Joe DiSalvo - "A fantastic book. It was difficult to put down and I didn't want it to end.
Gary Davis - I'm reading it now. I love the story line.
Pat Sparks - Bless Me Father by Christopher Clawson is a novel meant to speak to many in today’s society. It addresses sexual abuse, homosexuality, and family dynamics in a such way as to make each reader evaluate their own beliefs and life circumstances. I found this book to be well written, but it took more than one reading to fully comprehend the messages contained therein.
The Matthews family at first appears to be a family blessed with many material things and a patriarch who is able to provide a secure home, many comforts, and a faith rooted in tradition. As the plot develops, the reader soon learns that all is not as it seems. Noah Matthews suffered sexual abuse as a child and often finds himself reliving that horror. He finally finds a friend who went through the same ordeal who happens to be a Catholic priest. Through weekly meetings, these men find a peace for which they’ve longed for many years.
Noah Matthews is raising a family of five young men, individuals in every way. He is supported in this effort by his wife, Her parents have accepted Noah from the beginning, for which he is grateful. Noah’s own family was ripped apart by divorce and he and his brother were separated. Because of this, he wants his sons to always know they can count on one another as well as Noah and Nicole.
Accepting homosexuality comes somewhat hard for Noah but his position in the art world brings him into contact with men who are openly gay. He invites a young model into his home and, by doing so, creates a dramatic tension which can only end in tragedy. Before the culmination of that tragedy, Noah, his friend, and his family are caught up in a situation that seems impossible to be rid of.
This book is a well-written account of the effects of sexual abuse in our society. It is an act of violence which a victim carries throughout their life. In writing this book, Mr. Clawson has provided insight into the far-reaching effects of this violence on not only the victim, but their friends, acquaintances, and families. Bless Me Father creates an emotional response in the reader to help put an end to this tragic blight on our society.
Bless Me Father develops characters to make them come to life. As each character is introduced they are integrated into the plot seamlessly. As the story develops, each character’s actions are anticipated until the tragedy occurs.
I found this to be a well-written book with great character development and a message that is both timeless and timely.
Patricia McCarthy - Meet the Matthews family. They’re a huge family with love, compassion and loyalty running through their veins. Successful and decent people who struggle with their demons just like others; they’ve had more than their share of crosses to bear, some laid upon their shoulders at a young age. Suffering atrocities that no one should ever endure, this fine family steps up to bear burdens too heavy for one person to carry alone. Through acts of love, respect and empathy, we are taken on a journey of suffering, healing and lifelong bonds. Follow along with Christopher and his fictional family, the Matthews, through Bless Me Father, The Trade and The Wild Swan for weeks of page-turning reading.
Christopher is an Author who is not afraid to confront uncomfortable and taboo subjects, often off-limits for the faint of heart writers we read today. Not one to dance around the lily pond, he jumps in with both eyes opened and tackles distressing and disturbing subjects like nobody’s business, but does so in a way that holds the readers hand as they travel together to the last satisfying page. He’s an extraordinary storyteller who doesn’t quit until the last word is dotted with a period.
Joe DiSalvo - It's an incredible story! You'll love it. A "hard-to-put-down" type of book.
Rene Hughes - "I loved the Trade we actually moved to the USA a year before 9/11. The story was beautifully written and very realistic. I felt like I was in the story at times. Loved the plot about family and the strong bond between the members of the family. I would definitely recommend it. It was a real page turner and I thoroughly enjoyed it."
Rene Hughes - I felt like I was in the story..... Couldn't put it down !
Kristen Kirkwood Boehmer - WOW - just WOW !!
Kristen Kirkwood Boehmer - WOW - just WOW !!
Zach Thomas - November 17th - Going Home is really a lovely story - Christopher's writing reminds of John Irving's.