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Broken Pottery

by Joan K. Smith (Goodreads Author)

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 21 ratings · 10 reviews

Do we all exist in Heaven before becoming human? Is our life on Earth a test to see if we then get to spend Eternity with God? Does evil exist? Do evil spirits exist? Is there anything to the December 21, 2012 Mayan prophesy or other political, environmental, or astronomical events suggesting we may be living in the END TIMES? What does it mean to be Christian in the year...more

Paperback, 368 pages

Published January 12th 2012 by Outskirts Press

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May 25, 2012 Peg rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wish I could say that “Broken Pottery” by Joan K. Smith captured me completely, because the premise is intriguing: The spiritual and the earthly planes intersect just long enough to set in motion a quest by two women who seek to reacquaint the world with how to live in relationship with God during what could be the end times.

I love stories that wrestle with questions of faith and spiritual truth in these challenging times we live in. Unfortunately, the storytelling in “Broken Pottery” is a bit...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Marisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

I'm reviewing this book as part of the First Reads program.

I really enjoyed this book. The story is so layered and conveys clear messages without coming off as preaching. It is thought provoking and beautifully illustrates how one life can effect so many others- for better or worse.

This tale takes themes of Christianity, what it means to be a Christian and paths chosen in life and blends them with a political thriller storyline that could easily pass for non-fiction. The political aspect of the...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Christian readers, skeptics, thriller

The purpose of this novel is to promote awareness of humanity’s purpose on Earth, to exercise free will and to make the decision as to whether we live our lives devoted to God, or devoted to anything that’s not God. After an intriguing prologue narrated by a soul waiting in Heaven for its time on Earth, the author develops two simultaneous story lines. In the prologue, three types of lives are mentioned: those who are awarded most Earthly blessings ( a loving home, good health, financial securit...more The purpose of this novel is to promote awareness of humanity’s purpose on Earth, to exercise free will and to make the decision as to whether we live our lives devoted to God, or devoted to anything that’s not God. After an intriguing prologue narrated by a soul waiting in Heaven for its time on Earth, the author develops two simultaneous story lines. In the prologue, three types of lives are mentioned: those who are awarded most Earthly blessings ( a loving home, good health, financial security, friends, a rewarding career); those who are either born with difficulties (Down’s, physiological deformities, etc.), or who develop ill health later in life (perhaps a debilitating disease, for example) and who consequently live what others view as an abbreviated life; and those who are born into really atrocious conditions, such as in Third World countries, with ill health, starvation, famine, and war.

The two protagonists, whose story lines alternate, are Janice and Sophie. Janice seems at first to fit into the first category, as she has loving parents, good school friends, and a devoted boyfriend whom she knows will eventually marry her. Additionally, she has been a churchgoer since a very young age, and knows God, although she practices underage drinking and occasional pot-smoking at parties. But on her first day in college, she experiences an event which turns her life inside out and sets her on a downward spiral psychologically and emotionally. Suddenly she has forgotten about her devotion to the Lord, and instead seems to have started on a path of emotional self-destruction.

Sophie, on the other hand, suffers greatly as a young girl. Partially disfigured in a vehicle accident that took her father’s life, she is raised by an utterly Narcissistic mother who clearly has self-esteem issues and no emotional foundation herself. Sophie goes to great lengths to hide her scar, but when a group of rowdy boys discover it in high school, her secret is revealed and she finds herself the brunt of derision and disgust.
In both cases, the girls have the opportunity out of suffering to make a decision about how to live the remainder of their lives. Of course, no decision in either direction will lead to an utterly smooth life; and as adults they come to realize that very possibly, not only their own afterlife existences are in jeopardy, but so is the fate of the planet.

What I found particularly interesting is that none of the characters are all-or-nothing; that is, even the characters who profess to love God and to want to do His Will have faults, ups and downs, and failures. Nor are their lives ever perfect. Major disappointments and dangers occur to them, just as to any of us. The other aspect I found particularly worthy is the method the author uses to introduce the two opposing viewpoints-of good and evil-by using named “mental voices” (somewhat like the illustration sometimes seen of a person with a miniature angel on one shoulder and miniature devil on the opposite shoulder). In this novel, there is a “voice” extolling God’s side, and one extolling just the opposite, encouraging worldliness and selfishness.

The author has also included in-depth questions suitable for personal or group study of Jesus, the Bible, and the 2012 scenario.
(less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Alpha rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am reviewing this as an ARR through The Nexus.

