Review of Love, Flesh, and Spirit

[Alexander C Schmoock]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Love, Flesh, and Spirit" by L. Adlai Boyd.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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L. Adlai Boyd’s Love, Flesh, and Spirit follows a story set in the 1960s. It's the story of a young American preacher whose life drastically changes after he falls in love with a younger parishioner. Nathan struggles to juggle his commitment to his work and God, his love for his wife and children, and the relentless lust and pursuit of his mistress. He is motivated by his great realization, a philosophy that involves an unselfish death of self to live for others, but he finds himself stuck between his feelings of agape and eros love, both battling for dominance over his life. Overwhelmed by it all, the insecure preacher sought a way out of the quandary developed by his own actions. The author captures with ingenuity the disarray in Nathan’s life caused by an insatiable appetite for love and how it, directly and indirectly, impacts those around him forever.
 
The author’s method of storytelling held my attention from the very first chapter. The book imposed itself on my thoughts, making it hard to put it down. I found myself contemplating many things discussed in the book and wanting to understand the characters' motivations. I admired the poetic qualities of this prose. The use of poetic elements added a layer of depth and beauty to the narrative, enhancing the overall impact and making it a truly enjoyable read. I was intrigued by how the protagonist confronted sensitive subjects such as religion and monogamy within the story. The author skillfully wove these challenging themes into the narrative, presenting them with varied perspectives. Nathan’s introspection added realism to the story, making it all the more gripping. The book was rich in complex and mature themes that explored the intricacies of human desire and nature. It shed light on topics such as love, loss, identity, and the complexities of relationships, which I found very enlightening.
 
While it was compelling in many aspects, the book was longer than necessary for the story it aimed to portray. The plot started reiterating the same things in several chapters, which could have easily been shortened or summarized. Some readers who love lengthy stories may not have an issue with that, but I didn't particularly like the repetition it came along with.
 
I won't remove a star from the book owing to its length because I don't consider that alone a good enough reason to effect a star deduction. So, I rate Love, Flesh, and Spirit five out of five stars. The book proved to be engaging and rewarding because it was intellectually stimulating. Even though I found a few errors in it, I believe it was professionally edited.
 
I recommend this book to an audience seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging reading experience. Fans of romance stories should get a copy of this book. It is for a mature audience due to the inclusion of heavily explicit and sensually charged content in it.

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Love, Flesh, and Spirit
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[Francis Kapola]

It's commendable that the author tackled sensitive subjects such as religion and monogamy with skill and nuance. By presenting these themes from various perspectives, the author allowed for a thoughtful exploration of these complex topics.

[Odichimma Okoye]

Redundancy is something I dislike as well, but it still seems like a good book. The battle between eros love and agape love must've also been a fierce one for the priest. Such a battle is never actually easy to conquer. Its commendable that the author was able to dwell on sensitive subjects in the right manner.

[Victory Ositaorah]

It would be interesting to read and find out how Nathan was able to balance his lust for the parishioner, family and the work of God. Congrats on BOTD.

[Nwansimdi Mercy Someze]

Having delved into a few chapters of the book, I'm compelled to share my initial impressions. The storytelling is undeniably captivating, drawing me in from the very beginning. The author's adept use of poetic elements adds a layer of depth and beauty to the narrative, making it thought-provoking and enjoyable. I find myself contemplating the characters' motivations and appreciating the protagonist's courage in addressing sensitive subjects like religion and monogamy. Nathan's introspection adds a realistic touch, making the story more gripping. The exploration of mature themes, such as love, loss, identity, and complex relationships, is enlightening.

[Aleesha Jarral]

It's admirable that the author skillfully and nuancedly addressed touchy themes like religion and monogamy. Through the presentation of these issues from several angles, the author made it possible for a careful examination of these difficult subjects.

[SimiSunshine]

It offers unique perspective on relationships and how they relate to religious beliefs

[Leen282]

Thought-provoking indeed, the review makes me wonder how I feel about religion and monogamy and now I also wonder how the characters in the book show their different perspectives. I am not too sure about the poetic element, it's not necessarily a style of writing I appreciate.

[Kshitija Sonawane]

The battle of love and soul, an eternal conflict, is very common and yet not discussed much. I appreciate the effort. Congratulations to the author for BOTD and best wishes for future projects.

[Margi zuu202]

Devoted to his wife Scott world turned upsidedown when he meet Sara their friendship turned into passionate affair Scott is caught between potent poles of agape and Eros and he struggled with the event happening in his life..

[Upphilan Paul]

"Love, Flesh and Spirit" is an important book to read. No one can serve two masters, just in the case of this American preacher called Nathan, he fell in love with a young lady.Well, it's okay to love but this takes away his commitment to God, and this takes away his Agape love to Eros. Congrats on BOTD!

[Chitra Ayengar]

Nathan's struggle to contain his love for his mistress and his efforts to balance work, family and his commitment to selflessly serve God is also well portrayed. The fact that the author has handled complex themes in a mature way needs to be appreciated. Would love to know if Nathan got his life under control. Best wishes.

[Amy Luman]

Nathan certainly has challenges. He seems todo. His best, though, to shoulder his various responsibilities to both the church and his family with our shortchanging either. Congratulations on BOTD!

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I wasn't expecting a preacher with a mistress, but we are all human, and I love literature that explores the complexities and nuances of our flawed nature. Thank you for your fantastic review.

[Seetha E]

Will the protagonist be able to reign in his thoughts while upholding moral norms while he is caught between his duties to God, and his family, and fighting lust? The OBC reviewer conducted an in-depth investigation. Congratulations to the author on winning BOTD!