Dusk: God’s Chosen Donkey (The Donkey Chronicles)

Carolyn Budd-Goertzen
Outskirts Press (2011)
ISBN 9781432777883
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (11/11)

“Dusk: God’s Chosen Donkey” is filled with delicate descriptive beauty, profound depth, and is rich in spiritual implications. This is a fictional story based on the New Testament account of events leading up to the birth of Jesus, the years in Egypt, his boyhood years in Nazareth, and of the trip to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast.

The chapters are made up of first person narratives written from the perspective of Donkeys, Dawn, Night, and Dusk, as they interact with recognized Biblical persons who come alive in a new way as they interact with fictional characters who play important roles in the events included in the historical novel set in the time of the New Testament. The character driven plot is carried through dialog, personal observations, and action narrative.

An angelic messenger, the Shining One, appears to Dawn (mother of Dusk) to reveal the role Dusk will play in the life of Jesus, the Christ, the promised King and Savior. In the time that follows Dusk is sold to Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth, to be nurtured and prepared for his “Chosen” purpose. Dusk responds to Joseph’s tenderness and gentle spirit, those traits of character also present in Abraham, who tended to Dusk at a his birth. Dusk in turn has acquired gentleness, intelligence, calmness, and a sense of humility.

Carolyn Budd-Goertzen’s creative imaginative will intrigue the young at heart. She tells of a vivid dream that inspired her to write these magical “Donkey Chronicles.” Her work is thoroughly researched, providing meticulous descriptions, detailed background information, and wonderful insight into Jewish traditions, Israel’s history, and the prophecies concerning the promised Messiah.

“Dusk God’s Chosen Donkey” chronicles the events in Nazareth leading up the census requiring Joseph to register in Bethlehem, and the birth of Christ. Dusk carried Mary on his back on that eventful trip. Years later the scene changes as Dusk begins the journey with Mary and Jesus to become participants at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. This is classical story telling with life-changing spiritual implications.

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