British theologian Dean Stanley once wrote, “The true call of a Christian is not to do
extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.” That is precisely
what the authors culled together by editor Cynthia MacKinnon have done in the
anthology Light at the Edge of Darkness. Using fantasy and science fiction, genres that
were once closed to Christian writers in the minds of many, these wordsmiths have
crafted stories that are as meaningful as they are entertaining. Because of their efforts,
the genre of Biblical speculative fiction has a new work by which to define itself.
The opening story, “Undeniable” by A.P. Fuchs, instantly lets a reader know that this
anthology means business. It is a tale of determination and sacrifice that slaps shackles
on a reader’s wrists and allows him or her to experience the demands of faith under
extreme circumstances. From page one, a reader is compelled to ask him or herself,
“Would I do the same for my God? Is my faith strong enough?” Soul-searching
questions indeed. However, not every piece is as emotionally demanding. For example,
Deborah Cullins-Smith’s “The Rider” is a refreshing visit to the Old West that redefines
the classic image of “The Man in the White Hat.” In a story which is accurate even to the
dialect, geography, and mise-en-scene of the setting, Cullins manages to weave in
elements of fantasy so seamlessly that not only do they not seem incongruent, one
wonders why other authors of western fiction have never taken the time to do the same.
For the historical buffs, Steve Doyle’s “The Waking of the Dead” is a pleasing piece,
and science fiction fans will relish tales such as “Small and Simple Things,” a new take
on space travel from new author Alethea Knight, “Your Ordinary Average Alien” by
Adam Graham, and “Chairman” from the Frank Creed, an author who grows more
original and uplifting with each story he writes. For those who prefer narratives from the
here and now, Daniel I. Weaver’s “Guilty” and Stephen L. Rice’s “One Taken, the Other
Left” will more than wet one’s literary whistle. In short, reading this anthology cover to
cover is akin to visiting a revival tent of itinerant preachers. Each author shares his or
her testimonial tales, and the result is nothing less than a blessing.
Readers will run the gamut when reading Light at the Edge of Darkness, not only of
genre, style, and subject matter, but also of emotion and spiritual growth, which is only
fitting. After all, each Christian who comes to know God arrives at His feet via very
different paths, and no two stories of salvation are identical. That is why this anthology
could not have come at a better time, for, in addition to helping define a new genre, it
can reach out to modern readers and touch those who might never otherwise be
exposed to any aspect of the Christian faith.
Jamie A. Hughes— teacher, editor, and writer currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Her works of literary criticism have been published in Peake Studies, The Journal of
Evolutionary Psychology, and The Journal of Popular Culture, and her short fiction can
be found in Twisted Tails: An Anthology to Surprise and Delight and Twisted Tails II:
Time on Our Hands (both available through Double Dragon Publishers) and Tales for
the Thrifty Barbarian (available through The Writer's Cafe). Her short fiction has also
found homes in publications such as Odradek and Fiction Fix . Not content to stick to
one genre, she has published several poems as well. Her poem "Grass Roots" won the
2006 Douglas Freels Poetry Award, and recently, she was the recipient of both first and
third prize in the 2007 Adult Poetry Contest sponsored by the Jacksonville Public
Library. She can be reached at emeraldelf@gmail.com.
extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.” That is precisely
what the authors culled together by editor Cynthia MacKinnon have done in the
anthology Light at the Edge of Darkness. Using fantasy and science fiction, genres that
were once closed to Christian writers in the minds of many, these wordsmiths have
crafted stories that are as meaningful as they are entertaining. Because of their efforts,
the genre of Biblical speculative fiction has a new work by which to define itself.
The opening story, “Undeniable” by A.P. Fuchs, instantly lets a reader know that this
anthology means business. It is a tale of determination and sacrifice that slaps shackles
on a reader’s wrists and allows him or her to experience the demands of faith under
extreme circumstances. From page one, a reader is compelled to ask him or herself,
“Would I do the same for my God? Is my faith strong enough?” Soul-searching
questions indeed. However, not every piece is as emotionally demanding. For example,
Deborah Cullins-Smith’s “The Rider” is a refreshing visit to the Old West that redefines
the classic image of “The Man in the White Hat.” In a story which is accurate even to the
dialect, geography, and mise-en-scene of the setting, Cullins manages to weave in
elements of fantasy so seamlessly that not only do they not seem incongruent, one
wonders why other authors of western fiction have never taken the time to do the same.
For the historical buffs, Steve Doyle’s “The Waking of the Dead” is a pleasing piece,
and science fiction fans will relish tales such as “Small and Simple Things,” a new take
on space travel from new author Alethea Knight, “Your Ordinary Average Alien” by
Adam Graham, and “Chairman” from the Frank Creed, an author who grows more
original and uplifting with each story he writes. For those who prefer narratives from the
here and now, Daniel I. Weaver’s “Guilty” and Stephen L. Rice’s “One Taken, the Other
Left” will more than wet one’s literary whistle. In short, reading this anthology cover to
cover is akin to visiting a revival tent of itinerant preachers. Each author shares his or
her testimonial tales, and the result is nothing less than a blessing.
Readers will run the gamut when reading Light at the Edge of Darkness, not only of
genre, style, and subject matter, but also of emotion and spiritual growth, which is only
fitting. After all, each Christian who comes to know God arrives at His feet via very
different paths, and no two stories of salvation are identical. That is why this anthology
could not have come at a better time, for, in addition to helping define a new genre, it
can reach out to modern readers and touch those who might never otherwise be
exposed to any aspect of the Christian faith.
Jamie A. Hughes— teacher, editor, and writer currently residing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Her works of literary criticism have been published in Peake Studies, The Journal of
Evolutionary Psychology, and The Journal of Popular Culture, and her short fiction can
be found in Twisted Tails: An Anthology to Surprise and Delight and Twisted Tails II:
Time on Our Hands (both available through Double Dragon Publishers) and Tales for
the Thrifty Barbarian (available through The Writer's Cafe). Her short fiction has also
found homes in publications such as Odradek and Fiction Fix . Not content to stick to
one genre, she has published several poems as well. Her poem "Grass Roots" won the
2006 Douglas Freels Poetry Award, and recently, she was the recipient of both first and
third prize in the 2007 Adult Poetry Contest sponsored by the Jacksonville Public
Library. She can be reached at emeraldelf@gmail.com.
| LIGHT AT THE EDGE OF DARKNESS Review by Jamie Hughes |
