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Televenge
Televenge is “ . . . an emotional rollercoaster that ends as intensely as it begins. . . . those who commit to Cable’s tome will find themselves captivated and deeply devoted to Andie. Fans of Fannie Flagg and Janet Evanovich will be hooked on this saga of religion, romance, and crime.” —Shannon Marie Robinson, Library Journal
Televenge is a detailed, expertly plotted mystery/suspense/romance; a gripping tale of a young woman, Andie Oliver, trying to keep faith in her handsome husband, Joe, and their marriage. As Joe spends more time with a local Televangelist, the Godfather in a Mafia of holy men, her faith is shaken and her suspicion of the Reverend Calvin Autry deepens. As this brilliantly paced novel unfolds, Andie is tested in every way a woman can be, until she decides to fight back! Evading ruthless adversaries who will go to any lengths to protect Reverend Artury, Andie confronts the very definition of sin, shaking the Christian evangelical world to its core.
Televenge is a detailed, expertly plotted mystery/suspense/romance; a gripping tale of a young woman, Andie Oliver, trying to keep faith in her handsome husband, Joe, and their marriage. As Joe spends more time with a local Televangelist, the Godfather in a Mafia of holy men, her faith is shaken and her suspicion of the Reverend Calvin Autry deepens. As this brilliantly paced novel unfolds, Andie is tested in every way a woman can be, until she decides to fight back! Evading ruthless adversaries who will go to any lengths to protect Reverend Artury, Andie confronts the very definition of sin, shaking the Christian evangelical world to its core.
584 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2012
3 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Pamela King Cable
11 books54 followersBorn a coal miner’s granddaughter and raised by a tribe of wild Pentecostals and storytellers, Pamela King Cable grew up in Ohio where she caught lady bugs and fireflies, ran barefoot, and practiced cheers in her driveway. Today, she is still fascinated with lady bugs and fireflies, sometimes wears shoes, and talks about the day she traded in her pom-poms for a beat-up typewriter. Pam and her husband reside in Southern Alabama.
Pamela is a multi-published author whose novel, Televenge, attracted national attention from Fox News, CBS Atlanta, as well as book bloggers and media outlets worldwide. Writing fiction steeped in Bible-belt mystery and paranormal suspense, Pamela has gained a reputation for piercing the hearts of her readers. She has taught at writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women’s groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country.
To learn more about Pamela and her novels, please visit her website at www.pamelakingcable.com
Pamela is a multi-published author whose novel, Televenge, attracted national attention from Fox News, CBS Atlanta, as well as book bloggers and media outlets worldwide. Writing fiction steeped in Bible-belt mystery and paranormal suspense, Pamela has gained a reputation for piercing the hearts of her readers. She has taught at writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women’s groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country.
To learn more about Pamela and her novels, please visit her website at www.pamelakingcable.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 21, 2012
Wow! I just finished TELEVENGE, having gotten a "review" copy as a journalist working for a community newspaper here in southern Illinois. It riveted me from the start! I have never read a book this long--except for the Bible! It was amazing! Should be a movie! The detail was captivating. I really appreciate the author’s approach. She kept it very real. And I really loved her note in the back about legalism. Grace really does flow in this book. The deliverance of Andie was a great metaphor of redemption.
And the twists and turns had my jaw dropping throughout the book. In the end I had the same "aha" moment I had when I watched "The Sixth Sense" in the movie theater, and Bruce Willis' character realized he was, in fact, dead. It was like "dang! What a mind-blower!"
Televenge is intricately woven...so descriptive and in-depth--yet never drawn out or boring. I felt like I could feel the atmosphere...breathe it. In fact, it was so intense that I could literally feel it in parts. Sometimes it was hard to read...that is how intense it was.
And I really appreciate the fact that Ms. Cable wasn't afraid to use certain words--certain scenes the average believer wouldn't use for fear of how it would make her look. She just told it like it is, and I believe that gives the marvelous Gospel of Grace great credence. It was just real.
While I couldn't wait to see how the story turned out, I didn't want it to end. I actually feel let down, like I do when a really great movie comes along, and you just don't want it to end because it's so good. I keep thinking, "how can I top this?"
I hope it doesn't sound like I'm laying it on thick, because that's not my intention. And I don’t give 5 stars unless deserved. I am just really blown away by it. My husband and our 11-year-old daughter couldn't believe how fast I devoured that book. I just kept telling them how great it was.
I'd really love to see this played out on the big screen.
I've been a community journalist for 35 years and have been fortunate to win a dozen state championships. I know good writing when I read it. TELEVENGE was not only a great story, but really inspiring writing. I really got what she meant by "as a writer, the many lonely nights that I dug deep, visited those dark places..." Most folks don't realize that the writer really "lives" those characters as they are developed. I CAN imagine what she felt, because I felt it as I read it!
Pamela King Cable has written a masterpiece with TELEVENGE! Extremely well plotted and saturated with details that bring it to life, the story touched me on an emotional level unparalleled in my 35-year career as a journalist!
And the twists and turns had my jaw dropping throughout the book. In the end I had the same "aha" moment I had when I watched "The Sixth Sense" in the movie theater, and Bruce Willis' character realized he was, in fact, dead. It was like "dang! What a mind-blower!"
Televenge is intricately woven...so descriptive and in-depth--yet never drawn out or boring. I felt like I could feel the atmosphere...breathe it. In fact, it was so intense that I could literally feel it in parts. Sometimes it was hard to read...that is how intense it was.
And I really appreciate the fact that Ms. Cable wasn't afraid to use certain words--certain scenes the average believer wouldn't use for fear of how it would make her look. She just told it like it is, and I believe that gives the marvelous Gospel of Grace great credence. It was just real.
While I couldn't wait to see how the story turned out, I didn't want it to end. I actually feel let down, like I do when a really great movie comes along, and you just don't want it to end because it's so good. I keep thinking, "how can I top this?"
I hope it doesn't sound like I'm laying it on thick, because that's not my intention. And I don’t give 5 stars unless deserved. I am just really blown away by it. My husband and our 11-year-old daughter couldn't believe how fast I devoured that book. I just kept telling them how great it was.
I'd really love to see this played out on the big screen.
I've been a community journalist for 35 years and have been fortunate to win a dozen state championships. I know good writing when I read it. TELEVENGE was not only a great story, but really inspiring writing. I really got what she meant by "as a writer, the many lonely nights that I dug deep, visited those dark places..." Most folks don't realize that the writer really "lives" those characters as they are developed. I CAN imagine what she felt, because I felt it as I read it!
Pamela King Cable has written a masterpiece with TELEVENGE! Extremely well plotted and saturated with details that bring it to life, the story touched me on an emotional level unparalleled in my 35-year career as a journalist!
July 19, 2012
I've been awake for four nights reading the advanced reading copy of this book! I think I may have showered once during that time. Maybe I ate, I don't remember. All I can say is be prepared. You won't put this down. The author had no fear writing this book. It's not written in Christianese--the author doesn't hesitate to use a swear word (or two) to be true to her characters. What guts! And yet, believe me, there's nothing offensive in it. It's beautifully written. Even the sex. She doesn't hesitate to be real. But here's the cool part, the grace of God flows from front to back. This book will appeal to everybody!
The best book I've read in years, and I've been part of a book club for the past five years! I read a book a week. Sometimes more. Televenge is thick like one of Diana Gabaldon's books, but you will savor every page. Nothing drags. I honest-to-God couldn't put it down, and I know lots of people say that, but I really couldn't.
