The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
Series: Book 1 of 2 in The Homefront Series
Publisher: Revell (June 1, 2010)

REVIEW BY GWEN M. PLANO

The Unfinished Gift is a Christian Historical Fiction novel set at Christmas in 1943. A seven-year-old boy, Patrick Collins, has lost his mother, and his father is missing in action somewhere in Germany. World War II rages, and the child is alone.  

Patrick is taken to his grandfather’s home but is not welcomed there. The elderly man hasn’t had contact with his son for years and wants nothing to do with the child. As the story unfolds, a massive winter storm hits and, in the confusion, the young boy sneaks out of the house and tries to find the kind lady from child services. He gets lost in the blinding storm and nearly dies.

As he turned back toward the bed, he caught a glimpse of his mother’s eyes. “You should never hate anyone,” he remembered her saying . . . “Where would we be if God hated us every time we did something wrong?” Then she cupped his chin softly in her palm. “We can’t treat people one way and expect God to treat us another…right?”
-Dan Walsh, The Unfinished Gift

This is a book I could not put down. With the backdrop of WWII and a father missing in action, coupled with a tragic accident that took a young mother’s life – I was glued to the story. Dan Walsh is masterful in keeping the tension taut, even though it is a child who guides us through the pages.

Walsh is also gifted in creating characters who are believable. With minimal descriptive words, he sets the tone and introduces each character in ways that allow us to know him or her as a neighbor or part of our family. They are familiar and unforgettable, for good or ill.

The Christian theme of forgiveness runs throughout the story via the unfolding traumas and the kindness of strangers. Readers walk alongside the characters and might even cry with them. I teared up several times. This was a heartwarming and thought-provoking read, one that is perfect for Christmas and for the times in which we live.

I endorse The Unfinished Gift with five enthusiastic fish!

I read the Kindle Unlimited version of The Unfinished Gift.