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Jon Mote Mysteries #2
Do We Not Bleed?: A Jon Mote Mystery
A young woman is dead. A man with diminished capacity is accused. His friends, also wounded, try to help him. In the process, they teach Jon Mote a thing or two he desperately needs to learn.
Jon no longer hears voices, but he's not convinced a silent universe is much better than a haunted one. He's returned his sister Judy to her group home and taken a staff job there that puts him in the company of six folks who, a bit rebelliously, he calls Specials.
Jon thinks his job is to teach these people basic life skills like telling time, making change, and riding the bus. The world says they are to be pitied, perhaps even eliminated. At best taken care of. But he finds that Judy, Ralph, Bonita, Jimmy, Billy the Skywatcher, and J. P. possess something that he and the world badly need.
The accused, J. P., is a gentle man who can't tell time or temperature, but wants you to be happy. Is he also a killer? The bureaucracy judges him so and sends him to an institution for the criminally insane. His friends know that if they do not get him back he will wither and die.
Meanwhile, Jon has his own problems. He finds himself threatened not so much by disintegration as by normality--the meaninglessness of the mundane. Alive but trivial.
While searching for something to fill the emptiness and for a way to rescue his client and friend, Jon unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged wife, Zillah, and he has an unsettling encounter with an unusual nun who presents him a way of seeing the world that puzzles and intrigues him.
Jon no longer hears voices, but he's not convinced a silent universe is much better than a haunted one. He's returned his sister Judy to her group home and taken a staff job there that puts him in the company of six folks who, a bit rebelliously, he calls Specials.
Jon thinks his job is to teach these people basic life skills like telling time, making change, and riding the bus. The world says they are to be pitied, perhaps even eliminated. At best taken care of. But he finds that Judy, Ralph, Bonita, Jimmy, Billy the Skywatcher, and J. P. possess something that he and the world badly need.
The accused, J. P., is a gentle man who can't tell time or temperature, but wants you to be happy. Is he also a killer? The bureaucracy judges him so and sends him to an institution for the criminally insane. His friends know that if they do not get him back he will wither and die.
Meanwhile, Jon has his own problems. He finds himself threatened not so much by disintegration as by normality--the meaninglessness of the mundane. Alive but trivial.
While searching for something to fill the emptiness and for a way to rescue his client and friend, Jon unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged wife, Zillah, and he has an unsettling encounter with an unusual nun who presents him a way of seeing the world that puzzles and intrigues him.
200 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2016
17 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Taylor
153 books62 followersDaniel Taylor (Ph.D., Emory University) is the author of eighteen books, including The Myth of Certainty, Letters to My Children, Tell Me A Story: The Life-Shaping Power of Our Stories, Creating a Spiritual Legacy, The Skeptical Believer: Telling Stories to Your Inner Atheist, Believing Again: Stories of Leaving and Returning to Faith, and a four novel mystery series, beginning with Death Comes for the Decontructionist and ending with The Mystery of Iniquity. His most recent novel, The Prodigal of Leningrad, is set in that city during the Nazi siege of World War II. He has also worked on a number of Bible translations. He speaks frequently at conferences, colleges, retreats, and churches on a variety of topics. Dr. Taylor is also co-founder of The Legacy Center, an organization devoted to helping individuals and organizations identify and preserve the values and stories that have shaped their lives. He was a contributing editor for Books and Culture. Dr. Taylor is married and the father of four adult children. Website: www.WordTaylor.com
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 3, 2019
To me, Daniel Taylor is one of the best fiction writers in the Christian faith. His existential wrestlings ground his work and alert me that I'm in the company of someone who knows through experience that Christianity does not simplify ones' life.
He's probably a lot like John Mote, the central character of Do We Not Bleed?
John is the first to tell you he doesn't know WTF is going on in this life and in the world, and that's his story. Luckily for him, the "Specials" have his back in DWNB?
The Specials are the clients at an adult residential facility and they are clearly and wonderfully drawn. Taylor gets a lot of mileage out of few words and that's not easy to do. He's not one much for landscaping and world building, but the story moves along briskly with good roles for each character. Bonita is definitely my favorite. She had me cracking up in several spots. Not only is she special, she's also a bad ass. Don't forget it and you better bring the pop (i.e., soda).
