Thursday, December 4, 2008

Owen Fiddler by Marvin D. Wilson


I was thrilled when Marvin Wilson asked me to be part of the virtual blog tour for his latest book, Owen Fiddler, and I'm honored to be the pre-launch stop today and the kickoff event tomorrow. Marvin runs the award-winning inspirational blog, Free Spirit, and I've enjoyed reading his posts over the last few months. Marvin is quite a character, very down to earth and humorous, and I've come to admire him very much.

If you're a regular reader of Free Spirit, you know that Marvin's posts really get you thinking. He doesn't beat around the bush, and he pushes you to the edges of your comfort zone--something I think we all need from time to time. He does the same thing in Owen Fiddler.

There's a price to pay for every parlor dance and play. This line pops up quite a few times in the book, and the main character, Owen Fiddler, finds out the truth in that statement the hard way. Owen Fiddler is an alcoholic, a druggie, an adulterer, and just an all-around horrible person who goes through life pointing fingers at everyone for the bad things that happen to him. He never once blames the breakup of his marriage on the fact that he'll sleep with any woman just so long as she's breathing. It's easy to read Owen's story and think to yourself, "Boy, this guy's a major loser! I'm so glad I'm not like him."

But Owen Fiddler is an "everyman," and this morality tale forces you to take a good look inside yourself. Am I really better than Owen Fiddler? Have I ever treated myself or someone else badly? Have I ever told someone, "If you hadn't done this, then I wouldn't have done that?" God doesn't view some sins as more acceptable than others; they're all terrible, and they all prevent us from accepting the love and forgiveness He offers each and every one of us.

Owen does something awful at the beginning of the book, something he feels makes him responsible for his daughter's death. The book then shifts to the past, to when Owen and his "perfect" brother Paize are just children, and moves forward through his miserable life. When the book makes it back to the present, a decision Owen made several years prior comes back to haunt him, and something needs to be done quickly before Owen's soul is lost for good.

I liked Marvin's straightforward writing style, and at only 205 pages, he packs a punch without saying too much. The scenes involving Owen's daughter, Frenda, and Kris (or Jesus Christ) had a magical, sensual quality to them, and while this vision of heaven isn't what I expected, it certainly didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. Here's an example from page 179:

Every thought, memory and experience she had ever had collapsed into one implosion of experiential "now." Ecstasy, rapture and love beyond anything measurable by human sensual, sexual or emotional capacity blasted her apart. Replacing her sense of being was One Unified Omnipresent Pure Love. The eyes of Frenda and Kris melted together into one eye that could see itself as itself; and at the same time not itself, but none other than the WORD. They became and made pure love with such intensity that the stars shone brighter on the dark side of earth.

I don't know if it's possible to finish Owen Fiddler and not take a step back and wonder how the actions we take affect other people or question whether we're on the right path. Owen Fiddler definitely isn't a role model, but you can learn a lot from him.

Read excerpts from Owen Fiddler here, and don't forget to check out Marvin's Free Spirit blog.

And I'm excited to announced that Marvin Wilson and Owen Fiddler both will be stopping by Diary of an Eccentric tomorrow to kick off the Owen Fiddler virtual blog tour. I can't promise Owen will be on his best behavior, but I can guarantee that having Marvin in the house certainly will make things interesting!

Check out this link to view all the stops on the Owen Fiddler blog tour and find out how you can get your hands on a copy of the book!


Disclosure:  I received a free copy of Owen Fiddler from the author for review purposes.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

the question one asks all the way through is, will the fiddler ever pay the piper? It is a well written book that encompasses almost every excuse to blame someone else for things gone wrong. You've nailed the heart of the book in this well written review.

Cactus Annie said...

I just recently became a BIG fan of Free spirit blog and Marvin's writing. After reading this review, I'm off to amazon to buy a copy of Owen Fiddler.

I'll be back here too, Anna. You are an excellent reviewer!

