Strange fires : the true story of John Wesley's love affair in Georgia

I read this entire book in a state of anticipation. I kept thinking, "well, maybe on the next page something important will happen." Nothing ever happened though. I read this book in hopes of getting a better feel for colonial Savannah. The author does a pretty good job of giving one a sense of atomsphere. On the other hand, this book is filled with conjecture, has a gossipy tone, and a rather unsympathetic main character. The reader is prepetually hoping that John Wesley will do someting definitive in relation to his love, Sophy. Instead, you are left with his constant dithering and hand-wringing. The author used Wesley's diarty as the basis for the narrative, which provides a solid foundation, but the author does a great deal of "he must have thought this" or "we can only imagine she did this."
I would strongly dissuade people from reading this one, unless the have a deep interest in Methodism. The book does give you the background on why Wesley became depressed and later was inspired to found Methodism. If you are looking for a story with any drama whatsoever I would not recommend this one. The fault for the poorness of this book does not primarily lie with the author. Only a genius could make a indecisivine, uptight parson who does very little in the narrative, a sympathetic and interesting man.… (more)