Summary:
Jack Merryweather goes to the same school as Timmy Trial, but they aren’t exactly friends. Timmy is a bully and Jack only wants to escape from him. But instead, Timmy and Jack find themselves on an adventure together in the extraordinary city of Aletheia, in the mysterious land of Err. There they see strange sights and make new friends; there they meet frightening creatures that they never imagined existed; and there they learn more about salvation and Christian life. When Timmy is taken captive by the dreaded Snares and carried far away into the dark forests of Err, Jack and his friends from Aletheia set out to rescue him. But do they really know how to defeat these foes? Have they armed themselves adequately for the fight? Or will they fail to rescue Timmy Trial?
Through the adventure this book explores the Biblical truth of REDEMPTION.
Published by John Richie Ltd
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Another great story by E.M. Wilkie…and a birthday present sorted for my nephew!
After reviewing The Adventures of Gamrie Tickle back in April, I was eager to get started on the Aletheia Adventure Series starting with #1, The Rescue of Timmy Trial, which I listened to online through her website.
Jack and Timmy, from England, unexpectedly end up in Aletheia during their school lunch break. Jack, who has always longed for adventure, sees everything through curious eyes. Also, as a Christian, he fits in well with the Wallop family he visits, especially getting on well with young Hezekiah Wallop.
Timmy – well, he is a different story. He says he is a Christian because he goes to church, and a Christian school – oh, and his dad has lots of money and gives to the church a lot. But he comes to realise that being a Christian is a whole different matter – and his wanting his own way, and his love of money and self gets him into a whole lot of trouble. (I loved how in this story Proverbs 23:5 comes to life as the characters who love getting/holding onto money watch their riches really grow wings and fly away!)
The allegories in these stories are wonderful and there are so many Biblical truths brought to light in this story…it’s hard to know which ones to highlight!
The Wallop children and Jack, knowing Timmy has slipped away in the night, decide to form their own rescue. They are Christians. They will put on their armour of God of course. What else do they need? They don’t need to wake their parents for this simple rescue! But they soon discover that a LOT more goes into rescuing than they realised and a lot of valuable lessons are learned!
The Fair at Wishy-Washy is a place of faded colour because, as Mr Weighty explains to the children “It’s because people have watered down everything. There are Christians here who have watered down the Truth of the Bible or just chosen the bits they like and so have become all watery and wishy-washy about what they believe.”
The food there isn’t safe either as it has been watered down, or altered or added to in some way, and “you begin to get a taste for things that aren’t quite what the Bible says.”
And the LEGO part…well that was inspiring storytelling by the author! Loved it! You see…but no! You’ll have to read that part for yourself!
My favourite part though has to be when the shadowy snares come for Timmy, Jack and Hezekiah. Jack, with his Bible held high is able to fend them off. Hezekiah, with his declaration of his faith in the Lord Jesus that has set him free, sends them scurrying. But Timmy has no such protection against the snares of Pride, Self, Arrogance, Boasting and Love-of-Riches, because, as one of the snares points out “You’ve been honouring us all day!” (You can read this excerpt online here.)
This story will appeal to children as the adventure set in Aletheia and the surrounding towns in the Land of Err are exciting and vividly written but also will be enjoyed and appreciated by adults too.
Actually, I believe children will get a greater appreciation of the story if on the first read-through, they have a Christian adult read it with them to help explain how the allegories appear in their everyday life.
I am delighted to give this story 5 
Looking forward to #2 in the series, The Purple Storm!
~ Wendy Sparkes ~