Reviews of His Sins

WRITER'S DIGEST REVIEW OF HIS SINS:

'His Sins' spans three generations of a struggling family, focusing on the fate of the women who ally themselves with ambitious, emotionally distant, and selfish men. Ms. Behnish creates compelling, complex and intricate characters, particularly in the case of Elsa, who the reader follows from before birth until the cliffhanger ending. The social and political events of the time periods covered by this novel come into play in realistic plot twists and scenarios that help develop character and build tension. Each generation is convincingly drawn - they all have different ways of speaking, thinking, and navigating their worlds. It's quite impressive that Ms. Behnish was able to carry some of the concerns of the first generation into the third without making all of the characters similar.

REVIEW BY MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST

'His Sins' is a captivating novel about how some decisions have the capacity to withstand lifetimes and generations. We follow one man's decisions and see how the ripple effect lasts generations affecting not only his children, but his children's children, and their children also. It makes us think twice about the lives we lead, and the intentions we hold dear to our hearts. It warns us of our motivations and how they not only affect our own individual lives, but also the lives of those we love most, and even the lives of those we will never meet. 'His Sins' makes us remember that what we do is important, and what we feel is even more so.

His Sins Comment

"His Sins" is a captivating novel about how some decisions have the capacity to withstand lifetimes and generations. We follow one man's decisions to see how the ripple effect lasts generations affecting not only his children, but his children's children, and their children also. It makes us think twice about the lives we lead, and the intentions we hold dear to our hearts. It warns us of our motivations and how they not only affect our own individual lives, but also the lives of those we love most, and even the lives of those we will never meet. "His Sins" makes us remembrr that what we do is important, and what we feel is even more so.

Helen Edwards, M.Ed
Mental Health Therapist

His Sins Summary - Fiction

“His Sins” is a three-generation family saga about how the actions of one member of a family can be felt, and continue to be felt, by future generations.

Part I – Alexander and Janet – Alexander, at eighteen years of age, is determined to leave the mine; a mine that is killing his father. At 38 years old, his father is already coughing up phlegm and coal dust. Alexander’s anger becomes intensified with the eventual early death of his father and the stillborn birth of their first born child causing yet another delay in his ability to leave the mine. He finally manages, along with Janet, to leave their mining community in Scotland for a new world where they believe that the streets are lined with gold. In the Peace River District of Canada, he finds that riches are not everywhere as he had thought. Realizing that disappointment and bad luck has continued to follow and haunt him wherever he has traveled, he takes his anger and bitterness out on his family.

Part II – Elsa, Alexander and Janet’s daughter, was conceived on a night when Alexander, while in a drunken state, had taken Janet without thought for the pain he was inflicting upon her. She is loved by neither father nor mother. As a result she grows up where loneliness is her constant companion becoming the one who bears the brunt of her parents’ frustration and anger. Because of the lack of love shown by her parents, Elsa is completely lacking in self-esteem placing her in a vulnerable position. As a result she marries a man, much like her father, who is happy to have a wife that can be so easily controlled. And while raising seven children, she remains completely under his thumb, always fearful and intimidated.

Part III – Sarah Ann, second child of Elsa and Peter, is born with spunk. She is spirited and determined. Watching her father’s treatment of her mother, she quickly resolves to never allow herself to be treated in such a way by any man, ever.

As she grows older, appearing to be unscathed by her parents’ dysfunctional relationship, she happily dates telling all that marriage holds no interest for her. Until she meets Adam! It is then she realizes that her family history has had an affect upon her as well. As Adam becomes more serious, she discovers that her issues of “trust” and especially “commitment” are problems she will have to overcome if she doesn’t want to lose Adam forever. Is she able to resolve her dilemma?

“His Sins” is a story about families and relationships; about what the results can be of one person’s actions on another. It is also a story about the power of the human personality and how adversity can be overcome with strength and determination. Although it tells of bitterness and resentment, it also speaks of love.

His Sins Preview III

Part III Sarah Ann

Chapter I

* * * * * * * *

Sarah Ann sipped her wine as she watched Adam over the rim of her glass. Knowing that he sensed there was something wrong, she was apprehensive about what he might say to her and how she would answer. She didn't enjoy serious conversations where she was put in the position of having to explain her actions. And she especially didn't want to have to explain why she was backing away from their relationship.

Laying down his knife and fork, Adam picked up his glass of wine and looked across the table at Sarah Ann. The smile had disappeared from his face.

"Do you want to tell me what's bothering you? I know you well enough to know there's something going on in that pretty head of yours. How will we be able to have a relationship if we're not going to be able to talk about things that bother us? Have I said or done something to offend you?"

Sarah Ann could feel the heat in her cheeks spread to her neck. "It's nothing you're said or done Adam. You're a great person."

"If I'm great, why do I get the feeling that you're pulling away from me? I felt it as soon as I asked if you wanted to join me when I go to Prince George. I thought we had something special going but now I'm confused."

