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Reader Reviews of Loose Ends

In “Loose Ends”, through his delightful recounting of the Gospel stories, Brian D’Eon brings the gospel encounters to life. He allows us to step into the shoes of those who by chance or by choice do find themselves in the physical presence of Jesus. With the deft touch of the artist and his keen perception of human nature, Brian leads us to explore the familiar gospel stories through the lens of our own human experience.
 
New depths of meaning emerge as we walk with those who seek the Lord, who struggle to grasp His message, to ponder the many questions that confront us as we listen, as we seek to rise to the challenge of His presence and to overcome fear.
 
     Sister Nancy Hurren
     Kelowna, BC
                                                                                    ***
 
I have recently read Brian d’Eon’s latest book, Loose Ends, and thoroughly enjoyed it. 
 
The book is a collection of short stories or vignettes,  each taking a Biblical story and looking at it from a different voice or perspective than is commonly heard. 
 
It is a refreshing and thought-provoking read and reminds me of G. K. Chesterton’s quote : “Our perennial spiritual and psychological task is to look at things familiar until they become unfamiliar again.” 
 
I strongly recommend  this book
 
     Margot Zimmer
     Nelson, BC
    
                                                                                    ***
 
I am deeply touched and fascinated by Brian D‘Eon‘s Loose Ends. They bring back fond memories of listening to my parents reading us stories of Rama Krishna,  Nasrudin,  and the Midrashim.
 
Every Christmas we also heard the Christ Legends by Selma Lagerlöf and The Little Child Jesus in Flanders by Felix Timmermans. Brian‘s Loose Ends can easily keep up with these two great masters in their depth, imagination and magic. 
 
As the Midrashim do for the Old Testament, D‘Eon, Lagerlöf and Timmermans bring the accounts of the New Testament to life and shine a gentle light onto their hidden mysteries. Every story of Loose Ends finishes the Gospel’s originals into a beautifully crafted little gem.
 
     Tobi Jenny

                                                                                    ***
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Brian D’Eon has written an intriguing book inviting us to open our eyes to new insights and temporal interpretations to the biblical story of Jesus Christ. This story has been told in the Scriptures throughout the last 2000 plus years of Christianity. The author, from his introduction on, asks us to look at the events, challenges, and setting of Jesus’s with a new fascination to explore.

D’eon places his method of storytelling within the Jewish tradition of midrash. This tradition connects “imagination and Scripture” by weaving meaning and explanations of biblical stories through our own temporal period.

He elegantly has us listening in to the conversations of various actors on this holy stage. D’Eon has given me a fresh hunger to read more on the subject. And as the author states, “Holy Scripture is a multi-layered source of wisdom that invites exploration.” Let the exploration continue.
 
     Richard Peppinck
     St. Lucia

​                                                                                      ***

You had me hooked by the shepherds. But many other chapters were very powerful to me. For instance, "Never Ridden" How interesting to write as the donkey. (Is the symbolism in his name intentional?) And earlier, as one of the stones. It was also interesting to think about  what stories you did not include. I enjoyed the way you gradually developed the characters of several of the disciples through various stories. (It occured to me that I could not name more than half the disciples, if I was lucky.)  And I thought your last ironic sentence was perfect.

     Carole MacFarquhar
     New Brunswick

​                                                                                      ***

Ever wonder what might be "behind" the stories in the New Testament? In Loose ends, Brian D'Eon allows his wondering to wander, with the result that we have a delightful collection of tales and characters that include the shepherds who watched their flocks, the man who owned the Gadarene swine, Jesus' worried parents, and even one of the rocks picked up by a man ready to stone the woman caught in adultery. This book gives the original text imaginative depth, while also remaining true to that text. Some readers might worry that D'Eon is revising sacred writings, but he's not. Yes, he writes with earthiness and humour, but also with reverence and joy and belief. Ancient and well-known stories are given new life in this entertaining and enlightening book.

     Ralph Friesen