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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Captivating, fast-moving mystery deals with spousal abuse in the church

Linda Wegner

Sadie’s Song Linda Hall. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah Publishers, 2001. Soft cover. 301 pp.

Troy is a pillar in his church who served as a pastor at one time. Sadie is his quiet, unassuming and fully submitted wife. Or so everyone would like to believe.

In this masterfully written novel, Linda Hall has captured both the emotions and the ugly reality of spousal abuse within the boundaries of evangelical Christianity. Added to the plot are the disappearance of a young girl, the strains of an unknown melody and the intervention of another child’s father.

Sadie’s Song incorporates all the elements of a captivating, fast-moving mystery while avoiding predictable and sentimental resolutions and easy, “Christian” answers. Based on interviews with dozens of abused women, Hall transports her readers into a world far removed from what evangelicals preach and profess.

This is a heart-wrenching lament, a superbly written journey to healing and a spellbinding mystery. To read this book and remain untouched is to read with blinded eyes. I consider it worthy to become required reading for all pastors and church staff.

Linda Wegner is a freelance writer residing in Saskatoon.

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Last modified August 13, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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