“Journalist, Julia Douglas, spent her life believing her father was a monster. She spent her childhood moving from town to town trying to escape the murder he committed. Her life and career were molded by his crime and her anger towards him always burned. Her past has led her to strive to notify readers of injustices, and it is this drive that brought her to Darfur, in order highlight the atrocities funded and carried out by its government. While in Sudan, she encounters Joel Maartens, her father’s lawyer. Joel traveled from Canada in order to deliver a letter from her now deceased father. Not wanting to reconnect with that portion of her past, Julia struggles to accept a new, conflicting view of her father. In this most unlikely setting, a country torn by violence and government backed genocide, Julia begins to better understand her past as well as heal from years of bitterness and anger.
There are certain books that I begin feeling pretty certain I’ll know the basic story line. I choose to read them because there’s usually something about the premise that pulls at me. For Desert Fire, the attraction came from the setting. I’ve read the horror stories on the news concerning the atrocities taking place in Darfur. The stories are often graphic, depicting rape and mutilation that is hard to comprehend. So a story that took a peek into this world was one well worth trying.
As expected, the story line was predictable. There were no surprises. Most of the imaginary plot was very typical for Christian fiction with a salvation message. Since Desert Fire featured two lost souls, Julia and Joel, we get a double dose of witnessing and prayer. I’m a fan of more subtle messages in fiction, but I was expecting this type of presentation before I started reading and was therefore not disappointed at the amount included in the story.
The book’s high point was in presenting information about the situation in Darfur. Complete with two pages of actual drawings from children in Darfur, there is a sense for the violence that permeates their world. I do wish this part was bit more graphic. This was the heart of the story and while we get a feel for life in Sudan, there isn’t that ache that should be present after reading this type of book. I wanted to cry for the families in this horrible situation and feel moved as I do when reading individual accounts from other sources, but that never happened. Maybe it was sanitized in an effort to cater to more sensitive readers, but this was one book that needed to be graphic. What is happening in Darfur needed to be spelled out with brutal honesty that Christians should be able to handle. Ignorance is not bliss in this instance, it’s an enemy.
The fictional part of the story was alright, but as previously stated there were no surprises. I did appreciate how Van Roekel managed to subtly make Julia’s father a supporting character. While his only living appearance is very brief, he’s in the shadows throughout the book. It was a nice touch that brought insight into how those around us shape us, for better or worse.
Though the fiction was typical, I still highly recommend Desert Fire, especially for anyone not familiar with the events happening in Darfur. This book is not a light read, but given the subject matter, it is not overwhelming either. I appreciate Van Roekel writing this story and for the attention she gives to a portion of the world that truly needs it. Hopefully her story will encourage Christians to pray for and assist those who are living and dying of starvation, disease, and genocide in Sudan.”
Meli wrote this review Thursday, October 29, 2009.
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