The giants’ presence gives the townspeople a special confidence about life. But they have become much more dependent on the giants than they realize. One morning the people discover the giants have mysteriously disappeared. Fear and panic grip the town. Someone must find them and bring them back! Thomas, a young farmer, volunteers and sets out alone on a great journey of danger and discovery. Thomas learns the true nature of giants and what it means for him and his people. Join Thomas in his timeless rite of passage and learn what it means to become something more than you have been, why it is necessary in life, and how to do it.
Clark Burbidge‘s path to becoming an award winning author had distant beginnings. He received an MBA degree from the University of Southern California and a BS Degree in finance from the University of Utah. His career spans 31 years in banking, project finance, investment banking and more recently as Chief Financial Officer of three separate companies.
He has been actively involved in community and church service, including lay youth and adult ministry, for over 35 years. It has been his long-term dream to write and publish several works that have been kicking around in his mind for many years. His first book, Life on the Narrow Path: A Mountain Biker’s Guide to Spiritual Growth in Troubled Times was released nationally in March 2011. His second book A Piece of Silver was published in July 2011 and is currently entering its 2nd edition. Clark enjoys life in the foothills of the Rockies with his wife, children and three grandchildren. He looks forward to this next phase of life’s wonderful adventures.
My Impressions:
The Way of Things by Clark Rich Burbidge is book one in the Giants in The Land series. Geared toward middle readers, the book is a medieval-feeling quest novel. The main character faces a number of obstacles he must overcome to find the answers he seeks. It is filled with physical and emotional challenges and giants!
Burbidge’s allegorical novel focuses on Thomas, a young farmer in a small village who is the only one who steps forward to try to find the giants who have left the area. The villagers have come to depend on the giants who were instrumental in building and farming and protecting. Distraught over the idea of living without giants, the village tasks Thomas with finding them and bringing them back.
While I liked the perseverance and courage exhibited by Thomas, I did not like the overall message of the book. The giants were gifted by the Worldmaker (God) with immortality. Their love of the earth and its inhabitants keep them serving selfishly. So far so good. But their message of becoming one’s own giant seems to be too much reliance on self without the message of reliance on God. Thomas learns that he can become his own giant to lead others in hope and truth. While it seems consistent with Christian values, I found the book lacking in a true spiritual foundation. While this is okay for a secular book, it is not for a book purported to be Christian.
I also received book two in the series, The Prodigals, but I will not be reading it. Others viewed this book differently. For their thoughts on The Way of Things, please click HERE.
(Thanks to PRByTheBook for my review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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