MY REVIEW:
“The Opposite of Art” is one of those books that is a true literary gem. The story is so multi-layered and so filled with metaphors and vivid imagery that a person could probably read it several times and still not glean all its buried treasure. Many of the character names have hidden symbolism that applies not only to the character but to the overall story.
The primary character is Sheridan Riddler, a narcissistic but brilliant artist whose near death experience sends him on a pilgrimage to recapture the “glory” he experienced. Convinced his talent can reproduce what he so briefly glimpsed, Riddler’s quest takes him around the world to learn the secrets of varied religions in hope that one will provide the answers he seeks. Over and over again he is disappointed to find that religion only provides a shadow of the truth he tasted.
To be honest, I didn’t much like Sheridan Riddler – possibly because he is too much like me and his journey was vaguely familiar. Aren’t we all seeking the same truth Riddler longed to find? At the same time, we are all just as stubbornly looking for someone else to provide the answers.
Although “The Opposite of Art” is discreetly and tastefully written, many Christians may be offended by the author’s honest representation of Riddler’s immoral lifestyle. Yet how can there be redemption without sin?
The beauty of “The Opposite of Art” is that there are so many lessons within it. Today I can tell you that it illustrates our search for God for all the wrong reasons and in all the wrong places. Tomorrow I may have a different understanding of what I read. I recommend “The Opposite of Art” but only if you are prepared for a story that will make you think.
This book was provided for review by
LeAnn Hamby with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A great artist is cast into the icy Harlem River by a hit-and-run driver. His heart stops, and he sees something that defies description. Presumed dead by all who knew him and obsessed with the desire to paint the inexpressible, he embarks on a pilgrimage to seek help from holy men around the globe. But is it possible to see eternity without becoming lost within it? After a quarter of a century, when the world begins to whisper that he may be alive, two people come looking for the artist: the daughter he never knew existed, and the murderer who hit him on the bridge all those years ago.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Athol Dickson is the publisher of the popular news website, DailyCristo.com, and the author of seven novels and the bestselling memoir, The Gospel according to Moses. His novels of suspense and magical realism have been honored with three Christy Awards and an Audie Award, and compared to the work of Octavia Butler (by Publisher’s Weekly) and Flannery O’Connor (by The New York Times). He and his wife live in Southern California.
