Mark Cloud is back in Fred, Texas but Fred is not the same. The town drunk has got religion. One of Mark's classmates has started spitting out scriptures like a gumball machine. But more drastic things are in store for this small East Texas town. And for Mark.Once again a forgotten book buried on a dusty library shelf incites revolution. Mark begins to ask troublesome questions. Mark begins a pilgrimage that challenges the open-mindedness of his father and the forbearance of the deacons. As his answers lead him further down the path of least expectance, he ultimately finds himself facing the fear that haunts every PK: I could cost my dad his job. Mark must choose between remaining faithful to his understanding of the gospel or appeasing the prejudices of those with the power to make his family pay for his decisions.
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Brad Whittington was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on James Taylor's eighth birthday and Jack Kerouac's thirty-fourth birthday and is old enough to know better. He lives in Austin, Texas with The Woman. Previously he has been known to inhabit Hawaii, Ohio, South Carolina, Arizona, and Colorado, annoying people as a janitor, math teacher, field hand, computer programmer, brickyard worker, editor, resident Gentile in a Conservative synagogue, IT director, weed-cutter, and in a number of influential positions in other less notable professions. He is greatly loved and admired by all right-thinking citizens and enjoys a complete absence of cats and dogs at home.
Mark Cloud's high school years. Dates Jolene, hears Vernon's story, finds Jake, confronts Deacon Fry, flips the family car into a creek, stands firm against temptation, wrestles with God over being a preacher. Whittington uses words VERY well — he paints compelling and vivid word pictures. Enjoyable and clean.
Absolutely loved this book. The characters are over-the-top and yet so REAL! How does he do that?
Literary and hilarious and thought-provoking and just plain fun. And I despise the 1970's . . .
I highly recommend the Fred books. Why are so many of the best writers now going indie? I don't know, but I will keep buying. This series is a treasure amid all the muck being published out there.
It's a shame these books get buried in the "faith fic". They are so much more. Not a hard read but good stories that entertain and leave food for thought no matter where you come from.
This was a good sort of coming of age/slice of life book. I accidentally skipped the first book in the series but I still enjoyed it. Its a great glimpse into this small town of Fred, and the people who live there.
I loved it! Mark and I both graduated in 1974, so I loved all of his music references. I didn't grow up a PK, but very close to it. Whittington's writing style is humorous, but with truth thrown in. I can't wait to get started on the next "Fred".
I immediately read this second entry in the series, following the first one. I liked the first one a bit better, but still enjoyed this one and moved through it very quickly.
Mr. Whittington did it again, and gave me another mini vacation in this second book in the Fred series. His characters are real, they are interesting. Good job.