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Broken Angel: A Novel
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$ 11.43
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$ 12.99 |
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$ 1.56 (12%) |
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| Item Number |
527565 |
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Item Description...
Overview
Caitlyn, a young girl with physical deformities, lives in a society ruled by fundamentalists and tries to escape to the "Outside" as she is pursued by the Bar Elohim group, who want to use her for experimental purposes.
Publishers Description
Her birth was shrouded in mystery and tragedy.
Her destiny is beyond comprehension.
Her pursuers long to see her broken.
She fights to soar.
In the rough, shadowy hills of Appalachia, a nation carved from the United States following years of government infighting, Caitlyn and her companions are the prey in a terrifying hunt. They must outwit the relentless bounty hunters, skirt an oppressive, ever-watchful society, and find passage over the walls of Appalachia to reveal the dark secrets behind Caitlyn's existence–and understand her father's betrayal.
In this engrossing, lightning-paced story with a post-apocalyptic edge, best-selling author Sigmund Brouwer weaves a heroic, harrowing journey through the path of a treacherous culture only one or two steps removed from our own.
From the Hardcover edition.
"In this addictively readable futuristic Christian dystopia, Brouwer (The Last Disciple) takes readers inside a state run by literalistic, controlling fundamentalists. There, reading is a serious crime; citizens are drugged into submission; and those who break rules are either sent to slave labor factories or stoned to death. Occasionally, a few brave souls try to escape to “Outside.” At the center of this novel is Caitlyn, a disfigured but graceful and brave young woman whose father essentially orders her to make a run for it. For reasons not revealed (even to Caitlyn) until the very end, she is chased by a variety of people who want her dead or alive. While trying to escape, Caitlin meets up with two traveling companions who have their own reasons for fleeing, and she is aided by a sort of underground railroad. Its leaders believe the fundamentalist government has distorted true Christianity, so they risk everything to help people get Outside to freedom. The terrific pacing is surpassed only by the character development; the many supporting characters are extremely well-drawn. Brouwer adds even more suspense by regularly revealing that some of these characters are not who they appear to be." - Publisher's Weekly
From the Hardcover edition.
Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.
We had agreed–the woman I loved and I–that as soon as you were born, we would perform an act of mercy and decency and wrap you in a towel to drown you in a nearby sink of water.
But in the motel room that was our home, the woman I loved died while giving birth. You were a tiny bundle of silent and alert vulnerability and all that remained to remind me of the woman.
I was nearly blind with tears in that lonely motel room. With the selfishness typical of my entire life to that point, I delayed the mercy and decency we had promised you. I used the towel not to wrap and drown you, but to clean and dry you. As I lifted your twisted hands and gently wiped the terrible hunch in the center of your back–where your arms connected to a ridge of bone that pushed against your translucent skin–I heard God speak to me for the first time in my life.
He did not speak in the loud and terrible way as claimed by the preachers of Appalachia where I fled with you. Instead God spoke in the way I believe he most often speaks to humans–through the heart, when circumstances have stripped away our obstinate self-focus.
Holding you in your first moments outside the womb, I was overwhelmed by protective love. Even in the circumstances that you face now, believe that my love has only strengthened since then.
I do not regret the price I paid for my love for you. But I do regret what it has cost you, all your life. And I have never stopped regretting all that I've kept hidden from you.
My confession begins with how I deceived you the day after your sixth birthday. You may still believe that we went to the surgeon to help the dove, the one you named Angel.
It was a lie. If only that were the worst of my sins…
Prologue
In the afternoon of the day after Caitlyn's sixth birthday, the waiting room had been quiet, without the coughing or groaning found among those down the hall waiting for a general physician. The physician, an Appalachian like them, had determined their ailments were ones to be treated by a sharp scalpel, and he'd sent them here to see the Outside surgeon, who spent a week every month inside the Great Fence.
Standing beside Papa, Caitlyn felt self-conscious among these strangers. She held a small wooden box with her white dove inside, lifting the lid occasionally to whisper encouragement to it, glad to find its black eyes still bright and attentive.
She'd found Angel below a window and had given her care for a week already. Papa had promised Caitlyn that a surgeon might fix the dove's broken wing, and she had prayed all the way from the collective that God would allow it.
To ease her nervousness, she used her tongue to wiggle a loose tooth back and forth. She had already lost four and was proud that she had learned not to cry at the quick pain that came when Papa helped her pull them loose. She wore the red shoes she'd been given for her birthday but couldn't fool herself into believing they made her look pretty for these people. She held Papa's hand for comfort and kept her back pressed against the wall. She wore a loose jacket but still felt as if all these strangers knew that her back was not like the backs of other girls.