You can read the synopsis to see what this book is about; I won't repeat that. What makes the book worth my time is John's struggle with his Baptist faith and teachings and his willingness to keep asking the tough questions. I also like his humor and cynicism. Taylor is a deft hand at mixing scripture and situation to illustrate Mote's often existential point, which turns out funny if you know scripture and don't take yourself too seriously. Mote's a pro at that. He's a self-described failure at life and if not for love in his life, he probably wouldn't be around after the first novel, Death Comes for the Deconstructionist
.
Did I mention it's a murder mystery, too? Yeah, he makes that happen. In fact, it's the central conflict in the story. The ending is a bit tidy, but I'm willing to forgive that.
At just under 200 pages and not a sermon in sight, Do We Not Bleed? is worth the read. I look forward to picking up Daniel Taylor's next John Mote novel.
He's probably a lot like John Mote, the central character of Do We Not Bleed?
John is the first to tell you he doesn't know WTF is going on in this life and in the world, and that's his story. Luckily for him, the "Specials" have his back in DWNB?The Specials are the clients at an adult residential facility and they are clearly and wonderfully drawn. Taylor gets a lot of mileage out of few words and that's not easy to do. He's not one much for landscaping and world building, but the story moves along briskly with good roles for each character. Bonita is definitely my favorite. She had me cracking up in several spots. Not only is she special, she's also a bad ass. Don't forget it and you better bring the pop (i.e., soda).
You can read the synopsis to see what this book is about; I won't repeat that. What makes the book worth my time is John's struggle with his Baptist faith and teachings and his willingness to keep asking the tough questions. I also like his humor and cynicism. Taylor is a deft hand at mixing scripture and situation to illustrate Mote's often existential point, which turns out funny if you know scripture and don't take yourself too seriously. Mote's a pro at that. He's a self-described failure at life and if not for love in his life, he probably wouldn't be around after the first novel, Death Comes for the Deconstructionist
.Did I mention it's a murder mystery, too? Yeah, he makes that happen. In fact, it's the central conflict in the story. The ending is a bit tidy, but I'm willing to forgive that.
At just under 200 pages and not a sermon in sight, Do We Not Bleed? is worth the read. I look forward to picking up Daniel Taylor's next John Mote novel.
February 12, 2018
He’s done it again!
I loved Daniel Taylor’s first Jon Mote mystery, especially getting inside the voice-filled head of the main character with all of his seemingly random yet deeply insightful (and completely hilarious!) thoughts vectoring off in all directions and leaving no allusion unturned. I also loved meeting Jon’s special and sweet sister, Judy, who, though limited and hurt in obvious ways, was also more able than most people to see things as they are really are and to trust Jesus no matter what. It wasn’t perfect (the murder mystery plot kind of fizzled), but it was deeply satisfying and thought provoking.
It seemed, however, unrepeatable. Boy, I’m glad I was wrong about that!
Jon Mote is back again. A little more “hinged” this time. A little more “together.” But not all the way there. You feel the whole time like he might be pulled under by the currents in his own mind. This time, there is a murder among the residents of the group home at which Judy lives and Jon works. The setting is perfect for sharp thinking about disability, personhood, dignity, and the image of God. It’s also good for guffaws and belly laughs. Taylor’s mind is very nimble! I disappeared into this book for several hours and came out with a big grin on my face.
Do We Not Bleed is not for everyone. If it was a movie, it would be rated PG-13. The language is crude (though realistic for the characters depicted) and the evil is...evil. If you don’t tend to read modern murder mysteries, you might want to steer clear of this one, too. But it is also God-entranced. Not only is Jon Mote back, but Judy Mote is too, and she, as always, steals the show. I feel like I know these folks; that they are kin. And I’m hoping they visit us again.
I loved Daniel Taylor’s first Jon Mote mystery, especially getting inside the voice-filled head of the main character with all of his seemingly random yet deeply insightful (and completely hilarious!) thoughts vectoring off in all directions and leaving no allusion unturned. I also loved meeting Jon’s special and sweet sister, Judy, who, though limited and hurt in obvious ways, was also more able than most people to see things as they are really are and to trust Jesus no matter what. It wasn’t perfect (the murder mystery plot kind of fizzled), but it was deeply satisfying and thought provoking.
It seemed, however, unrepeatable. Boy, I’m glad I was wrong about that!
Jon Mote is back again. A little more “hinged” this time. A little more “together.” But not all the way there. You feel the whole time like he might be pulled under by the currents in his own mind. This time, there is a murder among the residents of the group home at which Judy lives and Jon works. The setting is perfect for sharp thinking about disability, personhood, dignity, and the image of God. It’s also good for guffaws and belly laughs. Taylor’s mind is very nimble! I disappeared into this book for several hours and came out with a big grin on my face.
Do We Not Bleed is not for everyone. If it was a movie, it would be rated PG-13. The language is crude (though realistic for the characters depicted) and the evil is...evil. If you don’t tend to read modern murder mysteries, you might want to steer clear of this one, too. But it is also God-entranced. Not only is Jon Mote back, but Judy Mote is too, and she, as always, steals the show. I feel like I know these folks; that they are kin. And I’m hoping they visit us again.
January 2, 2020
A very enjoyable read that explores the depths of who we are as human beings. Mote is relatable and real.
April 24, 2020
This book and Taylor's previous book, Death Comes for the Deconstructionist, are Jon Mote mysteries, (though they are much more characterizations than mysteries, emphasis on character, not a lot of plot). I enjoyed both greatly. Mote is a lapsed Baptist who entertains thoughts from a variety of philosophers, pop culture icons, and movies/TV/advertising. He is uncertain of it all, and has experienced schizophrenia before any of the stories have begun. But Jon has a sense of morality. He loves his sister, Judy, who suffered brain damage in an auto accident, and as a result has a certain way of seeing things, which influences Jon. He recognizes the respectability of people with special needs in this story. He is confessional in his faults. His culture has presented him with the tools to constantly doubt himself, but it has not taken away his core. I think the character well reflects the modern young man.
February 4, 2018
Novels featuring convincing portrayals of adults with developmental disabilities are few and far between. In Do We Not Bleed, Daniel Taylor creates a whole cast of them, each of whom plays a distinct role in helping Jon Mote to unravel this new mystery. Jon Mote, whose sister is one of the residents at a group home where he works, shows a great deal of respect and even admiration for the straightforward way these residents interact with their world, but he also displays a warm sense of humor about the challenges.
I was glad to see a thoughtful fiction writer opening important discussions about differing approaches to helping people with developmental disabilities. Daniel Taylor has a knack for making abstract philosophy personal through his believable characters, and I can't wait to see what he has turned his attention towards for his next novel.
I was glad to see a thoughtful fiction writer opening important discussions about differing approaches to helping people with developmental disabilities. Daniel Taylor has a knack for making abstract philosophy personal through his believable characters, and I can't wait to see what he has turned his attention towards for his next novel.
February 18, 2018
I enjoyed this second offering to the what appears to be a series about reluctant detective Jon Mote much more than I did the first. The plot, in particular, seemed much more believable and the last line is worth the read. What was even more fun was the consistent jab at politically correct culture. Dan pokes fun at the predictable targets--bureaucracy, politics, philosophy, media. But he certainly takes a risk with his preeminent target, social work especially as it relates to care of the challenged. Of course, one of his main concerns is theological. Questions of meaning, purpose, destiny/destination, failure and sin are all on his radar as Jon wrestles with his demons.
I heartily recommend this series, such as it is at this point, and hope that Dan has many years to tell more tales of Jon and his existential challenges.
I heartily recommend this series, such as it is at this point, and hope that Dan has many years to tell more tales of Jon and his existential challenges.
March 4, 2019
Christianity Today "Award of Merit" book for 2019, Do We Not Bleed is one of the most unusual novels I've read. Quirky, witty, intelligent, compassionate, full of great characters, engaging plot. Appeals to faith and even ventures a bit into Christian apologetics--all while, for better or worse, maintaining PG-13 language and themes. (Not your typical Christian novel, for sure--but bear in mind that the only Christians in the whole novel are a down's syndrome woman and a nun who only gets two speaking parts in the whole thing.) Thought-provoking questions about faith, culture, and the value of life. I couldn't put it down.
October 19, 2019
A bit of a mess
My actual rating would be 2.5. The theme of people with cognitive delays and how they view the world and others view them is absolutely wonderful. It is funny and sad and I opening all at the same time. The main character is a mess and knows it. And since the story is told from his point of view, the story is a mess. I wanted more of the conclusion so I assume there will be another Jon Mote book. I guess it is reflective of how messy life is in general but it doesn't make for a good story in my opinion.
My actual rating would be 2.5. The theme of people with cognitive delays and how they view the world and others view them is absolutely wonderful. It is funny and sad and I opening all at the same time. The main character is a mess and knows it. And since the story is told from his point of view, the story is a mess. I wanted more of the conclusion so I assume there will be another Jon Mote book. I guess it is reflective of how messy life is in general but it doesn't make for a good story in my opinion.
August 16, 2019
I found this refreshing as a Christian novel. There's honest questioning of faith, but no neat and tidy answers. The ramblings and asides of the narrator Jon Mote are intriguing, witty, and just feel like a true representation of someone's inner thought life. The characters come alive and are respectful and again honest descriptions of adults with various disabilities. The plot is not fast and thick, but still moves along in a way that you want to know more. I hope there's a sequel to this!
August 16, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up.
A captivating novel-driven commentary on reality, what it means to be human, intrinsic value, and normal vs special. The underlying mystery is not all that mysterious and resolves abruptly, and i could do without most of the narrator's stray thoughts (just like we don't need to see all of your vacation photos - some things are better left in the drawer). But the discussion with Sister Brigit is magnificent and worth your time all by itself. Recommended.
A captivating novel-driven commentary on reality, what it means to be human, intrinsic value, and normal vs special. The underlying mystery is not all that mysterious and resolves abruptly, and i could do without most of the narrator's stray thoughts (just like we don't need to see all of your vacation photos - some things are better left in the drawer). But the discussion with Sister Brigit is magnificent and worth your time all by itself. Recommended.
January 4, 2018
Another terrific story from D. Taylor about the 'detective' and his sister and more. Significantly different in character from his Deconstructionist story, yet just enough follow-through. Among other highlights, the story subtly yet effectively affirms the humanity of the more broken among us. Well done; highly recommended.
March 15, 2018
Daniel Taylor is a gifted writer with an outstanding understanding of persons with disabilities. We have read both of the Jon Mote mysteries, and eagerly wait the release of the next one. The characters in this current book are developed very well, and the story is told with humor and attention to details. A great read - and a real page-turner!
January 20, 2019
The most human, christian, murder mystery yet to be written.
Outstanding in plot, characterization, writing, summary, and humor with hopes for another "Jon Mote Mystery" in the near future. The combination of Taylor's "Death Comes To The Deconstructionist" and this novel is truly breath taking. There's got to be another one in this author's repertoire somewhere.
Outstanding in plot, characterization, writing, summary, and humor with hopes for another "Jon Mote Mystery" in the near future. The combination of Taylor's "Death Comes To The Deconstructionist" and this novel is truly breath taking. There's got to be another one in this author's repertoire somewhere.
August 20, 2019
Great book and a fun read.
I enjoyed the humor and found myself laughing out loud at a number of points. I liked the natural way of bringing up theology. My only criticism was that the bad guy was very apparent. The book is great for those who enjoy a unique combination of humor, detective theme, and Christian theology in a witty format which are a difficult combination!
I enjoyed the humor and found myself laughing out loud at a number of points. I liked the natural way of bringing up theology. My only criticism was that the bad guy was very apparent. The book is great for those who enjoy a unique combination of humor, detective theme, and Christian theology in a witty format which are a difficult combination!
March 1, 2017
Daniel Taylor, Do We Not Bleed? (Eugene, OR: Slant, 2017).
I have a big problem with Daniel Taylor’s new “Jon Mote Mystery,” as the cover describes Do We Not Bleed? To wit: A book this good should have a sequel ready for me to take up once I’ve put this one down. Unfortunately, fans of Taylor’s (now) two novels about Jon and his sister Judy will just have to wait for (what I hope to be) a third novel in the not-too-distant future.
