Title: Hypocrite
Author: Tasha Harper
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781543466904
Pages: 138
Genre: Christian Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
Tasha Harper’s newest literary work Hypocrite, offers readers spiritual food for thought and emancipation of the spirit, with her soulful and affecting blend of temptation, faith, romance, conflict, forgiveness and anguish. Overall, the story heartily embodies a striking examination of the struggles that many Christians face while experiencing life in a world where the focus of life seems to aim at the basest of behaviors, this narrative strikes a deeply relatable chord.
Central to the story is Sophia Middleton, who seems to have it all. She is a successful and well-loved Christian, who dedicates her time and efforts to bringing young people to Christ; she speaks about it, teaches it, as well as leads Bible studies. Additionally, she even believes she can change the world with love, one person at a time. As a matter of fact, she has had a powerful effect on many lives, although she also suffers from her own vices as she lives her life as a lie. Consequently, immersed in stupendous hypocrisy, Sophia leads a double life. One facade, her public image, presents a loving, faithful servant of God, and a shining example of a seemingly faithful Christian, however, on the other hand, she gives into worldly temptations by leading a life rife with sin, unmarried, she lives with her boyfriend Derek, parties, drinks and indulges in sex.
Moreover, conflict abounds when tragic events occur which forces Sophia’s secret out into the open. How can she speak to youth about living a life of purity, and creating a God centered life when she does not adhere to her own tenets of faith? Hence, accordingly what follows is the story of Sophia’s conflicted life which artfully brings to the forefront the result of her infidelity to her spiritual self and God. As her mind is cluttered with the emotions of love, guilt, and shame, she found things increasingly difficult to manage until she finally faces the reality of her own reality.
Altogether, Hypocrite turned out to be completely immersive read which I found instantly engaging from its outset. Author Tasha Harper has a wonderfully honed skill set for lucid, detailed storytelling which touches the depths of the spirit, warms the heart and awakens the Christian mindset. I found the complex character of Sophia to be intensely engaging and realistic, with the extent of her love, pain and conflict well portrayed. I recommend this powerful book for any Christian library, as it is well worth the read.
