Title: Obsessed
Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Westbow Press, Nashville
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 382
ISBN: 0-8499-4373-6
Genre: Christian fiction/suspense
If you find the greatest treasure in the world, is it really worth owning it all? Ted Dekker’s novel Obsessed introduces a Los Angeles realtor whose obsession becomes far more dangerous than he thinks. . It all begins with the death of a lady he never met. When he finds himself intimately connected, he begins to question him in order to retrieve the precious things he believes he has hidden. Stephen’s search eventually leads him to a deeper and more serious obsession. For a time, he unknowingly devotes his life to this problem, but when the danger becomes clearer, he must determine the value of the obsession.
From the title, you can probably guess that the theme of this book is obsession. But the obsession that weaves through the plot is not one-dimensional. It also progresses into the spiritual realm. In fact, the power of the book can be summed up in this one realization of Stephen near the end of the book: “This moment was nothing less than the collision of two obsessions, theirs and Roth’s. God’s obsession with man. Lucifer’s obsession with man. Himself.
Parallel to Stephen’s story is the story of some Jewish prisoners in the Nazi concentration camp in 1944-45. Each camp, Toruñ, lacks realism and may be too graphic for young people. However, these details indicate the depth of the extreme injustice, which is an important part of the book’s plot.
Obsessed contrasts positive obsessions with bad obsessions, which ultimately arise from an obsession with God or an obsession with oneself. Human obsessions with God or themselves, in turn, arise from cosmic obsessions and opposites that God and Satan hold. This is Dekker’s message, not by preaching, but by weaving a narrative. A new heart lies in the comments of an old merchant and Messianic Jew. The antique dealer observes, “We were created for love, for too much. We do invest in it, but usually not on the right idea” (147). And then there is Chaim, the Messianic Jew: “The Rabbi was still delighted in much of Judaism, but he also believed that the Messiah had already come. He believed in Jesus of Nazareth, and talked constantly about the madness of loving him” (157).
Who would be interested in Obsessed? This novel would make an excellent gift for a Christian who wants to share his faith with a non-Christian friend who enjoys reading it. If nothing else, this book communicates that God deeply wants us and our love. Most teenagers and adults who are interested in quality Christian fiction will probably enjoy this book as well. If you are a parent, make sure you understand the content of this book before recommending it to your children. Some scenes and some material may not be suitable for your children or teens. Otherwise, enjoy this book and pass it on to your friends.
