The Vagabond Healer leaves the reader deeply affected by its simple message of love, honesty, and service to others. Is the power of goodness in Eddie’s gift strong enough to overcome the curse of darkness hidden in everyone?
What if a Healer could cure any disease with a simple laying on of hands…but could also see the dark secrets hidden in the recesses of the soul? That is the premise of The Vagabond Healer, James R. Olson’s award winning novel.
Edward Foster brings this gift—or curse—to the little town of Cranston. He meets Lisa Bennett and for the first time in years has a reason to put down roots, but Eddy knows his gift will soon force him to run again. It is the same pattern everywhere he has traveled. At first people are grateful for the gift of his healing, but soon his curse of seeing into the deepest recesses of people’s souls, exposing their darkest secrets, begins to stir their fear. People strike out at what they fear.
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When asked whether there had been anyone in his life upon whom he had based the character of Eddie, Olson said no. The idea for the story had come out of nowhere while he was watching a pharmaceutical commercial on TV. The commercial mentioned a list of possible side effects from the medicine, some of which were extremely serious. Olson pondered on whether there might be a better way to defeat illness. That thought soon led to the creation of Eddie Foster, the vagabond healer. Since there are two sides to every coin, perhaps there had to be an opposite effect to the blessing of healing. In Eddie’s case it was the curse of seeing into the deep recesses behind the masks most people wear. This story became so real to Olson, that once Eddie Foster emerged, Sam, Mary, Lisa, and all the citizens of Cranston just automatically came to life on their own. The novel’s final question was a natural evolution. Is the power of goodness in Eddie's gift strong enough to overcome the curse of darkness hidden in everyone?
One reader of The Vagabond Healer described the novel as “a commentary on goodness and the angels that walk among us”. Another reader wrote the novel is “unique, well written, and touching to read, this book leaves the reader deeply affected by its simple message of love, honesty, and service to others. The story's afterglow makes the reader want to let all around them see their true self. Sweetly told, this earnest story is masterfully presented and leaves a positive lasting impression on the reader.”
One reviewer of The Vagabond Healer said, “Eddy Foster walks into the life of Sam and Mary Johnson in the autumn of their lives. Still grieving for a son lost in a pointless war and coming to grips with Mary's approaching mortality at the hands of a horridly painful form of cancer, Sam goes through his daily routine preparing for his loneliness. Eddy and his dog Mica are wanderers, seeking nothing more than water and a chance to give Sam a few hours hard work in exchange for enough money to buy their supper. Instead, a unique relationship is established and a bond is firmly formed between Sam and the young man. Eddy has healing powers in his hands but possibly his most powerful gift is the message he carries to those who will listen, ‘Don't be afraid to let people see your true self.’ ”
The Vagabond Healer, a recipient of The Reader’s Choice Award, is available as an eBook, paperback, or audible book.https://www.amazon.com/Vagabond-Healer-James-R-Olson/dp/0980071682/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
