The God File

by Frank Turner Hollon

Gabriel Black finds himself sentenced to prison for life without the possibility of parole for a murder he did not commit. In a twisted sense of honor, he takes responsibility for the action of a woman he loves and pays for it with his freedom. One day in the prison library Gabriel reads about a man with a wonderful family and a successful career who finds that he has been cured of cancer—thus proving, the author says, the existence of God. Gabriel is unmoved. A truer test of God’s existence would be to find proof of Him in a disgusting corner of the world like prison, without hope, surrounded by violence, hatred, and indifference. Gabriel starts a file where he can store any evidence of the divine he comes across no matter how unseemly. In brutal, honest language, he uncovers himself and the world while surviving in a hopeless hole, swimming in angry memories and regret.

Genres: Fiction, Noir, Novels

147 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Frank Turner Hollon, a talented author, has works that vary from suspenseful novels, to short stories, to children’s books. Frank Hollon was born on July 24th, 1963 in Huntsville, Alabama. Although born in Alabama, Hollon soon became a Louisiana native when he moved to Slidell, Louisiana, or as he says “the ugliest town in America,” when he was 5 years old. Hollon attended Slidell High School and graduated in 1981. Hollon went to Louisiana Tech University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, which earned him a scholarship to Tulane Law School.

Frank Turner Hollon began writing at an early age, usually composing short stories and poetry. He wrote his first book, The Pains of April, in the 1980s, while still in law school. Hollon never really wanted to be a lawyer, but he opted for law school when offered a scholarship, rather than having a full-time job. At the time, he worked at the St. Charles Guesthouse on Prytania Street. Always a free spirit, he even showed up at law school barefooted.

Hollon lived in Louisiana from the age of 5 until he graduated from law school when he was 24. The book, The Pains of April, was Frank Turner Hollon’s first book to be published, and was written while he was in law school in New Orleans. Only a few friends and family read his manuscript while the book sat under his bed for 12 years. This book was published by an Alabama publisher, Sonny Brewer. Another one of Hollon’s books, Life is a Strange Place, is set in New Orleans. This book is currently being made into a movie, called Barry Munday. Hollon has said that Walker Percy, a prestigious Southern author and one of Hollon’s favorite authors, has influenced and greatly affected his writings. Hollon read Percy’s books in New Orleans, and many Walker Percy quotes can be found throughout Hollon’s novels.

Throughout his books, Hollon’s style of writing is very unique, and his stories broadly range. In the psychological suspense story, Blood and Circumstance, the novel is written in the form of a transcript of interviews. Hollon says this is because, “The art of conversation is dying amongst cell phones, e-mails, and text messages. Our minds and bodies are geared instinctively for face-to-face communication.” His second book, The God File, consisted of 47 brief chapters. Throughout Hollon’s collections of writings, each book is notably different than the last. He has established a wide variety of readers, with dark, psychological suspenseful novels, to children’s books, to short stories. Each book seems to be a response to the previous one. Hollon creates intriguing and dynamic characters. From dysfunctional “mercy killers” to lawyers and psychiatrists, the book Blood and Circumstance challenges the reader to evaluate their own beliefs and keeps the reader interested. Strong opinions are voiced in many of the books about subjects like religion and legal matters, but usually they are not Hollon’s beliefs. He says that he writes through the eyes of his characters, thus investigating opinions that are not really his own. Hollon says, “After drowning in a very serious subject or character, I sometimes seek the lightness of a funny novel or children's book.”

Today, Frank Turner Hollon lives in Baldwin County, Alabama, with his wife and family. He still practices law, yet manages to keep a successful writing career and continues to write books.

(source: faculty.ashrosary.org/faculty/wohl/20...)

Reviews

[RKanimalkingdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel Black is a man who has been falsely accused of a crime and is serving time in jail for it. It is here in the solitude of the prison cell he reflects on God. As a Catholic man, he questions the nature of the church. Of the way religion is preached. The notions surrounding God. The blasphemies and signs of piety. He questions it all using bits of his life as a young boy to a grown man. What he saw and experienced and why his life turned out the way it had. He questions suicide and why it's seen as such a sin? Why someone who has stepped up to protect another gets punished for it? Why many people go through life without anyone to so much as care for them. He questions the two faced nature of the world and how ironically, prison is where you meet the most truth.

It's a very blunt and open book for it's a compilation of thoughts by a man who has nothing else to do. There are events that might shake you but are just accepted by him. You see at once from multiple perspectives despite only reading from his. Why people act/behave.think the way the do. In the end you learn just how unequal life is and how religion doesn't really help all that much. Not that religion is bad per say, but rather too easily corruptible due to the nature of humans and the systematic way we've established our respective religions.

I really loved this book. It's stupendous and a must reread.

[Librarian Jawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was into the book until the N-word was used. The words use was ineffective and did not push the plot or the central character, Gabriel Black, forward. I was already invested in Gabriel's character because of his predicament as an incarcerated person. Not sure what Hollon's intention was for having him use it but I immediately disconnected from the work. I think the book's concept is important as it would have been a wonderful opportunity to discuss how the carceral system is dehumanizing. But I think the choice Hollon went with cheapened the book.

[Cynthia Vengraitis · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lifer in prison wants to prove to himself that god exists so he starts a file of stories that do that. It was 50 cents at the library sale and a slim volume so seemed like it might be interesting. It was not. The first several stories were poorly written and depressing. So I gave up. I should have given up when I read the blurbs at the beginning. One said, "The God File is a genuine novel." Well if that was the best the reviewer could come up with...

