The Captive is a story of a young Italian nobleman, Anselmo, who is taken captive by pirates and sold to a Muslim family. Set in the nineteenth century, the story is unapologetically Christian in its themes, as Anselmo suffers his trials with humility and faith and ultimately wins his captors to Christ. The author, Christoph von Schmid, was a 19th-century priest, educator, and author who wrote children's stories as rewards for his students.

This audiobook was dramatized by Lamplighter Theatre and hosted by John Rhys-Davies. It is quite a well-executed radio drama. The sound effects, acting, and music are all good, and even as I noted the awkward or unrealistic moments in the plot, I was drawn in by the performances and wanted to know what would happen next.

The frame story is a bit awkward; a couple who want to learn to evangelize better are taken on a magic journey by their friend, who introduces them to Anselmo through the pages of his book. Things get much better once Anselmo's story starts.

Yes, sometimes it's a bit preachy. I think preachiness (or at least a perception of preachiness) is inevitable when the religious elements are made explicit in a fictional frame. But it was the sort of preachiness that I agree with, and as a piece of didactic art, The Captive shines. Anselmo consistently views his afflictions as being straight from God's hands, opportunities to manifest Christ to others—such a refreshing attitude in fiction!

One criticism I would make, however, is that everyone, even the radical Muslim son, eventually sees the truth of Christ and converts. Not that radical Muslims can't or don't, but real life rarely works that way. Even if I am a perfectly consistent and faithful witness and suffer in a way that pleases God in every circumstance, there is no guarantee that every hard heart around me will be melted. (I mean, look at Jesus's own ministry... He had nowhere near the 100% conversion rate portrayed in this story!) I think it sets unrealistic (though unspoken) expectations that everyone will get saved if you are just faithful enough. Not true.

However, despite these reservations my husband and I enjoyed this production quite a bit, and will probably look up more by Lamplighter Theatre dramas when we have children old enough to enjoy them. ( )