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Deconstruction
An irresolute Christian priest on a missionary journey to a pagan village encounters a charming cult leader whose postmodern philosophies shake the man of God’s theological foundation to its core.
Despite being riddled with theological doubts, Father Frederick Norman travels to a foreign country on an evangelistic mission. Upon arrival in the chaotic land, he meets his guide, Charam Tamang, a bus driver from Niestra, the remote village to which Frederick has been sent.
Charam quickly explains the true reason he has been in communication with Frederick’s he fears for the well-being of Niestra, because of the practices of Ramkast Sharma, a prominent leader in the village whose teachings have led to the death of some of Ramkast’s own followers.
In the midst of feelings that his God is not listening to him (and may not even be real), Frederick soon finds himself surrounded on all sides by welcoming, albeit pagan, people—Athaliah, Ramkast’s most loyal follower who is plagued by nightmares throughout her pregnancy. Malina, a devout believer in Niestra’s gods, whose faithfulness to her religion knows no ends. Abirun, Malina’s son, who is quite inquisitive and compassionate for his age. And many others, including Ramkast himself.
While His God remains eerily silent as events escalate, will Frederick overcome his internal struggles and continue in his faith—or will the surrounding pagan influences persuade him to deconstruct his lifelong belief system?
Despite being riddled with theological doubts, Father Frederick Norman travels to a foreign country on an evangelistic mission. Upon arrival in the chaotic land, he meets his guide, Charam Tamang, a bus driver from Niestra, the remote village to which Frederick has been sent.
Charam quickly explains the true reason he has been in communication with Frederick’s he fears for the well-being of Niestra, because of the practices of Ramkast Sharma, a prominent leader in the village whose teachings have led to the death of some of Ramkast’s own followers.
In the midst of feelings that his God is not listening to him (and may not even be real), Frederick soon finds himself surrounded on all sides by welcoming, albeit pagan, people—Athaliah, Ramkast’s most loyal follower who is plagued by nightmares throughout her pregnancy. Malina, a devout believer in Niestra’s gods, whose faithfulness to her religion knows no ends. Abirun, Malina’s son, who is quite inquisitive and compassionate for his age. And many others, including Ramkast himself.
While His God remains eerily silent as events escalate, will Frederick overcome his internal struggles and continue in his faith—or will the surrounding pagan influences persuade him to deconstruct his lifelong belief system?
328 pages, Hardcover
Published September 4, 2024
4 people are currently reading
About the author
Justin Everett
1 book6 followersMy name is Justin Everett, and I am a debut author with my novel, Deconstruction, which is scheduled to release on September 4, 2024. I also founded Reclaiming Literature Press LLC.
I am a Christian who is eager to create and publish quality fiction that is entertaining and accessible to Christians and non-Christians alike.
For four years, I taught English and Bible to high school students, and now, I work for North Carolina State University. My dream is to become a full-time author and publisher one day.
I am a Christian who is eager to create and publish quality fiction that is entertaining and accessible to Christians and non-Christians alike.
For four years, I taught English and Bible to high school students, and now, I work for North Carolina State University. My dream is to become a full-time author and publisher one day.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2024
A fictional Christian story with deep theological exploration in the plot. Recieved an advanced copy in exchange for a review.
September 5, 2024
The title and description already grabbed my attention, as deconstruction is a very interesting topic.
The use of imagery was fantastic and made me refuse to put the book down.
Through word choices such as “pungent” and “congestion”, I could picture myself truly in the setting of the book and one along side the characters.
The plot of suspense and the butting heads of different world views was very enticing.
The book made me think deeper of my faith as a whole and sharing it.
The book, from the main character’s view, is very relatable to those who feel many things- God is may not be answering right now, God has called me but I’m unsure of what to do next, and the conflict of talking to other people in differing world views.
I would recommend Deconstruction as it is insightful, congenial, in a sense, and challenging.
