The Fifth Commandment

by Eve Gaal

After Christina breaks the Fifth Commandment, strange things begin to happen - and take her away from home in Normal, Illinois. Now, she's back and has to tell them the story within a story, but how can she make them believe? So she had made a mistake - but didn't all teenagers do the same thing? The Fifth Commandment is a supernatural memoir entwined with a plot drenching with old-fashioned religious guilt, and short enough to finish in a single sitting - perhaps lounging by the pool or sitting in the garden. The novella follows Christina into a confessional and starts at what we would consider our weakest point. The point when we first admit our sin.

Hardcover

About the author

Eve’s writing began with a toy typewriter she received at age four. Much later, she wrote poems for school publications and work related newsletters until landing a job writing ad copy and selling advertising space for major metropolitan, and community newspapers. Her first novel Penniless Hearts, is part adventure, part romance, and a gentle reminder to communicate. Eve has published poems, fiction stories and non-fiction, in various anthologies, some of which are: Anything Prose and Poetry Too, Open Doors-Fractured Fairy Tales, and Not Your Mother’s Book on Dogs and Travel. She followed up Penniless Hearts with Penniless Souls, also a travel adventure but set in the Nevada desert. A short faith-based novella titled, The Fifth Commandment came later, and most recently, The Happy War, which is also a romantic travel adventure. When not writing, she likes swimming, reading and walking her Italian Greyhound mix.

Reviews

[Daniel Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short well put together engaging read that will leave you wanting more from this author.

[B. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Christina finds herself catapulted through the ethers after being the victim of a reckless cab driver who plowed into a group of tourists on Vatican Square. Hurtling through time and space she finds herself back in her hometown of Normal, Illinois, in the church confessional revealing her story to her favorite priest, Father Joe.
As she tells her tale about exotic locales, previous lives and fascinating occupations, she reveals also that she feels great guilt for breaking the Fifth Commandment - which is to Honor thy father and thy mother - and wishing her parents were less restrictive, more cool, not so embarrassingly ethnic, and that her life was more interesting and glamorous.
Are Christina’s afterlife exploits wild and colorful dreams, or actually religious experiences bordering on miraculous encounters with none other than St. Peter at the Gates of Heaven? This is what a three-priest panel who grills her incessantly tries to determine: should her divine revelations be disclosed to the church hierarchy for further exploration, or are they just “malarkey,” fabrications by a young girl who prefers to live in some fantasy world to escape her reality. Nonetheless, through her experiences - whether real or imagined - Christina realizes what it means to live the Fifth Commandment and to be grateful for the life and parents she has had.
Eve Gaal has managed to weave a captivating adventure with humor and style, lush with religious tenets and symbolism without being heavy handed or pedantic. The short story breezes along with characters that are interesting and quite down to earth. It will leave you guessing in a joyful and enlightening way.

[Kenna McKinnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short prologue puts the reader right in the middle of a fatal motor vehicle accident that is explained only later in the book. I found it charming and well written though the character of Father Joe might be suspect! The third rooster was a nice touch in the story featuring St. Peter and a teen girl who breaks the Fifth Commandment, "Honor your mother and father" and learns a valuable lesson.

Only a "cradle Catholic" would really appreciate this novellette, I think.

White, fluffy feathers abound and lend a touch of credence to Christina's story of angel wings and other lives. The classical musical theme which winds through the story makes me think it would make an excellent audio book incorporating the music described.

I'm not sure that two professors who teach at a local university would own such a modest house but there is reference to wealth in Christina's life, as well as a medical situation which would require the inference of a move from a third world country to America and the deep love and concern of her sometimes socially embarrassing (to a modern teen) immigrant parents.

Loved the ending!

I believe this story would be well suited to middle grade or young adult Christian readers.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written story with a spiritual leaning. Christina has broken the fifth commandment, but her story is much more than. She tries to explain to church leaders, but what has happened to her is even hard for them to understand. This is a tale of guilt, confessions and a look at different lives led.

[Suzanne Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Fifth Commandment," for me, goes beyond the idea of honoring our parents. It compels us to look at our own lives and consider if we would wish to be someone else with a different family. And, if we wished this, would we really take the opportunity to be someone else with a different family in a different town? Christina's narrative of her three lives challenges us to consider which we would choose. But, there is a lesson to be learned from her spiritual journeys, which leads her to a stronger appreciation of her situation.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character, is a young woman called Christina who after wishing she had different parents has a supernatural experience involving Saint Peter who gives her the opportunity to live alternate lives. After her experiences she finds herself back in her home town where she feels compelled to confess her sin of breaking the 5th commandment and her experience of of living alternative lives to the local priest. Will he her believe ? well I'm afraid I don't give away spoilers to find out what happens you will have to read this fabulous book.

But I will tell this was my first time reading anything by author Eve Gaal and I have to say I found this particular novel thought-provoking. You find yourself thinking what would life be like , how different would l have been if I'd had been born to a different family.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Father Joe sits in his confessional box waiting to hear how Christina has sinned, he has no idea of the spiritual journey that lies ahead. Inviting his clergy colleagues, Andrew & George, to listen to the teenager’s tale, all three men are left incredulous at what ensues. This is a deeply moving story of morals and expectations, beautifully told & perfectly executed. Religious subject matter is difficult to handle sincerely & tactfully but this author does both, leaving the reader sitting back to ponder well after the final chapter.

[Eileen Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina often wishes her parents were less restricting. She envies her friend Molly, who seems to to be allowed to do as she pleases. One day, after wishing she could change her parents, she goes to the church to confess her thoughts to Father Joe. However, he is so astounded as she pours out her thoughts, he asks another two priests to come and listen to what she has to say. Christian's amazing story of her previous lives on earth, both excites and astonishes the priests. But can they really believe what she is telling them?
I found this novella a delightful read. Ms Gaal keeps the reader intrigued right up to the very end. Charming and easy to read.

[Berk Rourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella which tells the story of a girl whose life is explained to a group of priests. They find her statements less than credible but almost have a need to have her finish the story of her existence. I will not tell you more. You must read it for yourself. I liked the story a lot but I did not love it. The characterization is fine, the story line is good, and it is an easy read. More than that you will have to glean from the book itself.