The Curious Case of Prince Charming - by Charlen Mattson - Book Review

Book Review:                                   The Curious Case of Prince Charming

Author:                                              Charlene Mattson

Personal Quality Rating:                   3           

Reviewer:                                          Yvette van Niekerk (South Africa)

Summary:

The story is about the abduction of a beautiful Princess in Altria a fairy-tale country.  Because the abductor is seen as a villain the palace decides on recruiting the services of a detective in the City – William Tenys. 

It’s clear that William has been doing investigative work for some time and he really gets involved.  A couple of murders take place and there is a twist in the story.  Some evil villain is influenced by an even worse entity.

The story does lean more towards an investigation and not so much about a fantasy world but nevertheless it is quite interesting to see what happens.

Social / Historical Context:

As fiction I would say that the book is really lovely.  The most striking of the story is the fact that the author was set on reminding each of us that good always prevails.  There are many plots and I found that the characters depicted in her book were well thought out.  The story was going in the direction of murders and abductions.  One of the characters in this book looked so good and was so proper but in actual fact was rotten to the core, ‘a beautiful person with an ugly heart’ if I may use this phrase.

Writing Style:

The writing style to my mind is a mixture of evocation and common place.  It was an easy read and I enjoyed the story flow.  The writer definitely enjoyed her own story and I could feel her getting carried away.  I believe the story was well written in the third person and there is a lot of telling before the characters actually do some speaking.  The description of the places was interesting and I could actually see some of the characters in my mind’s eye. 

I think the purpose of the story is to show in essence that good always prevails over evil, that even in difficult times things do get better.

Thinking about how the book has been written I believe it leans more toward being a narrative.

My Thoughts:

I fell in love with the main character Mister William Tenys, this detective was sharp and I enjoyed reading how he went about his business.  The other characters in the book were interesting and they fitted into the story.  I was sorry about one of the ladies in the story that had to die; I think they may have hit it off at some stage in the story.  When drawing to a close I actually felt a little sad to see the story had come to an end. 

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South Africa - we need to check our values !!!

Good Citizens

A good citizen is someone that to my mind is trustworthy, has respect for his own property as well as for the next person’s property.  This person is responsible and knows that whatever he or she does will affect many people around him or her, directly or indirectly.  This person is able to deal fairly with people, under any circumstances and cares about what happens to others. 

Being a good Citizen is import to our Country.  We need to teach our children good values that will help them growing up.  We need to take the time in working with them.  In showing  them the right way of living.  Looking at some aspects and values I think we need to address give me some of your thoughts and tell me if you believe I am wrong.  What can we do to make our Country better?

Respect

I have been talking to a number of people and it seems that in our Country today there is a lack of some good qualities throughout the nation.  It seems our Citizens don’t have any respect for each other these days.  People don’t respect other people nor do they respect their property and or what they wear or do.  It is shocking to see how badly people behave when it comes to respecting each other.  The children have no respect for the elderly.

Trustworthiness

My dad always told us never to trust other people and today I see that there is no trustworthiness in our country.  People go back on their word constantly.  I can use a company as an example.  I went for the interview and this gentleman asked and almost pleaded with me that should he employ me for the next couple of month that I should not drop him and leave.  I took the offer and started work, something changed I believe the young lady I was helping out became very insecure and within two weeks the asked me to leave.  What happened to I will give you the opportunity in doing the work and letting you stay until the young woman returned.  Because of this young woman’s insecurity I was booted out.  So who can you trust?

Responsibility

In our house the children are being taught responsibility.  We have given each child a task that needs to be done.  Their responsibility isn't that difficult and they need to own their jobs.  Now because they have these little jobs with are to first of all discipline their lives and secondly to help them take their responsibility.  I find them constantly dropping the jobs.  First I used to fight and shout and get myself so angry, I stopped it.  I told my husband that he needs to deal with them.  They are learning how to become responsible and when we keep on picking up after them they lose their perspective on their responsibility.  ‘Oh well, she will do it, I am not going to worry.’  Wrong move, it’s your job own it.

