What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cure
Sometimes The Cure is much worse than the disease.
Riley Keep, former missionary, now a drunk, is begging on the streets and desperate to forget a past he lost in one far-flung act of wickedness. Then he hears the rumors. Miracles are happening in the picture postcard village of Dublin, Maine.
Riley isn't the only Pilgrim searching for deliverance. There's the old woman fleeing a horrific monster, the lonely wife tempted by forbidden desire, the impoverished lobsterman lured by tainted wealth, the young girl weighing life and death decisions, and the small town cop with a murder on his hands. But only Riley Keep will learn if it's true what people say: sometimes The Cure is much worse than the disease.
Riley Keep, former missionary, now a drunk, is begging on the streets and desperate to forget a past he lost in one far-flung act of wickedness. Then he hears the rumors. Miracles are happening in the picture postcard village of Dublin, Maine.
Riley isn't the only Pilgrim searching for deliverance. There's the old woman fleeing a horrific monster, the lonely wife tempted by forbidden desire, the impoverished lobsterman lured by tainted wealth, the young girl weighing life and death decisions, and the small town cop with a murder on his hands. But only Riley Keep will learn if it's true what people say: sometimes The Cure is much worse than the disease.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
55 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Athol Dickson
14 books422 followersAthol Dickson's parents were living on the road when he was born. His first bed was a drawer lined with towels in a travel trailer. He has loved road trips ever since. Boating is a passion, too. Athol owns three boats, and once lived aboard a yacht full-time while cruising the Gulf of Mexico and the USA's Atlantic coast. But Athol's nine novels are proof he can sit still and write if he's with his wife of nearly 30 years, The Lovely Sue. They live in Southern California, where Athol is at work on novel number ten, the second in a series call "The Malcolm Cutter Memoirs" about a multi-millionaire chauffeur who would rather solve mysteries for his clients than hang out on his yacht. What bliss: a novel that combines boats and road trips!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
January 20, 2009
Riley Keep had been so many things in other lives. Minister. Missionary. Educator of New England's finest ... Failed protector of an entire people. Weakling of a husband. Incompetent father. Drunkard. Friend as best he could ... By accident, Riley caught his own eye in the mirror. Startled, he looked away.
Athol Dickson has done it again! In River Rising he made us want to look away from the stark realities of racism and then compelled us to look back in its mirror and see ourselves. Now, in The Cure, this master of parables holds up another mirror most of us will look into only after fighting it the first two hundred pages or so. This time the parable concerns failure and hopelessness. It is the story of far away pagans and the pagan within us all. And in the end it is a story of ultimate hope.
What sets Dickson apart is the way he uses words like oils on a palette. You don't read about Riley Keep. If you allow yourself you become Riley Keep. I wrote in a review of River Rising that only word did it justice: profound. Now that I have read The Cure I am at a loss for any other description. The Cure will make you uneasy at times. Its hero is flawed. A failure. And, even in his return to God he is far from perfect. In other words he is real. All I can say is read this book.
The Cure ends with these words: Riley was no longer dead; his ghostly days were over... here at last was something truly good to drink. The Cure is something truly good to drink.
Athol Dickson has done it again! In River Rising he made us want to look away from the stark realities of racism and then compelled us to look back in its mirror and see ourselves. Now, in The Cure, this master of parables holds up another mirror most of us will look into only after fighting it the first two hundred pages or so. This time the parable concerns failure and hopelessness. It is the story of far away pagans and the pagan within us all. And in the end it is a story of ultimate hope.
What sets Dickson apart is the way he uses words like oils on a palette. You don't read about Riley Keep. If you allow yourself you become Riley Keep. I wrote in a review of River Rising that only word did it justice: profound. Now that I have read The Cure I am at a loss for any other description. The Cure will make you uneasy at times. Its hero is flawed. A failure. And, even in his return to God he is far from perfect. In other words he is real. All I can say is read this book.
The Cure ends with these words: Riley was no longer dead; his ghostly days were over... here at last was something truly good to drink. The Cure is something truly good to drink.
October 2, 2020
It took me a couple of years to get to this book. I have downloaded it back in 2012 when things in my life were falling apart and my life changed. Back then I was angry, disillusioned with life, marriage, church and God and I lost my way. The last thing I wanted to do was read another Christian book.
Now, after all these years I have found my way back and enjoyed this book. The foundational scripture the author used is very appropriate for the storyline and it came alive through the character of Riley Keep. A man who lost his way after a heartbreaking experience as a missionary.
The storytelling took me right to the heart of the mystery Riley found himself in. A mystery that caused riots around him, false accusations to derail his family while this man tried to fix things the best he could.
