Review of For Theirs is the Kingdom
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Josephe-Anne
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Review of For Theirs is the Kingdom
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "For Theirs is the Kingdom" by Christopher Carlisle.]
This novel is a shining example of quintessential vintage Canadiana! With an Ivy League education and a promising career at an international law firm, one might think Ben Cabot is the picture of success, but there is something missing from his privileged life. Apart from his bad luck with the ladies, Ben has an existential crisis when he becomes embroiled in a bitter battle against the greedy and corrupt leaders at Christ Church Cathedral. Set in the charming city of Montreal (presumably during the 1980s), For Theirs is the Kingdom by Christopher Carlisle will compel you to look deep within your soul and seek the true meaning of the gospel as you analyze Jesus’s ministry. Along the way, you’ll meet an unforgettable cast of characters and fall in love with the vibrant Quebecois culture before being whisked away to the motherland where the French language was born.
The cover features a photo of the cathedral with its foundation exposed during an excavation underneath the building. The white title font is bold and clear. The text is separated into forty brief chapters, and the themes include Christianity, theology, morality, drama, international travel, Quebecois culture, and friendship. There is no violence in this book. However, there are several instances where profanity is used. The novel discusses the Christian faith at length. So, it is best suited for Bible believers.
The story is told from Ben Cabot’s perspective because he is the main character. Ben is not your stereotypical ruthless lawyer. He is very self-conscious and seems to think that he doesn’t deserve the life of luxury that he has been graced with. Stephen Gentry is the bishop of the Anglican diocese of Montreal. His forthright and fatherly demeanor appeals to Ben’s good nature, and the two soon become friends as they frequently enjoy each other’s company over a drink. Claire McWilliams is a compassionate nurse at the children’s hospital. Her nurturing and feminine traits instantly capture Ben’s attention. Luke Hale is a renegade priest who performs outdoor church services and provides meals for the city’s needy and neglected residents. Fearless, loyal, and dedicated to helping others, Luke is the glue that holds everything and everyone in the story together. Henri and Maurice are Quebecois men from two different worlds. Henri is homeless due to his divorce and an alcohol addiction, while Maurice is one of Ben’s co-workers at the law firm. Henri is grateful for the little he has, and Maurice has a jovial spirit. Fate and faith bring all of these people together as they form a special bond that can never be broken.
I enjoyed the poetic language the author used to create vivid descriptions of the setting, and he perfectly captured the characters’ emotions. I was able to expand my vocabulary with Mr. Carlisle’s unusual choice of words. I also like how the story brought together people from different backgrounds, socio-economic classes, and professions. Reading about the streets of Ville Marie stirred up fond memories and made me feel homesick for the city I grew up in. Evoking this feeling of nostalgia, I was reminded of how people kept in contact with each other before social media took the world by storm.
There is nothing I disliked about this book. The only criticism I have is that sometimes the descriptions were a bit long-winded. However, that is simply my opinion and not necessarily a flaw. Also, the well-edited text contained almost no errors.
It is with great pleasure that I award For Theirs is the Kingdom by Christopher Carlisle a rating of five out of five stars. Poignant and heart-warming, this novel reflects a real-life moral dilemma as well as the ups and downs that each of us faces. I highly recommend this literary masterpiece to anyone who loves a great story! Christians will enjoy this tale because of the many theological discussions in the book. I look forward to reading more from this author. I would be very interested in a sequel to see where Ben’s path leads him next.
******
For Theirs is the Kingdom
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This novel is a shining example of quintessential vintage Canadiana! With an Ivy League education and a promising career at an international law firm, one might think Ben Cabot is the picture of success, but there is something missing from his privileged life. Apart from his bad luck with the ladies, Ben has an existential crisis when he becomes embroiled in a bitter battle against the greedy and corrupt leaders at Christ Church Cathedral. Set in the charming city of Montreal (presumably during the 1980s), For Theirs is the Kingdom by Christopher Carlisle will compel you to look deep within your soul and seek the true meaning of the gospel as you analyze Jesus’s ministry. Along the way, you’ll meet an unforgettable cast of characters and fall in love with the vibrant Quebecois culture before being whisked away to the motherland where the French language was born.
The cover features a photo of the cathedral with its foundation exposed during an excavation underneath the building. The white title font is bold and clear. The text is separated into forty brief chapters, and the themes include Christianity, theology, morality, drama, international travel, Quebecois culture, and friendship. There is no violence in this book. However, there are several instances where profanity is used. The novel discusses the Christian faith at length. So, it is best suited for Bible believers.
The story is told from Ben Cabot’s perspective because he is the main character. Ben is not your stereotypical ruthless lawyer. He is very self-conscious and seems to think that he doesn’t deserve the life of luxury that he has been graced with. Stephen Gentry is the bishop of the Anglican diocese of Montreal. His forthright and fatherly demeanor appeals to Ben’s good nature, and the two soon become friends as they frequently enjoy each other’s company over a drink. Claire McWilliams is a compassionate nurse at the children’s hospital. Her nurturing and feminine traits instantly capture Ben’s attention. Luke Hale is a renegade priest who performs outdoor church services and provides meals for the city’s needy and neglected residents. Fearless, loyal, and dedicated to helping others, Luke is the glue that holds everything and everyone in the story together. Henri and Maurice are Quebecois men from two different worlds. Henri is homeless due to his divorce and an alcohol addiction, while Maurice is one of Ben’s co-workers at the law firm. Henri is grateful for the little he has, and Maurice has a jovial spirit. Fate and faith bring all of these people together as they form a special bond that can never be broken.
I enjoyed the poetic language the author used to create vivid descriptions of the setting, and he perfectly captured the characters’ emotions. I was able to expand my vocabulary with Mr. Carlisle’s unusual choice of words. I also like how the story brought together people from different backgrounds, socio-economic classes, and professions. Reading about the streets of Ville Marie stirred up fond memories and made me feel homesick for the city I grew up in. Evoking this feeling of nostalgia, I was reminded of how people kept in contact with each other before social media took the world by storm.
There is nothing I disliked about this book. The only criticism I have is that sometimes the descriptions were a bit long-winded. However, that is simply my opinion and not necessarily a flaw. Also, the well-edited text contained almost no errors.
It is with great pleasure that I award For Theirs is the Kingdom by Christopher Carlisle a rating of five out of five stars. Poignant and heart-warming, this novel reflects a real-life moral dilemma as well as the ups and downs that each of us faces. I highly recommend this literary masterpiece to anyone who loves a great story! Christians will enjoy this tale because of the many theological discussions in the book. I look forward to reading more from this author. I would be very interested in a sequel to see where Ben’s path leads him next.
******
For Theirs is the Kingdom
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Martin Shae
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For Theirs is the Kingdom by Christopher Carlisle is a captivating exploration of existential crisis and moral conflict set against the backdrop of 1980s Montreal. Ben Cabot's journey from a seemingly successful life to grappling with corruption and the true essence of the gospel is both profound and engaging. The novel beautifully captures the charm of Quebecois culture and offers a reflective look at faith and identity.
Latest Review: Snatched Up to Heaven! by Jemima Paul and Arvind Paul
