Book Review by Bob
Horning
Bill Kassel put himself
in a dilemma in writing This Side of Jordan. What non-PC
publisher would want to handle a 380-page story dealing
with homosexuality, and who among the politically
incorrect - that is, those opposed to the agenda of
homosexual-rights activities - would want to read
it?
To be sure, there is a
certain "ick factor" in dealing with the topic. Christian
publishers and readers tend to shy away from openly
discussing it. Yet, Kassel realizes that there is a
concerted attack on the moral values of society and the
Church, as the "gay" lobby tries to force its agenda on
the rest of the country through the courts and the media.
His contention is that we must fight back.
Kassel successfully
overcomes the dilemma, and does us all a favor in the
process. He encases the subject within the medium of a
mystery novel, the result being not a boring, barely
palatable discussion foisted upon an unwary reader, but
an intriguing story driven by genuine, page-turning
suspense.
This Side of Jordan, like
the first book in the series, Holy Innocents (which deals
with abortion), is set in a small town. An outdoor
theatre production, meant to help revitalize the economy
of the valley, instead brings death and mystery. From the
opening pages, we are told that two people have died, and
then we become swept up in the tale to discover who they
were and how they met their demise. Along the way, the
consequences of wrong choices and the devaluing of morals
in our culture are made clear in a way that a non-fiction
treatment probably couldn't have pulled off.
Entertainment, not
teaching, defines the book. It has to, since no one wants
to sit down for an hour of pleasure reading and have to
wade through the complexities and unpleasantness of the
causes and manifestations of same sex attraction.
As for this reader, I
found the story so quickly engrossing that, after reading
the first two chapters, where the author establishes the
characters and their story lines, I had the book as my
constant companion.
Whether waiting for my
car to be fixed, or during moments between meetings, I
snuck in a few pages to see what was going to happen next
and to discover another clue to the mystery. Finally, for
the last 75 pages or so, I just gave in. I lay down on
the sofa, forgot about my other work, and read through to
the end.
While he is entertaining
us, Kassel uses his host of characters to bring out the
pros and cons, the nuances, the pain and emotions of the
many sides of the homosexuality-related issue. These are
a reality in our society, and Kassel helps us deal with
that fact. Karl Muller, an old, orthodox priest, presents
Church teaching clearly, at times forcefully. All the
same, Christians aren't let off the hook. Throughout,
judgmentalism and hypocrisy are shown to be severe
handicaps in the culture wars; only truth and love will
win the battle.
In places, the characters
struck me as somewhat stereotypical. But I found it easy
to overlook the occasional lapse in depth thanks to
Kassel's ability to develop and deepen the unfolding
drama.
Perhaps the most powerful
section of the book is when protagonist, Alan Kemp, a
convert to the Catholic faith and music director for his
parish, seeks out psychologist Bruce Bellingham in order
to understand the reasons behind same sex attraction.
Bellingham's approach is key to the story as he describes
the clinical aspects of homosexuality - aspects that
proponents of the gay lifestyle often try to hide.
Bellingham responds to
Kemp's questioning by offering a clear explanation of
homosexuality, one that should be eye-opening and useful
to anyone on either side of the "gay-rights" movement. I
won't trace Bellingham's line of reasoning and compelling
conclusions here. After all, this is a mystery.
- Bob Horning is a
freelance writer based in Michigan.
-
- Reprinted from
NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER
- Vol. 81, No. 49,
December 11, 2005
- Copyright ©
2005, Circle Media, Inc.
.gif)