The problem with fixing things from the natural has a tendency to backfire and in this book, it is a certain fact. Never rely on your own understanding. It is then that you think you are all-powerful, in control and untouchable. But as the wheels came off Riley realised his flaw. When God steps in you know you have to be meek in order to be strong.
A wonderful book with so much depth and empath that it touches your heart while you enjoy a good mystery thriller.
Now, after all these years I have found my way back and enjoyed this book. The foundational scripture the author used is very appropriate for the storyline and it came alive through the character of Riley Keep. A man who lost his way after a heartbreaking experience as a missionary.
The storytelling took me right to the heart of the mystery Riley found himself in. A mystery that caused riots around him, false accusations to derail his family while this man tried to fix things the best he could.
The problem with fixing things from the natural has a tendency to backfire and in this book, it is a certain fact. Never rely on your own understanding. It is then that you think you are all-powerful, in control and untouchable. But as the wheels came off Riley realised his flaw. When God steps in you know you have to be meek in order to be strong.
A wonderful book with so much depth and empath that it touches your heart while you enjoy a good mystery thriller.
September 8, 2020
2 looks
I didn't like this one very much at all. As a matter of fact, I was very disapponited and almost put it down. This is the reason I don't read Christian fiction: it's too over-the-top and a bit holier-than-thou. I found the character Riley to be too flawed to be believable, had no sympathy for him, and thought him overly simple, naive and weak. Since he was the main character, that pretty much ruined the book for me.
I do not recommend this book.
I didn't like this one very much at all. As a matter of fact, I was very disapponited and almost put it down. This is the reason I don't read Christian fiction: it's too over-the-top and a bit holier-than-thou. I found the character Riley to be too flawed to be believable, had no sympathy for him, and thought him overly simple, naive and weak. Since he was the main character, that pretty much ruined the book for me.
I do not recommend this book.
January 20, 2021
Fascinating. We are all slaves to something. While some are easily identifiable, others are harder to notice. This book has been a good reminder of why our strength alone is not what keeps us alive, or motoring.
December 26, 2012
Athol Dickson in his new book, “The Cure” published by Author Author brings us into the lifey of Riley Keep.
From the back cover: Riley Keep, former missionary, now a drunk, is begging on the streets and desperate to forget a past he lost in one far-flung act of wickedness. Then he hears the rumors. Miracles are happening in the picture postcard village of Dublin, Maine.
Riley isn’t the only Pilgrim searching for deliverance. There’s the old woman fleeing a horrific monster, the lonely wife tempted by forbidden desire, the impoverished lobsterman lured by tainted wealth, the young girl weighing life and death decisions, and the small town cop with a murder on his hands. But only Riley keep will learn if it’s true what people say: sometimes The Cure is much worse than the disease.
Before Athol Dickson became a master storyteller he was a master architect. It takes great creativity, imagination and “smarts” to design a building that will fit within the specified acreage and have all the required components and still be spectacularly beautiful. Now that Mr. Dickson tells stories he utilizes all the skills he developed in building buildings to build stories for us.
I know that when I find a book by Athol Dickson I am in for a really great story read. When Athol Dickson tells a story he builds it like an architect, start with the foundation and then each floor goes up methodically after the previous floor has been built. Reading “The Cure” is a lot like being thirty-five stories in the air, walking on nothing but a steel girder just wide enough for your foot; no walls, no floors, nothing but air. Very terrifying but it leaves you with a deep sense of fulfillment when you are done. Mr. Dickson has provided us with another winner with a his focus on addiction and how do you cure it? Do you use medical science that can make you worse off than when you were addicted or is there a better way? Riley Keep is a drunk who hears about a cure and miracles happening so he goes in search of answers. What he finds puts him in direct opposition to those that are promoting the cure. And that is where the events start turning deadly. “The Cure” is loaded with twists and turns and red herrings that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. When you finish this book you will heave a hugely satisfying sigh because you have enjoyed yourself immensely. I liked this book and recommend it highly!
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and business professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Riley Keep, former missionary, now a drunk, is begging on the streets and desperate to forget a past he lost in one far-flung act of wickedness. Then he hears the rumors. Miracles are happening in the picture postcard village of Dublin, Maine.
Riley isn’t the only Pilgrim searching for deliverance. There’s the old woman fleeing a horrific monster, the lonely wife tempted by forbidden desire, the impoverished lobsterman lured by tainted wealth, the young girl weighing life and death decisions, and the small town cop with a murder on his hands. But only Riley keep will learn if it’s true what people say: sometimes The Cure is much worse than the disease.
Before Athol Dickson became a master storyteller he was a master architect. It takes great creativity, imagination and “smarts” to design a building that will fit within the specified acreage and have all the required components and still be spectacularly beautiful. Now that Mr. Dickson tells stories he utilizes all the skills he developed in building buildings to build stories for us.
