Athol Dickson (born 1955) is an American author and architect known for his Christian-themed novels and nonfiction works. His writing often delves into themes of faith, spirituality, and moral complexities. Dickson won the Christy Award for best Christian fiction in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Athol Dickson was born in 1955 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a traveling salesman father and a homemaker mother. He grew up in Dallas, Texas. His paternal grandfather was a sharecropper and his maternal grandfather was an Oklahoma state judge.[1][2]
Career
Dickson has followed a varied career path, having worked as a salesman, boxer, carpenter, and bartender before establishing himself as an architect and writer. As an architect, he has designed numerous restaurants across the United States.[1]
Writing career
Dickson began his writing journey with novels that weave mystery, suspense, and Christian faith. His debut novel, Whom Shall I Fear?, is characterized as a southern gothic murder mystery with spiritual undertones. His works are often lauded for their originality, layered characters, and thought-provoking themes.[1] Along with nine novels, Dickson has also written one non-fiction book that describes his five year participation (as an evangelical Christian) in a synagogue Torah study group and the ways that his own Christian faith and his view of Jews and Judaism were profoundly altered.[3]
Literary themes and style
Dickson’s novels frequently explore spiritual challenges, interfaith dialogue, and social topics such as racism and abortion. His style blends suspenseful storytelling with richly developed characters and settings. Reviewers often praise his capacity to create engaging narratives that resonate with both Christian and secular readers.[1]
Notable novels
River Rising: This story follows Rev. Hale Poser, an African American man raised in an orphanage, as he uncovers the hidden truths of a seemingly idyllic Southern community. The 2006 winner of the Christy Award for best mystery-suspense novel, this book has been likened to Octavia Butler’s Kindred for its profound examination of societal issues and faith.[4]
The Opposite of Art: An allegorical mystery about Sheridan Ridler, a self-centered artist who experiences a transformative spiritual awakening after a life-altering encounter he refers to as "the Glory."[5]
Lost Mission: Winner of the Christy Award for best Christian suspense book of 2010, this novel weaves together the stories of a 17th-century Spanish missionary and modern-day characters in Southern California, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and the consequences of misguided intentions as their lives intersect across centuries in a mysterious desert town. The novel examines how cultural and spiritual conflicts impact the pursuit of justice and redemption.[6]
Reception
Critics have commended Dickson’s ability to integrate Christian themes into captivating narratives without being overly didactic. His novels have been described as "engrossing" and "entertaining," with some drawing comparisons to the works of celebrated authors such as Octavia Butler.[1] However, at least one reviewer has criticized Dickson for his writing style and occasional factual errors.[7]
Personal life
Dickson is married to Sue Dickson, a software executive, and lives in California.[1][8]
↑ Nanos, Mark (January 2004). "The Gospel According to Moses: What My Jewish Friends Taught Me About Jesus". Religious Studies Review. Vol.30, no.1. p.34.
1 2 "River Rising". Publishers Weekly. 252 (41): 40. October 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
1 2 "The Opposite of Art". Kirkus Reviews. 79 (14): 1187–1188. July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
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