fall into sermonizing or hitting you over the head like a Bud McFarlane Jr. novel. The characterization is very good and the novel is more about people than just events. Along the way there are also some great jabs on modern liturgy and some other insightful comments come the way via the priest and the nun who is in charge of religious education in the parish. While this nun is of the modernist persuasion she is not treated as a stereotype and while there is tension between her and the priest there is also a grudging appreciation of each others talents. Truth in blogging disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from Company Publications, Inc. One benefit of blogging is on occasion I have been sent copies of books for review and to feed my addiction. So far I haven't been sent any books that I would not recommend and I have been sent some real gems that I might otherwise have never read. Now if only I could get on Ignatius Press's reviewer list I would be in book heaven. August 3, 2005
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