Into the Nevernight

by Anne de Graaf

While vacationing in Africa, Miriam Vree finds herself living a nightmare when a ruthless mercenary seizes her family. From the diamond mines of Namibia to the refugee camps in Tanzania, she fights to regain her freedom, her faith, and her family. Only when the voices of the refugee children point her toward Nevernight, the place of peace where it is never dark and there is no fear, does Miriam find what she has lost.

Genres: Fiction, Africa, Christian, Christian Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

Reviews

[Diane Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I didn't want to end. The story was so captivating and the characters well developed. Learned a great deal about Africa, and the transient children and how difficult their life is. Left me with many questions. Hope there is a second book that answers what happened.

[Caitlin Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really torn on how to rate this book, because it was so unique and interesting and I quite enjoyed reading it, but the ending felt very unsatisfactory…

[Amber Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of The Children's Voices series:

Fictional account of the kidnapping of an American family in Africa by leaders of the diamond mafia. Portrays the internal conflict and upheaval that continues across Africa using factual events. Highlights the plight of children-soldiers, the victims of the bloodshed between Christians and Muslims in Sudan, while touching on the turmoil occurring across Africa.



Kept me reading page after page but left me wanting more - more details, more insight, more reality. While based on a realistic premise, the author's portrayal of the kidnapping of an American diplomat and his family left me unconvinced. The author included a lot of back story for readers but just didn't offer enough to fully satisfy my longing for greater understanding of African life and the conflicts raging there. Throughout the novel, I was unsure of the focus. Was it the spiritual journey of the heroine or the physical plot line of the kidnapping or was it the harsh reality of child-soldiers? The author touched on each of these but none of them was as fully developed as I would have liked and this weakened the story's impact for me. Perhaps I am asking for too much from a fictional novel. After all, while based on factual events it is not a biography (my favorite genre). Still, this inspirational novel offers a look into the tragic consequences of Africa's continued unrest, especially that of child-soldiers, while also telling of one woman's journey of spiritual growth along the way.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to avoid books labeled "Christian fiction"; far too often the story gets lost in the preaching. However, "Into the Nevernight" showed up in a bag of books from a friend whose recommendations I trust, and it sounded interesting; so I gave it a shot.

I'm very glad I did.

Anne de Graaf takes her readers on a journey through the world of African politics, conflict diamonds, child soldiers and refugee camps. Seen through the eyes of a kidnapped American family (the father, Owen, is a US State Department negotiator who has gone to Mozambique to broker an end to war), the reader learns about the strife in the various war-torn countries on the continent.

Owen, his wife Miriam, and son Martin are not flawless human beings (as is far too often the case with protagonists in Christian fiction), and Yury Falin is not a two-dimensional beast as the antagonist. Owen and his family struggle with estrangements due to his work, and Yury finds himself falling in love with Miriam after he abducts her because he admires her intelligence and quiet strength.

Some of the most poignant chapters are in the voice of the "nameless one" - a child soldier who does not remember his real name, but changes it whenever he learns something new about himself.

This is a book that I think anyone could pick up, enjoy and be moved by the characters. Highly recommended.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting into this book. It sat in my house for months, and I would try to start reading it, but had a hard time. Finally out of boredom and w/ nothing else to read in the house, I forced myself to read at least to page 100 before I gave up for good. By then, I was hooked. A dear friend is living in Uganda, and I get prayer requests from her about the wars in Kenya and the shortage of food in Uganda and the Kenyan refugees coming to Uganda, so this book made her trials come to life for me.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is well written, but not too realistic. I stopped reading it about half way through as the plot was too unbelievable, and thus I lost interest. If you can handle an unbelievable plot, you may like it, as it certain has a good Christian message. The family of three travels to Africa, where they are all kidnapped. The book is about how they handle their captivity.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

detailed look into children of war, sad and eye-opening, but with an appropriate ending.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!

[Jan Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Anne de Graaf is a master storyteller. She has woven true facts into a can't put down tale of intrigue, love and heartache.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would make a great movie!