Sarah Ann looked unhappily at her plate. The seafood, which she normally loved, looked unappetizing and she felt nauseous as she considered how she was going to answer him. Confused, she didn't want to lose what they had but she was also afraid of where the relationship might take her.

She was very attracted to Adam but her feelings for him were much stronger than what she was comfortable with. She was beginning to get that closed in feeling that she had experienced in the past when she was in a relationship that was getting too serious. Normally when this feeling hit her, she was off and running. But she didn't really want to do a disappearing act this time but she couldn't stay either.

Although she didn't like the feeling of not being in control of her emotions, she also didn't want to lose what they had either. She had to admit to herself that she enjoyed how Adam treated her, how he made her feel special, the fun they had when they were together, the things they had in common and how they could talk for hours.

His Sins Preview II

Part II Elsa

Chapter I

Walking aboard the C.P.R. Ferry from the downtown Vancouver wharf, Elsa clutched her battered old cardboard suitcase tightly. She had the beginnings of a hard lump in the pit of her stomach. Waving at Katrin, she leaned on the railing of the outer deck, letting the icy wind whip at her hair. As the vessel moved further out into the water, she watched the deep troughs of waves following behind as it made a wide arc, gradually leaving the wharf, and Katrin, far behind. She might have been crossing the ocean back to Scotland, so lonely did she feel.

Seagulls screeched overhead, occasionally landing on the railing nearby. Wrapping her coat more tightly around her body for warmth, she remain on the deck, not wanting to go into the interior of the crowded ship. She preferred instead to be alone with her misery.

Her parting from Katrin had been difficult with each girl promising to write every day. Elsa and Elizabeth had parted with hugs and promises of letters but Elsa knew that Elizabeth, with her active social life, would have little time for writing.

Her father had made no comment when she had told him about the job she had secured for herself and had barely acknowledged her farewell. Hrr mother had awkwardly kissed her eldest daughter on the cheek and Elsa had smiled wryly when she realized it was the first kiss she ever remembered receiving from her mother. Even Katrin's parents' farewell had been more affectionate than her own family's had been when they had said goodbye. This fact had not bothered Elsa and nor was it a surprise.

She was to be met at the Ferry in Nanaimo and then would be driving to the inland logging camp further up the island. Mrs. Clarkson, the lady she would be working for, had said that it was a two hour drive from the Ferry and to be prepared for the rough ride.

"For the most part," she had said, "the logging roads are barely cleared enough for the logging trucks that travel back and forth constantly. I only go when I have to and now with another baby coming, it's not worth the trip."

Elsa had never travelled to Vancouver Island before and in spite of the biting cold and her extreme nervousness about the task before her, she discovered that she was beginning to enjoy the ferry ride. She was to be responsible for the care of three small children, as well as household duties. The care of a small baby would be exciting too, she expected.

"The meals will not be your responsibility," Mrs. Clarkson had written, "but all of the other duties of running the household will be expected. My husband is very particular about his meals so I will be preparing them myself." Her duties did not overly concern Elsa because she was used to work but she wondered what her employers would be like.

Would Mrs. Clarkson be a difficult mistress? And Mr. Clarkson? Would he be friendly? Maybe even too friendly? Elsa was particularly shy and uncomfortable around men and for that reason was more concerned aout her meeting with Mr. Clarkson than she was about meeting his wife. As the ferry ploughed its way through the water to Nanaimo, Elsa had many questions running through her head.

After the Ferry had docked, she walked out to the passenger loading area and saw a bright red pick-up truck with 'Anmore Logging Inc,' stencilled onto the side in bold black lettering. A man of perhaps fifty stood beside the truck, a haze of purple smoke circling his head. He had black curly hair, streaked with gray and what appeared to be a two or three day gtowth of whiskers on his weathered face. His eyes were alert and intelligent as he watched a group of small children playing, a paternal and good-natured smile hovering on his lips. Elsa walked timidly towards him. "Mar. Morrison?"

His Sins Preview I

Part I Alexander and Janet

Chapter I

Alexander sat, sullen and silent, a brooding scowl etched on the forehead of his young face. It gave him the appearance of having aged prematurely. His icy hands circled the mug of steaming sweet tea while he watched from beneath hooded eyelids. Seething with anger, he saw his father double over in a bout of uncontrollable coughing, the phlegm heavy in the older man's congested chest. After the spasm had passed, his father sat up and wipping the beads of sweat from his face with the back of his coal-blackened hand, he reached for his own mug of the hot sweet black tea. Swallowing the tea in great, hurried gulps, fearful of being late for his shift in the pit, he began another bout of strangled coughing. Looking away, Alexander was no longer able to watch his father.

At only thirty-eight years of age, his father gave the appearance of being a much older man, as did most of the men who spent their lives in the mine. 'The mine will kill him,' Alexander thought bitterly, unable to hide the anger he felt at his father's acceptance of what life had dealt him, 'but it'll not be getting me.'

Turning to face his father, his thoughts focused, as they were every morning, on how much he hated going down into the pit. 'Why dinna he try to better himself and make life better for the family? He dinna care 'bout leaving the mine but I'll not stay a minute longer than I've got to,' Alexander vowed under his breath while his father continued to gasp for air.

