Welcome, Friday Fiction Fans! Can you believe that October is already here? And September left in its wake death and destruction from hurricane Helene. We here at Friday Fiction are praying for the people affected in the southeast. If you’d like to help, here is a link to a great organization, Samaritan’s Purse, which is on-site.
As for the book of the week, here’s another great post by Arthur.
In the year 2194, seventeen-year-old Nicholas Seafort is assigned to the Hibernia as a lowly midshipman. Destination: the thriving colony of Hope Nation. But when a rescue attempt goes devastatingly wrong, Seafort is thrust into a leadership role he never anticipated.
The other officers resent him, but Seafort must handle more dangerous problems, from a corrupted navigation computer to a deadly epidemic. Even Hope Nation has a nasty surprise in store. Seafort might be the crew’s only hope . . . This page-turning science fiction in the vein of Robert Heinlein and Orson Scott Card—with a dash of Horatio Hornblower—marks the captivating debut adventure in Feintuch’s hugely popular Seafort Saga.
MIdshipman’s Hope.
It was the best of books, it was the worst of books.
I know. Plagiarism. And this story wasn’t obviously either the best or worst of books. But the book Midshipman’s Hope is a powerful story, with some powerful flaws.
It was the best of books, it was the worst of books.
I know. Plagiarism. And this story wasn’t obviously either the best or worst of books. But the book Midshipman’s Hope is a powerful story, with some powerful flaws.
First of all, this is not a kid’s book. By any means. A mature YA, sure. A well-trained YA who understands how to read difficult themes and navigate a moral jungle. But not a kid’s book.
And it isn’t a Christian book, by any means. The main character believes in religion, and the religion he believes in bears some resemblance to certain forms of historical Christianity. But the essence of Christianity is stripped from it.
But that is one of the reasons to read this book. To read how a man who attempts to do ‘right’, but is confused and confounded as to what ‘right’ is, might navigate life. Doing good for himself and others and often confused about what that good is. He reminds me of several Old Testament characters, out of the main line, who had strict standards and lived by them, but who were missing the truth and grace of God’s actual Word.
This is a coming-of-age story in part and a powerful one. It is made more powerful because the main character goes from a normal, slow, coming-of-age to an overnight one. He is forced to step up into a difficult situation, in the face of all opposition.
Doing good, in the face of all opposition, and on a foundation of false doctrine– this is a powerful book. But read this story knowing that the main character is not redeemed, nor is his religion.
