Thanks for joining us as we continue to look at the books of Jack Weyland. If you missed part one, click here.
In “Nicole,” published by Deseret Book in 1993, we meet Josh, a young man preparing to serve a mission for the church and who loves basketball. We also meet Nicole, brainy, beautiful, musical, and oh, did I mention, inactive? The two are as different as they can be, and Josh wonders if he’ll ever be able to break through the shell of sassy comebacks she has built around herself. But soon he sees a chink in that armor, a soft spot in her heart for her younger brother, who has special needs. As Josh learns more about those needs and about the Special Olympics program, he also learns that there’s more to Nicole than had ever met his eye.
“Brenda at the Prom” appeared in the New Era in short story form, but in reading the whole novel, published in 1988 by Deseret Book, we have the chance to delve more deeply into the characters and learn what they’re feeling. Kade is not quite fifteen, but is sure that he’s old enough to be taken seriously. Brenda is sixteen, beautiful, aloof, mysterious, and the love of Kade’s life. He would do anything to make her notice him, but then he learns that making her happy is even more important, and through a sacrifice on his part, he brings some of her dreams to reality.
I’ll close this installment by telling you about my favorite Weyland novel, which is “The Understudy,” published in 1985 by Deseret Book. Michael Hill is an actor, Hollywood to the core. When he is chosen to play Jesus Christ in a movie, he thinks it will be easy. He’s a professional, isn’t he? But grudges from his past keep him from feeling the compassion he should, and it’s bringing down the quality of his portrayal. Little by little, he learns that in order to truly portray the Savior, he must know more about him, and so begins his quest to draw closer to the Lord.
Keep your eyes out for part three of “The Books of Jack Weyland,” coming soon to your favorite media reviews website.
Related Blogs:
Author Interview — James Dashner
Author Interview — Jewel Adams
Movie of Jack Weyland’s Charly