Let Go & Let God
The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful Christian historical dual timeline novel that I loved.
Once more Jaime Jo Wright has penned a dark and brooding novel that grabs the reader’s attention from the start. Scenes set at night and in an old dark theatre help to set the atmosphere. Amongst all the cloak and daggers, the reader tries to guess what is real and what is an illusion?
The action takes pace in 1915 and present day, with Barlowe theatre as its’ focus. There are rumours of lost boys and a woman in white walking abroad. What is real? Are there ghosts of the past that need to be put to rest?
In both time periods there are leading female characters who are struggling to find their place in society. Both feel abandoned by parents – one through death, and the other due to being adopted. They both struggle with feelings of self-worth. In 1915, one’s worth was attached to one’s position in society. “What would ruin someone of Eleanor’s status would merely go unnoticed by those in her world.” There are different rules for the different classes.
In present day the leading lady finds it difficult to trust that she is lovable as she was abandoned at birth by her birth mother. “Deep down… Kit felt disposable. Even her faith was challenged by the idea that God too must certainly have His limits of grace.” God is our loving Father. His love for us is unconditional and everlasting. The leading lady struggles to believe that God’s love is given freely to her and that she doesn’t have to earn it. “Human nature is conditional… But God is not.” Slowly her faith emerges. “A thin thread of belief that her value wasn’t based on conditions.”
We are introduced to the fearful Poor House. “The poor house does not offer care to those in need. It’s where you tuck away the unvalued, the unwanted.” Once inside, it was hard to escape. Unscrupulous leaders sold the poor as cheap labour to cities like Chicago where the practice went unnoticed.
Mental illness was unknown. It was to be shunned, with the sufferers being locked away for life.
There is the theme of trust. “Love, loyalty and heroism came with expiration dates.” This was the experience of one character but it simply isn’t true. “True loyalty isn’t based on a scale.”
We see the importance of knowing and trusting God. There are times when we come to the end of ourselves, and we must let God step in. “Breathe deep and let God be God.” We learn just what is our job and what is God’s. “It was God’s place to cast judgment, and it was her place to love.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater. It was an engaging and intriguing tale that I can highly recommend.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