The ideals utilized for this novel are the primary reason I wanted to read this novel as an ARR when the opportunity arose. Being a devout Christ Follower - though I may also be a Pluralist and Agnostic Theist (I'll explain those two to anyone who asks) - my curiosity needed to be sated since Broken Pottery read in its description about how the End Times are here. I wanted to see how much of what I know about the End Times was truly implemented int...more I am reviewing this as an ARR through The Nexus.

The ideals utilized for this novel are the primary reason I wanted to read this novel as an ARR when the opportunity arose. Being a devout Christ Follower - though I may also be a Pluralist and Agnostic Theist (I'll explain those two to anyone who asks) - my curiosity needed to be sated since Broken Pottery read in its description about how the End Times are here. I wanted to see how much of what I know about the End Times was truly implemented into the novel along with enjoying if this is a good novel in the first place. I was satisfied.

First off, I love how the prologue really sets up for what happens for the rest of the book. I do recognize it is probably the slowest slog of the novel and quite possibly the one section which turns readers off. However, anyone who gets past the prologue and the first half of the book will not be disappointed for it all ties up quite neatly in a pretty little package at the very end. The characters, or at least the two main characters, Janet and Sophie are memorable and relational to the reader for one is devout on faith with shows of imperfection while the other is successful without faith yet lacking real meaning in life. I myself was able to relate to both and understand both sides of the faith scale since I was either one or the other during parts of my life.

The dialogue between the demons and angels as inner voices to people is very smart. I found those parts of the writing to be very enjoyable for they seemed as if they were part of the situation instead of influencing it. This however does not negate any other forms of conversation written in the story. It is strong, well-versed, and the flow is good.

Besides the basic misspelling or grammar error seen in all self-published novels, the only major gripe would be those who are scholarly or theologians who may read this novel. I took the novel as if the readers aren't supposed to know every singular detail of world religions, politics, or the Abrahamic Religions. Certain aspects like the Mayan Calender being utilized were good props for the story but I am happy Smith did not call December 21, 2012 a fact of the end of the world. Some other things that may come off as research material though it may be nothing more than fiction. Smith decided to keep with the basics that everyone may understand as it pertains to the End Times or Revelations. She stuck to the birth pains being earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, food shortages, as well as the one-world government and one-world currency. She stayed away from more religious or faith-heavy aspects such as the Anti-Christ, the Beasts of Land and Sea, One Hundred Million Army, and of course the Great Gathering (Known mostly as the "Rapture" to all of you!).

In the end, this is a great read and I applaud Smith for her fiction implemented with truth. I believe this novel was more of a way to show people the light through secular means. Maybe it would have been more accepted if it were more psychological, a thriller, or written with the popular genres of today being either paranormal or dystopian. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read especially those who believe in Jesus Christ. I will say this however. If End Times studiers are expecting any insight, this may be more for entertainment than study. There are other books which explain the End Times more realistically with politics, history, Bible study, and such more so than this novel. Just ready anything by Perry Stone.(less)

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Apr 16, 2012 Cesar Cesar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have to say that I really did enjoy how this book has been written, it is fast moving and intruiging yet at the same time it raises several topics that exist in todays society for Christians. I liked the way that as you read it, it jumped between the charachters, and the timeline skipped forward in segments from days to years, which displayed in detail how a persons belief-system grows in their lifetime and how environmental influences can cause great changes. Adults are not simply as they are...more

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Jan 28, 2012 Susan Kinsel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book held my attention from the first page. It coveres a wide range of issues pertinent to today's Christian person, mn or woman or teenager. I'm a fast reader and finished the book in about four hours. I can't say I agree with everything in the book but it will provide lively discussions in book groups for that very reason. I loved it and am recommending it to my friends, neighbors and others I come in contact with. It is so reasonably priced anyone can afford to get it, on Kindle or Amazo...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Shelby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaways

I can't say enough about how much I liked this book. It brings up so many things. Joan K. Smith does such a wonderful job writting such vivid characters. I kept thinking about the characters and how they reminded me of people that I have known in my own life. It really touched my heart and made me think. This book is about finding ways of making sense of the world and the decisions we make during our lives. I won this book from goodreads, thank you.

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Oct 01, 2012 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow...it has been a very long time since a book grabbed me like this one. I inhaled it in about two days. I loved it!

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May 11, 2013 Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-kindle

Great read. Very enjoyable and thought provoking

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Mar 23, 2013 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting but scripturally it concerns me a bit. It has some good ideas that help you think through some concepts and I'll admit that I had trouble putting it down. However hound Christians could get confused between the fact and fiction of what is presented. If you know your foundation and are willing to accept that this is a fictional idea of what could be then this is a nice story.

-warning; it was the final chapter that really pushed my limits; good read but know going into it what you are...more

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