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The Rapture of Canaan
Oprah Book Club® Selection, April 1997: Members of the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind spend their days and nights serving the Lord and waiting for the Rapture--that moment just before the Second Coming of Christ when the saved will be lifted bodily to heaven and the damned will be left behind to face the thousand years of tribulation on earth. The tribulation, according to Grandpa Herman, founder of Fire and Brimstone, will be an ugly time: "He said that we'd run out of food. That big bugs would chase us around and sting us with their tails . . . He said we'd turn on the faucet in the bathroom and find only blood running out . . . He said evil multitudes would come unto us and cut off our limbs, and that we wouldn't die . . . And then he'd say, 'But you don't have to be left behind. You can go straight to Heaven with all of God's special children if you'll only open your hearts to Jesus . . .'"
Such talk of damnation weighs heavy on the mind of Ninah Huff, the 15-year-old narrator of Sheri Reynolds's second novel, The Rapture of Canaan. To distract her from sinful thoughts about her prayer partner James, Ninah puts pecan shells in her shoes and nettles in her bed. But concentrating on the Passion of Jesus cannot, in the end, deter Ninah and James from their passion for each other, and the consequences prove both tragic and transforming for the entire community.
The Rapture of Canaan is a book about miracles, and in writing it, Reynolds has performed something of a miracle herself. Although the church's beliefs and practices may seem extreme (sleeping in an open grave, mortifying the flesh with barbed wire), its members are complex and profoundly sympathetic as they wrestle with the contradictions of Fire and Brimstone's theology, the temptations of the outside world, and the frailties of the human heart.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
126 people are currently reading
12638 people want to read
About the author
Sheri Reynolds
16 books307 followersSheri Reynolds is an author of contemporary Southern fiction.
Sheri Reynolds was born and raised in rural South Carolina. She graduated from Conway High School in 1985, Davidson College in 1989, and Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992.
Her published novels include Bitterroot Landing, The Rapture of Canaan (an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller), A Gracious Plenty (98), Firefly Cloak (06), The Sweet In-Between (08), and The Homespun Wisdom of Myrtle T. Cribb (12) and The Tender Grave (21). Her first play, Orabelle's Wheelbarrow, won the Women Playwrights' Initiative playwriting competition for 2005.
Also Professor of English and the Ruth and Perry Morgan Chair of Southern Literature at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, Sheri teaches creative writing and literature classes. She won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia in 2003. In 2005, she received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in playwriting. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of William and Mary, and Davidson College.
Sheri lives in the town of Cape Charles on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
Sheri Reynolds was born and raised in rural South Carolina. She graduated from Conway High School in 1985, Davidson College in 1989, and Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992.
Her published novels include Bitterroot Landing, The Rapture of Canaan (an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller), A Gracious Plenty (98), Firefly Cloak (06), The Sweet In-Between (08), and The Homespun Wisdom of Myrtle T. Cribb (12) and The Tender Grave (21). Her first play, Orabelle's Wheelbarrow, won the Women Playwrights' Initiative playwriting competition for 2005.
Also Professor of English and the Ruth and Perry Morgan Chair of Southern Literature at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, Sheri teaches creative writing and literature classes. She won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia in 2003. In 2005, she received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in playwriting. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of William and Mary, and Davidson College.
Sheri lives in the town of Cape Charles on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 930 reviews
June 12, 2007
First off, let me start by saying that this is not a religious book, it can be viewed that way if you want to, but in case you're one of those people that are scared off by religious books, this isn't one. Now, on to the more important matters...
Almost from the first word I had become sucked into this book and Ninah's character, a flawed, naive girl who truly doesn't know better. She's sweet, tries hard, but just doesn't know what she needs to know. The way Reynolds has written her, doesn't make her naivity annoying, but just adds to her character.
Part of what makes this book so interesting is that it's written in a way that completely immerses you in their obscure and different world, but allows you to keep your own knowledge and ideals about you, so that you look back and can still think, "That's so wrong!"
