Monday, September 3, 2012

Review of "Hidden In Dreams" by Davis Bunn


Hidden In Dreams
Davis Bunn
ISBN 978-1-4164-5672-5
Dreams \ Fiction \ Psychological Fiction
Howard Books
238 pages
$14.99 U.S.

Do yourself a favor.  The next time you receive a book by Davis Bunn, don’t look at the back jacket.  Instead, open the book to page one and begin reading.  Especially with this book, this is really the only way that you can “get” the point this amazing author is trying to communicate.  No preconceived notions . . . no spoilers . . . no peeking allowed.

Dr. Elena Burroughs is a clinical psychologist without a clinic, without a practice, without a clientele, and without a home.  Offered the newly created Chair of Psychology at a small Florida university, Elena seizes the opportunity to start over.  To retreat into a haven in which every aspect of her life was under her control.  Well, one can always dream . . .

Out of the blue, Elena is approached by Rachel Lamprey, the sister of her now-deceased best, and oldest, friend.  The pharmaceutical company that Rachel works for is preparing to release a new drug that will virtually eliminate ADHD. However, a test subject has suddenly begun having a dream.  A recurring dream.  A terrifying dream of future global financial ruin.  And he’s not the only one.  As a matter of fact, Elena has begun having the same dream.

Filled with a powerful compulsion to share her dream with whoever will listen, Elena is forced out of her comfort zone and assumes the mantle of spokesperson for the dreams.  And as the dreams increase in number, and come true in terrifying precision, the urgency to share becomes overwhelming as well.  You’ll have to read the book to find out how it ends!

As a sidenote, which I hope readers will understand this reviewer sees as the foundation of this book, Davis Bunn has captured and communicated for us, in Elena Burroughs, what has been referred to in Scripture as “the burden of the Lord.”  The prophets referred to in Scripture didn’t “sign up” for the job; they didn’t seek the position, and they rarely reaped any professional or monetary accolades for their work.  In point of fact, they were ridiculed, rejected, and removed from life in a wide variety of cruel and unusual practices.  Nonetheless, they remained true to their calling, and to their God, in a manner supremely worthy of emulation. 

The prophet Jeremiah put it this way:

“ O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of the LORD was made to me A reproach and a derision daily.  Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.”
                                                                                                      Jeremiah 20:7-9 (NKJV)

Hidden In Dreams communicates this situation clearly, and challenges its readers to “take up the mantle,” and proclaim the message that God has given them.  Are you up to the challenge?

5 stars.

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