The author takes you places inside the world of church and televangelism many don't get to see. Do yourself a favor, and get this one. I'm telling you, you've never read anything like it. The story had me from the first. The plot twists and a couple times I shot up in bed and screamed, "Oh. My. God!" I'm not a good book reviewer, I do better telling than writing, but I had to write a review on this!
Wow!
The best book I've read in years, and I've been part of a book club for the past five years! I read a book a week. Sometimes more. Televenge is thick like one of Diana Gabaldon's books, but you will savor every page. Nothing drags. I honest-to-God couldn't put it down, and I know lots of people say that, but I really couldn't.
The author takes you places inside the world of church and televangelism many don't get to see. Do yourself a favor, and get this one. I'm telling you, you've never read anything like it. The story had me from the first. The plot twists and a couple times I shot up in bed and screamed, "Oh. My. God!" I'm not a good book reviewer, I do better telling than writing, but I had to write a review on this!
Wow!
June 15, 2012
Televenge is amazing! I read a review copy of the book and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. It reminded me a bit of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and a bit of Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible. I would call Televenge a Mystery / Thriller, but definitely literature, with a captivating story. It well-written with terrific characters that is fast-paced. You won't believe how fast you will be able to rip through it.
Young Andie Oliver marries the love of her young life, Joe. Her dreams of a happy marriage with lots of children are threatened when the pastor of their Megachurch starts to take Joe under his wing. Suddenly, things a Pastor should never know about a couple are shared and Andie is being told by her once tender and loving handsome husband that they are "not allowed" to have children.
Andie's struggle to free her husband from the grasp of this relentless pastor and keep her marriage on track leads her to discover things about their pastor that could threaten his ministry but also her life. She must dig deep to find the strength, faith, and bravery to fight. Televenge is an exciting, passionate, unraveling mystery with lots of twists and turns. It is a winner!
Young Andie Oliver marries the love of her young life, Joe. Her dreams of a happy marriage with lots of children are threatened when the pastor of their Megachurch starts to take Joe under his wing. Suddenly, things a Pastor should never know about a couple are shared and Andie is being told by her once tender and loving handsome husband that they are "not allowed" to have children.
Andie's struggle to free her husband from the grasp of this relentless pastor and keep her marriage on track leads her to discover things about their pastor that could threaten his ministry but also her life. She must dig deep to find the strength, faith, and bravery to fight. Televenge is an exciting, passionate, unraveling mystery with lots of twists and turns. It is a winner!
November 3, 2012
From the Beginning this book sucked me in like a paper clip to a magnet!
Andi Rose is a Southern girl. Raised in the Church, she wants a simple life. No college, no career, Andi wants a husband and a family to love mother and tend to. Long before her wedding day she picks him out of the rest. Joe Oliver is her destiny, he will be the one she grows old with. Right out of highschool young Andi and Joe marry.
Committed House of Praise Church members, the Oliver family expects Joe and Andi to grow into the congregation, pastored by Reverend Calvin Artury. In fact, the good Reverend had taken a shine to Joe. He seemed to handpick Joe to work with him in his ministry. As the time goes by good Reverend builds a wall around Andi's life brick by brick. Her young marriage is torn apart by hate and shame as her husband is overtaken by the House of Praise. It seems every time she finds a small opening to try to drag her family away from Artury he and his "ministry" drag her a little deeper into their hellish depths. Using her husband, her best friend and her family to attempt to break her spirit and keep her in his clutches was only the beginning. The Reverends powers are growing and reaching like deep tree roots under the earth. The celebrity he has become and the cultish empire he has built threatens to kill all those that oppose it. Fear rules as terrifying things are revealed. As the pieces and people in her life fall and break away how will she continue to elude and oppose this crazy man? How will she destroy him with what she knows when she doesn't have anything left?
Although this book was long, and at times very emotional, I absolutely loved it. The pain and sacrifice she went through made the redemptive part of this book really powerful. If I could have asked for anything it would be that she could punch Calvin in the face ... but you cant always get everything right?
For anyone who has ever asked "Where are you God? Do you see me?" should read this. Yes it took many years and much heartache, but in the end our main character knew she was made for a purpose. She was made for the redemption of thousands who were not strong enough to do it for themselves.
Strong women. May we bear them, May we know them, May we be them.
Andi Rose is a Southern girl. Raised in the Church, she wants a simple life. No college, no career, Andi wants a husband and a family to love mother and tend to. Long before her wedding day she picks him out of the rest. Joe Oliver is her destiny, he will be the one she grows old with. Right out of highschool young Andi and Joe marry.
Committed House of Praise Church members, the Oliver family expects Joe and Andi to grow into the congregation, pastored by Reverend Calvin Artury. In fact, the good Reverend had taken a shine to Joe. He seemed to handpick Joe to work with him in his ministry. As the time goes by good Reverend builds a wall around Andi's life brick by brick. Her young marriage is torn apart by hate and shame as her husband is overtaken by the House of Praise. It seems every time she finds a small opening to try to drag her family away from Artury he and his "ministry" drag her a little deeper into their hellish depths. Using her husband, her best friend and her family to attempt to break her spirit and keep her in his clutches was only the beginning. The Reverends powers are growing and reaching like deep tree roots under the earth. The celebrity he has become and the cultish empire he has built threatens to kill all those that oppose it. Fear rules as terrifying things are revealed. As the pieces and people in her life fall and break away how will she continue to elude and oppose this crazy man? How will she destroy him with what she knows when she doesn't have anything left?
Although this book was long, and at times very emotional, I absolutely loved it. The pain and sacrifice she went through made the redemptive part of this book really powerful. If I could have asked for anything it would be that she could punch Calvin in the face ... but you cant always get everything right?
For anyone who has ever asked "Where are you God? Do you see me?" should read this. Yes it took many years and much heartache, but in the end our main character knew she was made for a purpose. She was made for the redemption of thousands who were not strong enough to do it for themselves.
Strong women. May we bear them, May we know them, May we be them.
August 4, 2012
Beautifully written, seriously suspenseful, honestly - it stayed on my lap until I turned the last page. I really just want to tell everbody about this book. I went to the Book Expo in New York this past June and stood in line for so many books that just were not what I thought they'd be. (I work in a book store. My mother is a librarian.) Certainly most books I got were not good enough to stand in line for. And then there was this book, and I thought, why should I stand in line for a book with angel on it? But I don't know, I saw the woman with a smile on her face and I figured, what the heck. So I get up to her in line, and when I saw the book I thought wow, it's a thick book. At least folks will get their money's worth. I mean they're only charging 20 bucks for a book of over 550 pages. But this being the book expo, it grabbed it up and took it home.
I finally got around to reading it. and oh, my god. What a story. Someday I got to meet this author. this has got to be one of the best stories i've ever read. And that sounds so corny, even now as I type this. But you're going to hear that over and over in the coming months. If this doesn't fly off the shelves, nothing will. Then I realized I couldn't review it on Amazon until it came out, so I decided readers everywhere need to know about it, and I end up on Goodreads because I hear it's a good site to review books.
So now i love the cover, it fits the story and the lives of these characters. Hopelessly flawed and yet so wide-eyed and innocent, I love Andie. The ending, I thought I knew how it would end, and then I was so caught off guard I had to stand up and walk around for a while. I can't get this story out of my head. I'm a reader. I read two to five or six books a month. Most of them new reads. This book made me take a hard look at religion. But I think I got the message of love. At some point I think I chewed my nails off though.
Get it. Read it. It's an experience.
