Child of Gilead


Fiction - Literary
264 Pages
Reviewed on 10/04/2020
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

In Child of Gilead, "The Boy" is encouraged by his mother to always follow the Road Less Traveled and avoid The Madness. Her rules are meant to "reveal a higher truth about what it takes to live a more meaningful and transcendent life.” On the Road Less Traveled, there is a home, a school, and several churches to worship at; there is peace and quiet. Nearby is The Madness, a dangerous place where you can find anything and everything you want. Child of Gilead by Douglas S. Reed is the story of a little boy who doesn’t always listen to his mama and the consequences he faces as a result. His story takes an interesting turn when an old man, who knew his grandfather, arrives with some dirty family secrets and some important life lessons.

Douglas S. Reed offers a thorough look into a child's inner turmoil and his perception of life. However, Child of Gilead is no children's book since the themes are for mature minds: Christianity, philosophy, single parenting, mental disorder, murder, loss, and war. The Bible quotes and the many short stories related in the form of parables result in a comprehensive and profound experience. There were several moments when I had to pause and think about the philosophical ideas and the different issues addressed in Child of Gilead. The mood of the story is mostly relaxed with a few fast-paced and action-filled moments. If you like books that make you ponder on some serious concepts like religion, family, war, problems with modern education, and life in general, I recommend you give Child of Gilead a try.