Ninah goes through a trying journey and we are along for the ride. I was enthralled with every character that graced the pages of this book. Even though they may only show up in one sentence, Reynolds writes in such a way that you know if you asked her she could give a complete history about that character. This book holds so much depth to it, but it's presented in such a way that the reader doesn't feel like their drowning.
The one small problem I did have was that the ending seemed a little too abrupt. Perhaps it's just me, but I felt there wasn't enough closure and I wanted to know a little more. But what I dislike, someone else may love.
There's a lot more I want to say about the book, but I would end up giving too much away. This is definitely a book I say you should read. Beautiful, touching and moving every word pulls you even more into this world that the feeling of disgust you felt at the beginning has turned to pity, and in some weird way, a small glimmer of joy.
Almost from the first word I had become sucked into this book and Ninah's character, a flawed, naive girl who truly doesn't know better. She's sweet, tries hard, but just doesn't know what she needs to know. The way Reynolds has written her, doesn't make her naivity annoying, but just adds to her character.
Part of what makes this book so interesting is that it's written in a way that completely immerses you in their obscure and different world, but allows you to keep your own knowledge and ideals about you, so that you look back and can still think, "That's so wrong!"
Ninah goes through a trying journey and we are along for the ride. I was enthralled with every character that graced the pages of this book. Even though they may only show up in one sentence, Reynolds writes in such a way that you know if you asked her she could give a complete history about that character. This book holds so much depth to it, but it's presented in such a way that the reader doesn't feel like their drowning.
The one small problem I did have was that the ending seemed a little too abrupt. Perhaps it's just me, but I felt there wasn't enough closure and I wanted to know a little more. But what I dislike, someone else may love.
There's a lot more I want to say about the book, but I would end up giving too much away. This is definitely a book I say you should read. Beautiful, touching and moving every word pulls you even more into this world that the feeling of disgust you felt at the beginning has turned to pity, and in some weird way, a small glimmer of joy.
June 10, 2019
Intriguing story.
Note June 2017: I remember this really is an intriguing story, have to reread.
Note June 2017: I remember this really is an intriguing story, have to reread.
uninterested
July 4, 2022I got about 25 pages in and knew I could go no further.
January 7, 2011
Sheri Reynolds paints a vivid picture of "Bible Belt Cultism," as seen through the eyes of a teen-age girl named, Ninah. The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind is pastored by Ninah's Grandfather, Herman Langston, who, as Ninah says, "Used the Bible, of course, but only the parts he liked. He had the habit of altering verses just a little to make them match his own beliefs." The church of about eighty members is composed mostly of Ninah's family and Reynolds, through Ninah, lets us view the constricted lives of the church members under the tyrannical rule of Grandpa Herman.
Their loyalty to the dictatorial Grandfather is a sober reminder of the danger involved when charismatic individuals, manipulating the Scriptures, suppress the weak and shape their lives with false doctrines. The price is excessive for such manipulation and at the Church of Fire and Brimstone it is paid out in emotionally devastated lives. The characters are addictive, the narrative exquisite, and the plot captivating. Sheri Reynolds has written a powerful novel.
Their loyalty to the dictatorial Grandfather is a sober reminder of the danger involved when charismatic individuals, manipulating the Scriptures, suppress the weak and shape their lives with false doctrines. The price is excessive for such manipulation and at the Church of Fire and Brimstone it is paid out in emotionally devastated lives. The characters are addictive, the narrative exquisite, and the plot captivating. Sheri Reynolds has written a powerful novel.
July 17, 2007
I just finished reading this book for the second time. I think I loved it more than the first. The only books I tend to give 5 stars to are books that make me want to reinvent my life when they are over, live a better life, and be a better person. This really isn't that kind of book but it is greatness through and through.
There were times while reading this book that I just needed to put it down. I knew if I kept reading I would get too sad. I was right there with Ninah, going through her struggles. I wanted to so badly to reach in and tell her that everything would be okay, that she was doing just fine. I couldn't though. I had to sit back and watch her suffer and wait for James to tell her that she was "doing good".
