In a State of Opposition by David Ackley is an interesting look into the personal lives of a small community in Idaho that faces being overtaken by a religious sect that has invaded the town and gotten its hooks into the local government as well. Jason, a musician, author, and instrument repairman, navigates the changing town dynamics with his friends from the local writer’s group, the Panhandle Authors Group.

Jason and several other local business owners are forced out of their workspaces when the Holy Grace Church purchases the building and converted into a center for the group’s training and education, as well as what they believe to be appropriate medical care.

The Holy Grace Church is described by Ackley as an entity with extremely right-leaning views and strict rules, especially for women. The church can push its agenda with ease after two of its members are on the town council and one joins the library board.

Ackley wonderfully describes the frustration that non-church members face and the fear of their beloved community changing rapidly before their eyes. The church then sets its sights on restricting the books that can be on library shelves, a direct threat to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and to local writers who express themselves in writing. Ackley was likely inspired by several real-world events, especially in communities in Idaho that have experienced similar conflicts when religious groups relocated and took over towns, imposing their own changes. Jason and his community face an uncertain future as several key pieces of legislation are pending.

What is our sleepy Dunkirk going to look like in the future? he wondered…Then his thoughts became more dystopian. What if the militias became more organized? What if they should all rally around a single person or purpose at odds with the citizenry?… Sweeping those thoughts aside, he laid out another scenario for his town. Or, he thought, what if Dunkirk was an entirely Christian community under the dominion of the Holy Grace Church? What would that look like? And then many questions came to mind. Since the church was mainly tax-exempt, how would taxes and businesses be affected? Would there be more or fewer tourists? What would happen to Panhandle College if the new religious academy were established? What laws would the city council enact and enforce by what kind of police?

Jason had always viewed himself as different from most people, his issues with touch being the reason, but he can form connections with others through his work and writing. His concern is not just for himself, but for his friends, and especially his adult son, Eric, who is on the Autism spectrum.

Through a series of letters to the editor in the community newspaper, dissent is expressed about the church’s hold on the community and the library. The church responds in kind, creating a powder keg at several local rallies to protest against literary control and book burning, leading to a violent act that leaves everyone shaken.

Ackley has done a terrific job of turning Dunkirk into a warning for other small towns facing similar challenges from extremist groups and of speaking to the broader events most Americans are feeling following the COVID pandemic and the changes brought about by governmental control and power. His ability to write about these big subjects while developing characters on an individual level is truly remarkable, making this novel accessible and enjoyable.

Review by Entrada Publishing