Stanley Berber said...

I've seen this blog in the Free Spirit blogroll for a long time, but first time to actually stop in. Nice! Great review too. I'm a HUGE fan of Marv's writing, read both of his books and am looking forward to the next one. I'll have to stop in her more often. Always looking for good book recommendations.

Anonymous said...

It is sooo easy to blame others for what we do. Marvin really is dealing with a problem that is epidemic on both individual and national scale and everywhere in between.

Good luck on this tour and thank you Anna for a great start off for it.

Solo said...

Wow, what a great review. I must say that I am fan of Marvin, even if I am a new fan. I love his style of writing.

It definitely draws you in.

Wow, to both of you.

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone. Kathleen Walls is the publisher of my first book, I Romanced the Stone. Wonderful woman and runs a good show over at Global Authors Publications. Just wanted to shout her out and give her some props (smile)

Katrina L Wampler said...

Well as you all know I am a Marvaholic!! Got the sign to prove it! I am not a fan of Owen. At least I wasn't until getting to know him a little better. You'll see more about that Saturday.

I see so much of myself in Owen. I spent years playing the victim and blaming the world for my behavior. He's definitely someone to learn from.

Great start to a great tour!

Serena said...

Another honest and fantastic review, my dear friend. Marvinaholics unite!

Ok, in all seriousness. . .the review was great and I can't wait to see the Q&A with Marvin and Owen. That should be amazing.

Anonymous said...

Looks like your tour is kicking off to a good start, Marvin! Can't wait to see all the stuff you've got planned.

Jean Henry Mead said...

Wonderful review! Another Marvaholic checking in. Owen Fiddler is definitely on my list.

Divinity Rose said...

I'm enjoying the book immensely :) and fornication with the soul - :) Well, i have a few writings on that myself..GO MARV!

Keyo said...

Hey i just went to the library yesterday and got myself a copy of THE REINCARNATIONIST by M.J. Rose ..

it surely is going to be a fantastic read!! i was into it since i saw your mention of it and the interview you did! thanks!!

Dana Fredsti said...

I love the phrase Marvaholic!!! SIgn me up!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a really cool book.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful review, and the book sounds like a fascinating read. Thanks for telling us about it.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm so glad the book is in transit as I sit here and type.

Most of my friends think I'm a mean Mommy, because I really allow my sons to live the consequences of their choices (even though that tends to be doubly hard on me).

I can't wait to read the book, I know I'll enjoy it.

Thanks for starting off this cyber-tour and I'm always on the lookout for new books to read, so now I have a more personal place to come and peruse and read what others think about a book.

Great job, and as always kudos to Marvin!

The Bookworm said...

sounds really good!
I hadnt heard of this one before.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Connie Arnold said...

What a great review this is of a book that is quite different from what I normally read, but I am so glad I did! I've become a fan of Marvin's writing too, and Owen Fiddler is very well written and truly involves the reader. Thanks for the review, and Marvin, hope you sell lots of books!

Owen Fiddler said...

My, my my - such attention. Wish I'da got this kinda warm fuzzy feelings when I was yunger. Mebbe I'da turned out different.

Shana said...

Okay, Anna, you've made me very curious about this book (as have all the commentors here.) Fantastic review, as usual.

Shana
Literarily

Joyce Anthony said...

Ah--a review worthy of this book--great job!! Hmm..Marvaholic....so there's a name for this?? :-)

Divinity Rose said...

we are new every moment...

the kiss is symbolic...it is an exchange ...

what do you think will happen on the foretold "wedding" between a soul and christ mentioned in the bible?

Anna said...

Thank you all for your kind comments on my review! And to all my new visitors, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you come back again soon!

Darlene said...

I'm a fan of Marvin's blog also. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of this book through this tour as it's not available in Canada yet that I could find.

Anna said...

Dar: If you get a chance to read the book, I'd love to know what you think!