Christian writers, editors, and publishers I beg you please stop! How many Christian romances have the most godly person around fall in love with a non-believer? Someone that dedicated to following the Lord would not, or at least should not, be getting involved with someone who doesn't share their faith. Yet over and over 'missionary dating' all works out in these novels. Occasionally it does in real life too but I've seen enough heartache to know that it's not the normal outcome of such relationships. Unfortunately "A Name Unknown" by Roseanna M. White followed the same outline. Godly man + ungodly woman = happily ever after.
Now to be fair, the woman in this book, Rosemary, has had a brutal life and wants to believe. Plus the godly man, Peter, writes her many letters explaining God's love before getting involved romantically. However, the issue remains.
As for the book itself, it took me a couple of chapters to care about any of the characters and even decide whether it was worthwhile to finish it. I'm glad I did though. I didn't see the ending coming. Well, parts of it. And the further along the book went, the better it got. Although to be truthful, it almost seemed like the author only had so many pages and used up too many at the beginning. All the action was jammed into the last few pages. It felt like the climax could have been expanded and the beginning condensed. I wouldn't let this shy you away from reading "A Name Unknown". It was enjoyable and the ending left me satisfied.
One aspect about this book that I loved was how the author used it as a platform to help the reader see the world through the eyes of the destitute. How do people end up on the streets or working as pickpockets at an early age? I have often said, "No one hopes to be a prostitute when they are 5. Something happens." and we should all try to find a little more compassion and understanding in our hearts towards those who have had a far harder go of it than ourselves. I applaud you Ms. White for using your public platform to make a difference.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
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