ARA Review by D. H. Morris of The Chest of Visions

[D. H. Morris]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, The Chest of Visions.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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What would you do if someone from a parallel universe suddenly contacted you? Would you post it on your website? The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston by Tim Ferguson is a Christian allegory written as a series of letters between three interstellar individuals. Mattpaul is a young man who lives on an alien planet called Caperston. With a special communicator called a compol, he successfully transmits a message to Earth which is picked up by a young Christian named Tim, who posts it on his website.

Mattpaul shares with Tim that a great teacher named Chihaysu has come to his community and is gathering many followers among the “mountain people” and the “valley people,” two groups that don’t normally mix with each other. Tim recognizes that Caperston is experiencing events paralleling those related in the New Testament and shares with Mattpaul some of his beliefs about God and Christianity.

Another young man named Alex reads Mattpaul’s letters which have been posted on Tim’s website and begins his own correspondence with Mattpaul. Tim, Alex, and Mattpaul support each other as they seek answers to deep questions such as “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” As the three young men experience challenges and tragedies, they also give each other life advice including how to relate to the young women in their lives and how Mattpaul can defend his life choices to his disapproving father. In the end, Mattpaul’s own tragedy becomes something positive.

Three appendixes follow the series of letters. The first appendix is an extensive scientific explanation for how communication between Earth and Caperston could possibly occur. The second appendix includes a detailed series of lesson plans for Christian youth groups who wish to use the book as a study guide. The third and final appendix is a preview of a planned sequel that would follow the further adventures of Alex and Chihaysu.

The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston is an interesting read. Tim Ferguson has created a useful tool for those who are looking for a creative way to engage Christian youth groups. As a novel, however, it feels rather two-dimensional, which may be enough in a book designed to promote a lively discussion rather than to provide a satisfying narrative with fully developed characters and rich environment.

I gave The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston by Tim Ferguson 3 out of 5 stars for its originality and its usefulness for Christian youth group leaders.

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