tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post1057340360397177542..comments2024-02-10T14:38:45.874-06:00Comments on Wordsmithonia: Dante's Journey by JC MarinoRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post-78787038247732137772010-08-18T20:15:53.881-05:002010-08-18T20:15:53.881-05:00This sounds like a very interesting book. I haven...This sounds like a very interesting book. I haven't gotten to read Dante's Inferno yet, even though I own it. Will it make more sense if I read Dante before I read this one, or do I know enough about it already plus with what Marino adds in to enjoy this? I really do need to get to Dante, though. <br /><br />Interesting how you can send a message without being hit over the head with it, isn't it? How this book gets more of a Christian message across than the one that is labeled CF? Sometimes subtlety, implying and hints really are the best way to send a message. I don't like to be hit over the head either. If anything it turns me off of the message and makes me rebel against the person pressuring me to understand their point of view.<br /><br />Great review, Ryan. I am adding this to my TBR list.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02706544792110129160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post-27139932895450107612010-08-15T22:06:05.937-05:002010-08-15T22:06:05.937-05:00Hey everyone I wanted to share an email the author...Hey everyone I wanted to share an email the author, JC Marino, sent me regading the whole Christian Fiction issue.<br /><br />Hi Ryan,<br /> <br />I also wanted to give you my opinion on the whole "Christian" genre question you posed.<br /> <br />I think the decision on whether a book fits into that genre is in the difference between:<br /> <br />A Christian Book versus a Book that's Christian.<br /> <br />A Christian book assumes that Jesus (or some symbolic representation of Jesus) is the Son of God and acceptance of that leads to salvation.<br /> <br />A book that's Christian supports the general teachings of Christ without assuming He's God's son.<br /> <br />"Dante's Journey" is a book that's Christian, in that the main character's faith is Christian, but the book never states that Jesus is the Son of God and accepting that leads to Paradise. It only states that some people believe that.<br /> <br />In fact, "Dante's Journey" shows about as many Christians in Hell as non-Christians.<br />Some of the characters in "Dante's Journey" would not be in Hell if they did what they did, yet accepted Christ.<br /> <br />In fact, one of the characters in "Dante's Journey" (Joe's priest) even says that he could have been the same exact person, yet find paradise if he kept his faith in Christ. That's why he felt like a hypocrite and ended up in Hell. Once someone accepts Christ, they're saved. But "Dante's Journey" pretty much says that people are in Hell for betraying their own beliefs or their own conscience. And their conscience is the bridge to God. That would not be the message of a Christian book.<br /> <br />Also, a Christian book has language restrictions. I sent Dante's Journey to a couple of Christian publishers and they said that the language had to be changed.<br /> <br />I would say that a book like The Exorcist comes more under horror than anything else (true "horror" not to be confused with the "slasher" genre).<br /> <br />Though the The Exorcist may assume that Christ is the Son of God, the language would never pass muster, so it wouldn't be considered a Christian book.<br /> <br />And, it doesn't really promote any positive Christian values (unless you consider promoting fear of Hell as being a value) so it's not really a book that's Christian.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post-43946220209561092402010-08-15T20:06:54.333-05:002010-08-15T20:06:54.333-05:00You really asked a great question here. I hope th...You really asked a great question here. I hope this book doesn't get classified just in Christian Lit as I think there are many readers who would miss it, who would have loved it. <br /><br />I am so glad you enjoyed reading the book!:)Melissa (My World...in words and pages)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09621830513280969319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post-53208860887490260382010-08-14T23:03:14.338-05:002010-08-14T23:03:14.338-05:00I wouldn't necessary put Dante's Inferno i...I wouldn't necessary put Dante's Inferno into the Christian Lit area either IMO.<br /><br />I enjoyed this book as well and if you have to label it, I labeled it as sci-fi. It really spoke to me in that way. Anyway, why label it? If you liked it, label it as a good book. ;)Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144784325334181261.post-84615929254859785822010-08-13T23:21:24.459-05:002010-08-13T23:21:24.459-05:00I've read a few books that are not classified ...I've read a few books that are not classified as "Christian" literature, but really have a beautiful, underlying message. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork is coming to mind immediately.<br /><br />I wouldn't lump anything under the header of "Christian Fiction" just because of how horrible many of the books under that header are today. I have as much distaste for that label as I do for Womens Lit.Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10641063105148112636noreply@blogger.com