Once, before they'd settled at the collective, she and Papa were at a church gathering in a small town along an abandoned railroad, deep in one of Appalachia's hundreds of valleys. Children had been playing around the adults, who stood in a tight group to discuss the weather and the morning's sermon. Caitlyn had made friends with another girl who was tiny like her. They wandered among the boys, who were rough and tumble and pushed Caitlyn to the ground. Her new friend helped her up and patted Caitlyn on the back. A question was asked, and Caitlyn began to shed her coat, innocently. Papa ran toward them, shouting.
He arrived soon enough to prevent other adults from seeing, but three of the children had already glimpsed Caitlyn's mutated arms–terribly thin and long, dark with shaggy and coarsened hair. They screamed in horror, and Caitlyn never made the mistake of playing with other children again. Not because Papa warned her against it, but because she finally understood she was different. She didn't like being different. It made Papa sad.
***
When Caitlyn's name was called, Papa stood and took her by the hand to a small private room where the surgeon waited.
The surgeon had his back to them when they entered. He turned, holding a clipboard. He wore a mask but had pulled it down so his entire face showed. He had short brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Caitlyn sensed the same thing in the man as she did in Papa. She couldn't put it into words, of course, not even in her thoughts, but she understood the aura of sadness and kindness about the surgeon. Others often recoiled from her, but he knelt and put his hands on her shoulders.
“Hello,” he said, looking directly in her eyes.
“Hello,” Caitlyn said. She felt safe with this man, like she did with Papa. “Papa said you might be able to fix Angel and help her fly again. I call her Angel because she is so white.”
She opened the box. The surgeon studied the white dove with great seriousness. He asked permission to lift the dove out of the box. Caitlyn liked that. Other grownups would not have been that nice.
“I've never seen such a beautiful bird,” the surgeon said.
Caitlyn shook her head. “Me neither.”
“I'm told you are not a physician interested in politics,” Papa said to the surgeon. “That is the only reason we are here. We have a little angel who needs help.”
“I'm from Outside.” The surgeon still looked into Caitlyn's eyes. Smiling, but still with sadness. “What happens in Appalachia is not my business.”
“We need to trust you,” Papa said. “I can't even tell you why or how important that is.”
The surgeon set the dove back into Caitlyn's box. He consulted his clipboard. “Jordan, right? This need is why you wouldn't let the general physician prepare the x-rays?”
“Feel my daughter's back,” Papa said. “Between her shoulder blades.”
Caitlyn stepped away instinctively, but Papa told her it would be all right. He helped her remove the loose coat. Caitlyn stared at the floor and shivered as the surgeon's soft, gentle hands ran along her coarse skin. Why did she have to be such a burden for Papa?
“Very atypical,” the surgeon said. “Not only her back. But her fingers. Her hands. Her thin arms. I'd like to do a medical history. Maybe there is some hormone treatment to–”
“She needs your help,” Papa said. “A simple operation on her back. Help. Not questions.”
The surgeon raised a questioning eyebrow.
“In my other life,” Papa said, “I had considerable medical background, but I'm not a surgeon.”
“Your other life?”
“My daughter would not have been able to cope, Outside. That's why we are here.”
Caitlyn wanted to pull on Papa's hand. He and the surgeon had forgotten about the box. Although Papa had taught her to be polite, she couldn't help herself and held the box toward her father. “Papa, don't we want to help her fly again?”
Papa smiled and kissed her forehead. “Yes, my love. Sometimes adults talk about things that aren't interesting to a little girl. Forgive Papa.”
Caitlyn studied the doctor's face. Papa said he could help them, and she was terrified he would refuse. It was such a beautiful bird. She loved it.
“After the x-rays,” the surgeon finally said, “we'll need blood samples.”
“Just x-rays,” Papa said. “Samples become part of medical files. The x-rays, I can take with me.”
The surgeon was quiet for another long moment. He looked at Caitlyn again, and his sad smile surfaced.
“X-rays that you can keep, then,” the surgeon said. “If possible, surgery later today. Whatever you are trying to hide is on your conscience. I want to help the girl.”
“Thank you,” Papa said.
Caitlyn wiped away tears. The surgeon had agreed to try to help her beautiful broken bird and she was happy.
The surgeon nodded at Caitlyn, as if he understood the reason for her tears. “X-rays first.”
Papa held Caitlyn's hand while she stood in front of a strange machine. She was forced to wear a heavy gown. Papa wore one too. The machine made a chunking noise. She was asked to stand sideways. Another chunking noise.
“This will help?” Caitlyn tried not to move the box in her hands.
“Yes. This takes a picture of bones to see what is wrong. Hold the box still, my love.”
After, they waited in the small room until the surgeon returned with black and white sheets. He held the sheets against a board of light on the wall.
