OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Doomed Soul" by Robert Boomsliter.]

Doomed Soul by Robert Boomsliter is a non-fiction collection of essays and passages about the author’s resentment of religion. After the events on September 11, 2001, the author began to hate religion. He wrote these essays as a way of releasing his pent-up frustrations about this issue.

The essays include a variety of topics related to religion, including atheism, the lack of instruction in schools about comparative religions, right-to-life activism and prejudice. Many of the essays are well-written and thoughtful, although controversial. I enjoyed reading “Teach the Controversy”, which was originally a Letter to the Editor submission to a local paper. This essay details the need for courses in schools to educate children about different religions. This essay struck a chord with me because I feel I don’t know enough about the tenets and rituals of other religions. I also liked “Noah’s Flood”, which contained thought-provoking comments about the flood and Noah’s ark. In “How Did I Escape?”, the author reflects on his upbringing; he says he accepted that you should only talk about “safe” religious topics in conversation and avoid questioning other people’s thoughts about religion.

The author seems to be an avid reader of information on this topic. Some of the essays read like a well-researched newspaper editorial. However, a few of the letters, such as the reply to Mr. Ellsworth, are written in an angry, rambling manner, which I didn’t like. The Pro-Life essay contains flippant, sarcastic remarks about fetuses that may end up in hell since they weren’t baptized, and be poor conversationalists once they get there. It is also mentioned that the activists should just take their case right to the Heavenly Father, who is referred to as the “Chief Abortionist”. These types of comments are totally inappropriate and inflammatory.

There are some astute observations in the book. The author observes that politicians will never admit if they are a non-believer, as it would ruin their political career. There is also an interesting discussion of the dictionary definition of “godless” vs. a hypothetical dictionary definition of Christianity. The author is certainly entitled to air his frustrations about religion. Discussions about religious beliefs tend to cause heated discussions among people of different religions, where people tend to be very unwilling to understand the other person’s point of view. Most people’s religious beliefs are ingrained since childhood. As a result, books that include negative comments about religion are usually controversial.

The book was written as a cathartic attempt for the author to vent about religion. The author often includes factual information along with his viewpoints. For example, the writer mentions details of a religious freedom lawsuit against a Colorado Springs high school and a tidbit that President Eisenhower added the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. However, the book doesn’t have a cohesive feel, even though the writings have the same general theme. It reminded me of a haphazard scrapbook about a general topic. There are “Letters to the Editor” (some with replies) that the author includes to illustrate people’s religious attitudes and prejudices. While parts of these passages are interesting, often there is a long reply to the Letter included. If the reply was written by the author, it was often long-winded and a bit boring. In general, I found the writing style to be uneven. As a result, there is a disjointed flow to the book. A few of the Letter to the Editor responses are more combative and rambling, while many of the essays are written in a nice, conversational style.

As a reviewer, I am not here to judge the author’s beliefs. This book is one person’s writings about his resentments about religion. Whether or not you agree with the opinions presented, some of the essays are certainly thought-provoking. However, other sections were long-winded, condescending rants. In particular, there is one chapter that is an “Interview” with God, which reads like satirical science-fiction. Maybe this is what the author intended; however, the chapter was rambling, condescending, and disrespectful. I think this is a turn off in a book, even one that has some well-researched essays.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The sarcastic attitude reflected in some passages reduces the credibility of the serious observations in other chapters. I think this book would appeal to atheists, anyone who has questioned their faith, or readers who enjoy reading about controversial topics. I would also like to mention that I didn’t care for the cover artwork, which appears to illustrate a person in the fires of Hell. I think the cover gave an unprofessional look to a non-fiction book about serious subject matter. Still, the cover art may grab the attention of some readers.

******
Doomed Soul
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Like bookowlie's review? Post a comment saying so!

The author appears to have a vendetta regarding religion? (I think that's the word.) I have a vendetta (or two) on unrelated topics, but I don't think they'd make for pleasurable reading. In fact, I'm sure they wouldn't. Just because you feel strongly about something doesn't mean you should write a book about it. This sounds ill-conceived. (Oh, Lord. No pun intended regarding the abortion debate.) AARGH. I just don't even think this book should've been written. I've had this problem as a writer myself (not with my self-published works, but in general)--if you're writing something that's sucking you into a vortex of dark despair, negativity, hatred against other people, whatever--you've just got to quit writing about it. Write about something else. Anything else.

Great review, though! Completely agree about the cover--what the heck? Just too much hostility. I'd like to see the author rein it in and write something inspiring. I'm sure that something within his belief system could be inspiring rather than dark and argumentative.

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my review! Strangely enough, the essays do not have a dark tone at all. Controversial, yes....dark, no. I would compare it to books that discuss political views, where there is sometimes a sarcastic tone to the writings.

Oh, OK! I must have gotten the wrong idea. Well, I'm glad to hear that! Anyway, if the author is reading this, don't pay attention to my crazy ramblings.