The use of imagery was fantastic and made me refuse to put the book down.
Through word choices such as “pungent” and “congestion”, I could picture myself truly in the setting of the book and one along side the characters.
The plot of suspense and the butting heads of different world views was very enticing.
The book made me think deeper of my faith as a whole and sharing it.
The book, from the main character’s view, is very relatable to those who feel many things- God is may not be answering right now, God has called me but I’m unsure of what to do next, and the conflict of talking to other people in differing world views.
I would recommend Deconstruction as it is insightful, congenial, in a sense, and challenging.
November 5, 2024
This was a genuinely thought provoking journey. As a Christian, there were many times throughout the read where I stopped and pondered Fredrick's ideas and actions and thought, "Wow, that is me!" The flow was excellent and not a single time did I find myself disengaged. I am typically a slow reader but devoured this book. I think this book can be enjoyed by Christians and non-Christians alike. It has obvious ties to Christian thought and doctrine, but they are presented to you in a masterful way through it's story and character development. I am also blown away that this is the author's first published work. I look forward to the next part of the trilogy soon!
P.S. The hardcover is beautiful. If you're a snob for hardcovers like me, it is well worth it!
P.S. The hardcover is beautiful. If you're a snob for hardcovers like me, it is well worth it!
October 18, 2024
Deconstruction: Book One of the Deconstruction Trilogy by Justin Everett is a compelling exploration of faith, culture, and the clash of belief systems. At its core, the novel follows Father Frederick Norman, a man deeply committed to spreading the Christian gospel in the remote village of Niestra. However, Frederick grapples with doubts about his own faith and longs to hear from a seemingly distant God. In the midst of his mission, he becomes captivated by the people around him, who appear to possess an inner joy and spiritual enlightenment that challenges his own beliefs.
As Frederick navigates this new world, his journey takes a perilous turn when he is tasked with confronting Ramkast, a cult leader determined to lead his followers down a dark path. Ramkast, too, has struggled with the religion of his upbringing, asking the questions his society avoided. The two men, each shaped by different religious traditions, find themselves questioning everything they once held sacred. Everett's storytelling masterfully weaves together the perspectives of Frederick and Ramkast, drawing readers into the internal conflicts of two men from vastly different worlds. Frederick’s monotheistic Christian beliefs contrast sharply with Ramkast’s polytheistic upbringing, where multiple gods coexist. This contrast deepens the novel’s exploration of spirituality as both characters wrestle with their religious teachings and confront profound philosophical questions about faith, mystery, and devotion.
For readers drawn to stories with strong religious themes, Deconstruction offers rich, thought-provoking material. Scriptural passages and cultural narratives about gods and religious practices add layers of complexity to the novel. One striking moment comes when the question is raised, "Why would you worship someone who covers himself in so much mystery?" Such moments invite deep reflection and keep the reader engaged on both intellectual and emotional levels. The novel excels in its use of dialogue and internal monologues, keeping the focus tightly on the characters' struggles without unnecessary distractions. The villagers’ efforts to preserve their way of life contrast starkly with the darker theme of violence, creating an atmosphere of suspense and tension throughout the story.
Deconstruction is an engrossing and evocative novel that leaves readers both satisfied and eager for more. As mysteries unfold and the characters’ convictions crystallize, the climactic ending sets the stage for the next installment of Everett's trilogy. It’s a thought-provoking and powerful read that will resonate with those who appreciate nuanced explorations of faith and culture.
As Frederick navigates this new world, his journey takes a perilous turn when he is tasked with confronting Ramkast, a cult leader determined to lead his followers down a dark path. Ramkast, too, has struggled with the religion of his upbringing, asking the questions his society avoided. The two men, each shaped by different religious traditions, find themselves questioning everything they once held sacred. Everett's storytelling masterfully weaves together the perspectives of Frederick and Ramkast, drawing readers into the internal conflicts of two men from vastly different worlds. Frederick’s monotheistic Christian beliefs contrast sharply with Ramkast’s polytheistic upbringing, where multiple gods coexist. This contrast deepens the novel’s exploration of spirituality as both characters wrestle with their religious teachings and confront profound philosophical questions about faith, mystery, and devotion.
