A Fine White Dust

I am not saying that young readers should not read this book. I think that there is much to explore in this book, and highly recommend it. Im sure that there are many younger readers who would enjoy this book and who would be able to gain a lot from it. However, I can also see how many readers, especially (but not exclusively) younger readers, would not enjoy this book very much.

This is the kind of book that causes you to search your own soul. The author doesnt give you the meaning behind it all but leaves you to make your own meaning out of it. Some people will find a lot of meaning for themselves, and some will find very little.

Basically, if you are just looking for a story that has an exciting plot and lots of action or suspense, then this is probably not the book for you, because if you just look at the story on the surface then you probably wont get much out of it. But if you are looking for some truly thought-provoking literature that explores issues of the human spirit, then I would highly recommend this.

A young 13 year old, Pete, finds religion by himslef at a young age. His parents are not religious people, by choice. They do not begrudge their son his chosen religion or his devotion to it; however, they do not fully encourage it either. This leads Pete into a bit of confusion. Will his parents meet a firey death? Is his Atheist friend, Rufus that he has known forever, a sinner and in league with the devil?

The answer to his questions, and his prayers, seems to enter town in the form of "The Preacher Man."

This man preaches the word of God, saves souls in the name of Jesus, and helps true believers to "Be Saved." Pete is ripe for the picking. He has only to be lead into what he wants to hear. The Preacher picks up on that right away, and tells Pete that he should come with him (he is a natural!) and help him to preach the word of the Lord throughout the country.

It is my opinion that this is where the book touches upon a shady area. There are some implications that may lead the reader to believe that The Preacher Man is a potential pedophile. This is an undeveloped concept, but the hints are there.

Later we feel Petes bewilderment and disappointement when he is told by his loyal friend, Rufus, that The Preacher man did not come to get him as planned because he left that very same night, in secret, with a young woman (quite a town scandal).

It is a short book. However, as a teacher, I believe that a young adults time would be better spent reading something more worthy.