I don't want to be Ninah or have her life. I do aspire to have her strength to see through the twisted community that there is no escaping from. Like all of us, her life is what it is. She will forever be influenced by it but she has discovered that she can form her own opinions, make her own choices, and she is her own person. It is a lesson that we all need to learn.
There were times while reading this book that I just needed to put it down. I knew if I kept reading I would get too sad. I was right there with Ninah, going through her struggles. I wanted to so badly to reach in and tell her that everything would be okay, that she was doing just fine. I couldn't though. I had to sit back and watch her suffer and wait for James to tell her that she was "doing good".
I don't want to be Ninah or have her life. I do aspire to have her strength to see through the twisted community that there is no escaping from. Like all of us, her life is what it is. She will forever be influenced by it but she has discovered that she can form her own opinions, make her own choices, and she is her own person. It is a lesson that we all need to learn.
March 21, 2016
the book had a really interesting story but ended with a bland ending. I was hoping the end would have been as surprising as the rest of the book.
August 31, 2021
This is southern gothic: heavy air, overgrowth, the passage of time, familial abuse, inspired spirituality, and of course, impressionistic accounts of the insane. The south is otherworldly. The Rapture of Canaan follows a teenager named Ninah as she deals with newfound feelings for her prayer partner. Her world is engulfed in the spirit of God, and her mother is an unending, self-righteous force of conflict. Beyond questions of doubt and belief, the Rapture of Canaan presents a heartfelt, beautifully written story with standout moments of brutality that will floor you.
June 4, 2010
A book of fanatical religious zealousness with abuses, torture, and mind control. Well, this can be viewed as that, or this is a story of how an innocent girl tried to emotionally survive in this kind of control.
Rich with symbolism, this story reads quickly and yet has depth and humor. The characters stayed with me long after the book ended. Well Nanna did, while I was deeply rooting for Grandpa Herman’s painful and brutal death.
Rich with symbolism, this story reads quickly and yet has depth and humor. The characters stayed with me long after the book ended. Well Nanna did, while I was deeply rooting for Grandpa Herman’s painful and brutal death.
June 8, 2015
SPOILERS:This wasn't a book I wanted to savor, but along with some weaknesses, it definitely had its moments. There's a matter-of-fact line I found chilling, about women often dying in childbirth due to their boycott of doctors. The dunking and the rapture were also favorites, though I wondered if the latter was unintentionally funny. This book felt like a fairly convincing look at the inside of a religious cult, even if the language often wobbled.
June 18, 2015
I started this book with just one expectation, that I wasn't going to like it. I just finished a coming of age story set in the south that started off so promising and ended cliché and disappointing. In the beginning of this book it seemed like I'd be in for the same experience. Then about 20 to 30% into the book I found myself very engaged.
The young protagonist has a very real voice, her grandmother and grandfather, the other leading characters of the book are also very interesting and well written.
The grandfather runs a fire and brimstone Christian sect called, appropriately enough, "The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God’s Almighty Baptizing Wind." There's no particular mention made of last two words of the church's name so I guess nobody got the joke but me.
There's a pretty large congregation and everybody's related so at times it's difficult to realize who's being talked about and what their relationship is to everyone else, so it seems the auxiliary characters are all pretty much interchangeable. But when they move to a front position they are finely drawn, even if only for a paragraph or two.
The language, although sometimes adjective heavy never feels forced, and the situations although many times outrageous seem believable in the context of this religious sect.
And with what's going on in America about religious fundamentalism it makes this a very engrossing read.
I was going to give The Rapture of Canaan three stars but as the narrative progressed and engaged me I realized how good this book is.
Would I be remiss in saying it enraptured me?
The young protagonist has a very real voice, her grandmother and grandfather, the other leading characters of the book are also very interesting and well written.
The grandfather runs a fire and brimstone Christian sect called, appropriately enough, "The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God’s Almighty Baptizing Wind." There's no particular mention made of last two words of the church's name so I guess nobody got the joke but me.
There's a pretty large congregation and everybody's related so at times it's difficult to realize who's being talked about and what their relationship is to everyone else, so it seems the auxiliary characters are all pretty much interchangeable. But when they move to a front position they are finely drawn, even if only for a paragraph or two.
