Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Robert Gately. South of Main Street. Sun Rising Poetry Books. 2005.

Coalsville, Pennsylvania is your typical town originally formed to provide residences for the local coal miners. The mine’s owners lived on the north side of Main Street and the workers’ families lived on the south side. Main Street was an almost impenetrable barrier between the two groups of people.

South of Main Street is the story of the Henry and Mary Wolff and their two daughters, Robin and Sharon. The story opens just after Mary Wolff dies of cancer. Henry seems oblivious to her death. His daughters often say he lives in “la la land”; the locals think he is just slightly mentally disabled.

Reading this book provides surprises at every turn. It shares the story of the town’s people through the eyes of Henry. They see him as “different’ because he readily talks to the down and outers – including drug addicts, dope pushers, and the homeless living under the local bridge. You’ll also see how knowing Henry changed their lives both before and after his death.

I enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, the main character was child-like in his attitudes and behaviors. Second, each character was well developed – the reader can see Henry’s relationship with that character and how each character responds to Henry’s behaviors. Third, the entire story reflects Christ’s admonition that we must become as little children to enter the kingdom of God.

After some email discussion with the author, I realized I missed much of the message of this book. Henry can be compared to Christ. Once you read the conclusion of the book, you’ll see that Henry changed the lives of 12 people just like Christ did for the disciples. There is rich symbolism throughout this book if you look for it. Henry didn’t preach his faith – he lived it.

Recommendation

This book would be excellent for a youth group or Bible study group to read as a modern day allegory. Perhaps it could be used to teach people how to dig a bit more into the meaning of the Bible itself. Unfortunately, our education system doesn’t prepare students to “read between the lines” in literature and hence, we easily miss rich symbolism. Bible teachers should educate their students in this technique so that they learn all the scriptures have to offer us about how to live the Christian life. Parents may want to use this book to teach their children about relating to other people in their lives in the way that Christ desires.