[Josh Yang · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book because it was too graphic. A catholic man named Gabriel Black is in jail for something that he did not commit. In the solitude he writes letters about his life and reflects on it. I personally did not like this book because of the graphic scenes in the book. There was at least one graphic scene in each chapter. But I liked how the chapters were short. It made it easier to read.

[Nancy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a DNF from 2004. Apparently, my 38 year old self was not in a headspace to appreciate this book. As a 52 year old living the dreadful 2020, I found so much insight, wisdom, and emotion in this slight book. I will definitely revisit it and read more of Hollon’s work.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabriel Black is in prison for life because he voluntarily took the rap for Janie, a woman he was infatuated with. While there he reads a book by a man who felt the remission of his cancer proved the existence of God. "I thought it must be pretty fuckin' easy to see signs of God's existence when you're a rich doctor, with a wonderful wife and children, cured of cancer, sitting around in your country house with your fat dog on the floor by your feet and writing stories about pretty visions. I thought it would really be a test, really be worthwile, to be able to find this evidence in a nasty-ass place like this, with no real freedoms, surrounded every day with fear, hopelessness, and people who live like rats."

The evidence he collects comprises the rest of the novel: vignettes of prison life and the crazy and damaged men there; memories of his caring but powerless mother and his abusive father, or of the things he and his friends did together; letters written to Janie. The structure and minimalist style combine with the very short length of the novel to make it a rapid read, the intensity of the narrator and the occasionally shocking content kept me engrossed. I found it convincing that in spite of his metaphysical quest Gabriel continues to be filled with rage and despair. But last few chapters weren't as strong as the rest of the novel; I had hoped for a different ending, not so much in terms of events as in terms of presentation.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very unusual book, and terribly sad to me. I don't know that I liked it, but I am definitely touched by it. Gabriel Black is an complex & flawed man, which makes for a very interesting character. What frustrated me in the end - but was in keeping with Gabriel Black's character - was that he committed suicide. Though he believed in God, he clearly didn't trust God completely (and thus didn't understand the crux of faith), because he had to take the end of his life into his own hands. Granted, he was in a hellhole, doing time for something he did not do, but in all that he learned, he never learned the most important thing...that faith is a complete trust in God, a letting go of any attempts to control the outcome, and allowing God to accomplish his will in the way he wills it.

There was a tremendous paragraph in the book that made me hopeful that Gabriel Black really got it, but the subsequent pages revealed that he didn't...he ALMOST did, but ultimately couldn't commit 100%. The passage is as follows: "In my years of keeping the God file I have come to believe that the greatest evidence I have found of God's existence is not me, but is the search itself. I have to believe that God sent me on this search, and the search itself has nourished and sustained me. It is the most obvious gift from God, and it has been right in front of me every single day." (p. 149).

[Susan Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly raw, gripping novel written from the perspective of Gabriel Black, a man trying to find meaning in a life lived in prison, serving a life sentence for one momentary, passionate decision-- not to kill another human being, but to take the blame for the person who did. It is hard for me to say I "enjoyed" the novel, which was filled with so much despair. But the author's ability to take the reader into the mind and the world of a man looking for some sign of God in the midst of his personal Hell is a literary triumph.

[Jas Deol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was raw and full of so much emotion, and very inspiring because I agree with the general idea of the book: God is everywhere. I wouldn't mind re-reading this book. A part in particular stuck with me:

“There should be a way to bring all of our pieces back together at the very end. God should allow us to see ourselves whole, just for a moment, when we’ve gotten as far as we’re going to go.”

Basically, I loved it.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

listened to this one on Audio CD. Another interesting turn from this very talented writer. As always, the author has written a very thought provoking book that is very moving. Take a trip with Gabriel Black in his spiritual quest to find proof of God's existence while incarcerated for a crime that he didn't commit. This book will stay with you for a long time after you have read it.

[Your Excellency · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressive - I had thought this was going to be one of those 'convict gets religion in the pen' stories, but it's much, much more than that. An interesting mixture of prison story + close examination of how God appears in what do (and don't do). I plan on re-reading this short book to add more depth to my understanding.

[Mark Wang]

started strong with a great premise, but i think it ultimately failed to deliver. i guess maybe my expectations where too high.
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I need to re-read this book. After some conversations with other folks, I must have missed some pretty critical elements of the book.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started to read this book and after a few chapters decided that a friend with cancer needed it more than I did. What I did read was phenomenal and she has reported that it was great as well. Quite an inspiration apparently....now if only I could have it back!!

[John Ekeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is well-thoughtful, emotional and inspirational based on one incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit and questioning of God's existence. Overall; God is everywhere!! If you will.

[J. Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing little book. So well written and thoughtful. Where is God in the dark places of our lives.

Lent immediately to my buddy Marcy

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite among the Hollon books thus far. A short read that packs a philosophical punch!

[Michelle Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man in prison creates a file containing evidence that God does or does not exist.
Stunning.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic and I would highly recommend it

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't get very far. Not because the writing or story was necessarily bad. I just couldn't take it. If you want my copy, let me know.

[Sarabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fresh perspective. Not preachy. Interesting insight.

[Paulo Monteiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bom livro, boa reflexão sobre o sentido da vida, dentro de uma prisão sem data para sair.

[Phoenix Richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite book. I don't like giving away anything about this book its just that good

[Nigel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I quit three chapters in. It was too contrived.

[Nan]

ruston book club