Lance Wubbels

I started The Gentle Hills series about two years ago and was saving this second book until I was in the mood for some old-school historical ChristFic. For comfort reading.

Granted, this story has its share of schmaltz, but the read isn't simplistic or just a big lump of sappy drivel. There's a little snark here, a little kick there, including from Marjie. I like that she's still got wits, fire, and a sassy sense of humor. And the married-couple romance between her and Jerry isn't racy but it's passionate and playful. It's clear that the two of them appreciate, desire, and downright dig each other.

Now, even though a world war is yet raging, this novel seems to be not only rather removed from it but more conveniently "safe" about it than the previous book. Besides a couple of characters' physical injuries, no one really seems to be suffering from any war-related trauma in their everyday lives now—not even the men who returned from the brink of death in combat after watching their comrades die. And no matter how accurately it reflects the time and place, I still cringe whenever a character uses the shortened slur for "the Japanese." It only comes up a few times, but it never seems necessary in the story, and the language isn't painted in a negative light at all.

Also, as with the previous book, I skimmed over the pages of salvational messages and Bible lessons. Some of the faith testimonies get repetitive by reporting events from the last book more than once, and theological discussions and such feel contrived in fiction when the discussions don't have much to do with the plot.

Even so, I liked the general story of friends and family, including some family conflict involving a critical issue. And the story also shows some of the grittier side/danger of life on a farm. Whenever the nostalgic mood hits me again, I plan on continuing this series.… (meer)

When Jerry volunteers to fight in World War II, his main goal is to get revenge for what happened to his best friend at Pearl Harbor. But Jerry's enlistment means he and his fiancée Marjie have to decide whether to get married right away or to wait until the war is over in Far From the Dream by author Lance Wubbels.

It wasn't until recently that I learned this author and novel exist. Given that I've been adding new-to-me books from the '90s and such to my overall journey through ChristFic, I decided to give this first book in The Gentle Hills series a go.

As a fan of historical fiction, I was kept mildly interested through most of this simple story of family and friendship, work and war. While the read becomes a little oversentimental, it only does so here and there, and Marjie is the character I like best. She has wits, backbone, and some fire to her as well as a sassy sense of humor.

Much about Jerry's work at war reads similar to a nonfiction report, but some parts are more dramatic, especially as the story reaches its climax. Overall, the novel shows more than one side to the actions/behavior of Americans in uniform overseas, whether they're immoral, brave, or what have you.

Now, I'll admit I cringe a bit when characters in novels, particularly Christian Fiction, use the shortened name for "the Japanese," no matter how accurately it reflects the period and characters when they speak that way.

I'll further admit I skimmed over chunks of the evangelistic content. I wasn't surprised to see it, especially given that this is older ChristFic, but extended salvational messages/lessons in fiction generally don't appeal to me. However, I will say that although the story's faith elements play out in a predictable (and sometimes unconvincing) way at moments, not all aspects of faith in this book are the easy clichés I've seen in a number of other novels.

I really liked the climax and the ending, and I'm looking forward to checking out the next book in the series.… (meer)