What haunting legacy waits deep beneath the barrios and wealthy enclaves of Southern California?
An idyllic Spanish mission collapses atop the s... read full description
reviews
Feb 28, 2011
Bruce
rated it: 
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 s More...
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 s More...
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Jun 02, 2010
Kaylea
rated it: 
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 More...
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 More...
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May 18, 2010
Phyllis
rated it:
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 no More...
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 no More...
Nov 17, 2009
Amydeanne
rated it: 
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 Ca
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Oct 30, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
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” More...
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” More...
Sep 27, 2009
Virginia
rated it:
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 r
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Sep 19, 2009
Adam
rated it:
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
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Sep 02, 2009
Jane
rated it:
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 intrig More...
With an international mission background myself, I found the book intrig More...
Apr 18, 2010
Julie
rated it:
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
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Jan 29, 2011
Banner
rated it:
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 suspe
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Jul 29, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
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 chara More...
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 chara More...
Dec 30, 2009
Molly
rated it:
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 thinkin More...
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 thinkin More...
Oct 26, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
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 wit
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Dec 18, 2010
Sally
rated it:
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 wa More...
I nearly gave up on this book before the message wa More...
Jan 24, 2012
Rebecca LuElla
rated it:
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.
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Dec 29, 2011
Marliss
rated it:
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.
Mar 15, 2010
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.
Apr 21, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
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.
Jun 16, 2010
Ann
rated it:
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.
Nov 24, 2011
Bill
rated it:
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
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Nov 19, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
If only there were six stars! Athol Dickson does it again. Gorgeous prose, intriguing characters, and a storyline that truly makes you think - wow!
Dec 31, 2011
Nov 14, 2011