Do We Not Bleed? follows the events of Death Comes for the Deconstructionist, Taylor’s first book in this series. (Does a pair constitute a series?) Jon has begun to recover from the psychological wounds he was experiencing in the first book. He has become an employee at New Directions, a care facility for developmentally disabled and cognitively impaired persons at which his older sister Judy, who has Downs Syndrome, lives.
Most of the novel focuses on the ups and downs of living with the people Jon has come to call “Specials” (as opposed to “Normals”). He—that is Jon, in whose voice Daniel Taylor writes —humanizes his charges in a way that had me laughing and crying, empathizing with their plight, and gaining a new critical perspective on the way “Normals” think and talk about and act toward “Specials.” Hint: We “Normals,” who are far less normal and far more special than we often think, too often treat our fellow humans as problems to be solved rather than as “friends” to be loved and loved by. That is, in my opinion, the most critical insight of this wise, deeply humane book.
How badly we treat “Specials” becomes especially apparent when one of the New Directions residents is murdered, and one of Jon's charges is blamed. Jon, Judy, and company know their friend is innocent, but the evidence seems stacked up against that person, at least stacked high enough to move them to a locked-facility for the criminally insane—though without trial. Resolving this case becomes Jon’s and Judy’s and friends’ mission. I’ll let you read Do We Not Bleed? to find out the result.
Daniel Taylor writes beautifully, his characters are interesting, he wears his humanity on his sleeve, and—like I said above—the only shame is that there isn’t already a sequel to this beautiful novel that I can begin reading today.
As a series reader, I encourage you to pick up Death Comes for the Deconstructionist before you read Do We Need Bleed? It’s an excellent novel on its own right, but it provides the background to this story. So, read it first!
_____
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
I have a big problem with Daniel Taylor’s new “Jon Mote Mystery,” as the cover describes Do We Not Bleed? To wit: A book this good should have a sequel ready for me to take up once I’ve put this one down. Unfortunately, fans of Taylor’s (now) two novels about Jon and his sister Judy will just have to wait for (what I hope to be) a third novel in the not-too-distant future.
Do We Not Bleed? follows the events of Death Comes for the Deconstructionist, Taylor’s first book in this series. (Does a pair constitute a series?) Jon has begun to recover from the psychological wounds he was experiencing in the first book. He has become an employee at New Directions, a care facility for developmentally disabled and cognitively impaired persons at which his older sister Judy, who has Downs Syndrome, lives.
Most of the novel focuses on the ups and downs of living with the people Jon has come to call “Specials” (as opposed to “Normals”). He—that is Jon, in whose voice Daniel Taylor writes —humanizes his charges in a way that had me laughing and crying, empathizing with their plight, and gaining a new critical perspective on the way “Normals” think and talk about and act toward “Specials.” Hint: We “Normals,” who are far less normal and far more special than we often think, too often treat our fellow humans as problems to be solved rather than as “friends” to be loved and loved by. That is, in my opinion, the most critical insight of this wise, deeply humane book.
How badly we treat “Specials” becomes especially apparent when one of the New Directions residents is murdered, and one of Jon's charges is blamed. Jon, Judy, and company know their friend is innocent, but the evidence seems stacked up against that person, at least stacked high enough to move them to a locked-facility for the criminally insane—though without trial. Resolving this case becomes Jon’s and Judy’s and friends’ mission. I’ll let you read Do We Not Bleed? to find out the result.
Daniel Taylor writes beautifully, his characters are interesting, he wears his humanity on his sleeve, and—like I said above—the only shame is that there isn’t already a sequel to this beautiful novel that I can begin reading today.
As a series reader, I encourage you to pick up Death Comes for the Deconstructionist before you read Do We Need Bleed? It’s an excellent novel on its own right, but it provides the background to this story. So, read it first!
_____
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
March 29, 2018
Love The Specials
The Mote siblings are adult brother and sister with unique challenges. I loved the characters in the group home. Billie in particular is a mystery, would love to hear what he’s thinking. The mystery is not as important or as impressive as the characters.
The Mote siblings are adult brother and sister with unique challenges. I loved the characters in the group home. Billie in particular is a mystery, would love to hear what he’s thinking. The mystery is not as important or as impressive as the characters.
August 14, 2017
An great 2nd installment in the Jon Mote Mystery series. Local setting, endearing characters and a mystery make for a page-turning combo!
August 23, 2018
Jon Mote's first act of detection led him back through the halls of academe and its discontents, with language always in play. This time, Mote finds himself in the offices of good intentions in the world of group homes, social work, and mainstreaming. Again, language is ever in play, delightfully so and to good ends. The constant turning over of euphemisms, if you find this to be fun and not annoying, can work to a reasoned conclusion: We must learn more about ourselves so as not to pity "special needs" people. Along with this sustained awareness of how we use language to separate ourselves, there is a great story here. Daniel Taylor gets the world of group homes spot on. Judy and Jon are at their best again, stumbling through life and being in the wrong place at the right time. Only one small bit: I noticed a shift in tone toward triumph at the climax of the book. I suppose that even Jon Mote deserves this, but it felt not quite equal to the rest of the book. Other than that, this story is richly humane. Well worth your time.
November 1, 2018
Easy read, from an interesting first person perspective. Not gripping, but intriguing.
November 10, 2018
This was a good book.
You should read it.
You should read it.
April 1, 2022
Loved it loved it loved it! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, read through it quickly, and re-read sections of it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
April 5, 2024
I can't get enough of Jon and Judy Mote, and this wonderful series! Rare novels indeed - wonderfully entertaining, deep, moving, and so gloriously well-written.
September 17, 2018
Enjoyable, mostly for all the asides Mote throws into his inner monologue, but also for the hilarious group home characters. I appreciate what Taylor's doing, too. This is a thoroughly Christian novel in the best ways.
The mystery plays a back seat. Agatha Christie fans may be disappointed.
The mystery plays a back seat. Agatha Christie fans may be disappointed.
November 28, 2017
Daniel Taylor's second Jon Mote novel is another tour-de-force of wit, story, philosophy, and sheer literary beauty. If you liked the first novel, "Death Comes for the Deconstructionist", you will most certainly like "Do We Not Bleed?"
We continue to grow more in love with the Mote siblings, as we learn more about Jon, and what makes him tick. Or not. Judy is her same old wonderful, trusting, and lovable self. Throw into the mix a different setting, a lovable new set of characters, and a surprise appearance from the past, and you have the makings for a wonderful novel.
If you are looking for the next 007 action, or Dean Koontz-style thriller, you had best move along. The story moves along at a methodical pace, especially in the middle. This isn't a bad thing, because we are treated to Taylor's superb prose, and his way of describing situations and people that just make you want to keep reading.
And just like the first novel, Taylor uses Jon's thoughts as a platform for a number of philosophical musings - the difference between "normal" and "special", abortion, love, fate, and of course, God. Taylor has a knack for making you think, for making you reconsider your"ironclad" stance, but without being heavy-handed. It's a line that is very hard to walk, but Taylor does it most of the time seemingly without effort.
I rated the first book a 5, but this one only a 4. In my opinion, the first novel set the bar so high, the second one can't quite get there. For one, as I alluded to earlier, the story is a bit slower than the previous novel. And in the case of his musings, and his particular style of humor, wit, and contradiction, I felt he may have gone to the well a bit too much this time around.
But these are only minor quibbles, and I mention them only to justify the 4 rating instead of a 5. The book is still excellent, better than the vast majority of fiction you will read this year. I laughed, I cried, and I heartily recommend it.
---------------
I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Maybe only 25 in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious
We continue to grow more in love with the Mote siblings, as we learn more about Jon, and what makes him tick. Or not. Judy is her same old wonderful, trusting, and lovable self. Throw into the mix a different setting, a lovable new set of characters, and a surprise appearance from the past, and you have the makings for a wonderful novel.
If you are looking for the next 007 action, or Dean Koontz-style thriller, you had best move along. The story moves along at a methodical pace, especially in the middle. This isn't a bad thing, because we are treated to Taylor's superb prose, and his way of describing situations and people that just make you want to keep reading.
And just like the first novel, Taylor uses Jon's thoughts as a platform for a number of philosophical musings - the difference between "normal" and "special", abortion, love, fate, and of course, God. Taylor has a knack for making you think, for making you reconsider your"ironclad" stance, but without being heavy-handed. It's a line that is very hard to walk, but Taylor does it most of the time seemingly without effort.
I rated the first book a 5, but this one only a 4. In my opinion, the first novel set the bar so high, the second one can't quite get there. For one, as I alluded to earlier, the story is a bit slower than the previous novel. And in the case of his musings, and his particular style of humor, wit, and contradiction, I felt he may have gone to the well a bit too much this time around.
But these are only minor quibbles, and I mention them only to justify the 4 rating instead of a 5. The book is still excellent, better than the vast majority of fiction you will read this year. I laughed, I cried, and I heartily recommend it.
---------------
I noticed Amazon and Goodreads have a slightly different meanings to their 5-point scale. I thought it was odd to have a different rating for the same book on two different sites, so I came up with my own scale below. For the record, it is fairly close to Amazon's scale, but allows me to be consistent between the two sites.
5 - Fantastic. Life-altering. Maybe only 25 in a lifetime.
4 - Very good.
3 - Worth your time.
2 - Not very good.
1 - Atrocious
October 17, 2017
This sequel to Daniel Taylor's earlier book, Death Comes for the Deconstructionist is a joy to read! The first book is a great story in itself. It introduces the main characters in both stories and is a "must read" before you get to this one. Taylor's writing reminds me of Walker Percy. This second in what I hope is a continuing series of stories, surpasses even the first. It builds on the crises and pain that the main characters experience in the first book with much more hope and humor. Other reviewers here have done a good job of describing the story. All I want to add is, Daniel Taylor, thank you and please give us more.
July 12, 2019
The setting is a residence for mentally handicapped operated in a framework that is obsessed with normalizing and super sensitive language. One of the residents is murdered and there is a rush to judgement that leaves a terrible injustice in its wake. The main character is a staff person who cares for his sister in a group home, suffers mental health issues, has abandoned his Baptist upbringing for a façade of atheism, and who is prone to deep musings about life. The author uses him as most effective mouthpiece for some trenchant social commentary and to poke holes in widely held assumptions in our society that are rarely give serious thought. E.g. "I mean, how do I explain feeling terrible when my dog Blue died when I was a kid? What in the Great Explosion inscribed suffering into the passing of a mutt?"
March 22, 2017
Daniel Taylor has written what has been described as a “metaphysical murder mystery.”
Full disclosure: I picked it up because I’ve known Dan for a long time as a colleague and acquaintance.
The acerbic protagonist of this first person narrative almost made though grad school, and now works (part-time) in a group home for “Developmentally and Intellectually Challenged Persons.” He hasn’t heard the voices in his own head for a while now.
This is not a plot-driven whodunit.
The characters are well-drawn and well-rounded. The dialog is first-rate (actually the internal monologue is first-rate, though there is a remarkable conversation with a nun as well as a conversation he records between his ex-wife and his sister while he sits beside them and doesn’t get it. )
Well worth the read, though it has more in common with Jessica Grant’s wonderful comic novel, Come Thou, Tortoise than with Agatha Christie. One also detects notes of Jean Vanier and the L’Arche communities in the novel’s sensibilities.
Full disclosure: I picked it up because I’ve known Dan for a long time as a colleague and acquaintance.
The acerbic protagonist of this first person narrative almost made though grad school, and now works (part-time) in a group home for “Developmentally and Intellectually Challenged Persons.” He hasn’t heard the voices in his own head for a while now.
This is not a plot-driven whodunit.
The characters are well-drawn and well-rounded. The dialog is first-rate (actually the internal monologue is first-rate, though there is a remarkable conversation with a nun as well as a conversation he records between his ex-wife and his sister while he sits beside them and doesn’t get it. )
Well worth the read, though it has more in common with Jessica Grant’s wonderful comic novel, Come Thou, Tortoise than with Agatha Christie. One also detects notes of Jean Vanier and the L’Arche communities in the novel’s sensibilities.
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