Review:
‘Angels in the Fire’
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     Members of Hampton Village Book Club (HVBC), an inspirational book group, met recently to discuss “Angels in the Fire” by Dann Stadler. HVBC is sponsored by Lovett Memorial Library of Pampa, Texas, and hosted by Hampton Village housing development on Alcock in Pampa.

     The reviews for this non-fiction title varied among HVBC’ers. The book is a very difficult, very easy read. ‘What,’ you say? How can that be? Such a statement is an absolute contradiction in terms! Er, exactly. …

     Though Stadler’s biographical literary effort is not lengthy in volume of pages, the book contains graphic descriptions of the Stadlers’ broken, ravaged, almost inhumanly damaged bodies in the wake of a horrendous traffic accident involving a drunk driver and the Stadlers in September 1989 on a dark Florida highway. Hence, the book is sometimes hard to read.

     The drunk driver who hit the Stadlers’ vehicle died instantly in the fiery, head-on two-car collision.

     The Stadlers though — through seemingly divine intervention — somehow survived the horrific accident. “Angels in the Fire” is the harrowing account of the crash itself and of the couple’s difficult journey to recovery. Bear in mind, however, that post-crash the Stadlers never did achieve or recoup their full, pre-crash health and physical well-being.

     Personally, this blogster gives “Angels” a solid three stars out of five. (Disclaimer: This blogster seldom hands out five stars! Therefore, three stars by this blogster’s standards are good.)

The main objection articulated by HVBC members who read Stadler’s account was the sheer number of supernatural occurrences described in this rather brief biography. On the plus side, some HVBC’ers felt the book resonated with credibility and honesty.

     This blogster found it difficult to relate to Dann’s smooth, even tenor. The author never descended into the morbid, rather preferring to lightly hint at negativity or at episodes of self-pity. Indeed, the telling was almost relentlessly upbeat. While this blogster admires a positive outlook, the Stadlers' ordeal would perhaps have been easier to relate to if the author had revealed a bit more personal struggle in the recounting of certain experiences, memories, or events.

     Check-out “Angels in the Fire” on the shelves of Lovett Memorial, 111 N. Houston. The book is shelved with the new non-fiction selections. Call or stop by the front desk of the library for more information, 806.669.5780.

     HVBC meets once a month in the main office at Hampton Village on Alcock. Visitors are welcome. The group will next meet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, July 28 at Hampton Village. For more information, contact the library.