Book Review: The Talisman

The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott Bart

The Talisman
by Sir Walter Scott

5 out of 5 stars

King Richard the Lionheart is on a Crusade to the Holy Land when he falls ill with a fever. A month-long truce is called between the armies, and Richard’s European allies use the time to plot against him. A poor Scottish knight, Sir Kenneth, goes on a short pilgrimage to visit the holy hermit of a nearby mountain range with secret messages from the European council to Saladin, the leader of the Muslim army. On the way Sir Kenneth meets a lone Arabian warrior, and after a brief skirmish, they agree to travel together as worthy opponents. Sir Kenneth arrives at the hermitage and sees a strange and holy sight that changes the destiny of his life.

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Book Review: Paul Faber, Surgeon

Paul Faber, Surgeon by George MacDonald

Paul Faber, Surgeon
by George MacDonald

4 out of 5 stars

Paul Faber is an atheist, but still remains friends with Thomas Wingfold, the curate. The two have lively discussions about God and Christianity, but Paul still continues to deny the existence of God even though he respects Thomas as a person. Paul is called to the bedside of a young woman and, with his skill as a doctor, brings her back from the edge of death. Juliet is a lukewarm Christian at best, and she soon comes to think that Paul might have the truth on his side. Their romance is shadowed by secrets from their past. They try to create a perfect dream of love and happiness together, but they don’t trust each other with their darkest secrets until they begin to seek healing from Christ.
Juliet befriends Dorothy, the daughter of a local minister who has fallen into poverty and begins to doubt his faith when he feels that God has forsaken him. Dorothy also has her doubts about Christianity and feels miserable until she can find her faith again as she sees how God is working in her father’s life.

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