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The Protest
The Protest, a sort of Handmaid's Tale meets Zorba the Greek, is a gripping, heartbreaking page-turner that's wryly amusing as well. Inspired by the real-life religious hijacking of the author's only two children, this quirky, cautionary tale is important to a post-9/11 world grappling with the issue of abuse of religious power. As the book's jacket says: "We do not want churches, because they will teach us to quarrel about God." -- Chief Joseph
With the help of her schizophrenic sister's insane insights, Jane Crownhart flees the oppression of a small-town church and obsessed Reverend Logan Churlick, and fights the "Jesus" that stalks her. Jane comes into the power of her womanhood and discovers the man truly worthy of her heart, Bolivar Bernard. But fate once again pits Jane against her principles, and she abandons him rather than give up her hard-won integrity. Bolivar fights his own battle, one he can't afford to lose, and comes to discover he loves this woman so much he's willing to give up the Garden of Eden. Eventually, Jane and Bo are reunited, despite the escalating obsession and entanglement of Reverend Churlick. But because Jane is unable to help the true victims of a "C.I.A." firebombing by the blood of the lamb, she is forced to make a Solomon-like decision that all but kills her.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Kozdrey Bunnell
3 books27 followersDianne Kozdrey Bunnell is the oldest of seven children. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, moved with her family to southern California for her teen years, and then migrated to Washington state, where she has lived for over three decades.
Dianne graduated from Whitworth University with a BA in English. She has taught high school English from incarcerated teens to honors classes. In addition, her career includes executive support to a U.S. Congressman, a hospital CEO, and a two-year college President. Currently, she continues her writing life at a leisurely pace. Her second book, From Ice and Snow, sequel to The Protest, was released in 2017.
Dianne graduated from Whitworth University with a BA in English. She has taught high school English from incarcerated teens to honors classes. In addition, her career includes executive support to a U.S. Congressman, a hospital CEO, and a two-year college President. Currently, she continues her writing life at a leisurely pace. Her second book, From Ice and Snow, sequel to The Protest, was released in 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 8, 2015
The Protest tells the story of religion gone awry, of religious authority used with the intent to manipulate, to isolate and destroy. Through wonderful rich characters and dialogue and unrelenting suspense, "The Protest" takes us on a journey through the lives of one family literally torn apart by Christianity. Bunnell's story is a hopeful one of survival. I would highly recommend it to all! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
June 12, 2015
When I first looked at the subtitle of this book I said to myself, “Is it fiction or is it a memoir? It can't be both.” Or can it? I'm convinced much of The Protest is fiction. Not having to stick to the truth makes for a better story. And this is a good story. Near the end of the book the protagonist of the novel makes this comment, which I think gets to the heart of the matter:
Fiction is usually a mixture of truth as the writer sees it and flaming lies. Writing is simply another means for truth to escape, besides crawling out the hole it’s eaten in the author’s belly.
As I said, this is a good story. The characters fill their roles well. We follow the protagonist, Janey, over many years, understanding where she came from, and the how and why of the difficult situation she finds herself in as an adult. The Reverend Logan Churlick is all too credible as the charismatic preacher who isn't the man of God some people think he is. The secondary characters are excellent. I especially liked Janey's sister and the man Janey eventually settles down with who both add touches of humor to the story.
My one complaint is during the middle of the story there were points where a conflict was building, on the verge of coming to a head, and the story would skip ahead, with the conflict resolved in the past. While it is possible that this worked better for the overall story arc (there are going to be a lot of ups and downs in a story covering this many years), as a reader I at times felt like I'd had my emotions built up, only to be left hanging, unable to experience the resolution. However, this was a relatively minor issue. I'd definitely still recommend the book, especially to readers interested in cults and the methods they use in controlling their members.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Fiction is usually a mixture of truth as the writer sees it and flaming lies. Writing is simply another means for truth to escape, besides crawling out the hole it’s eaten in the author’s belly.
As I said, this is a good story. The characters fill their roles well. We follow the protagonist, Janey, over many years, understanding where she came from, and the how and why of the difficult situation she finds herself in as an adult. The Reverend Logan Churlick is all too credible as the charismatic preacher who isn't the man of God some people think he is. The secondary characters are excellent. I especially liked Janey's sister and the man Janey eventually settles down with who both add touches of humor to the story.
My one complaint is during the middle of the story there were points where a conflict was building, on the verge of coming to a head, and the story would skip ahead, with the conflict resolved in the past. While it is possible that this worked better for the overall story arc (there are going to be a lot of ups and downs in a story covering this many years), as a reader I at times felt like I'd had my emotions built up, only to be left hanging, unable to experience the resolution. However, this was a relatively minor issue. I'd definitely still recommend the book, especially to readers interested in cults and the methods they use in controlling their members.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 26, 2015
HOW WE SEE GOD IS HOW WE TREAT OTHERS.
