Previously posted on November 13, 2017
My second novel is a modern retelling of the story of the
prodigal son from the gospel of Luke, Chapter 15. I have always loved this
story and wondered how it would play out in our day and time. In particular, I believe
the older brother to be a truly fascinating character. Most people focus on the
prodigal and the father and it is a beautiful story of forgiveness, but I
always felt sorry for the other brother and thought that in his shoes, I might
be resentful as well.
The overall theme of the novel is forgiveness, extended or
denied. How are we affected by our choice to forgive or to withhold
forgiveness? That was the idea upon which I hoped to concentrate by examining
each of the three main characters separately. The prodigal feels he has been
abused in some way by his father which leads to his decision to ask for his
inheritance and leave. When he is forced to return, he has to deal with several
competing emotions. How does he respond to his father’s forgiveness? His
brother’s refusal to forgive? And does he owe forgiveness to either of them?
The father is obviously the hero of the tale. Despite his
treatment by the younger son, he chooses to forgive and by forgiving, he
becomes a better man and shows what it means to be a father. The brother
becomes the novel’s antagonist. His refusal to accept the return of his brother
and more importantly, his refusal to forgive him, affects him as strongly, just
as it has affected his father, but in a decidedly more negative manner.
I think it is an interesting new look at an old familiar
tale and I think most readers will be able to connect with at least one
character in the book. Hopefully they will enjoy the story! The novel is currently
undergoing editing and revision and I hope to have it ready to publish by spring.
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