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This is not your usual Lenten study book. Sweeney presents a deep and thoughtful look into the heart of sacrifice and the meaning of Christ’s suffering and passion, but it is not blatant. It has to be teased out. The chapters give hints to the meaning and intent of the author by beginning with a chapter named “Ash Wednesday�� and following the Sundays of Lent. This novel is a unique book that spins a tale within a tale, and yet a third tale within the first. All the stories are tightly woven as one of the allegories used in the novel, a rose’s petals.
“His voice had a nice, different quality to it. Quiet, thereby seeming to confirm my earlier suspicions that he was a bit reserved, yet not so quiet because it was so…firm.
Firm and solid. ��(pg. 28)
In the first tale, we are introduced to teenage characters, Rebecca and Adriana who are already close. Rebecca meets the newest usher in church, a boy named Peter and they instantly connect. Rebecca isn’t aware of the suffering Peter is going through as their relationship blossoms. As budding writers, they decide to collaborate on a play which they call Intermission. Their feelings for each other grow deeper, and they connect through an email relationship in the writing of this play. During this tale Rebecca is betrayed by a close friend Chelsey and learns the back story of Peter’s painful past. In the end, Rebecca forgives Chelsey and helps Peter start on a journey to forgiving himself.
“Monet remains for a moment and, then, with some grumbling, runs after them. They all grab a swing and begin to fly high to the sky. Laughter is heard…laughter of four, united as one.�� (pg. 115)
The second tale within the first story is the play Intermission. As Peter and Rebecca develop the play it becomes about a small jam shop that sells fruit jelly and entertains diverse and eccentric customers. Two women run the jam shop and develop and sell unique fruity jams (fruit of the Spirit?) while two male customers quarrel over a play that they are writing called Muse. Elise is in love with Antonio who spurns her overtures.
“And soon three shall be one.
No, only two, for one is but the other.
His face grew serious. He gazed at Patria, a gentle caress filling his eyes.
“You are the only music of my heart.�� (pg. 186)
The third tale is the story of Muse, the play being written by the characters of Intermission. These characters are Antonio and Patria and the Lighthouse Keeper. This is a mystical work in which Antonio, who is lost, is led by the Lighthouse Keeper to a wondrous lighthouse with a magical portal and finds his true love Patria.
I cannot share the final plots and subplots without giving away the story. It is written in a fresh young style that reflects the age of the author. It is not a book that is easily digested or understood. It requires thought and reflection. The author delights the reader with personal poetry such as:
The leaves painted red fly
Without moving from their sanctuary
A step marks them for death
And they remain untouched.
They call the wind of an ancient yesterday
But they are always in the present
The pages are rich with inner meaning to be pulled apart like the petals of the rose. If you have time to meditate and thoughtfully ponder and enjoy occasional ‘flight of consciousness�� writing, you will enjoy this.