Lost Mission: A Novel

Lost Mission: A Novel

by
3.92 of 5 stars 3.92  ·  rating details  ·  71 ratings  ·  30 reviews
What haunting legacy waits deep beneath the barrios and wealthy enclaves of Southern California?

An idyllic Spanish mission collapses atop the supernatural evidence of a shocking crime. Twelve generations later the ground is opened up, the forgotten ruins are disturbed, and rich and poor alike confront the onslaught of resurging hell on earth. Caught up in the catastrophe a...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published September 15th 2009 by Howard Books (first published 2009)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 148)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Bruce Judisch
This was remarkable. Just remarkable.


Athol Dickson's writing credentials are impeccable, and one need only read Lost Mission to discover why. Painstakingly researched and masterfully told, the story bookends lives separated by 200 years in time, but intertwined in eternity.


In 1767, Fray Alejandro left his Franciscan monastery in Italy in response to a call to minister to the heathen natives of New Spain. Adventures and misadventures befall the holy man as he strives to establish La Misión de San...more
Kaylea
It took a couple (actually four) chapters for me to get into the rhythm of Dickson's writing style. At first, I found his method of switching between between the past and present a bit jarring. But I stuck with it.

Once I became "hooked" into the manuscript, I wanted to continue reading until I discovered the "ultimate" crime - what caused the collapse of the Spanish mission, so I could find out how it was impacting the present day lives.

The novel, at the very least, will make you think. Dickson...more
Phyllis Wheeler
Lost Mission by Athol Dickson, a review
Published by Simon & Schuster, 2009, 345 pages
Genre: “Magical realism” according to the publisher. I will call it supernatural suspense. Suitable for teens and adults.

There are two alternating story lines, each with its protagonist, that unfold as the book progresses. One takes place around 1772 and the other in modern times. Both story lines focus on the same location near Los Angeles.

The two stories, while seemingly not similar at first, become more a...more
Amydeanne
Dickson takes no time to get you into the story. I found myself thrown into the wild world that Dickson creates in Lost Mission. I was drawn in by several things at the beginning. I appreciate his depicting of history and his depth of characters. It was slightly confusing until you realize there are two parts happening… one is historical with the Indians and the Franciscan monks – trying to evangelize to the Natives (having grandparents who have talked deeply about this experience in the Canadia...more
Cindy
Lost Mission
Athol Dickson
2009
Howard Fiction
Fiction/Christian/General

Reviewed by Cindy Loven


Athol Dickson has brought us a complex novel. Set in both modern and ancient times, he often moves from one setting to the other unexpectedly, which makes you have to go back and read again. This was not an aspect of the novel that I enjoyed.

Bring forth the history of the Mission of the three Franciscan priests, who came to “New Spain” to evangelize among the Indians. The history of the building of the mi...more
Virginia
In the late 1700’s, a Franciscan monk dreams of establishing a Catholic mission in California, to bring the love of Christ to the lost Indians who live there. In modern times, a beautiful Catholic woman from Mexico crosses the U.S. border illegally to bring the love of Christ to the lost people who live in the same area of California. Though they lived hundreds of years apart, their stories are inextricably, powerfully interconnected. Lost Mission is a deeply moving tale of pain and guilt and re...more
Jane Maritz
This is the fictional account of a mission in California. Skillfully navigating back and forth between the 1700s and the present day, the author tells of the people involved in the founding of the mission, and points out the parallels in the lives of people in the same area today. The mission was buried centuries ago, but a construction project disturbs the ruins, and the secrets of the past impact the present...

With an international mission background myself, I found the book intriguing. But I...more
Julie
Apr 18, 2010 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Julie by: CSFF Blog Tours
Intriguing. It's the only word I can think of that describes this book! Intriguing. I wasn't too sure about it when I first picked it up and started reading it. My Spanish isn't up to par these days and I admit, I was a bit intimidated. However, after some encouragement on the blog tour and reading other reviews, I stuck it out. The beginning is a little slow going and I got confused (not too hard to do to me!) but I kept on reading. I'm ever so glad that I did! What confused me was 1. The Spani...more
Banner
Athol Dickson has the ability to create protagonist from different backgrounds and cultures. In River Rising a African American; The Cure a white male; Winter Haven a white female and now in The Lost Mission he brings us Lupe; a young Latino that comes to America illegally on a mission from God. In Lupe he has created a character that is refreshing in a age of skepticism. Actually I like all of the characters, flawed as they may all be; God works with each one in His own way. The story is suspen...more
Heather
This is a Christian novel that parallels late 18th century Mexico and California with modern day Mexico and California. It's about a Spanish priest who feels called to travel to New Spain and establish a mission and minister and convert the local indigenous population in the late 1700's and the modern day story of a young Mexican woman who feels called by the Lord to minister to the Americanos.

Their stories are tied by the mission and the tragedy that happened there in the past and that is happe...more
Margaret Metz
This is a complex story that is well-written. However... it is not linear at all. The author jumps back in forth in time, from one character's point of view to a different one - all without any warning at all. This can be unsettling. As good as the story was, I never got used to it and it bothered me throughout the entire book.

There are a lot of different issues covered in this book. It would be a good one for a group discussion and I didn't find the plot boring in the least. The characters are...more
Molly
I will say this: I'm amazed. Amazed at Athol Dickson's talent. His talent to write about history at the same time as writing about modern times and interwining them in a magnificent way to lead us to the conclusion of this novel is, again, amazing.

