Rapture

by David Sosnowski

Part romance, part allegory, part satire of modern culture, David Sosnowski's first novel is a wry takeoff on the current New Age angel phenomenon. Zander Wiles, a small Detroit dope dealer, feels a powerful itch on his back and soon discovers he's growing wings. The epidemic of "Angelism" spreads, and in no time Congress has gotten involved, angel support groups crop up, militant factions create the Feathered Nation, and America has a new and otherworldly minority on its hands. Zander, the first celebrity angel, eventually crosses paths with Cassie O'Connor, also a fledgling semi-divinity, and their romance carries the plot to its manic close. Sosnowski has a dry, wicked sense of humor, and his descriptions of angelic movie theaters, bars, and bumper stickers are priceless.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Angels, Urban Fantasy, Humor, Paranormal, Novels

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Emma Matthews]

Whenever the question of what is my favourite book crops up, this is the book I think of. It's the one I recall lines from and scenes from, years after reading. I remember completely falling in love with the writer because when he described someone as feeling plaid, I understood. Xander Wiles is a difficult character to like, and Cassie is complex and and I thought the dark subject matter of the book, and the themes that the author explored using Angelism and also Penguinism were really effective. The idea's are original, the characters fairly uncompromising and the imagery both scenic and emotional struck a chord in me that remains to this day. These two characters and their fragility and history and messed up self worth issues mattered to me. The fact that we learn about who they were individually before meeting, was also a plus for me since I love that, the journey of people to who they are and how they became new versions was very well handled and felt natural, we read as these characters blossomed and matured through their trials and own mistakes. Especially with the way both deal with their Angelism. The writing was vivid, and touching, yet never mawkish. This was a fairly brutal read in places and packed a punch in terms of the issues raised. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Mallory]

What if you suddenly and inexplicably sprouted massive wings? Would you consider it a blessing or a curse? People who have them are called Angels, but they can still die. The randomness of who gets wings and who doesn’t results in social friction and discord. It also means that there are many who are most undeserving of their new moniker. For Cassie O’Connor, having wings brings fame and fortune. Zander Wiles, on the other hand, is left with notoriety and self-banishment. Cassie and Zander are such anti-heroes, the most foul-mouthed and selfish Angels you’ll ever come across. In fact, they’re a lot like they were when they were completely human. This fantastical novel brings a unique, different way to look at typical human and world problems like disparity, bias and stereotyping. It is terrific social commentary and satire. It’s also an engaging way to show how humans handle major personal change and upheaval.

Favorite quotes: “If nothing else, that’s one of the things Cassie has learned in her years as an Angel and a therapist: Respect joy. Joy is not something that happens instead of something else important; it isn’t a waste of time; it is, really, what time was invented for.”

“That’s what the world is for Angels, after all – a place where the chairs are forever backward.”

[Lee Lamarche]

Sosnowski imagines a world where the newest social disease isn't AIDS, but angelism. People suddenly "coocooning" and waking up with wings and an entirely changed physical being. How these people are treated and looked upon is only a small piece of this book. We follow a few characters, most notabely Zander who has never really been anything in his life and suddenly he has these wings that seem to have a mind of their own. A great book with interesting moral value and just-gripping-enough plot to keep you interested between its various peaks and valleys.

[Ruby]

I first stumbled across this novel while browsing the fiction stacks at my local library in middle school. It was so entertaining that it stuck with me through the years until I essentially rediscovered it in high school at that same library. I tried to find a copy of it for the longest time, but by then it was out of print and finding it in bookstores was impossible - which is a shame, because it's fantastic. I finally lucked out and found a copy on eBay from a library booksale; sure, it has the library stickers on its plastic cover, but I don't care because it's mine!

At any rate, the book itself is amazing. Entertaining and thoughtful at the same time, I enjoyed the sarcasm and humor, the depiction of Angelism as the socially stigmatizing disease of the time, and even the faint touches of romance between two damaged characters. I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Bj]

This is another one of those books that I'm not sure how many people have read or even heard about. The plot is a little out there (humans sprouting wings through a disease known as Angelism!) but it is well thought out and entertaining. It provokes questions about human goodness and faith. It is a book that has stayed with me even though I read it a long time ago.

[Erin Coleman]

It's a great concept, but not the greatest book. This book is basically a good plot with likable characters, with a weak romance and a horrible ending.

[Angie]

My top favorite unknown author. Sosnowski writes an interesting world where how we treat people is shown a new light. And to top it all off, he sets it in my hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

[Sarah]

A little graphic and disturbing at times. Dark themes. Gritty.

[Jazz]

This book blew my mind! The way the author tells this story I end up praying for a world like this to happen. This book will get you hooked and you will want to read it again and again.

[row row]

4.5 stars for this one. I've been in a mood to read books about winged people/angels lately, and this is one of the ones I was most interested in when I searched. I ended up really liking this book. I love the way it's written most of all. It's definitely a world I haven't seen before - I've read plenty about angels, demons, and winged people before, but always in more of a higher fantasy setting, whereas this was more sci-fi and speculative fiction. So the way David Sosnowski presented Angels was something very unique to me, and I was fascinated by the world and its mechanics. I also really liked the main characters, Cassie and Zander, and I enjoyed reading their different journeys of coping with being Angels. The only reason I'm not giving it the full five stars is because I have a couple questions still, but I find they don't really matter much, because I was thoroughly engaged in this story from start to finish. What really made this book for me was the writing, and I think it's something I would read again in the future.

[Megan]

Well, this wasn't quite what I was expecting. I was expecting more detail about what caused the Angels and how it changed the world and less about the relationships between characters. I liked the characters ok but I was way more interested in the Angel phenomenon in general. I didn't feel like the book wanted to address anything to do with the angels, it was just a convenient way to get Zander and Cassie together. It was kind of lame.
Overall 3/5 stars.

[DJ Babb]

I can’t begin to tell you how this book affected me.
It was a loaner from a friend. As a southern Baptist the whole consents we’re pulling at my beliefs and ideas. I LOVE THIS BOOK. it is always on my shelf and I’ve read it multiple times. I still get those same tugs at my ideas and upbringing and I recommend it to everyone.

[jodi watson]

I read this book after reading "happy doomsday". I did not like this book as much. it felt scattered. A quick read, but just did not hold my interest as his other book.

[Erica Wright]

This is a weird, ambitious, flawed book—100% my jam.

[Jennifer]

In this book a new disease is going around ... Angelism. Ordinary people are waking up with wings and nobody knows why. The story follows Zander, one of the fist angels, who used his wings to scam believers in a higher power and eventually, ended up an outcast. And Cassie, celebrity angel therapist. It's a satire, a comedy, a story about friendship, and love.

Sosnowski's satirical world is so complete and so creative that his writing feels like it comes from a true student of something that really should, must, exist. He fills in trivia and sub cultures within his stories, and his characters are endlessly charming. He is one of my favorite authors and I want MORE!

...I'm also a little bit in love with Zande.

[Vicky Skinner]

I fell in love with Sosnowski when I read Vamped about five years ago, but this novel has been sitting on my shelf for almost as long, and I'm glad I finally read it, because I loved it more than Vamped. First, I adore Sosnowski's writing style. There is something fun about it because it's so imperfect in a really real, down to earth way. Second, I loved this whole story line and the gorgeous way everything fit together in the end. By page 200, I couldn't stop. The end was emotional, touching, brilliant, and just plain awesome. This book is totally worth it.

[Marie]

I looked forward to getting this book for a long time.... and it was a big let down! I read over 100 pages and all of them were a struggle to get through. I really loved his other book Vamped and I have read it several times but this book is no Vamped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lavonne]

Okay story about humans who morph into angels, or at least, beings with wings. I took two words away from this book: "Respect joy." Those are words I needed to hear and a lesson I will carry with me. So, it made the book worth reading.

[Ernie]

i liked the variety of strange and dark things that happened or were mentioned and the way he eased out of each subject. the guy can talk about some deep shit but keep you laughing and smiling nevertheless. it was truely something i doubt to encounter ever again...

[Emily]

Rapture was a lot better than I expected. It was entertaining, well written, funny, and serious. It was easier to relate to than I had anticipated.

[Fangface666]

A twist on it's subject matter. Ugly, sad and great.

[B]

Probably a 3.5/almost 4 star book. I enjoyed it -- not as much as Vamped, but it was definitely good. I look forward to seeing more from Sosnowski.

[Emily]

Really interesting concept, meh execution.

[Beth Shields-Szostak]

1st edition

[Cat]

ehh it was weird.

[Jen]

An interesting topic and some interesting characters. Got a little boring around the middle, but picked up towards the end...

[Kristin]

I couldn't stay into this book to save my life. I think I was too caught up in the whole vampire nonsense that I couldn't fathom caring about Angels so I'll have to give this book another try.

[Stephen Francesconi]

Good book, but the ending felt rushed. =/

[Nora Keating]

If it was possible I would give this book 3 and 1/2 stars.

[Adrienne]

I really hope this author writes more. Vamped and Rapture are great books.