"The Vagabond Healer" not only deals with the joy of those cured of terminal illnesses, but also the bitter consequences when Eddy momentarily sees into a person's inner-being and glimpses the dark secrets everyone hides from the world. This dark-side effect of Eddy's touch breeds violence that threatens to consume Eddy and everyone he has come to love. Reactions to Eddy's power have turned him into an outcast, forced to live as a vagabond, never remaining long in one locale. Accompanied by his dog, Mica, he wanders the country. His travels bring him to the small town of Cranston where he meets someone who makes him want to stop running.
The Vagabond Healer
James R. Olson PublishAmerica (2007) ISBN 9781424169382 Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)
A drifter came into Sam Johnson’s garage and his life would never be the same again. Sam humbly tells the drifter Eddy’s story.
It was an ordinary day, if there is such a thing, when Sam meets Eddy. Eddy reminded him of a hippie as he walked down the road with a large dog by his side. The stranger warmed Sam’s heart. Sam offered Eddy and his dog Mica a place to stay, food and work. That evening he introduced Eddy to Mary. Mary was bedridden and had only a short time to live; cancer was eating her body. When Eddy touched her, she felt a strange warmth. Sam noticed that afterward Eddy seems extremely tired. The next morning Sam awoke to Mary cooking breakfast, at first he thought he was dreaming but it wasn’t a dream; Mary had been healed. Their doctor confirms the fact that Mary no longer has any sign of cancer. Her healing was an answer to prayer. Later Eddy touched others that are also healed. Eddy has a gift but sometimes it seems a curse. Some are frightened by his gift for when he touches them he can see their secrets and almost everyone has secrets. Eddy has been running from one town for several years. Some call him a witch; few offer him love and support. Sam and Mary suggest that, it’s time to stop running.
“The Vagabond Healer” by James R. Olson is one of the most touching books I’ve ever read. Mr. Olson is an extremely talented author. The plot is heartwarming and kept me on the edge of my seat. Olson manages to convey emotion in a way that few authors can. I was drawn into the plot and brought to tears on several occasions. Sam and Mary Johnson are the kind of people we all want to be, Sam has a few rough edges and came across as being very human. Eddy is a very vulnerable character. He displays selfless love and yet has a fear of having those he loves being hurt. Eddy would willingly sacrifice his life for others. Ernest is the perfect antagonist for this story. He is ruthless and arrogant; he’s the worst of humanity. The cover is beautifully done with the profile of a young man where the air around him appears to have a mystery. I truly enjoyed this book and read it at one sitting; I literally could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy Christian fiction. Well done Mr. Olson.
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