I finally got around to reading it. and oh, my god. What a story. Someday I got to meet this author. this has got to be one of the best stories i've ever read. And that sounds so corny, even now as I type this. But you're going to hear that over and over in the coming months. If this doesn't fly off the shelves, nothing will. Then I realized I couldn't review it on Amazon until it came out, so I decided readers everywhere need to know about it, and I end up on Goodreads because I hear it's a good site to review books.
So now i love the cover, it fits the story and the lives of these characters. Hopelessly flawed and yet so wide-eyed and innocent, I love Andie. The ending, I thought I knew how it would end, and then I was so caught off guard I had to stand up and walk around for a while. I can't get this story out of my head. I'm a reader. I read two to five or six books a month. Most of them new reads. This book made me take a hard look at religion. But I think I got the message of love. At some point I think I chewed my nails off though.
Get it. Read it. It's an experience.
November 23, 2012
Cable has written a page turner for sure. When I first saw the book at our store I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, even though I read the synopsis several times. Growing up in a rural community in the South (near the area where the book is set), I was all too familiar with fire and brimstone preaching. A lot of that type of preaching is often directed at the GLBT community. Because of that, I probably would not have read the book had I not met the author at a City Lights Bookstore reading. In her presentation she spoke about the strength of her main character, Andie, and that the true message of her book is about unconditional love. The book has something for every reader.
There are some graphic scenes of violence. That is the saddest part that the violence was done in the name of God. Through Andie's struggles however, we see that the real message of God is love and that love does indeed conquer.
You can hear her reading at City Lights Bookstore here: http://more30758.podomatic.com/
There are some graphic scenes of violence. That is the saddest part that the violence was done in the name of God. Through Andie's struggles however, we see that the real message of God is love and that love does indeed conquer.
You can hear her reading at City Lights Bookstore here: http://more30758.podomatic.com/
June 14, 2012
Televenge is a remarkable work of literature by a gifted and dynamic writer. It's exciting and spellbinding, leaving the reader breathless and anxious for more. This is going to be a huge success in the world of best sellers! Good luck and God speed, Pam!!!
August 4, 2012
Simply stated, I loved TELEVENGE. Ms. Cable has managed to write a story that is relevant, with characters who are like us (no flashy big-city stock brokers or ad execs here) and with a depth that is amazing.
Andie Oliver is a woman who could be living in my town. She is very believable with strong emotions and simple dreams Reading her story, how she gets swept up into something not of her making yet almost impossible to fight, is addictive.
The novel also addresses the very real world of some of today's religious practices: how spirituality can be twisted to induce greed or guilt; and how it can be used for good or evil.
I guess the word that comes to mind is GRIT. Ms. Cable does not shy away from the story she needs to tell, through characters she reveals with warts and all. I hope she continues the story--I for one would love to read a sequel!
If you like what I call "formula novel" that tells a predictable tale with shallow characters, and then ties it up with a bow all in 300 pages, this is NOT the book for you! TELEVENGE is a fantastic, satisfying read--I highly recommend it.
Andie Oliver is a woman who could be living in my town. She is very believable with strong emotions and simple dreams Reading her story, how she gets swept up into something not of her making yet almost impossible to fight, is addictive.
The novel also addresses the very real world of some of today's religious practices: how spirituality can be twisted to induce greed or guilt; and how it can be used for good or evil.
I guess the word that comes to mind is GRIT. Ms. Cable does not shy away from the story she needs to tell, through characters she reveals with warts and all. I hope she continues the story--I for one would love to read a sequel!
If you like what I call "formula novel" that tells a predictable tale with shallow characters, and then ties it up with a bow all in 300 pages, this is NOT the book for you! TELEVENGE is a fantastic, satisfying read--I highly recommend it.
August 4, 2012
Televenge is the new novel from Pamela King Cable. I received the Advanced Reading Copy and could not wait to review it. It tells the story of a young woman's journey to discover real faith, real hope, and real love. Surprisingly, the biggest obstacles to Andie Oliver's quest are church, communityh, and family.
Pam uses a first person narrative, which gives immediacy to the telling as Andie's life unfolds jointly for her and the reader.
Andie is barely out of high school when she marries her sweetheart, Joe Oliver. Joe comes from a familty that is tightlyk knit and inexplicably dedicated to the church, the House of Praise, and its charismatic, evangelical pastor, Calvin Artury. Needless to say, Andie believes she has found what she searches for.
But has she?
I recommend this story to anyone who loves a great read. Pam writes about a world that exists not only on the pages of this book but also in everyday lives as people struggle to come to terms with emotional betrayal, loss of faith, the duplicity of a self-described holy man, and finding one's own strength.
Pam uses a first person narrative, which gives immediacy to the telling as Andie's life unfolds jointly for her and the reader.
Andie is barely out of high school when she marries her sweetheart, Joe Oliver. Joe comes from a familty that is tightlyk knit and inexplicably dedicated to the church, the House of Praise, and its charismatic, evangelical pastor, Calvin Artury. Needless to say, Andie believes she has found what she searches for.
But has she?
I recommend this story to anyone who loves a great read. Pam writes about a world that exists not only on the pages of this book but also in everyday lives as people struggle to come to terms with emotional betrayal, loss of faith, the duplicity of a self-described holy man, and finding one's own strength.
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April 21, 2016Wow, just wow... This is hands down, I believe, the best book I have ever read.
Andie's character spoke to me the entire time. As someone who has had experiences in the
evangelism world, and a not-so-good marriage, as well. Not by the same man, thank God, I loved this book! Honestly, I believe everyone would enjoy Televenge, whether Christian or not. Everyone has gone thru heartache in relationships, and this is one hell of a story.
I give Televenge 10 stars out of 5 lol. Yes, this is truly an awesome book, and I totally recommend it. Beautifully written, characters were true to life, and conversations could easily have been reality. Just recently read a book where this was NOT the case, so this was refreshing!
Run!!! Do NOT walk to your bookstore, and enjoy!!!! It's long, but is never boring!!!
Andie's character spoke to me the entire time. As someone who has had experiences in the
evangelism world, and a not-so-good marriage, as well. Not by the same man, thank God, I loved this book! Honestly, I believe everyone would enjoy Televenge, whether Christian or not. Everyone has gone thru heartache in relationships, and this is one hell of a story.
I give Televenge 10 stars out of 5 lol. Yes, this is truly an awesome book, and I totally recommend it. Beautifully written, characters were true to life, and conversations could easily have been reality. Just recently read a book where this was NOT the case, so this was refreshing!
Run!!! Do NOT walk to your bookstore, and enjoy!!!! It's long, but is never boring!!!
July 27, 2012
As the publisher of
Televenge,
I'm obviously biased. However, this is the book that made me change my stance from "We will never publish fiction" to "We absolutely MUST publish this book!" There are few stories that pull you in and hold onto you long past the time you finish reading the book. This is definitely one of those. Galleys were available at Book Expo 2012 and the buzz was just about instantaneous. Library Journal chose it as one of their BEA picks! Our focus group readers were thrilled to finally be allowed to read past the first 100 pages. Although it won't be available to the public until October 2012, if you are a reviewer or run a book club and want an advance copy, we can make it happen.
January 19, 2015
Started this book wondering when it will end (578pgs), but the farther I got into it, I was sure to drag the last few pages.....I just didn't want it to end. That's one of d reasons why it took me so long to finish it. What an INSIGHTFUL & FANTASTIC READ!!! A page turning, emotional rollercoaster and I definitely recommend it to EVERYONE....christian or not!!
Can Pamela King Cable release more books pleeeassssee?!!!!
Can Pamela King Cable release more books pleeeassssee?!!!!
June 20, 2012
Pamela King Cable's first novel Televenge takes you on a whirlwind of emotion as you travel with Andie through her life journey. Ms. King's writing captures your heart and you will find yourself laughing and crying. This is a book you will not want to put down until you have turned the very last page!
July 19, 2012
Nice and fat novel, full of intrigue, romance, religion, faith healings, betrayals, and more! If you've ever watched or caught bits of televangelist programming, and wondered about the people behind the scenes, this might give you an insight (or perhaps not!) Actually enjoyed reading this and plan on reading Pamela's previous title "Southern Fried Women."
July 2, 2012
This is a story that pulls you in and keeps you reading, of love turned cruel and evil robed in holiness. By the time you’re through you’ll have a new friend—Andie Rose, Televenge’s gutsy heroine. And you won’t forget her for a long, long time
January 22, 2013
If you are a religious person, you need to read this book. If you are a women's rights person, you need to read this book. If you are one of those "let's just mind our own business" person, you need to read this book. I can't think of one person who should not read this book because it blew me away. How many books blow me away? Not many.
I'll be honest with you. When I first opened my package and saw how huge this book was, I know I said out loud, "Jesus Christ, I need to start looking to see how many pages there are going to be. Shit." It's 584 pages. I know, you're hyperventilating, aren't you? Well I'm going to tell you that every piece of this book is needed. You know I hate fluff and I'm the first one to tell an author to stop putting so much useless shit in your book just to make it a normal sized novel, you're wasting my time. But not the case in this book. I really thought it would be and I kept looking for it, but in hindsight, you need everything. Everything plays a piece in the end, ultimately.
I don't know where to even start. Seriously. I'm sitting here wondering how to review this but I'll tell you that when I finished it? I had to not read for a few days. I had to emotionally get my shit together because it takes a lot out of you. Even reading the book I had to stop because my heart hurt for Andie. I really liked her. She was young, she was optimistic, she really just wanted to live the American Dream. Get married, live in a beautiful house, have babies, be a good wife, and be in love. And nobody can say she didn't try, no matter how awful things got.
Her life is just a serious of losses, and huge losses. She looses a child, a friend, family, hope, love, confidence, everything. Everything a person needs to just hang on in life, she looses it. Not by her bad choices, but because of a religion and what ends up being a cult.
The most fascinating thing about this book is the religion aspect. Anyone who knows me knows I don't subscribe to church. I have never thought that a pastor or a preacher has any right interpreting a piece of religious writing that may or may not be true. The fact is, nobody really knows and the people who don't acknowledge that scare the shit out of me. Mostly because I don't understand why a person would be willing to have someone else's words shape their life. I mean, I try to look at choices and use common sense and my gut feeling to make the right decision. Doesn't always work, but I'm always presented with choices no matter what and I try to navigate through life making good choices and be a good citizen. And I felt like Andie ends up that way. She starts off as a devoted church follower and submissive to her husband, but when she wants more out of life (namely, being a mother) it basically all goes to hell for her.
Every time you think you've figured it out, you didn't. You're so wrong it's shameful. And as the book winds down you think surely there can't be any more surprises. Oh, but another death in her family sets her in a direction that will either kill her or save her.
And when the entire ball of yarn unwinds and you see everything as a timeline? Man. I'd have to think any other person would give up hope all together but Andie doesn't. Andie is the epitome of a strong woman. Sure, she isn't educated, she has not a damn thing to her name, she's lost her kids because of a crooked judicial system, people are out to kill her and you know what? She just keeps trying to make the next best decision to get to her end goal- to have her kids back and live a good life with someone who really loves her. I still can't get over how so many people failed her. People who really loved her knew something wasn't right and they either hid hurtful secrets or turned a blind eye and said Jesus said this is how it should be. And to know that there are so many people in the world that really believe Jesus thinks this kind of behavior is OK is insane. And terrifying.
For this being such a huge book, every loose end was finished. Well, there is one with Suri (yes, you read that right) that I wish we knew more about. I won't even tell you who Suri is because it would ruin a huge plot point in the book for you. But everything else? Tied up, perfectly. Well, as perfectly as all of these troubled characters could be. I will tell you that the very end with Joe? The last conversation him and Andie have? Bothers me. Because while I understand why Andie says what she does to him, I wonder if any part of her is pulled to him? Because her entire life had become her hoping that her Joe was still in there, and he shows a glimmer of it, and she doesn't even pause. I get why she doesn't because I wouldn't, but I wonder... is there a tiny part in her feel like, "I was right all along, he IS in there"?
I can't tell you how much I want you to read this book. I want you to read it right now. It's so good and I know the size of it is scary. I know that it gets slow in some parts but really get absorbed in it. Don't give up on it because while it starts out slow it builds and builds. You'll enjoy it, love it, be horrified and hopeful all at once. I am even going to say it's probably one of the best books I have ever read. Truly. I can think of just a few books in my lifetime that I've read that have pulled at me and this is one on a very short list. I can't explain it, it just is.
I have one copy to giveaway, and you can enter here to win: http://strandupdate.blogspot.com/2013... . Drawing will be held 1/25/13
I'll be honest with you. When I first opened my package and saw how huge this book was, I know I said out loud, "Jesus Christ, I need to start looking to see how many pages there are going to be. Shit." It's 584 pages. I know, you're hyperventilating, aren't you? Well I'm going to tell you that every piece of this book is needed. You know I hate fluff and I'm the first one to tell an author to stop putting so much useless shit in your book just to make it a normal sized novel, you're wasting my time. But not the case in this book. I really thought it would be and I kept looking for it, but in hindsight, you need everything. Everything plays a piece in the end, ultimately.
I don't know where to even start. Seriously. I'm sitting here wondering how to review this but I'll tell you that when I finished it? I had to not read for a few days. I had to emotionally get my shit together because it takes a lot out of you. Even reading the book I had to stop because my heart hurt for Andie. I really liked her. She was young, she was optimistic, she really just wanted to live the American Dream. Get married, live in a beautiful house, have babies, be a good wife, and be in love. And nobody can say she didn't try, no matter how awful things got.
Her life is just a serious of losses, and huge losses. She looses a child, a friend, family, hope, love, confidence, everything. Everything a person needs to just hang on in life, she looses it. Not by her bad choices, but because of a religion and what ends up being a cult.
The most fascinating thing about this book is the religion aspect. Anyone who knows me knows I don't subscribe to church. I have never thought that a pastor or a preacher has any right interpreting a piece of religious writing that may or may not be true. The fact is, nobody really knows and the people who don't acknowledge that scare the shit out of me. Mostly because I don't understand why a person would be willing to have someone else's words shape their life. I mean, I try to look at choices and use common sense and my gut feeling to make the right decision. Doesn't always work, but I'm always presented with choices no matter what and I try to navigate through life making good choices and be a good citizen. And I felt like Andie ends up that way. She starts off as a devoted church follower and submissive to her husband, but when she wants more out of life (namely, being a mother) it basically all goes to hell for her.
Every time you think you've figured it out, you didn't. You're so wrong it's shameful. And as the book winds down you think surely there can't be any more surprises. Oh, but another death in her family sets her in a direction that will either kill her or save her.
