Plague Journal (Children of the Last Days)

This is the second book of a 'trilogy' within O'Brien's Children of the Last Days series, and possibly the shortest novel of any of his novels. It may be helpful to read Strangers and Sojourners (the first of the trilogy) first, but I didn't. After Plague Journals I went on to read Eclipse in the Sun, which is an important sequel, and a "page-turner." O'Brien's novels tend to be disturbing, sobering, and uplifting, in that they end on notes of hope, and even of triumph. They are certainly novels 'for our time.' O'Brien is a "watchman on the wall," and we would do well to listen to him. Although he is a Catholic (a Canadian), and the major characters in the books I've read are Catholic, one does not need to be a Catholic to find riches in these novels. Another of his novels, Island of the World, is set in Croatia, at the end of WWII, and although I have read a lot of WWII history, I learned many things new to me from this book. Because it is short, Plague Journals is perhaps a good O'Brien novel to begin with, although I first met the author through Father Elijah, a novel also in the Children of the Last Days series.

I read this book six years ago, but, like most people, I read it very superficially. Yes, the plot is important. In fact, it is fast and unpredictable. However, I missed so much wisdom that the author was trying to communicate to the reader about the breakdown of culture and how the Faith helps souls understand how to view the world. I gave it five stars, because it is more than a bridge between Strangers and Sojourners and Eclipse of the Sun. O'Brien pants a beautiful, realistic and startlingly accurate picture of the state of western civilization in the face of the loss of faith. Through well written narrative and journal entries together, he shows how the absence of faith and culture has caused a secular environment in which man's fallen nature leads to the end of an age. He is truly an artist with language and insight. I recommend it to readers who have already observed this breakdown of our culture. Read the book and then read it again!

I have discovered the most insightful and thoughtful author that I've ever had the privilege of reading before now. Michael D O'Brien is a beautiful soul. There were so many lines in this book that I just had to stop, cry, ponder and absorb. I have found this same incredible insight in his other books that I've read in the last couple of months: Sophia House, Father Elijah and Strangers and Sojourners. When I read these books, I realize that I am not alone, not the only one left that still has these values, these convictions about life. I am an introvert, like many of MDO's main characters, and there are lines I identify with so deeply, that again, I have to stop and just savor the beautiful, exquisite insight and understanding that he expresses in his writing. God bless Mr O'Brien and may many, many others experience the gift of reading his books.

As Michael O'Brien mentions in the forward, this is not a prophecy or prediction, but I am chilled by the plausibility of the events being described. I hesitate to say that I see evidence of the errosion of our actual social and personal liberties for fear of sounding alarmist or even paranoid. Nevertheless, I know that our freedoms are being chipped away in the name of tolerance by forces that are peversely intolerant of my rights to worship, think, and act according to my own faith. Back to the book...I was enthralled by the story and could hardly put it down. The pace and style of the narrative were entertaining and well written. I already read the successor novel, so I knew what was happening and what is coming next. Still, the story kept me turning pages, engaged, and eager to keep reading.Great book, read the whole series...they're worth it.

Page turner! Michael O'Brian is one of the most enjoyable authors. This is the second book of his I read and I will definitely be ordering the rest! The action is there. The morality is woven into the plot so well that you can't deny it, but it doesn't come across as a lecture. I recommend his books to all my friends. The settings in the wilderness also appeal to me. It's as if the characters live every day in an environment that I would consider perfect for a retreat and I get to go with them and enjoy the peace and simplicity of off-grid life.

Obrien's ability to 'flesh out' his characters is uncanny...they become so real that the reader becomes utterly involved in the action and understands why they make the choices they do. The villains are understated and this is where Obrien is so different from the vast majority of secular writers..his Catholic understanding brings out their humanity and we want 'all to be saved' as it were rather than being destroyed and humiliated. But the villains are still capable of great villainy and his heroes great heroism and each plays out his role with a satisfying tension that makes for a great read. I like the father in this novel and find him a surprisingly upbeat character considering the atheistic bitter father he had. This is one of his best of the series! I could write more if I felt less.

Loved the other novels in the series. This one did not disappoint. It can be read independently, and is very good. As part of the series, however, it comes to life fully. Thank you to the author for spending time writing this book.

2nd book in the Children of the Last Days trilogy. Picks up where Strangers and Sojourners left off. Equally as riveting. Just finished reading and just starting the 3rd book - Eclipse of the Sun. Michael O'Brien never fails to entertain.

An enthralling book, deeply moving and a warning to those who wish to listen that the new world order will succeed if we continue to ignore the threats to free speech and the right to express freely our beliefs.

It is strange how a book, written in 1999 prophetically predicts the fights and development of a society. We are now in 2014 and people are really imprisoned for defending their children and truth about social sin.