Christian idealism does not work well in fictional literature.What the hell is wrong with Ted Dekker? How can he expect a wide audience to follow this book without reservations? This book could have been half its length, too. Dekker likes hearing the sound of his own voice, apparently. Some scenes went on far too long.First of all, comparing the death of Christ and his love for humanity with a single man's love for a single woman is NOT the same thing. Dying literally and dying metaphorically are not the same!Second of all, I am tired of Ted Dekker's characters all acting the same. They all talk to each other or they all have voices talking to them - unrealistic and overdone.Third of all, who on earth would be sympathetic to Helen in this book? Repeatedly, she returns to drugs, what, five times? Each time from her own will. And Dekker expects us to smile upon her as a poor lost soul? This is where Dekker tries to use Christian ideology as a plot point. It. Does. Not. Work. Normal people and normal readers would not continually forgive a character like Helen, not in literature, and probably not in real life (I don't believe Christ would tell us to marry druggies and continue being with them when they commit adultery). Even then, it is ONLY when Helen sees Heaven that she becomes a (dreadful) dynamic character. Dekker did the same thing in "Heaven's Wager." What kind of faith is it after literally SEEING heaven? I think anyone exposed to that kind of sight would believe, so how on earth are Jan and Helen's faith extraordinary? It's a slap in the face to people of real faith.Fourth of all, I cannot believe that Helen claimed in "Heaven's Wager" that Kent does not hold the rights to suffering. Kent had his son and wife killed and lost his fortune. Helen was a stupid druggie who denied her loving husband and threw her own life away. How can HELEN claim the right to true suffering? EVERYONE claims the right to suffer, not NO ONE.Fifth of all, Ivena was a mirrored character to Helen's in "Heaven's Wager." Know-it-all fundamentalist who is always right and superior. What a terrible way to portray true Christians.Sixth of all, love does not always require death. Christ's love was ultimate, but that does not eliminate any other forms of love. What bullshit.Finally, what the hell did the flowers have to do with ANYTHING?Again, I'm only reading through these because they were gifts. I will not be reading them again, and I have definitely decided to stop buying any more Dekker books.
This book took me on an emotional roller coaster! I loved parts of it and was horrified by others. Jan Jovic is an unwilling participant in a game of life and death in a quiet Bosnian village in WWII. He witnesses intense love and hate which stays with him and changes his heart. Years later he writes a book about his experiences which ends up a best seller. In America he gains riches, with the help of his publicist, Karen, who becomes his fiance'. That is until he meets Helen, a young, beautiful drug addict who has a twisted attraction to her very rich dealer and has stolen Jan's heart. There is violence not for the faint of heart but there is also love to counteract it. This story will have you pushed and pulled between good and evil, loving and hating, but seeing a glimpse of God's Love throughout.A 3.5 stars
What do You think about When Heaven Weeps (2005)?
This book is a hard one for me to review. I found it very tough to read, though it was well written and had a powerful message. Dekker describes addiction very well, I thought. (I work with a lot of recovering and not-so recovering addicts.) The story was just so very heavy, but that's not a criticism. Some stories are just that way. My criticism about it is that it is a little too long and melodramatic. Still, I'm glad to have read it. Very memorable as it paints a picture of Christ's love for His sometimes-wayward church.
—J.L. Rallios
When Heaven Weeps is a powerful and unexpected portrayal of grace. I was personally impacted by the portrayal of repeated failure and am glad that I am not God. A lot of people (myself included) would be in a world of hurt if I was put in charge.The story really drove home the point that we fail every day and God loves us anyway. Are there consequences for making bad decisions? Of course. And God loves us the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The visions of heaven were exhilarating and sobering, and I can only say that I long for the day when I too can be with the Savior in heaven.
—Jess Hanna
the story of a terrible atrocity in a small town in Bosnia against an Anglican priest, the women in the village and a girl…Cruel Serb para military group terrorizes the village, kills the priest and the girl after mocking them with carrying crosses. Is the love for Christ they have sufficient to enable them to love the devilish leader and die for Christ? Yes in terms of the girl and priest…women too show amazing courage. One soldier speaks out to stop the brutality…he is imprisoned after WW II by this Serb leader for 5 years. Goes to US, writes a book about his experiences of the love of Christ…becomes a blockbuster best seller and starts a powerful ministry attracting promo types…then this converted soldier, Jan, now a world renowed writer and Ct is to marry one of promo women but falls in love with an street woman, an addict fleeing a cruel man who is a city councilor. Much suspense, much thots on the love of Chrsit in the American church, …9 of 10 but too much violence?
—Eric Wright
