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Hiding
Every scar has a story... but Cary Douglas isn't talking. He learned a long time ago that secrets and silence equal survival and he's kept his promise to his family ever since. So when the clean-cut new kid starts paying attention to him at school, it's a problem. Cary is sure he can't afford to care about one more person, but Jon White's persistent kindness is cracking him open.
Every smile has a cost... and Jon White is tired of paying it. It's never been easy to be the oldest son of Pastor White, and keeping it together when the bully at his new school is in his face every day is almost more than he can do. He has just one question - where is God when everything sucks? - and so far nobody's answering.
This is a novel about what happens when the silence breaks - about faith and family, suffering and doubt and the answer to Jon's question.
Every smile has a cost... and Jon White is tired of paying it. It's never been easy to be the oldest son of Pastor White, and keeping it together when the bully at his new school is in his face every day is almost more than he can do. He has just one question - where is God when everything sucks? - and so far nobody's answering.
This is a novel about what happens when the silence breaks - about faith and family, suffering and doubt and the answer to Jon's question.
327 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
217 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Runnalls
4 books7 followersI'm a mom, a youth pastor and a writer. I'm passionate about journeying towards wholeness, and finding peace in our relationships and in ourselves. I love growing things and inviting others into our home to share a feast made with food out of our garden. I am grateful every day to be married to Logan, a man of peace and hope. I am the proud mom of Nevin and Nora, who I hope will one day forgive me for making them pastor's kids.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 31, 2015
Like Jordan, I found myself being reminded of Flannery O'Connor throughout Hiding. I appreciate the humanity developed in the primary and secondary characters. It tackled difficult subject matters such as self harm, suicidal ideation, and more in a gritty yet realistic way. Often, and particularly in Christian Fiction difficult topics are glossed over or approached in a less than nuanced manner.
It's well written and compelling throughout. I thought Cary's story had very authentic feel, and how Jesus met with him makes me hope that he meets kids like this beyond the world of fiction.
A really well written book, with engaging characters and a gripping story. What I particularly liked about this story was that I was not assuming a happily ever after, which is an accurate reflection of the lives lived by the Cary's and Jon's of the world.
It's well written and compelling throughout. I thought Cary's story had very authentic feel, and how Jesus met with him makes me hope that he meets kids like this beyond the world of fiction.
A really well written book, with engaging characters and a gripping story. What I particularly liked about this story was that I was not assuming a happily ever after, which is an accurate reflection of the lives lived by the Cary's and Jon's of the world.
August 26, 2015
When I first read Hiding, it made me angry, it made me want to fight something, to aspire to change the world. Cary's pain made me want to fight the injustice around us and his searching for meaning resonated with my own experiences in prayer. However I most deeply connected with the character of Jon, his struggle to love his enemies while struggling with the apparent hypocrisy of his Christian peers. Runnall's has provided us with a real work of Christian fiction, real in that it's characters are not fanciful superheroes of the faith that we all wish were reality, but flawed people reaching for Christ that we can relate too; and real in that darkness and abuse lurk behind a facade that appeals to our quest for the American dream. Hiding has had a impact on my heart that few Christian novels have. As a youth pastor, I recommend this book to my youth ages 14+ hoping that as they read it they reach out to God, and gain awareness for the hurting world around them. Sure it has a few swears, and Christians who smoke but such is real life.
January 13, 2021
Jon's the pastor's kid, and the new kid at school, and when he's paired with outcast Cary for a project he isn't exactly surprised when Cary tries to brush him off. After all, he's been bullied by a kid in his youth group since he got here. But Jon can tell Cary is different. Unwillingly, Cary begins to let Jon into his life, but once he does, it gets harder and harder to hide the abuse he suffers at the hands of his father...
This was such a lovely, if dark at times, story of friendship and finding a higher power. Jon and Cary share many similarities even if their home lives are stark opposites. This book had a strong Christian influence (Jesus appears in the characters' darkest moments and when they are praying) but not in a way that felt didactic, as the characters question the presence of a higher power through the mirrored experiences of being abused and being bullied. Unlike many other YA novels, religion and family aren't presented as negative - Jon's family had this lovely warm glow around it, even when his father was setting boundaries and rules. I also love that Cary's recovery arc will continue across multiple books, because a.) I need to see him be okay, and b.) I also want to learn more about Jon!
