Can the lives of two strangers intertwine to influence the world?
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—Have you ever wondered if there is a bigger plan to your life or if
everything just happens by chance? In his novel The Blackberry Bush, David
Housholder takes readers on a journey across two continents to discover that their lives may
be bigger than they think—and that even the worst of mistakes can find redemption. While
on this journey, he also examine today’s youth cultures and their complex relationship
with the Christian faith.
According to Housholder, “We are all products of an extensive root system, whether or not
we believe it or acknowledge it.” The tapestries of our lives have been woven together
using the pasts of our parents, grandparents and generations before who influenced who we
will become. But we can take the mistakes from their pasts and weave them into something
beautiful in our futures. We can be a product of generational blessings and generational
curses, but it is up to us to sort it out.
The Blackberry Bush begins with two babies, Kati and Josh, who are born on opposite sides of the world at the very
moment the Berlin Wall falls. You would think that such a potent freedom metaphor would become the soundtrack for
their lives, but nothing could be further from the truth. They will follow a parallel path connected by a mistake their
great grandparents made years before.
Despite his flawless image, Josh, an artistic and gifted Californian skateboarder and surfer, struggles to find his true
role in the world. He fears that his growing aggression will eventually break him if he can’t find a way to accept his
talent and the competition that comes along with it. Kati, a German with a penchant for classic Swiss watches and attic
treasure-hunting, is crushed with the disappointment of never being “enough” for anyone—especially her mother. She
wonders whether she will ever find the acceptance and love she craves and become comfortable in her own skin.
Craving liberation, Kati and Josh seem destined to claim their birthright of freedom together. With the help of their
loving grandparents, they will unlock the secrets of their pasts and find freedom and joy in their futures. Today, like
Katie and Josh, our youth often fall into two different cultures. Josh is part of the “bro” culture which is outdoor-oriented,
with sports as a focus, and generally more conservative. Whereas Kati is part of the “scene” culture which is
more liberal and indoor-oriented, focusing on music. These cultures are apparent in the novel and can aid in a better
understanding of the issues today’s 21st century youth are facing as well as the struggles they have in coming to faith.
“The Blackberry Bush is a beautifully written novel of two characters’ search for meaning and their powerful rescue
from the relational and societal expectations that are crushing them. It’s the story our own hearts might tell from our
journey through life,” says Debby Griffith, radio host of Everyday Matters. Housholder’s journey will take readers into
the deepest recesses of the soul while pulling them from their own thorny thickets. And along the way we may just
discover a life of redemption and meaning.