November 1998 Volume 79 Number 11 "serving the protectors"
Book Review
By Mike Horsfall (mich@picknowl.com.au)

The Book of God (The Bible as a Novel) - Walter Wangerin

Reviewed by Mark Cook

The Bible as a Novel is an achievement in literary skill. Written in a readable style, it takes readers through the characters of the Old Testament: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and David, and then through the life of Jesus. The author has taken many liberties in both his view of historical facts and his portrait of the social activities of the period. These liberties, however, do not alter any major facts of the Bible.

The Bible as a Novel is about the people of the day, what they said and how God spoke to them. While lacking in some of the life teachings that many people have grown to love about the Bible - the Psalms, the Epistles and Revelations - it is nevertheless most enjoyable, as the unforgettable characters are brought to life. Old stories are opened to readers in a continuous theme that is believable and vivid in its detail.

Out Of It - Simon Hattenstone

Simon Hattenstone is the assistant arts editor and film editor at The Guardian newspaper in England. He has been nominated for Interviewer of the Year at the UK Press Awards. Having read his story, Out Of It, his achievements are almost unbelievable.

At nine he was one of the brightest boys in his class - then he woke up with a headache. During the three years that followed he had lost half his body weight, started to talk in baby language, and looked retarded. He was labelled a malingerer, and after experiencing the callousness of the adult world he retreated into the darkness of his own head, where he remained for three years.

Out of It tells the story of those three years: inadequacies within the medical profession, health workers and the education system. It tells the story of a young boys struggle to survive what must be unforgettable moments of pain, frustration and courage.

An absorbing piece of writing, Out of It will see the reader reach within in search of conclusions, and a hope that society today is much kinder, and the medical profession more competent.

Hawaii - Eyewitness Travel Guides

Discover the delights of the world’s most exotic location without even leaving your home. But if you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip to Hawaii you can take the Eyewitness Travel Guide with you.

Presented in wonderful DK-style, the guide to Hawaii is designed to follow the user around the world. It’s a convenient size and has a flexible, hard-wearing cover. In the same series are travel guides to Istanbul and Naples.

The Eyewitness Travel Guide to Hawaii includes:

• Area Maps.
• Travellers’ needs: where to stay, where to eat, shopping, entertainment and activities.
• Survival guide: practical information, travel information and a general index.

To win a copy of the travel guide, put your details on the back of a used envelope and address it to Mike Horsfall, Sturt Police Station (12) Hawaii.