“Amazing,” the surgeon said. “This bone structure. The formations are like–”
“No questions, please,” Papa said. “For the sake of the girl. Once surgery is complete, she will be free.”
The surgeon studied the x-rays. Caitlyn was fine with the silence. When they were away from others, she and Papa often sat together, content, saying nothing.
“No,” the surgeon finally said. “Too dangerous.”
“You said what happens in Appalachia is not your business.”
“I don't care that you're illegal. The surgery is too dangerous.”
The surgeon put his finger on one of the sheets. “Here. You can see the growths. That means extra blood vessels and the nerves at the spine too. If I go in there now, at the base, there's a very good chance that she will be paralyzed.”
Papa was silent for so long that Caitlyn wondered if he was feeling ill. When he had a cold or a fever, she liked to tend to him. To fuss over him and bring him water to drink. It was so little compared to all he did for her, but it seemed to make him happy.
“You can't fix my broken bird?” Caitlyn asked.
“Outside, there are facilities for specialized surgery.” The surgeon spoke past her. “I can make a recommendation. With the right people and equipment, it should be possible to make a complete removal. You know that Bar Elohim grants mercy visas for medical visits to Outside.”
“No. It would destroy her.”
“But these are spinal specialists. They wouldn't paralyze her.”
“It would destroy her life,” Papa said. “She cannot return Outside.”
The surgeon froze and stared at Papa. “Return? You've considered escape?”
“That was another statement of trust. What can you do to help?”
“Will these grow as she matures?” the surgeon asked, tapping the sheet again. “I ask because you seem to know more than you want to say. For someone with a medical background.”
“In Appalachia, it's wisest,” Papa answered.
“There will be future growth?”
“Yes.” Papa spoke so quietly that Caitlyn could barely hear him. This tore her heart.
“When you are confident that the growth has stopped,” the surgeon said, “come back to me. I will cut them off away from the base, far enough from the spine that we don't risk paralysis. What remains won't be too difficult to hide with the right clothing.”
“The growth will continue until after puberty. Something needs to be done now.”
“Surgery every time there's another few inches of growth?” the surgeon snapped. “Is that what you want to do to her?”
“No.” Papa looked at his shoes.
Caitlyn fought tears again. “We have to wait to fix the bird?”
“Yes,” Papa said. “I promise, even though it can't fly, we'll take very, very good care of it.”
From the Hardcover edition. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 256
Dimensions: Length: 8.9" Width: 6" Height: 0.6"
Weight: 0.55 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date May 5, 2009
Publisher WaterBrook Press
ISBN 0307457192
EAN 9780307457196
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Availability 5 units.
Availability accurate as of May 27, 2012 01:47.
Usually ships within one to two business days from La Vergne, TN.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Fast read - Christian Dystopia? Jan 6, 2009 |
So the world has split between the religious fanatics and the non-religious science driven atheists. Separated by a large electrified wall and an even larger moral gap... there is no crossing between Appalachia and "the Outside." Those who live within the confines of the walls are told terrible tales about what goes on "Outside" and anyone who attempts to get there must pass through the land of "The Clan" a group who lives on the border and ascribes to neither side.
But within Appalachia resides Jordan and his daughter Caitlyn... originally from the "Outside" Jordan is hiding many secrets, even from his daughter whom he adores above all else. Caitlyn meanwhile suffers from a disfigurement of the body that no medicine can cure... and something about it has grabbed the attention of both the governments of the Outside and of Appalachia, and now they have sent a merciless group of bounty hunters after her. In a world where everyone is tracked, video cameras are on ever corner and even the horses are GPS monitored... where can she run, and why is it that they all seem to want her so badly?
Though "Broken Angel" takes place in a dystopian future, the focus is not really on that world so much as the relationship between Jordan and Caitlyn, and everyone else's reactions to them. I would have liked to have seen a broader picture of the world that Brouwer created, or more depth and info. Instead what we really have is an extended chase scene from beginning to end with some nice scenery and some interesting concepts that go whizzing by as we continue the chase. The themes and concepts of the book are very simple to pick out - the degeneration of the Church into a corrupt governing body, the thought that a true relationship with God requires no church, the effect of greed and power, the effect of mindless following of faith, Government fear tactics, the government limiting education to increase control... there are plenty more and they are all right out there in the open.
This book is a very simple and fast read... there are a few points of violence that may make some cringe, but as I'm a hardened horror fan they didn't faze me. I wanted to warn you of that since many are touting this as a Christian Adventure novel... which I can sort of see, but DO expect deaths, threats of torture, violence etc. I don't recall any profanity, and the concept of sex is only implied through conversations and looks. On the whole this is a fairly good book and I wouldn't mind reading more from the author.
| | | | Begs for a sequel Nov 15, 2008 |
Caitlyn, a disfigured young woman, lives in a world where reading is a crime, cars are severly limited in availabilty, horses have tracking chips embedded in them and children are sent to work out their lives in factories. Not all the world is like that - beyond the Fence is the 'Outside', a place where reading is not a crime, and science is no longer bound by the limits of morality.