The story is a mysterious combination of sorrow, regret and redeeming love all mixed in a captivating way. His characters struggle with extreme issues of faith among other issues and he blends them together in a way that leaves you thinking and really...more
Michelle
I wish there was a way to give this story 4.5 stars but since I have to choose I'd say it's closer to four than five. The reason for this has more to do with a few minor things, like how the story dragged in the beginning. But that's because it was written in a "telling" style of storytelling at the outset. To give you an idea of what I mean, think about the movie Ella Enchanted and how it starts out...Once upon a time there was a little girl named Ella...etc. Anyway, it starts out with the Mexi...more
Sally
Don't give up on this book! At first, no one appears to be connected. Nothing makes sense. The narrator weaves back and forth through time. But, slowly, everything comes together and you are left marveling at the supernatural nature of the conclusion. None of the characters are perfect; all have sinned either in the eyes of the law or God, or both. It is through them, however, that we see the marvellous gifts of grace and redemption.

I nearly gave up on this book before the message was revealed....more
Rebecca LuElla Miller
From my review at A Christian Worldview of Fiction: Like anything else we read, we must think and look to Scripture and compare and ask questions and pray. This book pushed me to do a lot of the above. I highly recommend Lost Mission for those who are ready to tackle a book that disturbs and makes them think about God and His work and His ways. The book doesn’t give the answers, and that’s why it is so powerful.
Jenni Noordhoek
I really, really like the writing style - slipping smoothly back and forth between now and then.

I also like how the themes in the beginning of the book were turned on their head. People we thought were good people weren't so good and yet they still were good. I really appreciate that.

Would've liked a little less ambiguity of the ending - I could tell that the author was trying to be clear but clever about what happened at the end but it skipped forward so fast that I didn't get a chance to und...more
Cindi
The story is told from various characters' points of view both in the present and in the past; the basis for the modern-day tale has its roots firmly in what took place nearly 300 years ago at the site of a no longer existent Spanish mission by the name of Mision de Santa Dolores. What happened at that mission, both the natural and the supernatural, will be revealed in ways completely unexpected to those that live in the area today. While clearly a work of fiction, the story has much to say abou...more
Adam Blumer
I had read The Cure and River Rising by Athol Dickson—and loved them, so I was looking forward to Lost Mission. Once again the writing was superb, the characters fascinating, and the storyline engaging with one exception. Spanish history and Mexican culture have never appealed to me, so the historical storyline was a bit challenging to get through, though Dickson deserves special notice for how deftly he wove in a past storyline involving Catholic monks establishing a mission in old-time Califor...more
Marliss
I thought about this book for days after I finished it. Athol Dickson masterfully interweaves the origin of a mission in southern California with current happenings in the same location. I love the way he writes--he's not just an action writer, though the book is action-packed. He lives in the heads of his characters, so his readers do, too. I am really looking forward to reading more of his novels. I feel like I've found a new favorite author.
Catherine Richmond
The author expertly breaks the rule about author intrusion to transition from an 18th century Franciscan mission to present-day California. "Lost Mission" is a meaty story, offering plenty to chew on, while maintaining the suspense and conflict to keep the reader turning pages. Highly recommended for adult readers who want an interesting, unique story with depth.
Michelle Griep
If you like omniscient pov with a bit of author intrusion, then you'll probably love this book. Me...not so much. I found it hard to care about the characters. When I did finally get drawn into the story, it wasn't a place I really wanted to be. There are definitely a lot of good points made about shallow Christianity. The symbolism was abundant. This just wasn't my particular cup of tea to read.
Ann Gabhart
A book with several story lines intertwined, but easy to follow from historical time back to present time. I liked the historical story line best, but author tied it all together at the end.
Bill
This book rewards the reader for hanging in there through the first half narrative, by REALLY grabbing on to you in the second half! It reminded me in a way of Tom Clancy's masterful way of stringing the reader along with numerous plot threads (i.e. Patriot Games) and then bringing them all wonderfully together as the story concludes. Of course the Faithful struggles of the various characters in this novel are a key part of the story. I found myself looking more critically at the stewardship pri...more
Cindy
I couldn't follow the writing of this story. Jumping here and there.
Vince
Excellent book. Love it when a book just comes together.
Sarah Sundin
If only there were six stars! Athol Dickson does it again. Gorgeous prose, intriguing characters, and a storyline that truly makes you think - wow!
Marion Hill
One of the best books I've read in a long time.
Karen Linton
Excellent book once I figured out he was hopping back and forth in time. Not a fluffy book, for sure.
Makenna
It's kinda boring...
Carla Hanson
Store bought birthday cake.
« previous 1 3 4 5 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
Lost Mission: A Novel (ebook)
Lost Mission (Audiobook)
Lost Mission (Library Binding)
124416
Athol Dickson's parents were living on the road when he was born. His first bed was a drawer lined with towels in a travel trailer. He has loved road trips ever since. Boating is a passion, too. Athol owns three boats, and once lived aboard a yacht full-time while cruising the Gulf of Mexico and the USA's Atlantic coast. But Athol's nine novels are proof he can sit still and write if he's with his...more
More about Athol Dickson...
River Rising Winter Haven The Cure They Shall See God The Opposite of Art: A Novel

Share This Book

Your website