I know that when I find a book by Athol Dickson I am in for a really great story read. When Athol Dickson tells a story he builds it like an architect, start with the foundation and then each floor goes up methodically after the previous floor has been built. Reading “The Cure” is a lot like being thirty-five stories in the air, walking on nothing but a steel girder just wide enough for your foot; no walls, no floors, nothing but air. Very terrifying but it leaves you with a deep sense of fulfillment when you are done. Mr. Dickson has provided us with another winner with a his focus on addiction and how do you cure it? Do you use medical science that can make you worse off than when you were addicted or is there a better way? Riley Keep is a drunk who hears about a cure and miracles happening so he goes in search of answers. What he finds puts him in direct opposition to those that are promoting the cure. And that is where the events start turning deadly. “The Cure” is loaded with twists and turns and red herrings that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. When you finish this book you will heave a hugely satisfying sigh because you have enjoyed yourself immensely. I liked this book and recommend it highly!
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and business professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 4, 2011
This speculative novel is not as good as Dickson's River Rising, but it does tackle an improtant social issue and keep the reader guessing through it's twists and turns. What if someone had a cure for alcoholism? That is the hope that drives Riley Keep to drag his best friend and himself back to his hometown. Fortunately no one--or very few anyway--recognize him in his new persona as a bum. As he revisits his ghosts from the past, he is given a gift that changes his life and could change the lives of countless others. But will he be able to handle this newfound blessing, or will he mess everything up like he did the first time?[return]This book has two mysteries in it, the mystery of the cure and where it came from, and the mystery of Riley's past life. It moves a bit slow at first while the reader is trying to figure out what is going on and these two mysteries are set up. I also found some of the situations a bit unrealistic. So it wasn't as good as his first, but it still has that sense of mystery and a good message for fans of faith filled fiction.
November 11, 2013
Riley Keep is a homeless alcoholic and has been for a long time. Since a massacre in the jungle where he and his wipe had been missionaries. But even on the streets he hears rumors of a cure for alcoholism in his hometown in Maine. He and his friend make their way back, hoping for a miracle. Only there is a cure, and Riley takes it and tries to build a new life out of it. Only, things in the town go from bad to worse as desperate people demand it.
The book is more than just a search for the cure. It examines the greed to exploit such as cure (announced price per dose $5,000)as well as the greed to possess it and get a new beginning to life. It also examines, Riley's choices and their unintended consequences and the matters of responsibility and self healing. As they say, an alcoholic can stop drinking but the problems that led to the drinking are still there.
The book is more than just a search for the cure. It examines the greed to exploit such as cure (announced price per dose $5,000)as well as the greed to possess it and get a new beginning to life. It also examines, Riley's choices and their unintended consequences and the matters of responsibility and self healing. As they say, an alcoholic can stop drinking but the problems that led to the drinking are still there.
October 9, 2012
You may see a pattern in the books I review here: I don't bother adding ones that leave no lasting imprint. Although I've read many many more than will find their way onto my Goodreads shelf, I recommend only those that I consider truly Good Reads.
Athol Dickson captured my attention with River Rising. Now, with The Cure, he has reminded me of what makes a truly great story: that sense of place, of character, of purpose, and of deep thematic impact. Few authors today handle the metaphor of story as well as Athol does. My own work feels shallow in comparison.
Athol Dickson captured my attention with River Rising. Now, with The Cure, he has reminded me of what makes a truly great story: that sense of place, of character, of purpose, and of deep thematic impact. Few authors today handle the metaphor of story as well as Athol does. My own work feels shallow in comparison.
May 23, 2009
This was different than what I expected. It's kind of like science fiction, but not too terribly unrealistic with a christian undertone. Dickson writes with a lot of detail - this one is kind of what I would call a "guy" book. Basically the story is about someone finding a cure for alcoholism and what addiction does to a family and how it is overcome. The end totally surprised me, but in a good way. I would read more books by this author.
April 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book - I always appreciate a book that is both well-written and suspenseful, and it's just a bonus that Dickson has a Christian world view. Although he writes from a Christian perspective, he is neither pedantic nor preachy, and deals with modern issues (here: alcoholism with a touch of major pharmaceutical company thrown in) in an earthy, relate-able way. The ending was truly fantastic, showing a main character... with character! :)
March 27, 2008
Everyone but me seems to love this book, so maybe you should take my views with a grain of salt. This was just a weird book for me. About a cure for alcoholism, a disgraced alcoholic missionary comes home.
June 11, 2009
This was a slow book to begin, perhaps the first 100 pages. His characters are deep, descriptive carrying weights and thoughts and fears. He is an excellent writer. Much of what you will read will remain with you.
September 21, 2010
A sort of sci-fi meets Christian fiction- a 'cure' for alcoholism might not be what it seems.
