Elijah Z. > Recent Status Updates

Although I do appreciate how the author emphasized the importance of living a Godly life, I think he went too far in some places:

"Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot restrain thee from evil, that at least the fear of hell should hold thee back."

Why impose the fear of hell on Christians when Christ already saved His elect from hellfire? Woe to those who deny the efficacy of our Savior's blood!

"And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly are we cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort."

The problem with reading fantasy/epic fiction is that I never know which pieces of information are important. So, I often find myself coming across a bunch of weird names (Gonalen, Priamos, Malbien...), largely ignoring them because it's impossible to remember everything, but only to find myself at a loss afterwards on who is who and who did what. Ebooks make things even worse since navigation is so inconvenient.

Lengthy romantic depictions are making the plot less enjoyable for me...

"Lygia raised her hand and, taking his palm, wished to press it to her lips; but he whispered, as if fearing to frighten happiness,--'No, Lygia, no! It is I who honor thee and exalt thee; give me thy hands.'
'I love thee.'
He had pressed his lips to her hands, white as jessamine, and for a time they heard only the beating of their own hearts."

Despite its somewhat nauseating depiction of Roman debauchery and the tedious romance plot, the novel still has many interesting parts in its first thirty chapters that reflect strong Christian morals. Strangely enough, I honestly can't decide whether I like or dislike this book so far.

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19)

Amen.

Reading this book has been one of the most traumatizing experiences in my life. It seems that the author was determined to inveigh against every single thing I believe in, ranging from pro-life to the very fundamentals of the Christian faith.