For readers drawn to stories with strong religious themes, Deconstruction offers rich, thought-provoking material. Scriptural passages and cultural narratives about gods and religious practices add layers of complexity to the novel. One striking moment comes when the question is raised, "Why would you worship someone who covers himself in so much mystery?" Such moments invite deep reflection and keep the reader engaged on both intellectual and emotional levels. The novel excels in its use of dialogue and internal monologues, keeping the focus tightly on the characters' struggles without unnecessary distractions. The villagers’ efforts to preserve their way of life contrast starkly with the darker theme of violence, creating an atmosphere of suspense and tension throughout the story.
Deconstruction is an engrossing and evocative novel that leaves readers both satisfied and eager for more. As mysteries unfold and the characters’ convictions crystallize, the climactic ending sets the stage for the next installment of Everett's trilogy. It’s a thought-provoking and powerful read that will resonate with those who appreciate nuanced explorations of faith and culture.
September 10, 2024
Deconstruction is Justin Everett's debut novel. It tells the story of Fredrick, a priest sent to the town of Niestra on a mission to share the message of his God. Throughout his journey and time in Niestra, he is met with different challenges and obstacles that test his faith. One of these challenges is the charismatic leader of the village, Ramkast. I will not discuss the details of their interactions to avoid spoilers but it is some of the most in-depth dialogue I have read this year. The side characters such as the child Abirun and his father Charam provide a nice balance to the story, as well.
What Justin Everett does so well is create a story that feels cinematic while, at the same time, thought-provoking. He has descriptions and characters as lively as Stephen King, with themes, ideas, and narratives akin to those of a Dostoevsky novel. This book is not only for Christians but for anyone interested in a story about loss, trials, hope, and the importance of understanding what one believes.
The book is both challenging and uplifting, cruel and encouraging, and I look forward to reading what happens in the trilogy! I highly recommend this book and I am excited to read more from Justin Everett.
What Justin Everett does so well is create a story that feels cinematic while, at the same time, thought-provoking. He has descriptions and characters as lively as Stephen King, with themes, ideas, and narratives akin to those of a Dostoevsky novel. This book is not only for Christians but for anyone interested in a story about loss, trials, hope, and the importance of understanding what one believes.
The book is both challenging and uplifting, cruel and encouraging, and I look forward to reading what happens in the trilogy! I highly recommend this book and I am excited to read more from Justin Everett.
September 10, 2024
Father Frederick Norman is traveling to the village of Niestra which is located in a chaotic country. Charam is a bus driver from Nietra who picks up passengers at the airport and drives the 15 hours back to Niestra, dropping off and picking up passengers along the way. Frederick's quest in Niestra is to bring Ramkast to the love of Jesus Christ, but things don't go to plan. This story has multiple belief systems and murders, ending with a cliffhanger. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2024
this was a interesting concept and was written well, it had that element that I was expecting. It was a strong start to the Deconstruction series and was written well. Justin Everett has a great writing style and I'm excited to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2024
I have never read a more engaging Christian fiction book. Right from the start, the author leads you on a journey, and the characters are so consistent in how they behave that you might believe they are inspired by real people. I appreciate that it’s not just entertaining; it also contains biblical truths that challenged me as I followed the characters' paths. In summary, I love this book.
September 23, 2024
Justin Everett confronts complex theological ideas in this novel. I found myself picking up this book every spare minute, even if I only had time to read one page. Everett had me so invested in his characters. I've been a Christian for decades, and this book has Christian characters struggling with doubt, but also new believers with child-like faith in God. This book challenged and encouraged me, and left me wishing book #2 was already available.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews