Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough
By Priscilla Johnson • Aug 1st, 2009 • Category: Book Review 2009 •
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After turning eighteen, Dae’s foster parents had his bags packed and waiting when he arrived home from school. With only a part-time job and a studio apartment, Dae struggled to care for himself and eventually ended up on the streets of University Park. He learned how to find a warm place to sleep, occasional odd jobs for money, and on desperate days, he knew where to find a decent meal. Dae also absorbed information from the professors, students and the people of the streets. Kotanya Kimbrough first novel, Hand of God, tells the story of a unique young man.
One night, Dae sees a man in searching the streets for a crack house. Bishop Theodore Wallace is a well-known and highly-respected pastor and father in University College. Bishop asks Dae for help and somehow the two become linked together. There was something about Dae that intrigued Bishop and he later began to look for him. Dae wanted nothing to do with Bishop or his church, Greater American Ministry Evangelical Mission. Yet, these two men were drawn to each other. Dae joined the church and he was eager to teach the lessons he learned both on the streets and in church. As his popularity grew as a speaker, Bishop began to look differently at Dae. Bishop’s world began to unravel and he found a way to place all of the blame on Dae. It is only by the grace or hand of God that these two men learn to accept responsibility for their actions and trust God.
Kimbrough tells a very real and heart-breaking story of faith, trust, jealousy, addiction, homelessness, honor, encouragement, strength and salvation. Dae and Bishop were so much alike in their struggle for acceptance; yet, they were so far apart in their walk for salvation. Bishop was willing to do anything to keep his position. Dae simply wanted to share his knowledge and growth with others. The author did an excellent job of telling a story of faith that shows that even the men of the cloth can fall as easily as everyone else. I enjoyed this novel very much and I would encourage everyone to read to it.
Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
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Priscilla Johnson is a single mom of a 12 year-old and guardian of two teen-age nephews, lives in Baltimore Maryland. Working full time as an Equal Opportunity Investigator, she enjoys spending her free time traveling to bookstores within the area to meet her favorite authors at book signings or helping to plan book events. Priscilla was given the nickname “BookManiac” by a co-worker who continues to laugh at her weekly delivery of books in the mail. She has been reviewing books for APOOO, A Place Of Our Own, for a little over eight months and she enjoys every minute. Besides reading, Priscilla enjoys walking, crocheting, or simply sitting on her balcony listening to the Creator.
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“Hand of God” really sounds good.