The Dream is a work of Christian fiction on the topic of abortion and was penned by author Deborah Arlene. Written for mature readers due to the nature of the subject matter, the novel presents an anti-abortion viewpoint based on a religious perspective, which is woven into a personal drama narrative surrounding central character Seth Siracke. When Seth finds himself the victim of a harrowing recurring dream which he does not understand, his growing isolation drives him into a friendship with an elderly man who reveals God to him. From here the story explores the impact of abortion from a biblical perspective and the effects it has on family and relationships thereafter.

Abortion is a difficult subject to write about, even in fiction, but for those who already adopt the Christian standpoint on termination, this novel will provide biblical insight and reassurance. Controversy aside, author Deborah Arlene has crafted a well-written plot that takes us through authentic emotional states as Seth and the surrounding characters deal with the grief, guilt, and confusion that is so often associated with the process of abortion. The Christian themes are well depicted, particularly in the vivid dream sequence, and there is an overall message of love and hope set against the backdrop of despair that Seth finds himself in. Overall, if you’re in line with this stance on a very difficult topic to begin with, then The Dream will be a highly rewarding read that delivers engaging drama and strong Christian messages of love and connection to God.

The Dream by Deborah Arlene is a novel with strong religious themes that explores God’s tender love in our experience of brokenness. Seth is a broken man, and for over a year he has been haunted by recurring dreams that leave him worn out, “so tired, bone-tired” that he doesn’t want to fight anymore. His focus on things that matter begins to lessen and even his girlfriend Katy can’t help but feel frustrated about what is happening to him. He begins an investigation that leads him into the heart of one of the most painful human experiences: abortion. Thanks to an encounter with an elderly man, he gets powerful insights into the devastation caused by abortion. Ironically, his girlfriend who is a social worker encourages people to have abortions and she takes a lot of pride in it, believing that abortion eliminates poverty, child abuse, and neglect. Seth sets out on a spiritual journey to understand the sacredness of every life and experience the will of God.

The Dream is a novel with a prophetic message: every life is sacred. Every life has a purpose. As the reader gets into the mind of the protagonist, they begin to understand the pain that abortion causes and how it disrupts God’s plan. The writing is poignant, the narrative voice strong, and the story filled with insightful thoughts. As the author explores the theme of abortion and looks at the psychology behind it, readers will understand why some people choose abortion and the devastating consequences. Deborah Arlene’s writing will awaken the consciences of many readers and make them look at life differently. It is engaging and inspiring.

In The Dream by Deborah Arlene, Seth has been tormented by the same dream for over a year. When it begins to affect his relationship with his girlfriend, Katy, he reluctantly reaches out to a therapist and former teachers. No-one seems to be interested in helping him or in the fact that he feels God is trying to tell him something. As Seth's life and relationship take a drastic turn for the worse, an elderly man reaches out to him and seems to have an amazing insight into his problems. Slowly Seth realizes what the dream means and he finally understands the power and love of God. Seth believes the dream will now stop but he doesn't realize understanding the dream is only just the beginning of his journey towards a peaceful and fulfilling life.

When I read the synopsis for this book, I did hold preconceived ideas about the content, but I was quite mistaken. The subject of abortion is a very relevant and controversial one. However, the author has tackled the subject with empathy and in a totally non-judgemental way. She makes the case for both sides very well. Seth was a wonderful character whose actions and behavior were very realistic. I really felt his pain as he tried to overcome his deepest and darkest emotions. The relationship with the elderly gentleman Harold was so unlikely but very endearing. The Dream by Deborah Arlene was interesting and the twists in the plot added further layers and substance. There are some definite life lessons to be learned, not just regarding morality, but also around building strong relationships with others. The Bible passages throughout were completely relevant to the issues many of us face today. I have learned that everyone receives guidance from God in order to have love and peace in their lives. God's message is subtle at first but, if you choose to ignore it, then the message becomes powerful and unable to ignore. You will definitely shed a tear at the end.

The Dream by Deborah Arlene is an eye-opener; it allows the reader to think about both sides of the spectrum when it comes to abortion. Seth Siracke has a girlfriend whom he loves a lot and he believes there is nothing that they cannot talk about. However, everything changes when Seth starts having a horrible dream. For a year, he has had the same dream and he needs to know what it means. His girlfriend doesn’t want to talk about it and wants to move on, but Seth is stuck on it. He starts looking for answers and he wants for this disturbing dream to stop. So he starts on a journey that gives him more questions for every answer. Seth is not ready to find the reason behind this dream, so why he is having it and what does it all mean to him.

Reading The Dream by Deborah Arlene was heartbreaking. Abortion is not an easy decision for the woman and not easy for the father. Somehow, the disparity of the situation is lost in the debate that always surrounds this topic. Deborah Arlene uses Seth to give a biblical perspective of what really happens when a child is aborted, what are the consequences that the mother and father have to face, and how it can be torturous on both of them. The author is respectful of the topic while also making a strong case for what she believes in and what is mentioned in the Bible. The pace of the story is just right; Seth emotes what he is going through incredibly well and gives more depth to the story. This is definitely a novel that will give readers a lot to think about!