Argosy Junction

by Chautona Havig

[phyllish]

Argosy Junction by Chautona Havig

Shakespeare, sonnets, sheep and snickers

Pride was the downfall of the church in Argosy Junction and led the people of the congregation trying to live up to rules and regulations that they created so they would appear to be godly to the others. In the process, they caused much damage and created a cult. While on the outside it appeared that they were doing well and living lives that would be pleasing to God, their hearts were filled with wrong motivations, judgement, and hypocrisy.

As I was reading, I was a bit in awe over the way that the author appeared to have such an intimate knowledge of the inner city – what it felt like to grow up and live there. Matt’s caution for Lane being alone in his neighborhood and yet his casual attitude towards being there himself was so interesting, yet it fits. The way he chose a career that he didn’t love because it paid better than other options and had better advancement opportunities – ouch.

Matt was pretty much a perfect hero. I mean, really. Who doesn’t love a tough yet tender man? One who can deal with a gangbanging teenager and spout poetry. Oh, and did I mention his intense love for the Lord which led him to surrender the one thing he desired above all else? He was a man who knew how to love.

One of the things I liked the most in this book was the correspondence. Author Chautona Havig wrote this so well. There was a great deal of correspondence going on between Matt and the various members of the Argosy family. My favorites were the e-mails and letters sent from Patience, Lane’s younger sister.

Speaking of Patience, I loved her heart. And as much as I admired Matt, Patience certainly topped my list of favorite characters. At nine years old, she still had a tender and loving heart that didn’t judge. Though her entire family obviously doted on her, she was not spoiled. She so naturally cared about the homeless people and wanted to meet their needs, not reacting with fear or judgement that so many of us do. . .

Reading what I have here, this looks like it is a very serious book. It is, but it is also filled with the author’s inimitable humor throughout. Not only in the way she turns a phrase but also the situations the characters find themselves in, such as reading sonnets to sheep!

Argosy Junction is challenging. It deals with so many deep heart issues. I challenge you to read it and not find some area in your life that it shines a laser beam on and make you squirm. I hope you will pick up a copy and read it prayerfully. Not that I’m saying you should use it for Bible study. Just see what perhaps the Lord may speak to you about in your life.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads


I bought this myself