Escape from the Eagle's Nest

by A.L.O.E.

Based on the 2016 Lamplighter Book of the Year, Escape From the Eagle’s Nest is now presented as a powerful audio drama—a story of persevering hope in the face of persecution. Brought up in the wilds of India, Walter is called to a life of self-denial and devotion to the natives of India and Afghanistan, many known to be thieves and cutthroats. He forms an unlikely partnership with Dermot Denis, a wealthy Irishman in search of adventure. Peril abounds as they determine to cross India’s border, where their true character is brought to light. Dermot boasts that he revels in danger, but Walter lives with the “sentence of death in himself already, that he should not trust in himself, but in God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). For a gripping story that will help shape your understanding of a Christian’s responsibility to the Islamic culture, search no further than Escape from the Eagle’s Nest. Lamplighter stories are much more than good and wholesome reading. The character traits children assimilate during their formative years are the foundation from which a life of faith in God is built. Inspiring role models found in Lamplighter books demonstrate that outward compliance alone will not carry a child through the stresses and disappointments soon to be faced in adolescence and adulthood. Perseverance, courage, hope, loyalty, humility—these are the qualities to emulate, these are the traits to pursue. Though life isn’t always fair, we can be confident that each disappointment and trial is designed by a loving God for our good. Lamplighter books are edited within a Biblical theological framework to ensure that each story reflects the character of God and provides key Scriptures to be stored within the heart. The uniqueness of a Lamplighter book in contrast to other books with the same title is that they have been enhanced with helpful footnotes and woven with threads of Biblical truths that will be etched into an awakened moral conscience.

Genres: Christian, Classics

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1883

About the author

Charlotte Maria Tucker, the English author, who wrote under the pseudonym A.L.O.E (a Lady of England), was the daughter of Henry St George Tucker (1771-1851), a distinguished official of the British East India Company. From 1852 till her death she wrote many stories for children, most of them allegories with an obvious moral, and devoted the proceeds to charity. In 1875 she left England for India to engage in missionary work, and died at Amritsar on the 2nd of December 1893.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending felt kinda rushed and weird?? But I loved the dramatized version anyway.

Lamplighter Theater never fails to amaze me. I absolutely loved the message! ^.^ 💖

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man is called to be a missionary to a murderous clan in Afghanistan but is tempted by success and wealth back at home.
The last page was my favorite. The point is not where we serve but that we are following God and serving where He has called us.

"It may be not to you, O my brother or sister, that the call is given to leave your country to carry the message of salvation to the heathen; for you the pillar of cloud and fire may rest over some Elam; God may bid you watch over an aged parent, make a home happy, bring up children for Him. Your work may be in a Scotch or English parish; perhaps in the crowded city, perhaps in the peaceful village. But is your eye fixed on that pillar, the emblem of the will of your Heavenly King? Is the calm peaceful resolution of your heart, 'Wherever Thou wilt, however Thou wilt, O my adorable Lord! but guide me, and I will follow!' Then blessed is your path, whether in wilderness or green pastures, whether through roaring billows or beside the still waters! Dispensing blessings to the poor around, teaching the ignorant, comforting the afflicted, fighting against the power of Satan both within and without, you may be as truly serving the Lord, as truly pressing forward to the prize, as if planting the banner of the Cross on the height of some Eagle's Nest."

Read to my children at lunch

2021 A book set in the Middle East

[Katie Rew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow God's fiery pillar.

[Selina Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kinda split on how to rate this. You just have to be aware of what it is--and it is a product of the late 19th century, a product of the age of imperialism. It's a Christian adventure story of the kind that relies on "savages" for antagonists. Although, I'll grant, thanks in large part to the Christian element, it is more...optimistic, I guess, than some novels of the period. A.L.O.E., who at the time of writing had been a missionary in India for some time, clearly has familiarity with the customs and beliefs of which she's writing, but at the same time, she's writing about Muslims in the Afghan mountains, and it's clear some of her information is (doubtless exaggerated storytelling) hearsay. It's impossible to say how accurate some of the details of this fictional group of isolated Muslims could have been. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that such a secluded group would be lax in their religious observance. It's best not to take the portrayal of the inhabitants of Eagle's Nest as a representation of all Muslims as faithless plunderers and murderers (although doubtless there were--and are--those who fit that description). In fact, that behavior is contrasted with that of the Muslims who helped Walter and became Christians. And, in the end, most of the inhabitants, even if not Christian in the end, are portrayed as good people whose culture simply had more violent values.