Content advisory: mentions of cutting, suicidal thoughts, some strong language, teen smoking, physical abuse
This was such a lovely, if dark at times, story of friendship and finding a higher power. Jon and Cary share many similarities even if their home lives are stark opposites. This book had a strong Christian influence (Jesus appears in the characters' darkest moments and when they are praying) but not in a way that felt didactic, as the characters question the presence of a higher power through the mirrored experiences of being abused and being bullied. Unlike many other YA novels, religion and family aren't presented as negative - Jon's family had this lovely warm glow around it, even when his father was setting boundaries and rules. I also love that Cary's recovery arc will continue across multiple books, because a.) I need to see him be okay, and b.) I also want to learn more about Jon!
Content advisory: mentions of cutting, suicidal thoughts, some strong language, teen smoking, physical abuse
September 18, 2015
Hands down this book is phenomenal! There are several reasons why I have found Hiding to be a compelling narrative, which is relatable to hurting young people and those who seek to come alongside them. First, during my time working in youth ministry, I encountered many youth who had deep hurts and chasms of pain present just below the surface. I believe many of these youth could relate to a character like Cary because they are walking a similar road. Aspects of their stories are different, but they experience a similar isolation in their struggles. Often young people are surrounded by adults who seem oblivious to their turmoil, or who are at a loss to help, or who, most tragically, may truly be responsible for causing the majority of their pain. Hiding does not shy away from these realities but presents them with compassion for adults and youth alike. Many youth can also relate to John as he wrestles with God. John’s initial anger toward God may make us uncomfortable as it feels at times both unspiritual and extreme. However, there is in John’s wrestling an authenticity that recalls the psalms and that is present in the real life relationships of many who continue to seek God despite hard circumstances.
Hiding also takes the experience of its target audience seriously. This is demonstrated by the fact that both heroes have a depth and complexity of emotion which mirrors the internal experience of young people. Cary’s and John’s inner motivations are at times unconscious and confusing, even to them. This realism is not only a tribute to Runnalls’ skill as an author but is validating to young people attempting to make sense of their own journeys. Along the same lines, the character, loyalty and at times even heroism the boys display in their friendship is not far-fetched. On the contrary, despite negative portrayals of teens’ shallowness in popular media, many strive to truly help their friends, sometimes at great personal cost. Many young people desire to deeply empathize with others and Hiding shows a way of doing that which is healthy and noble.
The most important reason why I love this book is because of where Jesus is in the story. He is right where He is in real life, down in the muck and the filth, available to those He loves. Both Cary and John meet Jesus who was broken on the cross for sin and who is “a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief”. The Jesus portrayed in Hiding is Immanuel, God with us! The Jesus in this story also calls John to grieve for Cary when he is incapable of doing so for himself.
To close I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I would say for young people, they need more authors like Runnalls who portray them as living lives imbibed with meaning and significance. I also believe caring adults would benefit from Runnalls’ insight and would find it useful in talking with the young people they are close to. As a youth leader I have read this book in a group, but would also readily recommend it to youth to read on their own. Reading a book like this makes it easier to have meaningful group discussions surrounding topics like bullying, self-harm, abuse and hypocrisy in the church. I celebrate a book like this that acknowledges the darkness in the world and meets it with life giving hope.
Hiding also takes the experience of its target audience seriously. This is demonstrated by the fact that both heroes have a depth and complexity of emotion which mirrors the internal experience of young people. Cary’s and John’s inner motivations are at times unconscious and confusing, even to them. This realism is not only a tribute to Runnalls’ skill as an author but is validating to young people attempting to make sense of their own journeys. Along the same lines, the character, loyalty and at times even heroism the boys display in their friendship is not far-fetched. On the contrary, despite negative portrayals of teens’ shallowness in popular media, many strive to truly help their friends, sometimes at great personal cost. Many young people desire to deeply empathize with others and Hiding shows a way of doing that which is healthy and noble.
