Twice Freed

The author explained in a way that kids & adults will understand, what it's like to not have somebody trust you, and to have somebody betray that trust. I think that even though it is supposed to be a child's book it can be for all age groups!Great read aloud. What I did NOT like about the book was that it ended too soon!

Twice Freed by Patricia St. John deals with the subjects of consequences, and accepting responsibility for your actions. My fourth grader and I both enjoyed the adventures of Onesimus, a young boy in the Roman Empire.

TWICE FREED, by Patricia St John has made a real impact on our family. We read it aloud and found it both CAPTIVATING and INSTRUCTIVE. The author basically tells a story about Onesimus and his slave-master Philemon--two lesser known characters from the New Testament. The story line, depth of character development, and ease of reading will appeal to CHILDREN; The remarkable true-to-the-first-century AD grasp of early Christianity, history, social structure, geography and Bible characters will fascinate more MATURE READERS who have an interest the Bible. Patricia St. John manages to follow Onesimus from Colosse to Ephesus, Laodicia, etc. and eventually to Athens and Rome. Along the way Onesimus keeps running into those who have been saved and caught up in this strange upstart religion: Christianity. Short of telling the whole plot, Philemon (the master) becomes a Christian as well as many in his household. Onesimus (the slave) resents/ hates his master and through the book is running not only from his master, but from the Christ whose people keep popping up in his life and demonstrating their Savior's love. WE WERE ENCOURAGED by reading this book to be more like those Christian people who keep popping up in the lives of those running from the One we so love. We've read several of this author's books and have come to appreciate her ability portray real characters with an eye to what is going on at the level of the conscience. I had a friend of mine who has a PhD in NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES and has visited these archeological sites numerous times read the book and tell me what he thought of the book in terms of historical details. He felt that they are very accurate in most cases. I'M RECOMMENDING the book to Christians both young and old, but probably the intended audience is 10-25 range. PARENTS, especially--read it aloud to the family; talk about it. I pray that you'll be blessed by this book as we have been.

Patricia St. John writes an amazing story based on the book of Philemon and the story of Onesimus and Paul. Her historical details and descriptive language make the story come alive. The Biblical truth woven through the book is inspiring and challenging. This is one that I have read over and over.

I first read this book when I was about twelve--then the book was fascinating. I re-read it about a month ago (I am currently nineteen), and it was incredible. Obviously coming from a Christian perspective, the book was very uplifting, but just as another book, it is truly wonderful. It captures the essence of the early wave of Christianity in Rome, including the accurate portrayl of the persecution, but doesn't spend time dwelling on it. The only thing slightly inaccurate was the portrayl of Onesimus as a gladiator. The psychological and emotional stages were effective, but it seems as though the author had seen "Spartecus" and borrowed the fight scene and gave it a different ending. Moreover, the condition of the gladiators was greatly downplayed. But despite this slight shortcoming, the book kept my attention. Also the dialogue in several situations is somewhat juvenile, but the speakers usually were quite young, so the situation remains suitable. I highly recommend this book.