The language, although sometimes adjective heavy never feels forced, and the situations although many times outrageous seem believable in the context of this religious sect.
And with what's going on in America about religious fundamentalism it makes this a very engrossing read.
I was going to give The Rapture of Canaan three stars but as the narrative progressed and engaged me I realized how good this book is.
Would I be remiss in saying it enraptured me?
Read
March 30, 2016Seems like it will either deeply offend me, or be too full of irony to take seriously
This is too weird to willingly continue, and Oprah has bad taste.
had to finish it, but did not want to. ode to the necessary evils in life
This is too weird to willingly continue, and Oprah has bad taste.
had to finish it, but did not want to. ode to the necessary evils in life
June 4, 2020
The lives of the members of The Fire And Brimstone And God’s Almighty Wind Church. I enjoyed this book, however the ending left me wanting more.
February 15, 2022
I could NOT put this book down. I def need to read more cult-y books.
May 12, 2022
4.5 stars
Whee, Jesus! (This is from the book). What a read. My review may not be popular, but please believe it is from the heart. This story takes place somewhere in the South, and features Ninah, a young teen, living on a family compound devoted to God. Her grandfather, Herman, is the leader, and this is a strict fundamentalist religion. The women have long hair, long dresses, the men have beards, they all eat together, etc. They spend their days working and nights in church. There is basically no outside influence except for school-the kids are bused to a public school but they pretty much stick together as they are so different from the other students, but it is the one place that they see other people and Ninah befriends another girl whose family is from India, and she starts to see there is another way. She becomes pregnant at 13 by her prayer partner, James, who is her stepbrother essentially, but she does not realize immediately that "fornication" is what happened and claims it is a virgin birth, and then the baby is born with clasped hands, as if in prayer, and the community no longer shuns her, thinking that her son is the Messiah. Whew, Sounds like a lot, I know. And it is. Luckily, Ninah has her loving grandmother, her best friend.
During the first half or three quarters of the book, I was angry, because I view this sort of life as child abuse. I understand about religious freedom, and I think consenting adults should do what they think is right, but sorry, I cannot condone this sort of brainwashing for children. I am not a person who has organized religion in her life as it just has not suited me, and yes, I have been to many churches, and find them all to be fascinating, but not my cup of tea. It has been a long process, and I consider myself a believer, and quite spiritual, but I decided at some point that I am not interested in divisiveness. I dislike politics in church settings. I dislike religious states. I have enough faith in God that I know he is with me always, and I don't need to be told this--I just know it. I think humility and gratitude are important in my spiritual life, and I thank God for making humans with a cerebral cortex which makes us different from the animals. What sort of God would make a cerebral cortex and then say "Ha ha, I gave you this, but I don't want you to use it." I simply do not subscribe to this. So in reading this book, I realized that spiritual growth is a process, throughout our lives. And bless Ninah's heart, she did learn this, which is a feat considering the community she lived in did not allow for a lot of free thinking. There were a few characters who were less zealous, shall we say, and certainly they were influencing her. But I think she listened to her heart and used her blessed cerebral cortex, as well, thankfully.
Whee, Jesus! (This is from the book). What a read. My review may not be popular, but please believe it is from the heart. This story takes place somewhere in the South, and features Ninah, a young teen, living on a family compound devoted to God. Her grandfather, Herman, is the leader, and this is a strict fundamentalist religion. The women have long hair, long dresses, the men have beards, they all eat together, etc. They spend their days working and nights in church. There is basically no outside influence except for school-the kids are bused to a public school but they pretty much stick together as they are so different from the other students, but it is the one place that they see other people and Ninah befriends another girl whose family is from India, and she starts to see there is another way. She becomes pregnant at 13 by her prayer partner, James, who is her stepbrother essentially, but she does not realize immediately that "fornication" is what happened and claims it is a virgin birth, and then the baby is born with clasped hands, as if in prayer, and the community no longer shuns her, thinking that her son is the Messiah. Whew, Sounds like a lot, I know. And it is. Luckily, Ninah has her loving grandmother, her best friend.
