The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds
Book Title: The Rapture of Canaan
Author: Sheri Reynolds
Genre: Fiction
My Grade: A
# of Pages: 317
Summary: At the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, Grandpa Herman makes the rules for everyone, and everyone obeys, or else. But even in this isolated community where it seems nearly everything is forbidden, temptation occasionally touches the congregation... and for Ninah, temptation comes in the form of her prayer partner, James. Ninah is determined not to sin with James - so determined that she's willing to fill her shoes with shells to keep her mind on Jesus' pain. Nevertheless, she soon finds herself pregnant. She fears the wrath of Grandpa Herman, the church members, and God Himself. But the events that follow show Ninah that God's ways are more mysterious than even Grandpa Herman can understand...
My Thoughts: First off, let me start by saying that this is not a religious book, it can be viewed that way if you want to, but in case you're one of those people that are scared off by religious books, this isn't one. Now, on to the more important matters...
Almost from the first word I had become sucked into this book and Ninah's character, a flawed, naive girl who truly doesn't know better. She's sweet, tries hard, but just doesn't know what she needs to know. The way Reynolds has written her, doesn't make her naivity annoying, but just adds to her character.
Part of what makes this book so interesting is that it's written in a way that completely immerses you in their obscure and different world, but allows you to keep your own knowledge and ideals about you, so that you look back and can still think, "That's so wrong!"
Ninah goes through a trying journey and we are along for the ride. I was enthralled with every character that graced the pages of this book. Even though they may only show up in one sentence, Reynolds writes in such a way that you know if you asked her she could give a complete history about that character. This book holds so much depth to it, but it's presented in such a way that the reader doesn't feel like their drowning.
The one small problem I did have was that the ending seemed a little too abrupt. Perhaps it's just me, but I felt there wasn't enough closure and I wanted to know a little more. But what I dislike, someone else may love.
There's a lot more I want to say about the book, but I would end up giving too much away. This is definitely a book I say you should read. Beautiful, touching and moving every word pulls you even more into this world that the feeling of disgust you felt at the beginning has turned to pity, and in some weird way, a small glimmer of joy.
Next Book: Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross • review
Back to the Book List.
Author: Sheri Reynolds
Genre: Fiction
My Grade: A
# of Pages: 317
Summary: At the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, Grandpa Herman makes the rules for everyone, and everyone obeys, or else. But even in this isolated community where it seems nearly everything is forbidden, temptation occasionally touches the congregation... and for Ninah, temptation comes in the form of her prayer partner, James. Ninah is determined not to sin with James - so determined that she's willing to fill her shoes with shells to keep her mind on Jesus' pain. Nevertheless, she soon finds herself pregnant. She fears the wrath of Grandpa Herman, the church members, and God Himself. But the events that follow show Ninah that God's ways are more mysterious than even Grandpa Herman can understand...
My Thoughts: First off, let me start by saying that this is not a religious book, it can be viewed that way if you want to, but in case you're one of those people that are scared off by religious books, this isn't one. Now, on to the more important matters...
Almost from the first word I had become sucked into this book and Ninah's character, a flawed, naive girl who truly doesn't know better. She's sweet, tries hard, but just doesn't know what she needs to know. The way Reynolds has written her, doesn't make her naivity annoying, but just adds to her character.
Part of what makes this book so interesting is that it's written in a way that completely immerses you in their obscure and different world, but allows you to keep your own knowledge and ideals about you, so that you look back and can still think, "That's so wrong!"
Ninah goes through a trying journey and we are along for the ride. I was enthralled with every character that graced the pages of this book. Even though they may only show up in one sentence, Reynolds writes in such a way that you know if you asked her she could give a complete history about that character. This book holds so much depth to it, but it's presented in such a way that the reader doesn't feel like their drowning.
The one small problem I did have was that the ending seemed a little too abrupt. Perhaps it's just me, but I felt there wasn't enough closure and I wanted to know a little more. But what I dislike, someone else may love.
There's a lot more I want to say about the book, but I would end up giving too much away. This is definitely a book I say you should read. Beautiful, touching and moving every word pulls you even more into this world that the feeling of disgust you felt at the beginning has turned to pity, and in some weird way, a small glimmer of joy.
Next Book: Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross • review
Back to the Book List.