tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898093196374109483.post7897387966519069495..comments2012-10-02T14:56:10.134-07:00Comments on Back to the Mountains: Eretzel 3: Gripes and conclusionStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01793038831644847951noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898093196374109483.post-68418933281034020742009-01-08T06:25:00.000-08:002009-01-08T06:25:00.000-08:00Just happened onto this review after reading Seabi...Just happened onto this review after reading Seabird's and have to make a comment regarding the concept of preachiness.<BR/><BR/>M.W. defines preachiness as "marked by obvious moralizing."<BR/>Moralizing: giving moral direction<BR/><BR/>What I have found is that preachiness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. <BR/><BR/>When an author presents moral dilemmas and solutions within the story and as true to the particular character's, um, character, I don't view it as preaching--it is a natural way of telling a story from, in this case, a Christian worldview. <BR/><BR/>I am dismayed when Others see a character in prayer or a church or hanging with a member of the clergy or read a piece of scripture like "do unto others" and immediately throw the preachy flag. <BR/><BR/>I've seen preachiness in some recent novels (okay, one -- sort-of recent novel); one is hit over the head with it, there's no grey area involved. When a seemingly ordinary character, perhaps embroiled in some sort of adventure, or espionage or mystery feels the need at every turn to spout off chapter and verse as if his author was using a Concordance alongside his style guide, Thesaurus, dictionary, outline and character sketch; if the action ceases for the moment (or long moments) to allow the character to rattle off a sermon; and if the character isn't a guy driving around town with a camper covered in shingles painted with Scripture, I call that preaching.<BR/><BR/>Just a bee in my bonnet I thought I'd share with anyone who cared to read it -- however, now that it is off my chest, it doesn't matter if anyone does or not, but thank you for this opportunity.<BR/><BR/>ccynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15514785429568086047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898093196374109483.post-40900005970296230092009-01-06T18:08:00.000-08:002009-01-06T18:08:00.000-08:00I like how you pulled out your "gripes" in a posit...I like how you pulled out your "gripes" in a positive fashion. Instead of beating the author over the head you simply gave him tools to make the next book better, which I'm sure Bill will utilize. Thanks for all your work here. You put up 3 great reviews, all of which were great.<BR/><BR/>DavidDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14949239112166623708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6898093196374109483.post-89969117145541028192009-01-06T00:13:00.000-08:002009-01-06T00:13:00.000-08:00This is an all-purpose comment for the three Eretz...This is an all-purpose comment for the three Eretzel blog together. I had read the first draft of the novel, so I was particularly interested in reading your comments. It sounds like Bill McGrath must have made quite a few changes from that time. I am looking forward to reading the published version. One thing I am certain of--there's no fluff here (except maybe a sheep or two).cathikinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12180306267340755443noreply@blogger.com