‘The Turning’ Reader Reviews: Ordinary People Transformed into Conduits of Hope
Reader reviews for The Turning are flying in. Today’s reviewers are:
Vickie Taylor
Mary Arndt
Michael Winskie
Mary Ann Esque
Please click the link next to their bylines to read their full review.
Walk the unlikely road
By Vickie Taylor, Book Marks blog (full review)
“Take the turning, and walk the unlikely road.”
These eight words transform seven ordinary people into conduits of hope for an entire nation. Imagine a group of strangers being drawn together by an unshakeable conviction that they must change—not the world—but themselves. Each has a weakness to face or an obstacle to overcome, and none of them is comfortable with the task. Yet, they persevere and find that this new path leads them straight into the heart of the storm.
Entertainment and advertising conglomerate Global Communications has decided to challenge the status quo of advertising. Instead of capitalizing on an established trend, an ambitious young executive convinces them they should create their own and focus every division on selling one message: Hope is dead.
Meanwhile, those seven strangers, all in New York at the same time, find each other. As they spend time talking and praying together, they realize they were brought together for a reason. None of them came looking for controversy, nor did they anticipate how their lives would change once they met. They only knew they had to make a stand.
Carrying them beyond their expectations and individual abilities, this turning forges the disparate group into a mouthpiece for the message of the ages: Hope is alive. The Turning is ultimately a book about possibilities—a portrait of the unlimited reach of ordinary people who willingly put aside their own agenda to pursue God’s purpose.
This story has a different rhythm than most of Bunn’s other works. Having the plot revolve around seven strangers requires the reader to sift through separate back stories before the reaching the main event. While the absence of a central hero and the inclusion of fewer action sequences give the story a more sedate pace than what I’m used to seeing in a Davis Bunn novel, this, too, only emphasizes the overall theme of the book.
With this novel, Davis Bunn focuses on giving color and texture to the words of Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson: “The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people.”
Reading The Turning, not only creates a yearning to see that kind of change in society, but it also offers hope that that kind of change is actually possible.
Hope is NOT dead!
By Mary Arndt, Goodreads (excerpt)
Sometimes we need to stand up against wrong and have the courage to speak out and be different, even when that means the “world” will not accept us.
If Jesus is Lord…?
By Michael Winskie, The Author’s Page blog (full review)
I became a fan of Davis Bunn through his Marc Royce trilogy (Lion of Babylon, Rare Earth, and Strait of Hormuz). These books were adventure stories – fast-paced with intricate plots. Yet, the main characters were struggling with real issues just like we do. So, I was unsure what to expect in The Turning.
I knew the writing would be good. But what could a story with that title be trying to convey?
The Turning is a beautifully crafted story that shows what can happen when Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and truly respond to his call. Five people from different back grounds experience the Lord’s call to step away from their own plans and follow his leading- even though it appeared to make little sense to them. The first step was to do something difficult that each of them had avoided doing for a long time- make peace and try to repair broken relationships.
From there, bonds are formed and new trails are blazed that shake the nation and stand in the way of corporate greed. Five ordinary people against the world’s system and message. All because they had the faith and strength to hear and obey the call of the Lord.
This book should sound a clarion call to a world gone crazy. But, more than that, it should speak to believers. How different would the world be if we, as followers of Jesus, would spend our time listening to Jesus? How much better would our society be if we would spend our days obeying his voice, rather than chasing after selfish gain.
Our nation has turned its back on God and his ways because we, his people, have ceased being the salt of the earth. Yet, we have the gall to complain when the world steps on us and tries to destroy us. We are in a culture war and it’s high time we got out of our comfort zones and became engaged.
It’s not an easy path. It’s definitely a very narrow way. But, if God can use 120 ordinary and uneducated people (beginning on the day of Pentecost when the church was born) to turn the world upside down, how much more can he change our modern world?
If the thousands and millions in the earth today that claim the name of Jesus would allow him to be Lord (supreme controller) of our lives, a revival like the world has never seen is possible. Jesus gave his all for us, can we not give our all to him in return?
We are his hands and feet. We are the light of the world. Like it or not, our lives are glass houses. When we claim Jesus as our Savior people start watching us. We need to pray the words of John the baptist, “I must decrease and he must increase.” Let’s allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives so that others can see him in us.
Thank you Davis Bunn for sending us a wake-up call. I pray that God will use this book to stir his people and help to spark a major revival. May the church arise in the power of truth and mercy and change.
Remember:
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Thought-provoking page turner
By Mary Ann Esque, Goodreads (excerpt)
Davis writes so eloquently about something that our world desperately needs – hope. You only need to look as far as the news to see that our world is permeated with a lack of hope. War, natural disasters, corruption, scandal. It’s all there on a regular basis.
As believers, it is our privilege and responsibility to combat the message of no hope with the truth – that there is hope and it comes from being connected to God. If you choose to spread the message of hope, you can expect to encounter opposition. But when you follow the path that God has placed you on, then you will find and fulfill the purpose that God created you for.
The characters took me on quite a journey as they discovered this truth, and the end was perfect for this story. I may have finished reading this story for now, but I don’t think it will be too long before I will be back to dive within these wonderful pages again.
