Louise M. Gouge's Son of Perdition~Reviewed

Son of Perdition
by Louise M. Gouge
Paperback: 319 pages
Publisher: River Oak
ISBN: 1589190416


Timothy Jacobs, son of the infamous captain Ahab, has rejected his father's name and spends his young life trying to prove that he is not his father.

Certain of his own goodness compared to the misguided mariners he observes at the Seaman's Mission where he volunteers, he feels no need for the salvation of Christ, which his mother and stepfather encourage him to accept.
When he is tragically wounded in battle he is nearly consumed by rage at God, whom he now regards as unjust and uncaring. And only then in his darkest hour will Timothy discover if he truly is his father's son, or if he can find out the true nature of God.

I read Son of Perdition in two days. I would've finished it in one, but I've been feeling tired lately and going to bed early. What a great story! I liked this one even more than Hannah Rose. Louise has a knack for describing horrific war injuries. Sheesh, I could picture those shredded limbs and blood splattering everywhere. I'm truly impressed.

Also, this story has real depth to it. No pussyfooting around the issues in those days. Reality was men had temptations everywhere, and Louise includes that in her novel. I appreciate how that added to her story.

The most impressive thing about Son of Perdition was the topics of blame and forgiveness, and how Louise works through that within the context of this story is truly amazing. Oh and how often we have said to ourselves, "I'll never be like that person." We try hard to be just the opposite and sometimes despite all this, we look in the mirror and see the very person we never wanted to emulate staring back at us. What a sobering truth. Only God can fix that.

So if you want an emotionally deep and touching story about an era not often written about, which includes Navy battle scenes from the civil war, you'll want to read this book. The author has unique insight rarely observed in historical fiction. Oh, and her passion for the abolitionist movement and issues regarding slavery are truly inspirational. Great debates between Northern and Southern Navy brothers at the Naval Academy. I loved it!!!

Reviewed by
Michelle Therese
Writing truth into fiction...digging deeper, soaring higher
Great Beginnings finalist 2005
http://michelletheresewrites.blogspot.com/
Writer/fiction reviewer