"Give over with you and help your Da," his mother cuffed him on the side of the head. Her shrill voice caused him to purse his lips tightly together knowing that whatever he would answer in response would only earn him another cuff for his effort.

"There's naught wrong with me, Elsa. We'd best be leaving now, lad." He picked up his meal bucket, the tally lamp and flask of pit oi. Alexander followed him with the ricketty and the black pwder.

"You help your Da now," his mother's harsh voice followed him into the cold morning air. "He don't need no lazy lump of a son when he's feelin' poorly."

By the time they reached the entrance to the mine, having pedalled on their bicyles in the freezing rain, Alexander's clothes were as damp as his spirits. 'No point in worrying none about it with water running in all of the seams too,' he thought bitterly. Alexander was never dry enough, warm enough or full enough. It was five a.m. and the night was still as black as he knew the inside of the coal mine would be at the bottom of the shaft.

No one spoke as the miners were lowered three thousand feet into the bowels of the earth. Each one silent, and each one dreading the thought of yet another gruelling day, knowing that this day could be their last.

Alexander worked with his father in their own area of the mine and today they were working in a coal seam that was only twenty inches in depth. Alexander crept along behind his father holding the tally lamp as high as possible, it being the only means of lighting their way. He could hear one of the mine's ponies snorting in the distance in their underground stable. Alexander knew that the lives of the ponies were no better than his or his father's, or any of the other miners that worked each day in the mines.

"The ricketty, lad," his father reached behind him and Alexander handed the older man the small hand drill so he could make holes in the coal seam which he would then fill with explosives and a long fuse. "The black powder now, lad."

When the explosives were set, Alexander backed quickly out of the seam, closely followed by his father. Alexander always said a thankful prayer that his father always knew exactly how much black powder to put into each drilled hole. He didn't want his life shortened before he could get out of this black hell-hole.

He had plans and, unlike his father, they didn't include spending the rest of his life under the ground breathing in coal dust until his skin turned gray and coughing up his insides by the time he was thirty-five. He was only eighteen and he'd already been down in the mine for four years. 'Four years too long,' Alexander often thought as he worked silently beside his father beneath the unforgiving earth.

Each time they heard the series of explosions go off, they crawled back into the seams with their picks. It was Alexander's job to load the tubs with the coal and push it along the underground rail. By the time he had pushed it to the end of the haulage line and placed their identifying pin in the tub, the sweat was running down the inside of his already damp shirt. He retrieved an empty tub and brought it back to the opening of the seam. By the time he returned to where his father was chipping at the coal with his pick, Akexander had cooled off and was shivering again. He constantly alternated between freezing cold or drippiing sweat. He wiped his runny nose with the back of his hand and renewed his deep hatred for the mine.

Summary of His Sins - My First Fiction Book

"His Sins" is a three generation family saga. It is about how the actions of one member of a family can be felt, and continue to be felt, by future generations.

Part I - Alexander and Janet - Alexander, at eighteen years of age, is determined to leave the mine; a mine that is killing his father. At 38 years old, his father is already coughing up phlegm and coal dust. Alexander's anger becomes intensified with the eventual early death of his father and the stillborn birth of his first born child causing yet another delay in his ability to leave the mine. He finally manages, along with Janet, to leave their mining community in Scotland for a new world where they believe that the streets are lined with gold. In the Peace River District of Canada, he finds that riches are not everywhere as he had thought. Realizing that disappointment and bad luck has continued to follow and haunt him wherever he has traveled, he takes his anger and bitterness out on his family.

Part II - Elsa, Alexander and Janet's daughter, was conceived on a night when Alexander, while in a drunken state, had taken Janet without thought for the pain he was inflicting upon her. She is loved by neither father nor mother. As a result she grows up where loneliness is her constant companion becoming the one who bears the brunt of her parents' frustration and anger. Because of the lack of love shown by her parents, elsa is completely lacking in self-esteem placing her in a vulnerable position. As a result she marries a man, much like her father, who is happy to have a wife that can be so easily controlled. And while raising seven children, she remains completely under his thumb, fearful and intimidated.

Part III - Sarah Ann is the second child of Elsa and Peter. She is spirited, spunky and determined. Watching her father's treatment of her mother, she quickly resolves to never allow herself to be treated in such a way by any man, ever.

As she grows older, appearing to be unscathed by her parents' dysfunctional relationship, she happily dates telling all that marriage doesn't interest her. Until she meets Adam! It is then she realizes that her family history has had an affect upon her as well. As Adam becomes more serious, she discovers that her issues of "trust" and especially "commitment" are problems she will have to overcome if she doesn't want to lose Adam forever. Will she be able to overcome them?

"His Sins" is a story about families and relationships; about what the results can be of one person's actions on another. It is also a story about the power of the human personality and how adversity can be overcome with strength and determination. Although it tells of bitterness and resentment, it also speaks of love.