White (novel)

White: The Great Pursuit is a novel by Christian author Ted Dekker. It is the third book of four in the Circle series.

Plot summary

The Circle now resides in the deserts, able to survive by the aid of Johan (formerly Martyn). One night during a council meeting, the new and more vicious commander of the Horde armies, Woref, orchestrates a massive invasion on Thomas' tribe. Thomas, Suzan, William and the brothers Stephen and Cain ride out towards the approaching army, leading to Thomas and the others' capture. Qurong, the Horde leader, takes his prisoners before his wife Patricia and daughter Chelise. When Qurong is presenting his 'prize' he also announces that Chelise is to be wed to the beast of a general Woref who was responsible for the capture of Thomas and the other "Albinos". Soon after, Thomas appeals to Qurong and Chelise's desire to learn the Books of Histories, knowing that the Horde cannot read them while members of The Circle can. Chelise pleads for Thomas to be spared of his execution on the basis that it would be more humiliating to be made into her servant.

Upon the groups' return to their tribe, they're greeted by an angry William. He informs them that the Horde has attacked. They have killed 10 members of the Circle, wounded others, and taken 24 prisoner back to the Horde village.

All while this is happening, events are still in motion in Ancient Earth. Thomas has successfully turned Carlos by allowing him to sleep while in contact with his blood, in which Carlos dreams of the other reality as Johan. He then believes and decides to join up with Thomas in an effort to stop Svensson and Fortier from executing their full plans: Only releasing the antivirus to a small list of people they deemed worthy of its reception. Upon hearing this America has already turned its naval fleet, airforce and nuclear arsenal over to the French, as a last-ditch effort to resist Thomas along with high-ranking U.S., British and Israeli officials order the USS Nimitz to fire on the fleet sinking all of it. When Thomas returns to Washington D.C. he meets with President Blair, Monique and his sister Kara at Genetrix Labs to check on the progress of the antivirus. They inform him that the only feasible cure is through his blood. Somehow it instantly eradicates the virus, and Monique and Kara believe it to be because he swam in Elyon's lake and breathed the water in effectively making his blood immune. He then mounts his horse and in the same fashion as when The Circle was first born, he rides around them with his sword in the sand symbolically carving a circle around them in the sand. He then proceeds to leave them, riding over the crest of the dune with the Roshuim in pursuit. It is stated in the few short days since Chelise drowned in the red water, some 5,000 Scabs followed in pursuit of Elyons gift through Justin.

Thematic Elements

Eschatological Implications: The return of Justin is an analogy of the return of Christ, similar to Aslan and Aslan's How, only in this case being in the desert of the other earth.

True Love: Between Thomas and Chelise, it is shown what actual love looks like and how that works itself out. Their relationship also symbolizes Christ's/God's love for humanity.