The Catholic Book Club discussion

6. Citing Robert Hughes that, "nothing will kill a work of art like an idea" and Robert McKee's advice to "[n]ever mistake eccentricity for originality," Father Wetta assures that he has worked hard to avoid these pitfalls and then asks, "Is it evident?"

I don't think it's evident that he worked to avoid these pitfalls, but I'd say that it's evident he did. I read this once before, and I'm a few chapters into my reread, but I can confidently say that the author has crafted strong characters that feel realistic, and I don't feel like the idea of the story gets in the way. It doesn't feel like a gimmick.

I love Philip Pullman's "Golden Compass" (though the theology could use some tweeking)...but by the time he gets to the third book in the trilogy, the idea has supplanted creativity.

That said, he was a HUGE help in writing this book. Which is why I dedicated it to him and his wife.