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What a marvelous novel! I thoroughly enjoyed Across the China Sky by C. Hope Flinchbaugh! I hesitated at first wondering, “what do I have in common with a young Chinese woman in the rice fields of China?” I soon found out that there wasn’t that much different between us after all. We both love with a passion, believe in Jesus Christ as the great Rescuer, and make mistakes like we all do. She loves and mourns like any Canadian / American.


However, the one area in which we are completely different is that I have never spent a day in jail for my belief in the Lord Jesus. The story begins with Mei Lin having returned from Shanghai Prison Number 14 two years earlier after having spent months suffering there for her faith in Jesus.


The characters of this novel are full-bodied, easily known, and passionate. The heroes and heroines are admirable in their devotion to Christ, in their faithful search of the Scriptures for God’s message to them. and in the willingness to admit error. They are full of love and compassion, desiring wisdom and faithful to one another. They each have their own losses and hurts, but can come together to support one another during times of grief and terror.

The villains are equally fleshed out. They are glittery, sneaky, and well oiled. They present a very vivid portrayal of evil. They are perhaps, more discernibly evil, than the average “evil” one, as one of them was depicted with a dragon tail behind her. However, the portrayal of their invasion into the Christian home churches was one common to many cult strategies where they pretend to be a Christian in order to come along side you and then deviously lead you off the true path.


The plot was well-written, engaging and smoothly paced. I really couldn’t put the novel down from the early pages and on. Each word is well-chosen and the descriptions bring you right into the orphanage as if you are standing there embracing a reluctant orphan, too. The loving way that Mei Lin stroked Little Mei’s cheek and cuddled her in her arms remains in my thoughts still.


Go out and get a copy of this book! You will not be disappointed!