Book Review: "Like Dandelion Dust"

     

The Stats

Genre: Christian Fiction

Pages: 249

Rating: 4/5

     Like Dandelion Dust, by Karen Kingsbury is a refreshing look at God's sovereign grace in our lives.  I recently took up "pleasure reading" for the first time in years, and chose this book with some skepticism.  I often bought into the stereotype that most Christian fiction is historical and/or Amish based, as well as sub-par to non-faith-based novels (you may pause and laugh at my stupidity).
     On the contrary, I found the writing of Kingsbury to be compelling and realistic.  The characters were relatable and the tale was gripping.


     Like Dandelion Dust is the story of the Molly and Jack Campbell, and their son Joey.  The family leads an idyllic life in south Florida.  They go boating on Sundays and frequently hear how their four year-old, Joey, is leaps and bounds above his peers.  It's something they hoped for when adopting Joey as a baby.  Yet, they are still struck by the perfection of it all.  That is, until the legal system threatens to take Joey away from them for good.  Molly and Jack proclaim they will do whatever it takes to keep their son, even giving God a chance.  Tension mounts as they wrestle between taking action themselves or trusting in the God of Molly's sister, Beth.  While Beth truly believes the will of God will keep Joey with the Campbells, she is also terrified that Molly and Jack might make a decision that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.  
     It is a story of deep, sacrificial love-- a love that blurs the lines of "normal," bringing the Campbells to a fork in the road, and an encounter with the living God that will change their lives forever.

     I highly recommend this book, giving it a 4/5 stars.  My only critique is on the ending, which seemed rushed and quick, compared with the development of the rest of the book.  If you feel like giving Christian fiction, or Karen Kingsbury, a try: get this book from the library or buy it for yourself.  Also, stay tuned for more book reviews.  I'll be publishing a review on Redemption, by Karen Kingsbury and Unglued, by Lysa Turkeurst very shortly.  Read my latest book review of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand!

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