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Anonymous
Posted August 16, 2011
This book deals in part with child abuse in the Catholic Church, so by definition it's a controversial read. No doubt its portrayal of certain individuals in the Catholic Church, including a few of its priests (not all of them, by the way), stands to offend some Catholics and perhaps others of faith. Contrary to what some of the reviews here indicate, however, there are no detailed descriptions of priests raping children in this book, nor do I believe the author intends there to be some great mystery as to who the killer is, nor is the story hard to follow. It's actually very well written, tightly put together, and the plot is engaging. The story is disturbing on a number of levels, but it's rather obvious that it was intended to be. There are also virtuous threads woven into the story--things like friendship, finding love and faith--but if you're inclined to be offended by the candidness of the priest abuse part, chances are the rest of the book will be colored by it.
The author of this book claims this to be his first published novel. I'm not so sure I would've chosen to put out such a controversial piece as my first offering to the public at large, but it's clear enough that he has a talent for crafting a story. I enjoyed this book and would read his next one. As to this one, though, if you'd rather not read about the more depraved side of the human character or if you're easily offended, perhaps this book isn't for you.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DanteVirgil
Posted August 18, 2011
Eager to read the next book.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I_love_reading64
Posted August 8, 2011
A challenge to my faith, in reading - Once past the opening scene, I just couldn't put the book down. I was so sure, I knew who was doing the killing - then, I was thrown off course. Loved the characters! A mix of murder, greed, and power - with some vigilante justice thrown in!!....... A GREAT READ!!!!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 16, 2011
"A Cleansing" has a shocking beginning, an intriguing and involved story, and a puzzling ending. The graphic opening scene made me uncomfortable, but I soon found myself drawn into an engaging story which incorporates a number of colorful and well-developed vignettes. I thought the book was less an indictment of an institution and more a picture of how depraved humanity can be. Religious debate doesn't interest me, but I liked the perplexing ending.
This first novel shows charcteristics of a promising and talented writer.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 12, 2011
I really wish I could take the DAYS it took me to read this book back so I wouldn't feel as if I've wasted so much time in my life!!!!! Not only did this book make me afraid of priests, but it also made me never want to touch another book by this author ever again. The blatant disregard for priest and child relationships was disheartening and uncalled for. The book might have been an okay book if not for the horrible details of child rape and every single murder done by an obvious killer. My point is...DO NOT READ THIS.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 8, 2011
LOVE this book!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.uwishuwerethiscool
Posted August 7, 2011
To be quite honest this book isnt in my normal scope that I read on a regular basis, but i will say it sure didnt make me want to read another book like it.
This book was unbelieveably hard for me to finish, not because it was hard to follow, (thought the +10 character changes didnt really help), or because it was super predictable, it was because the book never really had a direction.
First the main character is just trying to solve a murder, then its suddenly a love story, then your going from finding a murderer to finding priests whom cant seem to keep it in their pants around children; now your on a trip around the world because the main characters parents were apart of some group that somehow fits the main characters needs as a christians; and out of nowhere at the VERY END of the book the main character finds God, and all is well... except the main bad guy is undying (I'm going to go out on a limb and say maybe he was supposed to be a demon. =/) and maybe theres a sequel... though i sincerely hope not.
while all of this is happening you go through MULTIPLE character changes; the point of view litterally changes from chapter to chapter; sometimes in the middle of the chapter with out warning!! As the reader you know exactly who the murderer is from page one, so there goes that surprize, you know everything about the main character half way through the book... ummm why am i reading this?? There was nothing guiding me or keeping me engaged thoughout the book. Even when the main Character finds his faith at the end of the book, your left feeling frustrated! Wondering what direction this book was supposed to take. Was it supposed to be a murder mystery? Or maybe an action thriller? Nope wait... Maybe a book about everlasting faith? No nevermind there is waaaay too much sex, and child rape for a book about faith.
Im not sure what this author has against priests, but he most definately doesnt like them. 99% of the Priests in this book, are either accused of child indecency, having sex with a certain someone (the murderer), or ordering hits on other priests!!
Overall I will NEVER read another book from this author ever again, It doesnt even deserve the 1 star that its getting and this will be 1st on my list of "WORST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN"
1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 18, 2011
Every book has its goods and its bads, unfortunately I'm uncertain that the few goods this book does have, evens out with the bad. The beginning was great I felt that justice was going to be served! The good guys were going to win but Midway thru the book I felt as if I didnt have a drive to keep reading. The constant changing of the point of view made me feel frustrated. It was as if the author was just changing the POV just to fill space; and quite honestly it got on my last nerve. Once I finished the book if felt as if the faith part of the book was almost a last second "oops i forgot, let me just stick this miracle here and I'm done" kind of thing. If the last 4 chapters or so were left out Im not sure the reader would have known this book was about faith. Now I am a HUGE Ted Dekker fan, and I do like a fair share of super crazy, faith thrown in, people are dying all over the place kind of books, but A Cleansing left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I'm uncertain if i would choose to read anything from this author again.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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LendMe™
Overview
“A Cleansing” is a meticulously crafted thriller that starts in a rush and never slows down. The story moves against the backdrop of corruption and deceit within the Catholic Church and crashes through sacred dogma that has long cloaked the sins of this powerful institution.This riveting novel opens with Catholic priests being slain in their own churches by a killer who leaves a unique calling card at the murder scenes. Luke Jensen, a Biblical scholar, is brought into the investigation by his friend, FBI agent Sean O'Grady, to help make sense of these clues. It isn't long before Luke uncovers a corrupt scheme designed by the Church to conceal the ...