Your comments were not crazy ramblings at all! The weird thing about the book is that there are frequently inappropriate "joke"-type comments. It does make the writings easier to read, rather than a dense style. However, the sarcasm in the essays takes away from some of the thoughtful sections. Just my opinion.

Oh, thank you. Sometimes I feel like a floundering social idiot! HA HA.

I think I see what you're saying.

zeldas_lullaby wrote:Oh, thank you. Sometimes I feel like a floundering social idiot! HA HA.

I think I see what you're saying.

Floundering social idiot....sounds like a great title for a book. Tales of a Floundering Social Idiot.
Seriously, while the book was very controversial, it was quite readable. Is readable even a word?...I think I need sleep.

-- 18 Apr 2015, 00:33 --

OK, I just looked it up...it is an actual word. It's just one of those words that sounds like it's not a real word.

HA HA. I need sleep too. Just waiting for the sedatives to kick in!!

OK, Tales of a Floundering Social Idiot. I'll write the book, and you can write the review.

Hopefully your review (and my book) will have that "it" factor... Readability. HA HA!

I really enjoyed reading your review. It was very well thought out and insightful. It has deterred me from adding it to my shelves. Hopefully the author will use your constructive criticism to improve.

Thank you. I am currently starting my first review on this forum and so have been reading other reviews as guidance. Yours is a fantastic example of how it should be done.

Thank you! As I mentioned in the review, some of the essays are interesting and thought-provoking.

Mr. Bookowlie

I thought I would drop a note of appreciation for your work on "Doomed Soul".

Other than the letters to the editor, this is my first (and maybe last) attempt
to write something for the general reader. I chose a venue for the first review
by a responsible reviewer who would almost certainly be a person of faith.

I was anxious to see how it worked out, yet very aware that expectations
should be held to a very low level. I am pleased to say that my expectations
have been exceeded.

You appear to be a person of exceptional mental flexibility. You did not
interpret the material as a personal insult, nor did you allow the nature of
the content to prevent you from making a sincere effort in understanding.
I applaud your professional integrity and commitment.

I was pleased that you found it interesting, as I tried very hard to make it
so, but I was immensely gratified that you found it thought provoking! This
is high praise indeed, given the circumstances.

Your comments regarding sarcasm were appropriate. I can explain it but not
defend it. You see, when you are radically out of step with the herd, it can
become an intellectually lonely existence. A book like this comes about
when you just have to tell somebody, anybody, how you feel about stuff. Even
my wife cannot discuss these issues with me. Her fear is that my radicalism
could cause estrangement with friends and family.

Anyway, in the heat of passionately developing an idea I think is especially
revolting or unjust, I seem to be facing a granite wall and cannot resist the
temptation to deliver a hammer blow instead of gentle, careful, persuasion.
Clearly the latter will be more effective. Sarcasm is vulgar and offensive and
should be beneath me.

Yet I use it often. It can be powerful, and is so conveniently at hand. This
is one of my major flaws, more generally regarded as laziness. Yes, the
unfaithful have flaws, just like real people.

Your references to rambling and long-winded, condescending rants are
perceptions I tend not to agree with but I believe I know why we disagree
and need not pursue it.

I miss the college days in the dorms when no topic was off the table and
there was no need to censor your thoughts. That camaraderie was a very
special privilege. I do not know you, yet I seem to sense that I would enjoy
your company and the opportunity to have extended philosophical
exchanges.

Sincerely,

Bob Boomsliter

Thank you for your detailed feedback! Please keep in mind that I am one reviewer. Another person may read the same book and rate it higher or lower, not think certain parts were long-winded, etc. I mentioned the following example in another comment I posted recently about two opposite reviews of the same book - The Goldfinch won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, yet received 1,000's of mixed reviews on Amazon. Some people loved the book, some people hated it. Clearly, the Pulitzer Prize Board loved it.

It's a shame the cover quality is poor. I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I do judge a book by its cover. Also, I tone changes in books can be off-putting. Great review! Really nice detail!

You know, there's an interesting point. A book can be judged moreso by its cover in this day and age of self-publishing. I think when you officially publish, there are many people involved with choosing the cover. When you self-publish, the author presumably chooses it. So I'd say we live in a world now in which we can judge a book by its cover.

Jesska6029 wrote:It's a shame the cover quality is poor. I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I do judge a book by its cover. Also, I tone changes in books can be off-putting. Great review! Really nice detail!

I thought the cover art was not appropriate for a book that discussed weighty topics. However, art is in the eye of the beholder. On a positive note, the cover is an attention grabber and that is usually a good thing when selling a book.

-- 21 Apr 2015, 00:01 --

zeldas_lullaby wrote:You know, there's an interesting point. A book can be judged moreso by its cover in this day and age of self-publishing. I think when you officially publish, there are many people involved with choosing the cover. When you self-publish, the author presumably chooses it. So I'd say we live in a world now in which we can judge a book by its cover.

I am not familiar with the world of publishing. I always thought that an author had complete control over the cover, if if the book was being published by a major publisher. In any event, I don't place too much important on a cover until after I've read the book. Then I analyze the cover with what I've learned from reading the story.