Glennall's Betrayal

Adventures In Odyssey: Passages #4

by Paul McCusker

An elaborate, captivating fantasyland becomes the setting for the ancient stories of the Scriptures in the Passages series.

James goes from traveling with gypsies to receiving honor at a palace to laboring in a dark coal mine. Where will his journey end, and what is the purpose? God's plans for each life. Based on the story of Joseph.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Middle Grade Fantasy

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1999

About the author

Paul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.

Reviews

[Noel Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting twist on the story of Joseph.

[Meadow Frisbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running away from home, and then whisked away to a fantasy-world is the coolest thing that could happen to a kid...right?

But when you are caught up in in the middle of sibling rivlery, you might think again.

[Meredith Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books from the Passages series are clever retellings of Biblical accounts. I enjoy the twists and unique ways McCusker approaches the Biblical narratives. He brings forth aspects I had not previously considered.
In Glennall's Betrayal, a boy named James Curtis, who lives during the time of the Great Depression, is struggling with feelings of abandonment and isolation after the death of his parents. He lives in the Midwest town of Odyssey with his Aunt Edna but often runs away, seeking freedom from her strict rules. While attempting to run away for a third time, he finds himself mysteriously transported to the parallel world of Marus and becomes entwined in the predicament of a young man named Glennall. The priveleged son of a wealthy clan, Glennall has incited the jealous wrath of his ten older brothers. The stories of James and Glennall converge in unusual ways, and both young men discover that they have more in common than at first seems apparent.

I really enjoyed this twist on the Joseph story in Genesis. Joseph is one of my absolute favorite Biblical accounts. The author addresses the difficult themes in a kid-friendly way. It was really interesting to have Glennall portrayed so differently than I usually picture him. Instead of being a paragon of virtue, this Joseph character, while faithful to the "Unseen One," truly grapples with his desire for vengeance against his brothers. He is a very relatable character as is James. I really liked how the two protagonist's stories complimented each other. The final confrontation scene between James and Glennall was particularly moving. Some might disagree, but I found it refreshing to have the Biblical stand-in for Joseph, (Glennall), to be such a vulnerable character. This aspect of the story allows readers to empathize and understand how God chooses imperfect and weak-seeming individuals to accomplish his purposes.
I also loved how the Great Depression played such a pivotal role in the story. The solution to the faminee, (and the commentary on the use of resources and the emphasis of laying up treasure in the right place), was well-done.

This series is a fun and unique way to enjoy a good story while pondering the Bible in different ways. I recommend this excellent book. God bless you all.

[Abby Burrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I remember reading from like, years back. It's like greeting an old friend, ya know? Not sure how many more I'll read in this series, but the three that my library has are like old friends.
I recommend it to parents who are looking for good, clean, Christian fiction for their kids.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing I dislike about these books is the lack of imagination in the world-creation. When you have to compare everything to the Old West in the United States, it's pretty lame. Whatever happened to the wonder of discovering a new world?

But it's a retelling of a Bible story, while staying mostly true to the Biblical account. This story has Joseph being bent on revenge and thinking God's plan is for him to rise up and then punish his brothers, all the way through. His companion from our world is the one who changes his mind. So.

I don't want to create another bookshelf for fantasy so I'm going to leave this book on the "fantastic fantasy" shelf, but I most definitely do not consider this fantastic. It's mediocre. The fantasy world isn't interesting and the plot isn't intriguing.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to really like this series, but of the four I've read so far, Glennall's betrayal gave me the most pause. This is the story of Joseph, well told. I wasn't sure how McCusker was going to deal with the slavery or Potiphar's wife, but the more difficult aspects of his story are adapted well and don't soft-petal the sin or danger he was in. The only twist that niggled at me was how much Glennall's aim was focused on revenge. Now, Biblical figures are sinners just like us, so Joseph probably did think of revenge from time to time. Perhaps reading the story uncovered a wrong assumption on my part of the Bible story. Even so, the number of times it came up pulled me out of the story a bit more than the others.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glennall's Betrayal is the fourth book in the Passages series. A young boy is transported to the strange land of Marus where there are two moons! Glennall's Betrayal is a new take on the story of Joseph. Long time Odyssey fan will love this book and so will first timers.

[Kira Murphey · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I have just realized that, though I read these several years ago, I didn't mark them as read on here. So, in case your jaw just hit the floor, I did not read the entire series in one day. :p)

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay plot, but very stereotypical gypsy characters

[JoJo Sutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

View my video review of Glennall's Betrayal at the following link...
http://youtu.be/IpmsdWVbhjg

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. It is just so interesting to recognize biblical characters in a different setting and with different names.

[Alabama Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just re-read this one with my brother. Super fun series to read!

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F McCU aio passages bk.4

[Daniel Gaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph's life from Genesis, taking place in Marus!