RIVER RISING

Author: Athol Dickson ISBN: 076420162X 1/2006 HISTORICAL/INSPIRATIONAL/SUSPENSE Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: 1927

Powerful. Suspenseful. Profound. Welcome to Pilotville, Louisiana, 1927, isolated outpost on the Mississippi River--a stilt village bounded by swampland to the horizon, accessible only by boat, an island of brotherly love in a sea of racism. Meet Hale Poser, a stranger with a bad hip who’s come looking for his roots--a humble man, a righteous man, a miracle man. In the swamp beyond the cypress and the tupelo and veiled by Spanish moss lies a lingering evil. For years it slept in dreadful isolation. Now comes Hale Poser, and it will sleep no more. It will rain down on Pilotville, it will rise up like a river, and nothing but a miracle can stop this awful flood.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

RIVER RISING is as unique and inspiring as its lead character, Hale Poser.

Athol Dickson sculptured a remarkable, multi-faceted character in Hale Poser. This larger-than-life character is a quiet man, a humble man, a spiritual man, a man who leads by example. Poser is an extraordinary man—a healer of the body as well as of the soul.

Mr. Dickson does some refreshing things with Poser. His character, for example, is more often revealed through other character's impressions than his own thoughts and deeds.

Hale Poser might be the heart and soul of RIVER RISING, but several of his supporting cast—including Dorothy Truett, Jean Tibbins and the town's two ministers—are finely tuned as well.

RIVER RISING is top notch in three areas. Aside from the nicely sketched characters, this story's edge-of-your-seat suspense is well-executed. In addition, the author captures the flavor of the area (tiny Pilotsville, Louisana) and of the times (1927).

Laced with subtle humor, RIVER RISING is both thought provoking and entertaining. An often touching novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Mr. Dickson is quite a storyteller.

Debbie Jett