November 4, 2009

Novel about the Crucifixion an exciting read

By Julie Filby

If you could stop the crucifixion of Jesus, would you? Should you?

Local author Claudia Cangilla McAdam asks these questions in her new book “Awakening”—a fast-paced novel packed with truth, tension and a touch of romance.

The book, geared toward teenage and young adult readers, tells the story of Ronni, a present-day American teenager who wakes up in Jerusalem during the week of Jesus’ crucifixion. She realizes she knows something no one else knows—that Jesus will die soon—and she tries to stop the crucifixion.

This is McAdam’s 12th book, her first effort in the teen and young adult market, and her first work of historical fiction.

“I’d like to encourage readers who have immersed themselves in realistic fantasy (such as the ‘Twilight’ series for young adults) to explore fantastic reality,” McAdam said. “There’s no better story in my opinion, than the Story—that of salvation history.”

A number of factors came together to inspire the book.

“For a long time I had these characters running around in my head,” McAdam said.

For years, as she attended the Stations of the Cross and other liturgies during Lent, scenes from the suffering and death of Jesus were acted out in her mind by characters she imagined. At the time, she was also a student at the Denver Catholic Biblical School.

“My study of Scripture was becoming more intense,” she said. “I wanted to share some of the things I’d learned by doing what I do best—writing a story that would rivet, inspire and inform.”

She continued her study of Scripture and Catholic tradition at Denver’s Augustine Institute, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in biblical theology. Additional research included studying maps of ancient Jerusalem, investigating how people lived during the time of Jesus’ life and even visiting the Holy Land.

“If you set characters in a real location, you have to learn about it so it comes across authentically in your writing,” she said. “In historical fiction, it’s important to get the physical details right because you’re creating situations that very well could’ve occurred.”

McAdam and her publisher discussed about 300 possible titles before settling on her original choice of “Awakening.”

“Ronni wakes up in a different place and time (5,000 miles away, some 2,000 years earlier) so there’s a physical awakening,” she said. “Then because of what she experiences the last three days of Jesus’ earthly life, she undergoes a spiritual awakening.”

McAdam produced a study guide to accompany the book, to create a more in-depth opportunity for students, adults, youth groups and book clubs to learn from the book.

“My greatest desire is that the book motivates individuals to study the Bible,” she said. “I hope that readers will experience a greater understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and a richer appreciation for God’s love.”

McAdam, who attended Catholic schools in the Denver Archdiocese, has spent the last 30 years writing for magazines and newspapers throughout the country, in addition to authoring books. She has won awards for her children’s books and her latest picture book “Maria’s Mysterious Mission” was a finalist for a Colorado Book Award. An earlier book “The Christmas Tree Cried” was a local bestseller. McAdam, a parishioner at St. Thomas More Church in Centennial, is married with two grown sons and one grandson.

“Awakening” ($14.95, Sophia Institute Press) is available at  www.sophiainstitute.com, www.amazon.com and area book stores. McAdam will do a reading and book signing at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch 7 p.m. Dec. 4; and book signings at St. Thomas More Gift Shop in Centennial 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Visit www.claudiamcadam.com for more information.