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[Following is a volunteer review of "Hearts Set Free" by Jess Lederman.]

Every once in a while a story transcends the medium used to carry it. Hearts Set Free: An Epic Tale of Love, Faith, and the Glory of God’s Grace by Jess Lederman is such a case.

I chose to read and review this book after reading the author’s biography written by himself. It described a long life filled with numerous triumphs and tragedies and I decided that if the author had a talent of expression I would be in for a unique read.

The story revolves around an Eskimo family living in Alaska Territory in 1925. Including young teenager Uukkarnit (aka. Luke) Noongwook, his mother Yura and father Taliriktug (aka. Victor). His father was famous for bringing life giving medicine by dogsled over the dangerous tundra to their town and saving thousands of people. Kathleen Byrne, a reporter from New York, comes to interview him and they begin an affair. He abandons his wife and son to go back to New York with her. Thus, the stage is set for an epic quest that will take the mother and son from Alaska, to Seattle, to New York, Leavenworth, Las Vegas and the building of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. As well as through decades of time in order to locate Victor to convince him to come home.

The second timeline begins in 1915 in Flanders Field during World War 1 as American David Gold shares a trench with wounded Frenchman George Lemaitre. The soon to be a boxer/preacher (and eventually the Pastor of the Church of the Heart Set Free) and scientist/priest strike up a friendship that will last an entire lifetime.

The third timeline starts us in New York, 2011 with Tim Faber and Joan Reed who are the Producers of a popular science cable show and are investigating the mystery of a possible conspiracy involving a missing science paper.

This is a big book in every respect. It runs at an average reading time of almost 89 hours and takes on the big issues of History, Science and Religion without reserve or apology and serves up more information than many text books put together.

I’ve learned about the scientific theory of an Expanding Universe, the name of the person who discovered Pluto, where French Fries were invented and even the horrors of gas warfare and the plights revolving around the building of the Hoover Dam. And so much more. Yet, I was rarely aware that I was being fed all this information because it came out of the mouths of people I loved and related to and in circumstances both intense and relaxing. Several times characters I assumed to be Jess’ creations often ended up being real life historical figures. And since this book is such a lengthy read it is designed to be taken a chunk at a time. Read a bit, lay it aside and wait for it to call you back later. And I encourage you to take special notice of the Afterword because Jess takes the opportunity to recommend further reading and websites in order for you to carry on your own quest in whatever topics you found most interesting.

Hearts Set Free has been professionally edited because I found only three typos in this entire book but it is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with swearing, blasphemy, vulgarity, sex, violence, racial slurs and substance abuse. Mostly at what would be considered a PG-13 level, although the violence is even more intense in areas. It is difficult to realistically describe trench warfare in World War 1 without including it’s many horrors. So I would not recommend it for children, sensitive readers or Christians who would find this content offensive. Also, because substance abuse is often described I would advise anyone having difficulty recovering from an addiction to give this book a skip. I would normally pass over such content myself, but they are never expressed in a voyeuristic or titillating manner and I came to trust the author’s own personal boundaries of propriety, that I was willing to follow where he led me. Lederman depicts the realistic aspects of the darkness of life in order that knowledge and the truth will shine even brighter.

All my life I’ve enjoyed nature but living in big cities I’ve been relegated to being satisfied with the occasional day in the park or weekend camping trip. But when I was still a child, I had the privilege of living on a farm for three years. I was so encompassed by creation that it became a part of me and embedded in my memories. Often when we finish a lengthy story and have been involved with the characters we feel almost lonely when it’s over. Not so with Hearts Set Free. Jess Lederman has been so generous with sharing his vast knowledge, kind heart and large faith that I was fully satisfied at its end because the characters are a part of me and I carry the events and increased understanding in my memories. I was often laughing out loud, crying out loud and sometimes I put the book aside to sob out my own heart breaks. This story goes beyond an adventure into the realm of an experience as Jess shares with us the truth that has set his own heart free.

This book is also professionally edited and I found only three typos in the entire Manuscript. And even with all the sensitive elements, they did not hinder my reading. They fit seamlessly into the personalities of the many unique characters and their situations, so I am pleased to give Hearts Set Free 4 out of 4 stars and my highest recommendation.

I thank you for taking the time to read another of my reviews for the Online Book Club and hope reading Hearts Set Free by Jess Lederman will be a stepping stone to your own journey to freedom.

“In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free.” —Psalm 118:5

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Hearts Set Free
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That's a very detailed review with a personal touch that adds to the reading experience, thanks for your efforts! I have to admit the premise didn't interest me at first, but your description convinced me to give it a try, despite the somewhat daunting length. I do enjoy to learn about factoids and historical figures.

There's no doubt it is a lengthy read but it's okay to put it down for a while. The story and characters get under your skin and it's not long before you start wondering what's going on with them. Just as if they were real people that you knew and cared about.
And thank you for your kind words. It was a very intensive review and I spent countless hours of research to discover which parts were true and which fiction. But all of it was nothing less than interesting and more often fascinating and spine-tingling.
LL

Tomah wrote: ↑27 Dec 2019, 11:45 That's a very detailed review with a personal touch that adds to the reading experience, thanks for your efforts! I have to admit the premise didn't interest me at first, but your description convinced me to give it a try, despite the somewhat daunting length. I do enjoy to learn about factoids and historical figures.

I have to agree with Tomah...Your review was lit and it made me reconsider reading this book. Thanks for sharing.

I read the story myself. It was interesting to be sure. It wasn't extremely my cup of tea, but I know others, like you, would absolutely enjoy it. Thanks for your thoughts.

This is definitely not a book that I would enjoy reading but then the detailed review that you have written has assured me that I could as well find contentment in reading only a fraction of the lengthy book.
Thank you for the thorough review.

A story about an Eskimo family seems to be interesting. I never read anything like it before. Thanks for your great review, LauraLeeWasHere.

Wow! The book seems amazing and so does your review. This book, from now on, in my ever increasing Want-to-read list.
Thanks a lot for a detailed and interesting review Laura☺

I don't know if I can set aside 89 hours to read this book, but your review certainly tempts me to attempt the feat. I could feel your sincere appreciation for this piece of fascinating literature.

Wow. That sounds almost Tom Clancy-ish in terms of the complexity of the storyline(s). I'm assuming, somehow, the author weaves them altogether by the end? This really sounds like an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Thank you for a well-written review.

This seems like a jam-packed story! I enjoyed your review, thanks

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. I was a little nervous reading such a huge book but I thought "ah. Why not go for it!" I actually asked for an extension while reviewing it. But it is a page-turner but nobody can turn pages for 90 hours. I mean we at least need a bathroom break. But I felt motivated by the author himself. It truly is a book of a lifetime. But I saw it on many peoples' To-Read shelves here at the OBC and thought of what great readers and reviewers you are and my goal was to encourage YOU each to read it. Once it was into your hands and then into your hearts, I figured it would finally get the attention and credit it deserves. I'm so new to "reviewing" books that I felt quite inadequate to the task. So your encouragement means a lot because it's coming from, well, from you. LL

This could make a wonderful read. The timeline is long and I wonder what could have been happening all that time. I guess I will have to read the book personally to find out. Thanks for the review.

Hearts Set Free by Jess Lederman just made it to the AMAZON BESTSELLER LIST.

NOW, don't be afraid. It's a big, beautiful book. Time for a life change. Go read it!

Or as I have been known to comment elsewhere Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Love LL

Amazon Best Rank

#12 in Christian Fantasy (Kindle Store)
#42 in Christian Classics & Allegories (Kindle Store)
#82 in Contemporary Religious Fiction

LLR