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Hometown Prophet


I recently read Jeff Fulmer's novel Hometown Prophet. The story follows Peter, a classic story of a man who lives with his mom and receives visions from God.

Wait, that's not classic? Before you scoff, we don't really know where some of the Old Testament prophets lived. Maybe that was why Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. You might cry to if you still lived with your mom.

Despite it's un-classical nature, Jeff does a good job of thinking through the implications of receiving, and then delivering, messages from God. Especially when you live with your mom and back in your hometown, where everyone knows your flaws. Aside from the obvious supernatural aspect, I think this story flowed very realistically through the consequences to our hero, Peter.

Good book. Good story. Good characters, despite their flaws.

I do have one minor soapbox of mine to get on. There were a handful of swear words used. I know, I know, there is a huge literary debate about what is necessary or not. I understand that if you have characters who are not Christian, and you want to portray them realistically, sometimes they use language. I get that, I do.

However, at several points, words were spelled out. At another, a f-bomb was dropped, but wasn't spelled out. Instead, he used the symbols to show a bad word was intended. So, clearly, the author had a line he did not want to cross. So why not use symbols for all of the swear words. More surprising, in my mind, was when a swear word was used outside of dialogue.

It will sound like an old argument, but for me, it didn't add to the story. Characters were angry. I already understood that. But I digress. Other than what may be an irritation for me, the story was good. I appreciated seeing an in depth look at what it might actually be like for some one who has the gift of prophecy. It wouldn't be easy, that's for sure. Despite my irritations with salty language, I was entertained by this story.

You can check out all the extras below. I received this book from my good friends at SpeakEasy. They send me books and ask that I say something about them. They don't use bad language when they do.

Hometown Prophet: http://www.hometownprophetbook.com/
Jeff’s blog: http://www.hometownprophetbook.com/news/
Video trailer for Hometown Prophet: http://youtu.be/hjufn9mjVN0

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