Book Corner

It was the very intriguing piece on the back cover that helped me to choose February's book...

'None of the five thought it would be easy to navigate their way across a deserted island. But that was before the first mistake happened - and all the rules had to change. Now only four will survive the crossing'.

The Crossing by Tony Dobinson is a gripping, well written thriller / adventure that was impossible to put down.

Five very different young people from five very different backgrounds take part in a trek across a tropical island. One is the leader. One wants to be leader. One does not want to participate and two have reservations. Of the latter two, one of these is a Christian.

Five go out to the island but only four return and the Book opens with the four awaiting the return of the fifth member.

The story then swings back to the night before the members are due to leave and we are introduced to them one by one. This I found helpful to build up an overall picture of the team.

Then it was on to the Island and an awful discovery tests their respective skills to the limit. I liked the way the book twists and turns, weaknesses and strengths are displayed and shared and there is a clever Christian analogy nearing the end of the book. The end comes as a shock but is warmed by an unexpected turn of events at the very end.

An excellent read, especially for a teenager.

The Crossing by Tony Dobinson. (Scripture Union) (ISBN 1 84427 003 3) £5.99

Lynn Winter