Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Grace in Strange Disguise (2017), 273 pages
Genres
Collection
Description
People disappoint us but what if God does too? Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn't surprise her. After all, her father has always said, "Follow Jesus and be blessed." But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn't? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart?
User reviews
LibraryThing member vintagebeckie
Christine Dillon’s debut novel, Grace in Strange Disguise, opens with a diagnosis of cancer for main character Esther. As shocking as that is, her novel takes Esther through a journey that tests her not only physically, but spiritually. It is, in fact, the spiritual journey that touches the
Esther is the only daughter of a pastor of a mega-church in Australia in the early 1990s. His prosperity gospel has attracted many followers. But his strong personality brooks no questions or confrontations. So when Esther is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 28, her father preaches prayer and faith. And if she is not healed that means she is at fault — lack of faith or unrepented sin. Esther’s struggle is lonely and discouraging until she is shown a different way of looking at her faith and her perception of Jesus.
Characters are strong in Grace in Strange Disguise — both those the reader can relate to and to those you just want to shake! 😉 Even though the book is told in the third person, the reader sees deep inside of Esther’s character — her fears, doubts, preconceived attitudes, and in the end, the hope and peace she finds. As Esther’s cancer treatment progresses, she grows stronger and stronger in her faith. One special character introduces her to a unique way of learning about God — storytelling. And for those who follow the Master Storyteller, it really makes sense. Dillon has developed this in her own life as well. Esther’s story is far from over — there are more books planned for this series. But for her (and the reader) the message is clear — Abraham didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t know how long the journey would take. He only knew the one whom he was following. Was she willing to do the same?
While Esther faces heartbreak and heartache in Grace in Strange Disguise, she gains so much more. I look forward to more from Christine Dillon.
Highly recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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reader the most. Well written, with a main character that quickly grabs the reader’s imagination, this novel is a blessing in many ways. And it is a highly recommended read!Esther is the only daughter of a pastor of a mega-church in Australia in the early 1990s. His prosperity gospel has attracted many followers. But his strong personality brooks no questions or confrontations. So when Esther is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 28, her father preaches prayer and faith. And if she is not healed that means she is at fault — lack of faith or unrepented sin. Esther’s struggle is lonely and discouraging until she is shown a different way of looking at her faith and her perception of Jesus.
Characters are strong in Grace in Strange Disguise — both those the reader can relate to and to those you just want to shake! 😉 Even though the book is told in the third person, the reader sees deep inside of Esther’s character — her fears, doubts, preconceived attitudes, and in the end, the hope and peace she finds. As Esther’s cancer treatment progresses, she grows stronger and stronger in her faith. One special character introduces her to a unique way of learning about God — storytelling. And for those who follow the Master Storyteller, it really makes sense. Dillon has developed this in her own life as well. Esther’s story is far from over — there are more books planned for this series. But for her (and the reader) the message is clear — Abraham didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t know how long the journey would take. He only knew the one whom he was following. Was she willing to do the same?
While Esther faces heartbreak and heartache in Grace in Strange Disguise, she gains so much more. I look forward to more from Christine Dillon.
Highly recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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LibraryThing member SashiG
If you like Francine Rivers, you will like this author.
For her first fiction novel, Dillon has crafted a wonderful story, with characters you can relate to or know of and believable human responses. I really appreciate that this is not another cheesy Christian love story but about faith and
The five stars are for the emotional impact this book had on me. Esther's faith journey, her doubts, her anger and later her spiritual awakening all connected on a visceral level. The reality of her relationship with Jesus is seen in her desire to read the Bible, to seek him out in prayer and to seek opportunities to tell others about him. This story has personally convicted me to pray for opportunities and to trust the Holy Spirit for the right words and stories to share.
I am already looking forward to seeing how Esther's faith journey continues especially in terms of Esther's family and with those she has been bold enough to sow a gospel seed.
Thank you for the reminder that God's grace does come in strange disguises.
For her first fiction novel, Dillon has crafted a wonderful story, with characters you can relate to or know of and believable human responses. I really appreciate that this is not another cheesy Christian love story but about faith and
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relationships.The five stars are for the emotional impact this book had on me. Esther's faith journey, her doubts, her anger and later her spiritual awakening all connected on a visceral level. The reality of her relationship with Jesus is seen in her desire to read the Bible, to seek him out in prayer and to seek opportunities to tell others about him. This story has personally convicted me to pray for opportunities and to trust the Holy Spirit for the right words and stories to share.
I am already looking forward to seeing how Esther's faith journey continues especially in terms of Esther's family and with those she has been bold enough to sow a gospel seed.
Thank you for the reminder that God's grace does come in strange disguises.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JeannieRhi79
Is your faith lacking and in need of a boost? Read this book. So convicting and encouraging at the same time. I flew through it so quickly, I initially thought it was just a novella, but it was just that engrossing and exactly what I needed at this moment. Looking forward to continuing through
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Esther's story and feel she was appropriately named, as I needed her "for such a time as this". Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
273 p.
ISBN
9780648129608