The most important reason why I love this book is because of where Jesus is in the story. He is right where He is in real life, down in the muck and the filth, available to those He loves. Both Cary and John meet Jesus who was broken on the cross for sin and who is “a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief”. The Jesus portrayed in Hiding is Immanuel, God with us! The Jesus in this story also calls John to grieve for Cary when he is incapable of doing so for himself.
To close I would highly recommend this book to anyone. I would say for young people, they need more authors like Runnalls who portray them as living lives imbibed with meaning and significance. I also believe caring adults would benefit from Runnalls’ insight and would find it useful in talking with the young people they are close to. As a youth leader I have read this book in a group, but would also readily recommend it to youth to read on their own. Reading a book like this makes it easier to have meaningful group discussions surrounding topics like bullying, self-harm, abuse and hypocrisy in the church. I celebrate a book like this that acknowledges the darkness in the world and meets it with life giving hope.
November 27, 2015
"Hiding" is not a typical read for me but I was pleasantly surprised with the experience. Rachel Runnalls subject matter is difficult and gritty; tackling topics like abuse, self-harm, abandonment, Christian faith and suicide (in no particular order). Her surprising array of characters (Youth group kids, Professors, troubled teens, etc.) have an uncommon amount of depth and believability.
One possible exception to this might be a boy we meet at a temporary youth shelter nick-named "down-low" because he has down-syndrome. Down-low plays an interesting role and the inclusion of a character with a disability is praiseworthy, but some of his depiction borrows to much from stereotypes (unshakable happiness/simplicity, etc.) for my taste. Also, one wonders how he ended up in a short term youth shelter, in Canada, given the arrangement and supports for people with disabilities offered via social services. Aside from this one character critique, I think the book is very good.
Runnalls does not shy away from mixing the sacred and profane and the result is a realism and emotional impact that few Christian novels achieve. Some of the more graphic scenes in the book are not for the faint of heart, in some of the same shocking ways that the gospels aren't. I wonder if the author borrowed any of her influence from Flannery O'conner? I wonder this because of her resistance to simple dichotomy's like good and bad, dark and light, etc. Instead we see her characters in all of their mess with Jesus elbows deep in the same (sometimes in disturbing ways).
Reading the hiding felt like a spiritual exercise. The novel draws the reader into the characters experiences as they encounter Jesus and his uncomfortable grace. The encounters felt real beyond the words on the page. As I empathized with Cary and Jon I found myself remembering my own divine encounters and wondering where I might me blind to the presence of Jesus today.
I will certainly recommend this book to my girls in their teens and I wish it was around in my more formative years.
One possible exception to this might be a boy we meet at a temporary youth shelter nick-named "down-low" because he has down-syndrome. Down-low plays an interesting role and the inclusion of a character with a disability is praiseworthy, but some of his depiction borrows to much from stereotypes (unshakable happiness/simplicity, etc.) for my taste. Also, one wonders how he ended up in a short term youth shelter, in Canada, given the arrangement and supports for people with disabilities offered via social services. Aside from this one character critique, I think the book is very good.
Runnalls does not shy away from mixing the sacred and profane and the result is a realism and emotional impact that few Christian novels achieve. Some of the more graphic scenes in the book are not for the faint of heart, in some of the same shocking ways that the gospels aren't. I wonder if the author borrowed any of her influence from Flannery O'conner? I wonder this because of her resistance to simple dichotomy's like good and bad, dark and light, etc. Instead we see her characters in all of their mess with Jesus elbows deep in the same (sometimes in disturbing ways).
Reading the hiding felt like a spiritual exercise. The novel draws the reader into the characters experiences as they encounter Jesus and his uncomfortable grace. The encounters felt real beyond the words on the page. As I empathized with Cary and Jon I found myself remembering my own divine encounters and wondering where I might me blind to the presence of Jesus today.
I will certainly recommend this book to my girls in their teens and I wish it was around in my more formative years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2016
Excellent book. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but I read the last half in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews