Into the Fire

                                                        (Originally posted on April 30th, 2017)

I don't know how I missed the debut of this novel, but I did. Chris Fabry is one of my favorite authors even though his stories usually manage to break my heart, leave me sobbing at some point, and inspire me all at the same time. His literary prowess along with his unique imagination bring to life unusual characters in all stations of life while depicting the soft and hard hearts of mankind in all their sentimental and cruel tendencies. The Promise of Jesse Woods lingers. I loved it. But it made me sad. Even if it shouldn't have.

In the frenetic summer of 1972 Matthew Plumley moves with his parents from Pittsburgh to Dogwood, West Virginia, into his grandmother's house as the son of the new preacher. He's overweight, shy, and a diehard Pirates fan amidst a slew of Reds fans. Feeling like a stranger in a strange land he befriends two fellow outcasts in a mixed race boy named Dickie Darrell Lee Hancock and a girl with silky blonde hair and dirty clothes by the name of Jesse Woods. Their partnership causes all kinds of anxiety for Matt's parents and grandmother who mostly fail in their Christianity with these two particular kids.

Many of us have a certain summer from our youth that brings up either an exceptionally fun memory or one of those with pre-teen or teenage anxiety and growing pains. The Promise of Jesse Woods goes back and forth in time to capture all of that summer of '72 for Matt Plumley after he receives a call in Pittsburgh where he lives and works from an old estranged friend from that special summer. The news which led to the phone call leads Matt back to Dogwood 14 years later. Although his parents are glad to see him, they really don't want him back home at this time. But Matt's not a kid anymore, and he's on a mission to clarify a promise from the girl whose word was tantamount to truth in their long ago relationship.

What Matt discovers about that promise allows him the time and determination to resolve a long dormant situation and arrive at a somewhat satisfying conclusion in many areas of his unsettled life.

The Promise of Jesse Woods tackles so many difficult topics regarding prejudice, a distressed church, the choices between fear and courage, first love, the dedication and devotion of the human spirit in impossible situations, the value of promises, the critical character parts of trust and faith, sorrow and tragedy, the importance of friendship, and the horrors of dysfunctional families. In other words the story is filled with the failings and victories of the human condition when survival and protection drive us to do all we can to keep going.

Few books get 5 stars from me, but The Promise of Jesse Woods deserves as many as needed to signify an amazing effort by Chris Fabry.

Father, you know all about Chris and his family. Your desire is to bless them through and in spite of all the hardships they've endured. Please continue to bless their lives and give Chris the stories you want him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.