The writing style is fairly common for the time. She wrote books for her kids, so it's no wonder of the English language. The dialogue tends toward the overly formal and expository. This is not in itself bad--it just may be awkward for anyone unaccustomed to 19th century writing.

The main point of the book, and the best part, is the Christian moral about following God and trusting Him no matter the circumstances. The book is best approached as simply that--a Christian moral story that at times reads a bit like a devotional. The emphasis on faith and trust in God, making difficult decisions, and making sure you're following God's will for your life because it's better to be in a dangerous situation IN God's will than in a comfortable one outside of God's will. The moral was engaging and convicting and solid--which was good, because it definitely took precedence over the story itself.

[Daniel Shaver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short Summary:

Although the book attempts to tell an interesting story with good lessons, the writing is bland, predictable, and flat out bad at times. Additionally, the book is preaching, has a bunch of random words from other languages, and doesn’t have a ton if compelling characters. Despite this, the book can be interesting at times, and has some good imagery.

In depth analysis:

“What the sounds we’re will be told in the following chapter” (99).

In full honestly, this attempt at suspense and keeping the reader hooked is absolutely pathetic. Good writers don’t need to say this. The plot is also pretty predictable, and feels contrived. I did not find myself getting all that invested in the characters, and didn’t find myself caring what happened to them.

Another issue with the book is the occasional use of strange words from another language in which the readers is forced to glance at the bottom of the page for a definition. They add nothing to the story, ruin the immersion, and are just bothersome to read.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, the book is also extremely preachy. Not only is it preach, but it doesn’t teach many lessons. Sure, it attempts to encourage endurance adjust trials, but the author could have done it without it being so forced.

One of the few redeeming qualities of the book is the imagery. Although the book is a bit of a mess, there are parts of it that are enjoying to read. The book isn’t terrible, it’s just not great from a literary standpoint.

Quotes:

“The sense of personal danger was almost lost in the intense realisation [yes, they actually spelled it that way] of the spiritual peril of others” (65)

“If you form your own course according to your own will, you are trusting your safety to a rope which must break, your immortal soul is in peril” (123-24).

[Chloe W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book - really inspiring! Intriguing plot, layered characters and a beautiful message. I loved the call to the reader at the end to examine one's life and see if "the calm peaceful resolution of your heart [is] 'Wherever Thou wilt, however Thou wilt, O Lord! but guide me, and I will follow!' A beautiful story!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the Lamplighter Theater audio book as a family on the way to South Dakota's Black Hills.

[Marie Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book, and many others by ALOE including "The Wanderer in Africa" (highly recommend any book published by Lamplighter)
This is one of my favorite quotes:
"{This} little book may not be in the hands of the openly wicked and profane, but is it now in the hands of the self-willed and selfish? Honestly ask a question of your conscience - 'Is my eye watching the fiery cloud pillar? is the will of my God, and not my own, habitually directing my movements? do I do nothing without seeking direction from on high, and if that direction lead to what seems a dessert, am I ready to follow it without hesitation?' This is taking up the cross, this is following fully the Lord who pleased not himself. .... However innocent your amusements, however useful your occupations, however attractive you may be to those around you, if you form your own course according to your own will, you are trusting your safety to a rope which must break. ... Down on your knees, ask for the eye of Faith to be your guiding Pillar; ask for the foot of obedience to follow wherever it lead; pray for the spirit of love for Christ to triumph over self-love; and doubt not that the light before you will shine forth more and more unto the fullness of joy." ~ A.L.O.E.