Fairness

I find there is no fairness these days, no one is fair.  If they can score boy will they score.  It’s all about me, what I can get out of the deal.  It doesn't matter that it is to the determent of the rest of the people as long as I can be number one.  All our children are learning these things, and it seems no one is worried about it.  What will happen when they grow up mean and have nothing to give to others.  Feeling that they are just in treating people unfairly?  We need to make a point in teaching our children fairness. 

Caring

Life sure is difficult and to be honest I see that as people every one of us are too busy in our own little worlds.  We don’t have time for the next person.  We are too busy with our own selfish needs.  I want – I get.  No, what about caring about other people.  Isn't it better to give than to receive? I don’t know but we need to start caring about the elderly, the sick, the poor and then look to ourselves.  

Empty Tomb ... He is a Live!

Mary the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene and Salome bought spices and sat together preparing the spices.  It was very early when Mary Magdalene went into the kitchen and put everything together while she was putting the spices on the table, the other Mary and Salome can into the kitchen too.  ‘How did you sleep?’ Salome asked as she sat down on a chair near the table.  

Looking at her both Mary’s said ‘Not at all’.  Picking up the dish with the spices the three women walked through the door and down the street toward the place where Jesus was buried.

On their way to the grave they experienced a violent earthquake.  An Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him they shook and became like dead men.

The three women, Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Salome saw the Angel of the Lord and stood before him like pillars of salt. 

‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.’  Now I have told you.’

Running into the tomb they stood in front of the place where Jesus it was empty.

Bewildered and astonished the woman left the tomb in a hurry and yet they felt joy and ran to his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greeting,” he said.  They came to him fell down on their knees clasping his feet, worshiping.  Then Jesus bent down and lifted them to their feet “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.  When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.”  If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”  So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.  And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe.  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his words by the signs that accompanied it.

3 Hurdles Christian face

Romans 12 : 11 – 12 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulations, be constant in prayer.”

1.      Hope

For a moment or a couple of days I was not focusing on the Lord and I was looking at my circumstances.  I was fearful of the situation and worried about the consequences of this circumstances I was facing.  Most of which of course was in my mind and not truly in the physical.  

After a while it struck me that I had to face the situation and believe and trust in the Lord I serve.  I let go of my emotional uncertainty and decided to focus on the Lord.  I have no idea what will happen but in the meantime I am trusting in the Lord to sort this situation and circumstances out for me.  Now I am rejoicing in the hope.

2.      Tribulation – Trying experience

‘Be patient in tribulation’ to my mind I have mastered this part in my working world to such an extent I don’t know when to let go.  I have been in such difficult circumstances that I believe it was meant that I was to resign my position but was just not focused on the difficulties I was facing.  I stood on the ‘Word of God’ and never allowed it to hurt or harm me.

Thinking about it reminds of a saying ‘if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen’.  To mind I have been in really heated situations and just stood fast.

I was steadfast in that I didn’t allow the person or persons bringing the tribulation or trying times on my work situation to get the better of me.  I kept on trusting and focusing on the Lord my God.

3.      Prayer

‘Be constant in prayer’ is one of the other hurdles as a Christian I learned the hard way.  We have to train ourselves to pray and when things go wrong we want to start praying.  The problem with that is we don’t get the results we wish for and then give up in praying.

Pray while I walk in the shopping center, pray while I am deciding on what to buy for dinner and pray for my family and friends.  I pray for the lives of the people I feel are important to me.

To recap, we all need hope and yes we all face difficult and trying time which activates our prayer lives.  Take up the challenge with me and start praying don’t give up.

You are a blessing to me, thank you for reading my thoughts around hurdles I face many times.

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The Duty Fulfiller

 this is me .... can you believe it.

You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done.
You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knitting.
Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you.
You are conservative and down-to-earth. You hardly ever do anything crazy.

In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed.
For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved.

At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility.
You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer.

How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

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