Fatherless: A Novel Kindle Edition

Initially eager to read the newly released novel, Fatherless, by Dr James Dobson, I started it after purchasing it this past January. However, within the first two or three chapters, I felt the novel moved slowly, bogged down by political jargon and the necessary info to set the stage for the plot. Discouraged, I put it aside. However, last night I couldn't sleep and dug it out of my files on my Kindle and began to read where I'd left off. My initial difficulty with the book seemed to be unfounded as I read last night, as I was quickly swept into the story, reading until midnight. When I got home from church today I picked up the book again and just finished it. It was a fast read. I was shocked to see that it had 448 pages....it seemed much shorter.The story is one which describes the behind the scenes action in Washington DC between politicians and journalists as they attempt to untangle moral and fiscal dilemmas and the frightening conclusions that such problems had led this futuristic America to employ. Frightening language such as "debits" "breeders" and "transitions" make for chilling alternative nomenclature for facts of our lives now that with just a slight shift in perspective can come to mean something else entirely. Human life, when robbed of its significance as a holy gift from God, becomes something to be manipulated, prevented or terminated as is felt to be necessary for the convenience of the "stronger" individuals.The book is an intriguing study on what becomes of a society that has intervened in natural processes and what happens when their machinations have turned to bite them back. Abortion and birth control have eliminated a much needed force in laborers and taxpayers. The society finds itself burdened with the problem of an increasingly disabled elder population and with the lessening of the value of human life, this results in chilling consequences.The story is frightening because it so easily could become a predictor of what lies down the road for us as Americans. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I look forward to reading Childless this coming October.

I finished "Fatherless" today. The story takes place 20+ years in the future. The evolution of the decline in family values is at the core of this story. Many of the trends have already began. The concept of falling in love, getting married and having children is repelling. Designer babies via in vitro are the norm if a person wants a baby. Most choose not to have kids and the government rewards individuals without kids. Budget cuts are the focus of what's going on in Washington (sound familiar). Less children (future taxpapers) baby boomers are older and more in need of government help, transition centers at convenient locations--all this goes together to make for a good read. I have read all of Dr. Dobson's non-fiction books and was really surprised to find his first fiction book. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.

I loved this book because it makes you think about the current state of society and where we are headed. The book is set in the future when the birth rate has declined to the point the world is experiencing negative population growth. Children are not considered a blessing, but often are seen as a liability. Anyone who has mental or physical "defects" is labeled a debit. Older adults, and those who have any sort of physical, mental, or genetic defect, and wno longer are "contributors" are encouraged to "transition". Transitioning is simply a euphamism for assisted suicide. Couples who choose to have children (especially more than one child) are the exception and are referred to as "breeders'. Given society's attitudes towards abortion, the elderly, and those with infirmities; I honestly could see this kind of future becoming a reality.

Is it a novel, or a realistic glimpse into our not so distant future? Fatherless is a stand alone novel that holds a mirror to our society. This book is a wake up call, but is it too late? Will you hear the call? We live in a hedonistic self-centered society that minimizes or even discredits marriage, fathers, faith, morals, and life. I could not put this book down and I can't wait to read the sequels. I do not want to spoil the storyline, but this book has it all, drama, suspense, dirty politics, love, lust, romance, faith, family, birth, death, JOY and heartbreak. While it is a novel, it is well researched and the "fictional facts" should scare anyone who cares about the future (that should be all of us). Well done James Dobson & Kurt Bruner.

Although this is a real "page turner", it is so much more than that! I am learning to spot political trends and how they can influence our thinking and feeling by playing into the normal fears and anxieties of good people. I find myself in a "care giver" situation and can see that fleeting thoughts at the end of an exhausting day can be manipulated by social attitudes into unthinkable behavior. How awful to have our society support as heroic momentary thoughts that are so against Biblical values and to find oneself succumbing to these worldly philosophies! We have already seen this happen in recent times and that knowledge leads us to view these trends as real possibilities. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

The first book in a trilogy, I loved this storyline. Couldn't put it down. It predicts what life might look like in the year 2040 based on current social trends of today. Children and the elderly are not exactly honored or appreciated on any level. Families with more than one child are called 'breeders' and looked down on. The elderly are encouraged to 'transition' (suicide) so that their families, and the government can take possession of their assets, marriage is considered foolish. The economy is in dire straits, which has many causes. I liked the characters and their individual storylines. Read all 3 books in less than 2 weeks.