I had to finish this book to see how the author would resolve this story on a fundamentalist church gone rogue. It saddened me to know that this does go on under the guise of Christianity. It makes me angry that this is the God that is portrayed to people that are so wanting to be loved and accepted. I am so thankful for the last chapter in this book. A chapter of hope and of God's Grace. I will say that I didn't like some of the language and sexual undertones, but it was not overdid. Just so you know that it is in the book. My prayer is for all to see how much God loves them and that he is not angry with them. God sent His son JESUS to show us that. He will meet us were we are at and but us back together with gold. Doesn't matter what we have done or has been done to us He never stops loving us.Thank you for this story and for the last chapter. Love the hope that is given. Yes I would recommend. Never believe anyone minister,parent,teacher, spouse etc that tells you God doesn't love you. Parents don't use your children to tear apart someone else because of your anger. So not right.
I had to finish this book to see how the author would resolve this story on a fundamentalist church gone rogue. It saddened me to know that this does go on under the guise of Christianity. It makes me angry that this is the God that is portrayed to people that are so wanting to be loved and accepted. I am so thankful for the last chapter in this book. A chapter of hope and of God's Grace. I will say that I didn't like some of the language and sexual undertones, but it was not overdid. Just so you know that it is in the book. My prayer is for all to see how much God loves them and that he is not angry with them. God sent His son JESUS to show us that. He will meet us were we are at and but us back together with gold. Doesn't matter what we have done or has been done to us He never stops loving us.Thank you for this story and for the last chapter. Love the hope that is given. Yes I would recommend. Never believe anyone minister,parent,teacher, spouse etc that tells you God doesn't love you. Parents don't use your children to tear apart someone else because of your anger. So not right.
July 26, 2015
The Protest is an emotionally draining book. It grabs you early on and the intensity keeps escalating until you think it can’t possibly get any more stirring. And then it does. If you have a heart, you will ache for Janey and her daughters. If you possess the least spark of humanity you will despise the Rev. Logan Churlick. You will think he can’t possibly become any more manipulative, any more evil and despicable, but then he will prove you wrong.
The Protest is no feel-good summer-on-the-beach book. It is the farthest thing from escapism. Emotionally it is hard to read, but stylistically it flows smoothly and is easily accessible. And if you think such things don’t happen in the real world, you haven’t been paying attention.
The Protest is no feel-good summer-on-the-beach book. It is the farthest thing from escapism. Emotionally it is hard to read, but stylistically it flows smoothly and is easily accessible. And if you think such things don’t happen in the real world, you haven’t been paying attention.
July 22, 2015
This is a really great book, anyone that has ever gone through a bad divorce and child custody battle should red this book. Not only do we read about her divorce but we also learn about a young lady that is going through a rough time in her life is manipulated and sexually abused by her church leader. This book shows us how easily someone going through a traumatic event in their life can be brain washed by an authority figure. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time after you have finished the book.
August 8, 2015
The Protest by Dianne Kozdrey Bunnell... Child custody after a divorce is the theme of the fiction, the elements of religion used as a tool to alienate the child from one of the parent and the law does not understand this. An emotional depiction of what happens to the parents and children insidiously.
June 13, 2015
Pulls at your heart strings
I couldn't put down this absorbing, tale of a woman's struggle to understand what happened to her impressionable daughters at the hands of their fanatic, religious father. Parental alienation is real and this book is a fabulous account of the heartbreak under the influence of religious fanatics.
I couldn't put down this absorbing, tale of a woman's struggle to understand what happened to her impressionable daughters at the hands of their fanatic, religious father. Parental alienation is real and this book is a fabulous account of the heartbreak under the influence of religious fanatics.
April 27, 2015
The Prostest!!
Avery good and interesting book, I never thought about the power someone can have on your mind before, It was so interesting I could hardly put it down!!
Avery good and interesting book, I never thought about the power someone can have on your mind before, It was so interesting I could hardly put it down!!
May 8, 2015
Honest, raw, heart-breaking
As hard as this book was to read in places, it had to be horrible to live. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing it to help others!
As hard as this book was to read in places, it had to be horrible to live. Thank you for sharing your story and allowing it to help others!
July 13, 2015
This story was gripping. It felt deep, rich, and true. There were plenty of plot twists to ensure an excellent novel, but it felt like a memoir because of the gritty realism. An excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews