Surrey author publishes novel about the donkey who carried the Holy Family on his back
By Brent Mattson
The B.C. Catholic
VANCOUVER--Most people have trouble remembering dreams minutes after waking up. Carolyn Budd-Goertzen, however, vividly remembers a dream she had more than 10 years ago; it became the basis of her first novel.
“It was really quite a unique experience,” the Surrey resident says. “I felt like I was there watching the Holy Family talking to one another. There were donkeys everywhere, and the donkeys talked to each other too.”
This dream became Dusk: God’s Chosen Donkey, the first book in a planned three-part series. It tells the story of Mary and Joseph starting well before the birth of Jesus, mainly from the perspective of their donkey, Dusk, and covers the time up to the wedding feast at Cana.
With the help of many clergy members and theologians, Budd-Goertzen spent the past decade meticulously researching historical records and Scripture for detail for the series. And though the book is written from the point of view of talking animals, Budd-Goertzen says it’s intended for ages 15 and older, and it’s full of humour adults will appreciate.
“So many bought it for their adult children who have left the Church, and others are using it as an evangelizing tool,” Budd-Goertzen says. “What I wanted was to be able to write something that both Protestants and Catholics could read.”
The book has already received some very positive reviews from a variety of sources, including Father Bill Comerford, CSsR, one of the people who helped guide Budd-Goertzen in her research.
“This is a magical story that will delight the innocent and young of heart, but it is the classical, powerful story that gives hope today to our troubled world,” he said. “If you surrender like a child and enter the dream that Carolyn had of a donkey who helped Jesus, Mary, and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem and beyond, then you will be rewarded with a delightful experience of faith.”
More information about Dusk, is available at carolynbuddgoertzen.com.
