Sean Donovan (The Californians)

Lori Wick
Harvest House Publishers (2007)
ISBN 0736919473
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (5/07)

When a young Sean Donovan finds himself in a great deal of trouble a complete stranger steps in to literally save his life. This book chronicles their experiences as they come to love each other and God. This novel will appeal mostly to females since it is partly a romance story. However, anyone who has strong religious beliefs will be able to relate. I believe it would be appropriate for Catholic high school students to read because it offers an important message. It teaches that although they may face some difficulties during their teen years there will always be someone there to help and guide them back to their spiritual beliefs.

Author Lori Wick uses symbolism very well. Sean's life is symbolic of Jesus Christ's final hours on the cross. In the Gospel of Mark, just before his death, Jesus cried out to his father, “Why have you abandoned me?” As Sean stood on the galley with a rope around his neck, he also wondered why his father had abandoned him to become a missionary in Hawaii. In the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead to take his place at the right hand of God. Sean rose from feeling dead. A new spirit was awakened in him allowing him to realize what his place in this world was.

Wick has the ability to make the reader feel with, and feel for, each character. I loved all of the main characters in this book. They were so down-to-earth and loving toward each other. Sean's story especially touched my heart. It was inspiring and uplifting to see the transformation of a teenager so filled with anger into a man so filled with love for both his family and his God. The only complaint I have with this book is very minor. It was distracting to have a character referred to by three different names within the span of a few pages. (Sean's oldest sister was called Kate, Katie, and Kaitlin.)

The main message of this book, “Sean Donavan,” is that no matter how difficult or challenging life may seem there is always someone there (either human or divine) to guide us and help us recapture our spirituality. Even though we may feel abandoned, we are never alone. If we pray for guidance and follow the direction we receive, we will be able to return to a peaceful and happy place in our life.

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