February 16, 2018
The story is about an ex-minister and professor, who falls into alcoholism and lives on the streets of Florida. He hears about a possible cure for alcoholism that is happening in his home town in the north, so he travels up the coast to find out what is going on. The book is well written, and I think the premise is good. I noticed a lot of references to God, prayer, quotes from the Bible and at first thought it was because the main character was a minister. After reading further, I found everybody in town was talking that way.
I think the story's insights and values could have been portrayed easily without being heavily steeped in Christian rhetoric, and in my opinion, it would have been a better book. Clearly the author is a writer of Christian books, so now I know. Having said that, the book was still good enough for me to read the entire thing.
I think the story's insights and values could have been portrayed easily without being heavily steeped in Christian rhetoric, and in my opinion, it would have been a better book. Clearly the author is a writer of Christian books, so now I know. Having said that, the book was still good enough for me to read the entire thing.
September 17, 2023
This was a weird book. It has a Christian undertone and it’s a clean read. At least there is no foul language or descriptive sex scenes. It does have teen pregnancy which doesn’t make sense because the girl that gets pregnant is seen buying birth control. It is a suspense so there is murder and death, again nothing very descriptive. I did not like the main character, Riley. He is a coward but he’s kind, and he is shallow. His actions do not seem consistent or logical, neither do his thoughts. There are many different perspectives throughout the story. It’s not one person telling it but many different characters. I just had a hard time finishing this one. I’m not sure I want to read other books by this author. Overall it was an okay read but I didn’t really like it.
March 14, 2020
Violence though not graphic. Wow! I’m not sure I understand the ending of this. If you’ve read it and can give me some insight I would appreciate it. It took me awhile to get into this book. In fact I stopped listening for a couple of weeks because I just didn’t know where he was going with it. I started again because it was downloaded to my phone already and didn’t have anything else with me. I have a weird quirk where it’s hard for me to use my data to download books unless no other options exist. This though I have never gone over my data once than I can remember and even if I do it will only slow down! I think it would make for a great Book Group read because there is much to discuss.
July 25, 2019
I really liked this book. Although it tells the story of Riley Keep, a minister, missionary, teacher, husband and father who has fallen from grace, it’s really a metaphor for all of us. We can’t rely on ourselves, on medicine, science, or even religion to make us whole. It’s only by becoming weak, and depending on God’s strength, that we can be strong.
The book is well written, with descriptive language (although I found a few editing errors), and it kept my attention. I look forward to reading more books by Mr. Dickson.
The book is well written, with descriptive language (although I found a few editing errors), and it kept my attention. I look forward to reading more books by Mr. Dickson.
May 7, 2017
I thought the author chose an interesting subject. Could there be a cure for alcoholism? Riley Keep is a down-and-out homeless man when he is given a substance which takes away his desire for alcohol. We are kept in the dark as to where it came from. I never really got into this novel. It seemed kind of put together without real inspiration. There was enough mystery to keep the novel moving. I couldn't relate well to the characters, I guess.
November 28, 2023
A Five Star
As a Christian I sometimes find Christian fiction a little to cheesy for me. I do not feel that way about this book.
*************************quit reading if you want no spoilers******************
The story is gritty and pretty real. There is a good ending but one laced with a lot of pain and pride swallowing.
As a Christian I sometimes find Christian fiction a little to cheesy for me. I do not feel that way about this book.
*************************quit reading if you want no spoilers******************
The story is gritty and pretty real. There is a good ending but one laced with a lot of pain and pride swallowing.
October 16, 2018
I didn’t enjoy this. It was depressing and uninteresting, and I didn’t care for any of the characters. I listened to it at 2x speed, and it was still too long. I kept listening to the end only because I wanted to use it for a reading challenge.
September 17, 2017
In all fairness I only read five chapters. I just couldn't get engaged and decided not to invest any more time into it.
February 25, 2018
I didn’t love this book but I’ll admit I wanted to know how it ended so I stayed with it in spite of the temptation to put it down. It was just “okay”....
August 28, 2018
This was really good-and very different. Finding a cure for alcoholism; and all went so terribly wrong. Desperation, greed, anger--many of the 7 deadly sins! 3 1/2 stars.
February 13, 2019
This book shows the darkness of alcoholism and greed.
March 8, 2020
the reason I put one star....I didn't get to read it.
August 23, 2020
I’ll never look at a homeless person the same again after reading this book.
January 10, 2021
If I could give it a half star I would have.
October 29, 2021
This book was not inspirational for me.
Read
October 27, 2022I normally really like this author's books but I couldn't get into this one. DNF
October 12, 2024
I went into this one blind. I don’t consider myself a religious person by any means but this novel did help me understand why someone might be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews