Congo Mission: A Jack Sharp Novel

McPherson’s second novel, a prequel to A Step Ahead of Death, depicts the affable Dr. Jack Sharp’s early years as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Arriving from a small town in Indiana, Jack acclimatizes to life in Africa through a series of anecdotal mishaps, and soon befriends members of the local community of Balamba. As a new convert to Christianity, Jack wrestles with the responsibilities and commitments of missionary work. A parallel story involves John Levy, a man who wants to make it rich by smuggling diamonds out of the Congo. John’s own maneuvers bring him inexorably closer to Jack, threatening what Jack holds dear. A tendency to tell instead of show and a repetition of incidental information cause the narrative to drag. While Jack is a likable character, McPherson does not give the rest of his cast especially distinctive voices. The novel does succeed in examining issues of morality and faith; the characters are continually challenged to think about their personal decisions and the consequences that follow. Though the plot holds promise, it is difficult to invest in the fate of McPherson’s characters. [em](BookLife) [/em]