Caitlyn's life was never 'normal', even according to the standards of those who live in the communities of Appalachia, but when she and her father become fugitives, it changes forever. Betrayed, wounded, on the run from dangerous men, Caitlyn joins up with two other exiles to make a desperate break for the Outside -- and in the process, discovers what she was born to be.
As tightly-written suspense, 'Broken Angel' is excellent. The characters are interesting and well-defined, even the brutish Marcus Lee, who i couldn't help feeling i had already 'met' in Sigmund Brouwer's 'Double Helix' -- fortunately, by the end, he develops a more distinct, if not more likeable, personality.
As a dystopian novel, however, 'Broken Angel' is a bit lacking; but wanting more information, not less, is perhaps the best way it could require improvement. I would like more information about - well, everything. What are some of the other requirements Bar Elohim has over his people? What is it like on the 'Outside'? Who exactly are the outlaws that inspire the stories about the Clan? Then there are the questions of what happens to the characters, which the ending of 'Broken Angel' leaves open; wide open. Excellent material for a sequel, certainly. And on the whole, 'Broken Angel' is definitely the sort of book that would encourage me to read a sequel. | | |  | Interesting and Creative Sep 24, 2008 |
The U.S. has become a very different place. Instead of one united country, it is now broken into Appalachia and the Outside. On the Outside, medical science made some incredible advances, some good and others rather harmful. Inside Appalachia, some things have advanced, but others seem to have went backwards. One thing is for sure, inside Appalachia is little freedom and outside is too much freedom. Caught in the middle is a young lady, Caitlyn, trying to flee to the outside. What she possess is so valuable, people from both sides want her captured.
I love Sigmund Brouwer's books. You never know exactly what you're going to get and each one is a new exciting adventure. Broken Angel is hard to describe. In many ways, I think what you get from it will largely depend on what you take into it. It's a very touching tale which pulls the reader into a multitude of struggles. Not just those that are survival related, but those that are internal as well. How we deal with people and environments, our perceptions of others, and our views of ourselves.
At times I found Broken Angel to be a bit confusing, but that confusion really enhanced the story. Under the harmony of Appalachia was an eruption waiting to happen. Nothing was really what it appeared. Even the fearless villain, Mason Lee had deep seated fears that when brought the surface were debilitating. Virtually all the characters were mysteries to be unraveled and none were quite what you'd expect.
I very much enjoyed this book. It had a softness that brought out each character combined with a plot full of twists and turns. Nothing was predictable and it had a nice mystery surrounding it. Very enjoyable. | | | | Inspirational--and scary Sep 19, 2008 |
Caitlyn is not your normal girl. But it is not your normal world. A future America divides itself according to religion or lack thereof. Appalachia is inhabited by fundamentalists whose leader will do anything to keep the Outside out and his people in. The dangerous Outside teems with tolerant sinners. And scientists. Those like escapee Jordan Brown, Caitlyn's father.
But he can't bear to tell Caitlyn all of his secrets. Not what happened before she was born, not why she is the way she is. He just wants to save her life, to give her a chance to be free. As free as she can be.
There are others who search for Caitlyn, not to save her but to capture her. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Can Jordan and Caitlyn make it safely back Outside before men bent on power capture them?
This dystopian tale is part sci-fi part mystery part suspense. The characters are so rich, you forget the pace of the book and just let it carry you along to its stunning conclusion. Caitlyn endears herself to the reader through her innocence, trusting nature, and frail strength. She is indeed the backbone of the story and one can't help both applauding and pitying her.
Themes of scientific research gone awry and severe extremes in religion can also be seen throughout the novel. It explores what may happen to people when these circumstances control their lives.
It has been a few years since I've read any of Brouwer's work, and I've decided that's too long. Out of the Shadows and Crown of Thorns were excellent mystery novels filled with cultural secrets and history. I'm glad Brouwer delves into the sci-fi realm here--and this isn't the end. Book two is coming. I will definitely be picking up that one as well.
| | | | Thoughtful, creepy, and well-written Aug 27, 2008 |
| Reminiscent of The Giver and The Handmaid's Tale, Broken Angel is an eerie, yet all too believable, cautionary tale of a not-too-distant future, where religious fundamentalism and advanced technology have been combined to reduce people to illiterate captives of a theocratic society. You will read this book in one day, but it will stay with you for a long time afterwards. | | | Write your own review about Broken Angel: A Novel
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