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Revision as of 14:44, 17 March 2018
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{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=Leaving Gilead
|author=Robert Crompton
|reviewer=Ani Johnson
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=''Bunderlin'' author Robert Crompton, introduces us to a young couple fighting a European form of religious fundamentalism who then show us the cost of trying to escape it. An engaging story ringing with authenticity and fluctuating hope. Robert Crompton popped into Bookbag Towers to [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Robert Crompton|chat to us]].
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|isbn=978-1784077624
|website=http://snigsfoot.blogspot.co.uk/
|videocover=1784077623|amazonukaznuk=<amazonuk>1784077623</amazonuk>|amazonusaznus=<amazonus>1784077623</amazonus>
}}
Tom Sparrow finally does what he's always dreamt of: buying the former Ridley house near his old childhood home. As Tom explores he finds his new house isn't the only link with his past. There's something in the outhouse that takes him back to the days of young love and Susan, the Ridley's daughter. She had been raised in her parents' prohibitive faith as a Gilead Jehovah's Witness which didn't seem a problem to them but they were young and experience wasn't on their side…
Almost at the same time that he brings us the unforgettable man and novel that is [[Blunderlin Bunderlin by Robert Crompton|Bunderlin]], [[:Category:Robert Crompton|Robert Crompton]] introduces us to something different and with a more personal resonance.
As outlined in his non-fiction study ''Counting the Days to Armageddon'' Robert was raised a Jehovah's Witness. Therefore as we read about Susan and her bid to escape her family's sectish fundamentalist beliefs, we realise that it's based on actual experience. In the novel the religious world of the Gileads (a specific evangelising wing of the Jehovah's Witnesses) links the fictitious world of Tom and Susan to battles that are being fought in reality.
The 'Gileads' don't come out of this very well as we look inside an organisation that espouses double standards and exists despite internal bickering. This part could be a description of the inner workings of any man-made organisation and, as the wife of C of E clergy, I make no comparisons! However linked with a prohibitive, fundamentalist idea of religion where scriptural texts are quoted way out of context to prove dangerous points without argument or contradiction (unlike the C of E and many other mainstay faiths/denominations), a sinister element is introduced. This leads us to develop a greater concern for Susan and her very physical survival.
The supporting cast includes light and warmth to counter the dark frigidity of the RadleysRidleys. Melanie, Tom's accidentally acquired lodger and almost-relative sparkles with wit and youthful exuberance. At the other end of the age scale, when it comes do dear Mam Tunstall, I dare anyone not to love her.
Through these and other people, Robert guides us to a bravely authentic ending which brought a tear to my eye followed by a leap of anticipation to my heart… or wherever leaps of anticipation are emitted from… wondering what will come from the Crompton computer next.
You can read more about Robert Crompton [[:Category:Robert Crompton|here]].
{{interviewtext|author=Robert Crompton}}
{{amazontext|amazon=1784077623}}
{{commenthead}}
{{comment
|name=Cassandra Clark, author of the Hildegard of Meaux medieval mystery series
|verb= said
|comment=Well-written, this was unusual and enjoyable. The characters were believable and their dilemmas involving. Good sense of landscape.
}}
