Story Published:
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:29 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 31, 2011 at 7:29 PM CDT
The Blackberry Bush, by David Housholder, is a fictional novel written about several characters whose lives all are intertwined in the end. It is like reading about several different people because the writer changes the main character in each subsection. There are six different main characters who are all related. Sometimes the subsections are in third person and sometimes in first person, but Housholder is sure to tell you the year, location, and character before you get started on the section so you aren’t lost.
This is a book about two main characters discovering their identities in Christ. It is a journey of discovery and understating. It puts into words the things that are subtle in us all. I believe the book to be written to influence readers to look into their own lives to find “their story” and see their own significance.
There are two prominent main characters, Kati and Joshua, who are always written in first person. They live on the opposite side of the world from each other and are actually related by their great-great grandfather, Walter. Harald, or Opa, is Kati’s grandfather and her best friend. Lina and Konrad, Kati’s parents, along with Josh’s parents, Janine and Michael, also have lead roles. Walter has a daughter with Nellie, and their child’s name is Adri whom Josh refers to as Oma. Oma in Josh’s life plays as big a role as Opa in Kati’s.
Kati and Josh relive 9/11 and its significance in their lives. The other characters also relive significant moments such as wars and major family ordeals. Kati’s main issues in life come from her looks and social awkwardness while Josh is a talented, good looking boy who still struggles with his identity.
My favorite character is Kati’s grandfather Opa. He is a kind, patient, and tender-hearted man who teaches his granddaughter that there is more to life then looks and fitting in. He greatly influenced Kati by teaching her to see more to life then what you can see with your eyes.
I could relate to both of the main characters in that I often find it difficult to put into words the things that go on inside me. Kati had a difficult time being “balanced”. She was always agitated. Sometimes I feel that way and don’t know why. Josh was always drawing or doodling. I, personally, tend to find myself doing that, then later pulling those pictures out and unexpectedly discovering significant meaning in them.
I did like this book. When I started it, I thought it would be very difficult to keep up with the way the writer jumps from the different character’s stories, but it is very easy to keep up. It is written simply. I like the way it shows a major difference between how busy life is for the adults and how simple it is for the kids and Opa. It is a nice reminder to slow down and appreciate life.
My favorite part of the book is toward the beginning. Opa is thinking about how he used to “daydream” more when he was younger and how he is enjoying how they are coming back now that he is older. Then it occurs to him that the daydreams never left; he just got to busy to notice them. Personally I’ve discovered that God is always trying to tell me things to help my heart and your life; I think often times most of us are too busy to receive the help.
If I could change something, it would be how at the end of the book, it keeps you asking a few questions. I believe he does this so you do continue to think about what comes into your heart as you read this, but it makes me want to pick up “part 2” which there’s not, and that’s annoying.
I would recommend The Blackberry Bush to anyone. I think anyone with an open heart would get the most out of it. Although Housholer cannot point out the personal issues in the reader, one does begin to go down a journey of their own as they follow the characters in the story. There is a discussion section in the back. Housholder recommends doing it in a group as a book study, but answering the questions alone would be beneficial as well.
