Review by Cindy M. Selke on Reflections by Spurgeon Root

The paperback book looked like an easy read.  Under two hundred pages should be a weekend’s worth of entertainment, or so I thought.  I underestimated the size of the book and the depth of the title.

Reflections is subtitled, “An Anthology of Power, Pain and Mourning” and no, the subject matter is not light or fluffy.  The four short stories build from the fictional and fantastical to the ferociously raw and real.  Let me begin the review with “The Way of Cain”.

In this short story, the main character is a hard-core gang member just released.  Not from a prison - for the crimes he committed - but from a mental institution.  “Adder”, also known as Jason, is a changed man.  The author brings the element of the fantastic to express the adjustment this “Demon” turned-normal guy faces re-entering society.  

As Adder discovers who he really is once he chooses to leave his old life, he comes face to face with his past, his crimes, his regrets and his true identity.  The persona one expects in a biker reveals someone too large for the real world, but the gentler “other world” has a surprising power that impacts the protagonist in this tale.  

“The Human Potential Movement” would definitely not be my genre of choice, but I am very glad I had the opportunity to delve.  As the opening scenes set the tone, I had the feeling I was watching a Marvel Comics movie.  The plot develops with the mad scientist character and the assistant with a conscience.  However, I was not sure of the cartoon “happy ending” as the powers of darkness truly seemed to overwhelm any wholesome or holy attempts to right them.  The “Institute of DNA Experimentation and Adaptation” - maybe not so clearly identified as I.D.E.A. throughout the remainder of the piece - becomes a hellish stage playing out the ultimate ends of good and evil.  The injections given the child subjects enhances not only the expected physical and mental capacities, but develop the spiritual DNA these children had from their parents.  Even those removed from their families at infancy had spiritual roots that were incredulously intact.  A fascinating premise which the author probes creatively, he concludes with a satisfactory resolution, although a predictable twist if one is familiar with biblical themes.

The third installment in the anthology is entitled “Bars”, and I was drawn in by the prison scenario.  Knowing the author personally, and his extensive experience behind bars in jail ministry, I immediately connected.  “Worm” is a tortured inmate.  I had hope for him when the young and compassionate guard sought to help relieve this poor incarcerated soul from his suffering.  The reader’s senses are heightened with the detailed descriptions of the old and new sections of the correctional facility - a very real place just north of where I live.  The “Hole” is especially dank and freaky; the author painted the picture!

Without revealing the best parts of the story, I will say that the author expresses a disturbing reality that those who seek to help the criminal element face great opposition.  Those who ought to have more compassion and those who should want to see change for the good of society are often those who refuse to support effective strategies for rehabilitation.  The author has captured this theme and the pain of the chaplaincy in bringing hope and change to the darkest places. An excerpt from Root’s own journal writings portrays a gut-wrenching prologue.

In reading the final portion, “Blessed are those who mourn”, I had to give myself a bit of a breather.  I knew this short story was written in response to the previous piece and I had to prepare my own heart for more.

The violence and destruction in the opening scenes and the mystery figure who shows up throughout the story, builds suspense in a most terrifying way.  Having some understanding of the trauma of war set the stage for the doctor’s civilian experience on returning home.  I was both enthralled and appalled with the description of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In developing the characters, the author has used tremendous skill and understanding.  And humour - I enjoyed the ironies!

As the Mennonite doctor from a pacifist upbringing returns from war, he must reconcile his experience with his faith heritage and asks God, “Where were YOU?”  How the mystery figures works into this journey of discovery is well-woven.  And how the female character of Katrina is similar in her responses to Dr. Nick as Delcia is to Adder in the first story, brings the anthology full circle.

Reflections is an exploration of so much more than the power, pain and mourning Root opens up in these four pieces of writing.  I invite you to pick up a copy and discover a bit about the author himself and perhaps even a glimpse at your own soul in the process...