Davis’ Bunn’s new novel, Hidden
in Dreams, was the first book I read just for the joy of it in June …
literally within an hour of finishing my five-year seminary season (earning an
MDiv in Los Angeles). To many people, noting that you read every page of a book
may not seem that significant, but to me, it represents the caliber of the
content and the effective capturing of my attention because I relished every
word.
You see, this is not often the case with me. I learned to
read in kindergarten and by sixth grade (after several years sans a TV due to
my father’s edict), I had become a voracious reader. I was perusing Reader’s
Digest Condensed books in middle school and eating up anything lovely and
literary on which I could feast my eyes and my emotions. There were some
unfortunate side effects to what some might say was the edifying educational
pursuit of near-constant reading… because not everything I read was “true, noble
right…” (Phil. 4:8).
Bunn has long been one of my favorite authors. To a woman who
has been known to read more than one book a day, yet who actually found herself
with a unexpected aversion to reading during grad school -- his novels blend spiritual
edification with romance and suspense; his superb character development is most
often seasoned with intellectual savvy.
A NC native, and current resident of both Florida and
England, Bunn is an author with a tremendously eclectic collection of genres. As
a writer with future aspirations of being an author, I once found that a bit
intimidating… how does he “do” all the different styles so well?!? Bunn has
been especially effective in his books echoing his experience in the world of international
finance, and which also include his own ever-growing walk of faith.
Hidden in Dreams
is a book about the need for discernment. Yes, I know it’s about a group of
people who are all having the same dream. Their sleep is disturbed by what
seems to be a prophetic message, especially as it relates to the world’s banks
and overall economy… but at its core, it’s about knowing the Creator God and
affirming that the message you are hearing is truly from Him and not from some
fraudulent “other.”
I’ve heard it said that the most effective tool of the
Deceiver is to use a lotta truth and a little bit of “lie.” I believe dreams can be prophetic because I believe
Jesus as The Word is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and
if it happens in the Bible, it can happen today. However, I also believe that
just as Bunn’s main character, Elena Burroughs - a psychologist, author and
dream interpreter – had to learn to interact with divine discernment not only
her mind, but her spirit and her siblings in Christ…we as humans need to
acknowledge that just because something seems implausible doesn’t make it
impossible.
We walk by faith, not by sight, says II Corinthians 5:7.
What seems real may not be. And what seems far-fetched may be just the avenue
God’s using to get us in alignment with His Will. In Bunn’s book, the question
is: Which is it? Truth or Travesty? Divinity or Deceit?
For me, a former seminarian and recently ordained pastor who
also writes and acts, I love when a book appeals to all the parts of me. Hidden in Dreams does that. It is a
page-turner, a faith-builder, a mind-stimulator, a spirit-grower and an overall
well-written book… which in my experience, is just the way Davis Bunn “does”
his books. He’s not too heavy-handed with the faith component, but it shines
throughout. I believe his books have an appeal for both believers and those who
wonder if this whole “religion or relationship” thing needs to be investigated
further.
I was given the book in advance (published by Howard Books, a division of Simon and
Shuster), and I agreed to write a blog in response. But, I must be transparent.
I would have wanted to tell you about this book and this author regardless. In
a literary and textbook world where I learned to be an expert at skimming books
or jumping to the ending after I read the beginning and before I decided if it
was worth reading the middle… I reiterate this fact: I read every page of Hidden in Dreams… in consecutive order… while
my eyes were burning from lack of sleep at the end of my arduous exam season
and seminary life.
It was a gift to my brain to do so.
I think your brain would like it, too. Go on, give it the
gift. J
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