Motherless is the second novel of the American Tragedy in Trilogy series. I reviewed the first novel “Fatherless” here. The third novel “Childless” is due to be released this fall.
The novel picks up on many of the same characters introduced in the first novel, but some decades have elapsed as it takes place in modern time. The themes of the first novel remain as it deals with the toxic culture and the effects on families and Catholics dealing with their work environments. Retaining the faith in such environs and the dulling of conscience while compromising are again addressed. In this novel though Catholic healthcare is an important element of the plot and many things we have seen on the headlines and discussed on blogs is there. The diminishing of any real Catholic component as compromises with the Culture of Death become routine.
These subjects do not present a pretty picture as our culture does not present one and it is no surprise this is almost a dystopian-like novel. But like our faith, this is a novel not without hope and there are triumphs among the characters amid the setbacks and difficulties they encounter. Things don’t always come out rosy, but some characters strive to do what is right regardless. For me I find a lot of authenticity in what the author writes and that extends to the characters and to the plotting. The same goes for the dialogs of the various characters which seem quite natural. This also could be classed as an in-your-face Catholic novel in that the commentary via the characters is quite forthright and an accurate depiction of what the Church teaches.
One aspect of the novel is the human embryos required for ESCR and other research and aspects considering how they are obtained. The disgraced Korean doctor who was experimenting in human cloning pressured women he worked with to donate their eggs and I suspect the international attempts to get human eggs and fertilize them is just as bad if not worse in setting up a distribution system. The truth about IVF and the destruction of so many human persons also plays a role in this novel.
I quite enjoyed this novel as so much of the content is right up my alley and the authors views seem to coincide with my own. I heard the author Brian Gale a couple of times on Al Kresta’s show and I was impressed with both his knowledge and what he had to say. His background in the business world was certainly a springboard for his understanding in this world and the themes the novel addresses. I’m looking forward to the final installment of this trilogy.
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Motherless. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or aCatholic Bible.
