Conceived Without Sin

MacFarlane is no Shakespeare. This is not the best writing on the planet (far from it) but it is pure A+ popcorn literature. MacFarlane creates characters so real that I feel they must be real. The dialogue is so insightful that I have new insights on the religious life, priesthood, marriage, and a host of other things. Every Catholic should read this book.It isn't as good as "Pierced by a Sword", his first work, for those who read it, only because this is not apocalypic at all. The supernatural elements of the previous book aren't here and I love science fiction, so I recommend that first.

I have to admit that I read this book out of order. It is the second of what could be considered a trilogy with Pierced by a Sword and House of Gold being the first and third books in the series. I read this book first. I have since read both of the other books and recommend them highly. However, I consider Conceived Without Sin to be one of the most important and meaningful books that I have read in my life. Bud MacFarlane, Jr. has created a totally realistic view of contemporary American life and given it a kick-in-the-pants with his memorable characters who represent each of us. I found myself identifying with various characteristics from each of these characters. While the main plot is absolutely riveting and worth the time to read the book, I found the most insightful portions of the book to be contained in its various subplots. In one of the subplots, the character named Mark Johnson, who believes that he is a real man's man, learns what being tough is all about. His wife throws him out of her life and seriously threatens divorce. He finally seeks and finds help, through other characters, to learn what marriage and family life is all about and how to be a real husband. Through this experience and his subsequent renewal of faith, he learns about what it take to be a truly tough guy; sacrifice. While there is a great deal of the profound contained in the pages of this book, it is enjoyably and understandably delivered though everyday life situations. Many of these situations will make you laugh and some will bring tears to your eyes but what is great is they ultimately help you to better understand the truly profound. As with any good book that I have ever read, I did not want this one to end. I wanted to know what happened to the characters that had become my friends; Buzz, Donna, Sam, Ellie, Mark, Bill and "The Man." I got that opportunity in the third book, House of Gold. However, it was this book, Conceived Without Sin, that brought me to a deeper understanding of friendship, marriage, my faith and being the person God wants, no, expects me to be. I give this book my highest recommendation.

This book is a must read for any catholic, or anyone who is looking for understaning in their own life. This book opened my eyes to a whole new world of spirituality.

This is the second book that Bud McFarland, Jr. has written, and it is AWESOME! Much like his first book "Pierced by a Sword", it is based on real life things that could be, and probably are, happening today! I found myself really being one of the characters, as I too have a friend who is an atheist!I recommend this book to EVERYONE! It's a great story, very well written and easy to read! You will get drawn into the characters, and have a difficult time putting it down! This is a great book! Check it out!

Awesome book, just fantastic, I couldn't put it down...I almost wanted to find Bud MacFarlane Jr. and ask him how all the characters were! Great inspiration for writers, and people with faith/no faith or any kind of faith. I strongly recommend this book. A person would be silly to pass it up! Excellent work, Bud MacFarlane Jr. A real prize for the Catholic Faith! WRITE ON! :)