Not Safe, but Good: Short Stories Sharpened by Faith, Volume Two

by Jerry Jenkins, Bret Lott (Editor)

In C.S. Lewis's classic The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Lucy asks if Aslan the lion is safe. It is quickly clarified that Aslan is not safe...but he is good. That concept serves as the foundation for this collection of short stories. While written from a Christian worldview, our goal isn't comfort food for Christians or G-rated stories that offer simplistic lessons. Instead, we're serving up stories sharpened by faith. Stories that will engage, challenge, entertain, and stretch the reader. These stories aren't necessarily safe...but without question, they are good.

The stories in this book--from such outstanding Chrstian writers as Jerry Jenkins, Michael Morris, Sally John, and the editor Bret Lott--are by no means safe. Like the parables of Christ, they surprise, unsettle, and even shock. They depict doubt, loss, abandonment, failure, and betrayal as well as elation and triumph. But they also deeply and meaningfully explore the human condition in relation to a God who loves us and brings us joy and hope.

Genres: Fiction, Christian

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a book of short stories by different authors, it's always going to be an eclectic mix. Some are wonderful, some have less of an appeal. These are finely honed works with tucked-in surprises, works that straddle the uncomfortable space where real world meets the spiritual realm and there are often awkward answers.

The two stories that spoke to me were The Flowers Fall and Turn Left, Turn Right. The first was just perfect in its evocation and length. The second flipped the trope of the lost letter on its head.

I very much liked the other stories but I wanted them all to be longer.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to encourage your faith in short-story form. This selection of short stories is perfect to pick up and choose a story from to read in one sitting, and as always with Bret Lott's books, I'm never disappointed.

[Rhonnie Cough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story collections like this are my favorite. There are a couple in here that didn't really resonate with me. But I loved the very human themes woven throughout: forgiveness, redemption, sorrow...all done pretty subtly. I especially loved The Flowers Fall--it made me almost cry--and Turn Right, Turn Left; The Laying Out.