“The church he had been raised in was slowly going to become a mere shell of what Sister White had intended. […] She had written about her true doctrines being ignored, of how blinded men would lead the church astray. And how future generations of followers would never question what they were being taught, nor realize how thoroughly and completely they had been deceived by the very leadership they trusted.” (Steiner, 2020, pp. 155-156)

This is the quote that echoed at the back of my head whilst reading the fictional piece by Samuel David Steiner: Bipolar Winter. How far are we willing to trust our teachings? To exploit them beyond their intended purpose? To stray from our true values in order to feed our own greed?

Released in 2020, the book was based on Steiner’s extensive research and experiences involving the Seventh-day Adventist Church and reveals astounding facts, theories and revelations that most of us could have never thought possible. All whilst keeping the reader hooked and delved deep into the narrative.

Steiner, being a former member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church himself, uses traditional fiction and storytelling to bring real questions and ideas into the reader’s mind about the intentions and influences of the Church. He presents an excellent case of realistic fiction, where fictional, action-packed scenarios are blended with real moral and ethical dilemmas that have shaped our history and divided our communities.

Despite including several points of views, narratives and time periods, the book focuses on two main characters: Aldo Lombardi and Allison Gillespie. Both are on an action-packed mission to discover the secrets of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, taking them all over the world and putting them in various scenarios that test their abilities and faith. A small, albeit pleasant aspect of their story can also be found in the blooming relationship between them, which never failed to put a smile on my face.

The book maintains the same, fast-paced rhythm until the end, keeping us on our toes and constantly learning more without stalling on a specific scenario or idea. The plotline and conflict itself are not heavily defined, making the narrative feel somewhat dispersed and unfocused. I find this to be the only weakness in the book. However, it did not intervene with my reading or comprehension of the story, which is crucial to the success of the story, which is why I don’t consider it a problem.

A key ingredient in Steiner’s story are the chapters that go back to the past. They are scattered throughout the book and bring an original account of real-life events through the eyes of historical characters, such as Martin Luther and Ellen G. White.

I found these chapters quite exhilarating, as Steiner not only gave me the chance to get a glimpse of the past in a new, creative way, but he also brought the story together and gave the main plotline a deeper meaning. These chapters revealed how the conflict had evolved over the centuries and how the actions of the past affected the future. The religious groups imbedded into the story are shown as ancient, influential and ever changing, which is strikingly accurate to our reality; quite often, religion is used to manipulate and control others into submission, straying it far from its intended “divine” purpose: providing faith, closeness and purpose to communities.

This leads me back to the quote I included at the beginning of this analysis, which I think illustrates the essence of the book. In the center of every well-written fiction, there is a hidden message for all those who read. It was clear to me since the beginning of the novel that the story is centered around religion, corruption and the abuse of power, but it wasn’t until I began reading that I understood the approach Steiner took.

Without falling into any traditional pitfalls associated with the topic, Bipolar Winter explores how religious institutions have evolved and manipulated their beliefs, actions and followers in order to achieve their personal agenda. It questions the way that these societies (mainly the Seventh-day Adventist Church) pursue their goals to inhumane extents and sheds a light on the devastating consequences. Whether you read it for your interest in history, religion or simply fiction, the book accommodates for all perspectives and delivers a powerful point.

Personally, I found the topic and the research behind the book to be its main strength even above the characters or the narrative itself, especially since it is a centuries-old issue that has plagued hundreds of other institutions. It is a struggle that everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, can understand and somehow identify to. It becomes even more shocking since it includes real historical aspects, which connects it to our real world. And even though the premise has a certain “conspiracy-theory” feeling to it, the book never felt like an outrageous declaration that swayed more towards the sci-fi. On the contrary: it felt like a puzzle that joined realistic, investigated pieces and experiences to form an open-ended picture that invites you to form your own conclusion. As I read, I found myself able to decide whether or not to believe the theories proposed by the author. Being non-religious myself, I was pleasantly surprised at how tolerant and open-minded the book was constructed; Not only did it teach me about the bases of the religious organizations mentioned, it also allowed me to truly dive into the minds of the characters and empathize with them in order to understand the importance of their faith… and the power of those who control it.

With that being said, I definitely recommend reading Bipolar Winter. It has a powerful statement and conflict at the core of an entertaining and adventure-packed story with very likeable characters, it teaches the reader about the beliefs, history, actions and consequences of several religious institutions without discriminating and it stays true to the real, personal experiences of the author. For these reasons, I believe anyone with an interest in the history of religion with a touch of adventure will sure enjoy Steiner’s novel.