Honor in the Dust

Honor in the Dust blew me away. I was totally enthralled by the book and didn't want to put it down. I don't think I've ever read a book by Gilbert Morris before, though my husband has and he seemed to enjoy the stories. Now I can see why. This novel truly impressed me. For people who love reading about King Henry VIII and his many problems having a son, his issues with the church, and his numerous affairs, this will definitely fit that taste. However, the book is more about God using William Tyndale to translate the Bible into English so the common people could read God's word. It follows the infamous Winslow clan that Gilbert is known for creating for his many House of Winslow books. I love stories that delve so much into the culture that you feel like you are there. Morris does this well with just enough detail to make the setting come alive, but without grossing you out at the same time. He also lets his characters mess things up and suffer the consequences. He doesn't gloss over their sin and the shame that comes with it. Morris also does a fantastic job of putting his characters into seemingly impossible situations and having God and/or His people come through for them, but not every single time. Life isn't like that and Morris doesn't portray it that way. However, when good triumphs over evil and when God changes the hearts of several characters, as a reader I couldn't help cheering for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

"Honor in the Dust" is my first experience reading a book by Gilbert Morris if you can believe that with my loving Christian Historical Fiction, but you can believe that it will not be my last. This being a prequel for a previous Winslow Series, I am excited that there are already some books for me to jump back to as well as being excited for the rest of the Winslow Breed series to come in 2010 and 2011. Set in England in the time period of King Henry VIII makes an interesting background as the story goes through two generations and really brings a reader to care about the families and individual characters involved, one can really see the young men grow and blossom in their relationships. There are many themes in this book. Besides from being a good read overall, there are lessons available to learn. From similarities in life to Biblical lessons to trying to hold strong in ones "honor" in a temptation arena, the challenges are realistic and hard. With historical characters such as Queen Catherine, King Henry VIII, and William Tyndale make it very interesting. There is sword play and adventure, betrayal and romance, espionage and disguise and a dozen other features that make this an all around enjoyable read.

As he struggles with achieving acceptability and affluence amidst the aristocracy, Stuart Winslow adheres to his vow to never do what his father did. Stuart loves his mom, but his dad chose her and abject poverty over his aristocratic family's wealth; his steadfast goal is to obtain what his father threw away. He works hard at weapons design and shows a natural propensity for falconry. These two skills obtain him a position in the court of King Henry VIII. Stuart feels great that he achieves the first step in his strategic life plan. However, he finds the court frighteningly wicked and enticingly tempting as vice is the norm; he also learns the hard way to trust no one as backstabbing is the other norm. William Tyndale proclaims for all to hear that he will translate the Bible from Latin into the language of the commoner. Henry VIII declares that is heresy, arrests William and sentences him to death. Anyone who speaks out for William, his project or against his sentence will also be executed. Stuart finds himself in a dilemma as he believes in William's project that will bring Jesus to the masses. If he chooses the King's world as represented by Nell his soul will probably die; if he chooses William's world as represented by Heather; his life will probably end. Over several decades mostly in the early sixteenth century, Gilbert Morris compares the overindulgences of the materialistic Tudors starting with the monarch and the courageous pious actions of those who risk their lives for their beliefs like real person William. Thus Stuart desires to be accepted by the former as one of them though he disdains their behavior and admires the latter. Fans will enjoy this well written historical drama as Mr. Morris captures the essence of the era of the first Tudor monarch while inspiring his audience to not let material desires for more than one needs supersede faith. Harriet Klausner

I hesitated to read this book for review as I hate posting reviews about books I do not like alot, and when I saw it was about the Winslows and by Gilbert Morris, I wondered if I would be able to like it! But since I know that some of Gilbert Morris books I have loved as well as hated some, I got it and I am glad I did. It may be a precursor to the long House of Winslow series, but you do not see it in this book. I loved the story! It really wound alot of history through it with King Henry lllV, Anne Boleyn, William Tyndale, and other well known characters in history through it. If these were the ancestors of the House of Winslow, he did an excellent job of telling a good story of their history. Don't get me wrong, I loved the House of Winslow series, the first several that is.... Anyhow, if you enjoy a good historical fictional story, you will enjoy this one. True to Gilbert Morris fashion, the young man in the story is somewhat wild though before coming to Christ, but there is a conversion and change in him that is obvious and not a overnight switch. But because of some of the things mentioned in his wild part of his life, I would recommend this for older readers

It's seldom that I get to read about Tutor life in such wonderful detail. Included in this story are: King Henry's Progress, falconry, life in the mews, masques, and the various sports played during that time period. Politics and crimes abound in King Henry VIII's court. This Christian historical fiction is a delightful read. The characters are quite believable. I really liked Stuart, even though there were times that I wanted to sit him down for a talk! Although historically correct, the ending cannot be easily guessed. This is the first in the trilogy; I cannot wait for the next novel! Discussion questions are included.