And when the entire ball of yarn unwinds and you see everything as a timeline? Man. I'd have to think any other person would give up hope all together but Andie doesn't. Andie is the epitome of a strong woman. Sure, she isn't educated, she has not a damn thing to her name, she's lost her kids because of a crooked judicial system, people are out to kill her and you know what? She just keeps trying to make the next best decision to get to her end goal- to have her kids back and live a good life with someone who really loves her. I still can't get over how so many people failed her. People who really loved her knew something wasn't right and they either hid hurtful secrets or turned a blind eye and said Jesus said this is how it should be. And to know that there are so many people in the world that really believe Jesus thinks this kind of behavior is OK is insane. And terrifying.
For this being such a huge book, every loose end was finished. Well, there is one with Suri (yes, you read that right) that I wish we knew more about. I won't even tell you who Suri is because it would ruin a huge plot point in the book for you. But everything else? Tied up, perfectly. Well, as perfectly as all of these troubled characters could be. I will tell you that the very end with Joe? The last conversation him and Andie have? Bothers me. Because while I understand why Andie says what she does to him, I wonder if any part of her is pulled to him? Because her entire life had become her hoping that her Joe was still in there, and he shows a glimmer of it, and she doesn't even pause. I get why she doesn't because I wouldn't, but I wonder... is there a tiny part in her feel like, "I was right all along, he IS in there"?
I can't tell you how much I want you to read this book. I want you to read it right now. It's so good and I know the size of it is scary. I know that it gets slow in some parts but really get absorbed in it. Don't give up on it because while it starts out slow it builds and builds. You'll enjoy it, love it, be horrified and hopeful all at once. I am even going to say it's probably one of the best books I have ever read. Truly. I can think of just a few books in my lifetime that I've read that have pulled at me and this is one on a very short list. I can't explain it, it just is.
I have one copy to giveaway, and you can enter here to win: http://strandupdate.blogspot.com/2013... . Drawing will be held 1/25/13
January 12, 2018
I thought the book was interesting in the beginning but slowly ran out of steam in the middle. I know the story was told over decades but sometimes it seems there were scenes that were not that relevant that could have shortened the length of book.
March 21, 2020
What a Read
This quite large book is certainly a page turner! Pamela K Cable knows how to keep one spellbound from page to page! Andie the main character is a strong survivor, you come to cherish! A definitive great read! One cannot forget!
This quite large book is certainly a page turner! Pamela K Cable knows how to keep one spellbound from page to page! Andie the main character is a strong survivor, you come to cherish! A definitive great read! One cannot forget!
October 21, 2012
Televenge by Pamela King Cable is a gripping novel in which faith and fundamentalism come to blows. Told through the heart-breaking, heroic journey of Andie Rose, Televenge is a blaring kalxon for the current religious climate of our nation, seasoned to near perfection with rich characterization and an embroiled plot.
Just before high school graduation, Andie Rose falls in love with Joe Oliver. He's charming and handsome, everything she wants in a husband. With sparkling dreams of owning her own home and filling it with children as she grows old with Joe, Andie blissfully marries Joe and becomes entangled in his ultra-religious family. Joe has dreams of rising to the upper echelons of the House of Praise ministry, led by Reverend Calvin Autry, and ambitions for little else. Joe's zealotry for Reverend Autry's ministry, though, begins to sufffocate his marriage with Andie.
The novel follows the free fall plummet of Andie's life to a near bottomless pit. As the body count rises and scandal and intrigue weave complicated pathes through her life, Andie's only hope is to remain firmly ahold of her family. At every turn she is confronted and thwarted by the fundamentilist regime of Reverend Autry until all but a thread of her faith in God and humanity is left. But in the dwindling moments of her faith and life, she finds her footing and begins the long fight back.
The dichotomy drawn between faith and fundamentalism is subtle and brilliantly executed in Televenge. While the novel focuses mainly on a 1970's televanglist throw back, there are constant parallels to the current state of evangelical conseravitives. Religious dogma attacks with sharpened claws, heralded by a sweet whisper that "we're just concerned you'll spend eternity in Hell." Andie cannot reconcile her faith with the fundamentalist views of the House of Praise. As conflicts begin to pit the two against each other, fractures quickly arise. There is no room for one within the other. More Christian fiction would do well to develope along similar themes.
Televenge follows Andie's narration for the most part. Occassionally, other members of the cast are peppered in with a shift of point-of-view. While not unwelcome, it feels a bit like hijacking. Or a bit like that friend who always butts into your story to add something they're afraid you'll forget. Andie's best friend Mavis could have been spared narrative duties. I felt there was nothing particularly pressing that her point of view had to share that could not have been blended in by Andie. In fact, some of the points in Mavis' narration could have added a greater mystery and intrigue had they come by way of Andie. Reverend Autry, on the other hand -- his snippets of narration add a distinct flavor and bolster his character. By way of his short stints of narration he morphs from misguided zealot to delusional psychotic.
There are moments in the novel that feel a bit off at times. Choices that Andie makes that don't feel authentic or could have been better developed. There is a point when Andie is seriously considering leaving Joe but then pulls a reversal, heading back to her marriage and the House of Praise. When she tells her decision to sister-in-law Libby, Libby is aghast and confused. As was I. Andie's confessed reasoning is out of character. I reread the section twice thinking she was just making an off the cuff excuse to Libby. However, Andie's determination to leave Joe and the House of Praise for good had been so iron clad that any subterfuge for return still just did not seem legitimate. Likewise, the arrival of Andie's white knight Matthew Callahan -- while it was purposefully a deus ex machina -- unfolded in such an abrupt and obvious way that it was almost intrusive. While some precendent had been set for why she should want to trust Matthew, Andie opens her life and mission to him so candidly that it again feels slightly off from what her character development suggests.
These few complaints, however, should not deter readers from Televenge. It is the perfect blend of entertainment and social commentary. Peppered with flavors of John Grisham's tense thrillers and Stephen King's rich characterization, Pamela King Cable has produced an excellent debut novel. This is definitely a work of great competence, a highlight of great things to come from this author.
Just before high school graduation, Andie Rose falls in love with Joe Oliver. He's charming and handsome, everything she wants in a husband. With sparkling dreams of owning her own home and filling it with children as she grows old with Joe, Andie blissfully marries Joe and becomes entangled in his ultra-religious family. Joe has dreams of rising to the upper echelons of the House of Praise ministry, led by Reverend Calvin Autry, and ambitions for little else. Joe's zealotry for Reverend Autry's ministry, though, begins to sufffocate his marriage with Andie.
The novel follows the free fall plummet of Andie's life to a near bottomless pit. As the body count rises and scandal and intrigue weave complicated pathes through her life, Andie's only hope is to remain firmly ahold of her family. At every turn she is confronted and thwarted by the fundamentilist regime of Reverend Autry until all but a thread of her faith in God and humanity is left. But in the dwindling moments of her faith and life, she finds her footing and begins the long fight back.
The dichotomy drawn between faith and fundamentalism is subtle and brilliantly executed in Televenge. While the novel focuses mainly on a 1970's televanglist throw back, there are constant parallels to the current state of evangelical conseravitives. Religious dogma attacks with sharpened claws, heralded by a sweet whisper that "we're just concerned you'll spend eternity in Hell." Andie cannot reconcile her faith with the fundamentalist views of the House of Praise. As conflicts begin to pit the two against each other, fractures quickly arise. There is no room for one within the other. More Christian fiction would do well to develope along similar themes.
Televenge follows Andie's narration for the most part. Occassionally, other members of the cast are peppered in with a shift of point-of-view. While not unwelcome, it feels a bit like hijacking. Or a bit like that friend who always butts into your story to add something they're afraid you'll forget. Andie's best friend Mavis could have been spared narrative duties. I felt there was nothing particularly pressing that her point of view had to share that could not have been blended in by Andie. In fact, some of the points in Mavis' narration could have added a greater mystery and intrigue had they come by way of Andie. Reverend Autry, on the other hand -- his snippets of narration add a distinct flavor and bolster his character. By way of his short stints of narration he morphs from misguided zealot to delusional psychotic.
There are moments in the novel that feel a bit off at times. Choices that Andie makes that don't feel authentic or could have been better developed. There is a point when Andie is seriously considering leaving Joe but then pulls a reversal, heading back to her marriage and the House of Praise. When she tells her decision to sister-in-law Libby, Libby is aghast and confused. As was I. Andie's confessed reasoning is out of character. I reread the section twice thinking she was just making an off the cuff excuse to Libby. However, Andie's determination to leave Joe and the House of Praise for good had been so iron clad that any subterfuge for return still just did not seem legitimate. Likewise, the arrival of Andie's white knight Matthew Callahan -- while it was purposefully a deus ex machina -- unfolded in such an abrupt and obvious way that it was almost intrusive. While some precendent had been set for why she should want to trust Matthew, Andie opens her life and mission to him so candidly that it again feels slightly off from what her character development suggests.
These few complaints, however, should not deter readers from Televenge. It is the perfect blend of entertainment and social commentary. Peppered with flavors of John Grisham's tense thrillers and Stephen King's rich characterization, Pamela King Cable has produced an excellent debut novel. This is definitely a work of great competence, a highlight of great things to come from this author.
November 20, 2012
Pamela King Cable's Televenge is a genre-bending ride. Set in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, starting in 1972 and spanning the 70s, 80s and even mid 90s, this is a hefty novel (over 575 pages!). And I have to admit it right now: I love a good, long read! It's impossible to pin this down as strictly suspense, romance, chick-lit, or even Christian fiction, but it certainly has elements of all of these.
Cable tells the story of Andie Oliver, married too young to a philandering husband, Joe. It quickly becomes apparent to Andie and to us, as readers, that their pastor, the Reverend Calvin Artury, controls far too much of their lives. As Artury's ministry grows--from mega-church pastor, to traveling to preach at "crusades," to finally eclipising Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker as the world's most famous televangelist--so does his hold on Andie and Joe, who is employed by Artury's ministry. Andie seeks to get away from the church and from her abusive husband, only to be thrown into hardship upon hardship. Andie is intelligent and resourceful, holding her head high when it seems impossible to do so. This makes her a sympathetic character. However, she seems to face difficulties and trials so numerous and seemingly-unlikely that the plot verges on the melodrama at times. It seems nearly impossible that so many horrific things could happen, one after the other. Equally melodrama-like is the way that Andie is ultimately healed emotionally by meeting a man who truly loves her. Although, as readers, we certainly want to see this happen for Andie, it all happens a bit too easily to be believed.
One thing I appreciate about this novel is that Cable manages to provide an indictment of a particular movement within American Christianity--the mega-church that manifests as corrupt televangelism--without slipping into condemning Christianity as a whole. I've read enough so-called Christian fiction to know that it's easy to present a glowing, but thoughtless representation of Christianity; it's maybe even easier to dismiss all Christianity out of hand in our culture. Cable manages to walk the fine line between these two. Additionally, she suggests the danger when any organization, religious or otherwise, is driven by the force of one man's personality. It' is unclear whether power has corrupted Artury or whether he is corrupt and therefore seeks undue power. Either way, Cable examines the danger that can easily ensue when one man has almost absolute power over so many lives and also has the ability to easily cover his own trespasses.
Although I freely admit that I'm sometimes drawn to long novels simply because they are long, Televenge feels like it could be edited down in some ways. In one way, I really do appreciate a lengthy, well-developed work; I like that sort of involved, extended reading experience. Yet there are sections that felt unnecessarily long to me. At the same time, some parts of the plot seem to resolve themselves too easily, while other loose ends are left simply hanging. In this way, there's a sort of unevenness to the pacing of the novel. It feels not like a Lifetime movie but like a made for TV mini-series that is engaging and entertaining but doesn't move at quite the right pace. This seems to be a matter of some sections feeling underdeveloped while others could stand some editing down. But King's writing style is clear and fluid; the 500+ pages really do read quickly. And I will admit that I quickly got caught up in the intrigue of Artury and his "mafia of holy men" and could hardly put the book down. I think I read it all in about 3 days.
The bottom line is this: Cable provides an entertaining read. Her protagonist elicits enough of our sympathy to keep us reading. Her indictment of certain trends in American Christianity provides enough depth to keep this from being strictly chick-lit. Artury's exploits push this work towards being a suspense thriller. For the investment of time and money, the reader walks away from Televenge with more than one might expect.
NOTE: This review originally posted at my blog Speaking of Books, http://www.drennanspitzer.com Please visit me there!
Cable tells the story of Andie Oliver, married too young to a philandering husband, Joe. It quickly becomes apparent to Andie and to us, as readers, that their pastor, the Reverend Calvin Artury, controls far too much of their lives. As Artury's ministry grows--from mega-church pastor, to traveling to preach at "crusades," to finally eclipising Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker as the world's most famous televangelist--so does his hold on Andie and Joe, who is employed by Artury's ministry. Andie seeks to get away from the church and from her abusive husband, only to be thrown into hardship upon hardship. Andie is intelligent and resourceful, holding her head high when it seems impossible to do so. This makes her a sympathetic character. However, she seems to face difficulties and trials so numerous and seemingly-unlikely that the plot verges on the melodrama at times. It seems nearly impossible that so many horrific things could happen, one after the other. Equally melodrama-like is the way that Andie is ultimately healed emotionally by meeting a man who truly loves her. Although, as readers, we certainly want to see this happen for Andie, it all happens a bit too easily to be believed.
One thing I appreciate about this novel is that Cable manages to provide an indictment of a particular movement within American Christianity--the mega-church that manifests as corrupt televangelism--without slipping into condemning Christianity as a whole. I've read enough so-called Christian fiction to know that it's easy to present a glowing, but thoughtless representation of Christianity; it's maybe even easier to dismiss all Christianity out of hand in our culture. Cable manages to walk the fine line between these two. Additionally, she suggests the danger when any organization, religious or otherwise, is driven by the force of one man's personality. It' is unclear whether power has corrupted Artury or whether he is corrupt and therefore seeks undue power. Either way, Cable examines the danger that can easily ensue when one man has almost absolute power over so many lives and also has the ability to easily cover his own trespasses.
Although I freely admit that I'm sometimes drawn to long novels simply because they are long, Televenge feels like it could be edited down in some ways. In one way, I really do appreciate a lengthy, well-developed work; I like that sort of involved, extended reading experience. Yet there are sections that felt unnecessarily long to me. At the same time, some parts of the plot seem to resolve themselves too easily, while other loose ends are left simply hanging. In this way, there's a sort of unevenness to the pacing of the novel. It feels not like a Lifetime movie but like a made for TV mini-series that is engaging and entertaining but doesn't move at quite the right pace. This seems to be a matter of some sections feeling underdeveloped while others could stand some editing down. But King's writing style is clear and fluid; the 500+ pages really do read quickly. And I will admit that I quickly got caught up in the intrigue of Artury and his "mafia of holy men" and could hardly put the book down. I think I read it all in about 3 days.
The bottom line is this: Cable provides an entertaining read. Her protagonist elicits enough of our sympathy to keep us reading. Her indictment of certain trends in American Christianity provides enough depth to keep this from being strictly chick-lit. Artury's exploits push this work towards being a suspense thriller. For the investment of time and money, the reader walks away from Televenge with more than one might expect.
NOTE: This review originally posted at my blog Speaking of Books, http://www.drennanspitzer.com Please visit me there!
January 4, 2013
Televenge takes the reader into the world of the mega-church. Not the nice, comfortable church around the corner but the 10,000 seat stadium kind of church. The kind led by charismatic leaders asking for money to "do God's work here on Earth." It is also a story about a fear; fear of God, fear of a pastor and fear of going to hell. It's a story about the manipulation of people and the use of that fear to keep the church growing and the congregation in line. It's also a love story.
That is a lot of substance for one book and Televenge packs it all in and more. It does a really good job of it too! It kept me tapping my e-reader to keep the pages turning and despite its 584 page length I read it in a day and a half. The writing and the story just pulls you in and doesn't let you go.
Andie is a woman reared with a strong faith in God and she falls in love with Joe Oliver whose family are ardent members of the House of Praise run by Calvin Artury. They believe Reverend Calvin is the only way they will find heaven when the Rapture comes. Despite some family objections Andie marries Joe right out of high school and dreams of a white picket fence and children. What she gets is a trailer park and Joe suddenly deciding - by Calvin's instruction - that there will be no kids. What follows is a twisty, turny very involved and heart rending tale of the control that one man can hold over people both simple and complicated.
Calvin uses people to reach his goals, and he will reach them no matter what and no one is going to stop him. If anyone dares to try he has judges in his pocket and loyalists that will kill for him. No one can say a word against him. Andie manages to have children and when Calvin arranges for Joe to get custody she reaches the end of her rope and that's when she makes a life altering decision.
Ms. Cable develops her plot slowly and surely so that you don't see the twists coming and many of them managed to catch me completely off guard. A couple I saw coming but many of them almost knocked me off of my chair. The characters were all very well defined and except for Calvin and a few ancillary church members they were a solid mix of good and bad. It really was difficult to put the book down! I did feel that it probably could have been a touch shorter and it wouldn't have hurt the overall book as the Job-ish section of Andi's fall into despair went on for seemingly forEVER. I was beginning to wonder if ANYTHING good would ever happen to the poor girl.
Overall, though a fantastic read with a look into a world about which I knew absolutely nothing.
That is a lot of substance for one book and Televenge packs it all in and more. It does a really good job of it too! It kept me tapping my e-reader to keep the pages turning and despite its 584 page length I read it in a day and a half. The writing and the story just pulls you in and doesn't let you go.
Andie is a woman reared with a strong faith in God and she falls in love with Joe Oliver whose family are ardent members of the House of Praise run by Calvin Artury. They believe Reverend Calvin is the only way they will find heaven when the Rapture comes. Despite some family objections Andie marries Joe right out of high school and dreams of a white picket fence and children. What she gets is a trailer park and Joe suddenly deciding - by Calvin's instruction - that there will be no kids. What follows is a twisty, turny very involved and heart rending tale of the control that one man can hold over people both simple and complicated.
Calvin uses people to reach his goals, and he will reach them no matter what and no one is going to stop him. If anyone dares to try he has judges in his pocket and loyalists that will kill for him. No one can say a word against him. Andie manages to have children and when Calvin arranges for Joe to get custody she reaches the end of her rope and that's when she makes a life altering decision.
Ms. Cable develops her plot slowly and surely so that you don't see the twists coming and many of them managed to catch me completely off guard. A couple I saw coming but many of them almost knocked me off of my chair. The characters were all very well defined and except for Calvin and a few ancillary church members they were a solid mix of good and bad. It really was difficult to put the book down! I did feel that it probably could have been a touch shorter and it wouldn't have hurt the overall book as the Job-ish section of Andi's fall into despair went on for seemingly forEVER. I was beginning to wonder if ANYTHING good would ever happen to the poor girl.
Overall, though a fantastic read with a look into a world about which I knew absolutely nothing.
August 18, 2012
Andie Oliver is a faithful woman – to God, to her husband Joe, and to televangelist Reverend Calvin Artury. Andie’s dreams of a beautiful home, children and a happy marriage are shattered when Joe is hired by the ministry team of Artury’s House of Praise.
As Joe gets sucked further into the ministry, Andie is determined to get them out of the cult and delves into the immorality and debauchery that lies beneath the polished veneer of Reverend Artury’s church. Her childhood friend Mavis seems to hold the key, but what happens to Mavis shocks Andie to the core and rocks the very foundations of her life.
As she becomes more of a threat to Artury, the power he wields becomes clear, and suddenly Andie is fighting for her existence as everything she loves is torn from her. Forced into hiding, she plots her revenge on the Reverend, and threatens to expose the House of Praise and the depraved acts that go on beneath the shadows of the cult.
If you are looking for a light read, this book is not for you. As I am personally not a very religious person, I had doubts as to whether this book would be for me, but I was intrigued by the storyline, and I wasn’t disappointed. This action packed thriller was a real page turner, and delved deep into the hidden realities of evangelism.
Andie was a very strong protagonist, who knew her own mind and was not fooled by Artury, who claimed to be the second coming of Christ. She could easily have been a ‘doormat’ type of character, who let others walk all over her, but in the face of extreme adversity and danger she refused to back down, and I had to admire her for that.
There were many unexpected twists throughout the novel that gave it new depths and kept it interesting. The only negative that I found was that there were many bible quotes and scripture readings, which while they were appropriate considering the setting of the storyline, may be somewhat off-putting to a reader who may not be very religious like myself. Overall it was a well written book, with a very exciting and intriguing storyline, dealing with some very heavy subject matter.
As Joe gets sucked further into the ministry, Andie is determined to get them out of the cult and delves into the immorality and debauchery that lies beneath the polished veneer of Reverend Artury’s church. Her childhood friend Mavis seems to hold the key, but what happens to Mavis shocks Andie to the core and rocks the very foundations of her life.
As she becomes more of a threat to Artury, the power he wields becomes clear, and suddenly Andie is fighting for her existence as everything she loves is torn from her. Forced into hiding, she plots her revenge on the Reverend, and threatens to expose the House of Praise and the depraved acts that go on beneath the shadows of the cult.
If you are looking for a light read, this book is not for you. As I am personally not a very religious person, I had doubts as to whether this book would be for me, but I was intrigued by the storyline, and I wasn’t disappointed. This action packed thriller was a real page turner, and delved deep into the hidden realities of evangelism.
Andie was a very strong protagonist, who knew her own mind and was not fooled by Artury, who claimed to be the second coming of Christ. She could easily have been a ‘doormat’ type of character, who let others walk all over her, but in the face of extreme adversity and danger she refused to back down, and I had to admire her for that.
There were many unexpected twists throughout the novel that gave it new depths and kept it interesting. The only negative that I found was that there were many bible quotes and scripture readings, which while they were appropriate considering the setting of the storyline, may be somewhat off-putting to a reader who may not be very religious like myself. Overall it was a well written book, with a very exciting and intriguing storyline, dealing with some very heavy subject matter.
January 24, 2013
Fascinating glimpse into the world of megachurches and televangelism -- neither of which has ever had any appeal for me but which were utterly compelling to watch from backstage (so to speak).
Televenge is an odd book: the first half or more feels like a memoir. I'd love to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the author, to learn how much of it was lifted directly from life. I bet I could make a fair guess because some scenes felt so gritty-real that I felt guilty for looking (kinda like driving past a car accident where a guy is bleeding out on the pavement), and others felt like a story.
Reading Televenge brought home to me how important genres can be. There was a moment where one of the supporting characters was in a life-threatening situation, and I realized I had no idea whether this character was likely to survive or die. I bought the book because the author is the friend of a friend, and I had (and still have) no idea what the genre is. If, for instance, it was romance, I would have known all the characters would survive. If, for instance, it was thriller, I'd have known almost anyone could die. Without knowing, I had no idea, and it was oddly unsettling to venture into such unknown territory. Not bad, necessarily, just uncomfortable. Still, I could not put the book down for the first half.
However, and to my great disappointment, I had to push myself through the last hundred pages or so, especially when the fairy tale elements took over. I did not find the ending believable or satisfying, and the main character's change happened far too abruptly for me.
Having said that, I will definitely purchase whatever book the author publishes next. Not just because she's the friend of a friend but because she has some serious writing chops.
Televenge is an odd book: the first half or more feels like a memoir. I'd love to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the author, to learn how much of it was lifted directly from life. I bet I could make a fair guess because some scenes felt so gritty-real that I felt guilty for looking (kinda like driving past a car accident where a guy is bleeding out on the pavement), and others felt like a story.
Reading Televenge brought home to me how important genres can be. There was a moment where one of the supporting characters was in a life-threatening situation, and I realized I had no idea whether this character was likely to survive or die. I bought the book because the author is the friend of a friend, and I had (and still have) no idea what the genre is. If, for instance, it was romance, I would have known all the characters would survive. If, for instance, it was thriller, I'd have known almost anyone could die. Without knowing, I had no idea, and it was oddly unsettling to venture into such unknown territory. Not bad, necessarily, just uncomfortable. Still, I could not put the book down for the first half.
However, and to my great disappointment, I had to push myself through the last hundred pages or so, especially when the fairy tale elements took over. I did not find the ending believable or satisfying, and the main character's change happened far too abruptly for me.
Having said that, I will definitely purchase whatever book the author publishes next. Not just because she's the friend of a friend but because she has some serious writing chops.
May 5, 2013
In the library I was drawn to this book by its word mash-up title and the ominous angel on the cover. But I almost didn't check it out because of the pink "inspirational" tag on its spine. (More often that not, this means the book is a saccharine, Hallmark special sort of text.) I decided to take a chance and see how it went. Wow was I engaged. I picked it up mid-afternoon and finished that night. This has the grittiness of Flannery O'Connor's south with its warped religious characters and twisted good intentions.
The structure of the book was particularly effective. I loved the multiple viewpoints so I could see and hear more. They humanize people who could have been left as flat caricatures of evil. The sections with their creation story references showed in a very real way the creation of a new woman, someone broken who ultimately emerges stronger and whole.
Powerful beginnings unravelled into an almost fairy tale ending. Despite its final segment shuffling into unbelievability, the book's rating remains 4/5 because I wanted to believe it could really happen. I'm hoping that as Cable's writing continues, this dichotomy between light and dark will not be so extreme, that just as every 'evil' character had something sympathetic her good characters will also have human flaws.
The structure of the book was particularly effective. I loved the multiple viewpoints so I could see and hear more. They humanize people who could have been left as flat caricatures of evil. The sections with their creation story references showed in a very real way the creation of a new woman, someone broken who ultimately emerges stronger and whole.
Powerful beginnings unravelled into an almost fairy tale ending. Despite its final segment shuffling into unbelievability, the book's rating remains 4/5 because I wanted to believe it could really happen. I'm hoping that as Cable's writing continues, this dichotomy between light and dark will not be so extreme, that just as every 'evil' character had something sympathetic her good characters will also have human flaws.
November 9, 2012
Pamela King Cable took me to a world I did not know existed until I read Televenge. In this work of fiction, we are introduced to a young lady named Andie who simply wants to be a wife and a mother. Andie’s family is not completely ‘sold’ on the local church and their larger-than-life minister but her husband, Joe and his family are so involved as if they are brainwashed.
Reverend Calvin Artury is the minister of this church and he has ambitions beyond his local congregation. Artury believes he should be a worldwide phenomenon and will not stop at anything to gain his fame. The church seemed to be like a cult and it has all of the drama and suspense that one could only imagine.
Pamela King Cable has written a novel that will keep you engaged and at times shaking your head wondering what really happened. Southern mega churches are not something I am not familiar with and Televenge has made me want to learn more about this culture. It should be noted that this book is not anti-religion but it more one of against those individuals that misuse their power. Televenge is definitely a book worth reading!
Reverend Calvin Artury is the minister of this church and he has ambitions beyond his local congregation. Artury believes he should be a worldwide phenomenon and will not stop at anything to gain his fame. The church seemed to be like a cult and it has all of the drama and suspense that one could only imagine.
Pamela King Cable has written a novel that will keep you engaged and at times shaking your head wondering what really happened. Southern mega churches are not something I am not familiar with and Televenge has made me want to learn more about this culture. It should be noted that this book is not anti-religion but it more one of against those individuals that misuse their power. Televenge is definitely a book worth reading!
February 1, 2013
...In general, I think Cable has a great voice and I appreciated the writing style although at times the prose felt a bit heavy-handed and self-indulgent. The story is told in first person, mostly from Andie’s POV however we do get to experience the story from a few other POVs as well. Reverend Artury’s POVs are chilling. The first half of the book moved at a good pace, but the second half of the book, at times, felt a bit bloated and the pace bogged down with the tedium of Andie’s daily life and her seemingly never-ending struggle to survive. As a result, I lost the connection to the tension and suspense elements because they seemed to disappear from the narrative for chapters at a time. We really don’t get a reprieve from the starkness of the story until the last one-hundred pages. Despite that, this is a well-written dark and gripping tale that pulls you along every painful moment of Andie’s life as she struggles for freedom from a loveless marriage and an oppressive and dangerous church...
Full review posted at The Book Pushers: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/02/01/...
Full review posted at The Book Pushers: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/02/01/...
August 28, 2013
Such a great book. I was immediately sucked into the heartbreaking and lonely life of Andie. Although it's a long book, that fact is quickly disregarded because one has to find out what the end result will be. The character of Andie can be frustrating but that's the point of the story. If you were barely 20 years old in the 1970s in the Southern Biblebelt and married to a man who was being deeply drawn into a religious cult....what would you do? The characters are wonderfully developed. I found myself crying right along with Andie's grief. There are twists and turns in the story. Some are predictable while others are not. If this is your kind of story I urge you to pick it up.
November 10, 2012
TELEVENGE is simply breathtaking. The honesty and raw emotion in which this story is told is so real, I actually had to put the book down a couple of times and catch my breath. Pam Cable has touched gold with her ability to transcend levels of emotion to deliver a powerful, remarkable book. It's sad, it's disturbing, but most of all it's uplifting. It won't destroy your faith, it'll renew it.
September 4, 2012
I really did love this book even though it is too long. Pamela might need a better editor. I still gave it a 5 because, to me at least, the story was compelling and I also learned quite a bit about the subject. However, I would not recommend this to my friends ... probably because it is so full of religion that I fear they might become offended as if I were trying to "save" them.
May 28, 2014
This is an engaging story, filled with suspense, crazy maniacal characters, heartbreaking loss, romance, and a lot more. My only complaint is that it is extremely long. I started skimming somewhere near the end so I could get to the conclusion. I don't think I will forget this story.
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