During the first half or three quarters of the book, I was angry, because I view this sort of life as child abuse. I understand about religious freedom, and I think consenting adults should do what they think is right, but sorry, I cannot condone this sort of brainwashing for children. I am not a person who has organized religion in her life as it just has not suited me, and yes, I have been to many churches, and find them all to be fascinating, but not my cup of tea. It has been a long process, and I consider myself a believer, and quite spiritual, but I decided at some point that I am not interested in divisiveness. I dislike politics in church settings. I dislike religious states. I have enough faith in God that I know he is with me always, and I don't need to be told this--I just know it. I think humility and gratitude are important in my spiritual life, and I thank God for making humans with a cerebral cortex which makes us different from the animals. What sort of God would make a cerebral cortex and then say "Ha ha, I gave you this, but I don't want you to use it." I simply do not subscribe to this. So in reading this book, I realized that spiritual growth is a process, throughout our lives. And bless Ninah's heart, she did learn this, which is a feat considering the community she lived in did not allow for a lot of free thinking. There were a few characters who were less zealous, shall we say, and certainly they were influencing her. But I think she listened to her heart and used her blessed cerebral cortex, as well, thankfully.
October 28, 2011
My original review (24-3-05):
'I had some major difficulties with the book though, for example: the narrator is supposed to be Ninah, but her voice as narrator (poetical, adult & educated) is completely different from her voice as a speaking character (dialectical: e.g. "ain't", "don't reckon", double negatives); in a related way, Ninah's almost uncanny insights seem too externally derived. I just can't see a 12-15 year old girl who lives in such an insular community having such an ability to be so objective about what she's been taught (even if what Leila says and what she experiences in school give her extra knowledge or ideas). Also, James' motivation was never really made clear. I'm sure that what he did would have been considered an ultimate sin, even worse than fornication. Wouldn't he have been more afraid of the consequences for that? I guess one could put it down to teenage confusion, not helped by having to sleep on a bed of thorns, or the knowledge of what they did to Ben.
The strange mixture of sincere belief and hypocrisy of all the characters made the story intriguing, but at the same time made me a little sceptical. I found the writing to be a bit self-consciously pretentious at times (especially the opening & closing paragraphs which could have been edited out).
However, all that said, it was fairly well written, the characters (especially Ninah and James) were well developed, and the plot & setting fascinating. There were parts of it I really enjoyed & it left me wondering what would happen next.'
'I had some major difficulties with the book though, for example: the narrator is supposed to be Ninah, but her voice as narrator (poetical, adult & educated) is completely different from her voice as a speaking character (dialectical: e.g. "ain't", "don't reckon", double negatives); in a related way, Ninah's almost uncanny insights seem too externally derived. I just can't see a 12-15 year old girl who lives in such an insular community having such an ability to be so objective about what she's been taught (even if what Leila says and what she experiences in school give her extra knowledge or ideas). Also, James' motivation was never really made clear. I'm sure that what he did would have been considered an ultimate sin, even worse than fornication. Wouldn't he have been more afraid of the consequences for that? I guess one could put it down to teenage confusion, not helped by having to sleep on a bed of thorns, or the knowledge of what they did to Ben.
The strange mixture of sincere belief and hypocrisy of all the characters made the story intriguing, but at the same time made me a little sceptical. I found the writing to be a bit self-consciously pretentious at times (especially the opening & closing paragraphs which could have been edited out).
However, all that said, it was fairly well written, the characters (especially Ninah and James) were well developed, and the plot & setting fascinating. There were parts of it I really enjoyed & it left me wondering what would happen next.'
October 5, 2007
I actually liked this book a lot I would have liked it more but I wasn't so big on the ending. There was quite a few very interesting chapters in a vague disjointed kind of way.
It's the story of a young girl who finds herself in a bit of a position after she gets pregnant. She lives within a cultish community that is so far overboard they are fanatics lead by Ninah's grandfather who wasn't the same when he came back from war.
It's got both interesting little sides stories in it, as well as the main story, and her future.
The author did everything she could to shock you while trying to make Ninah feel like it was completely normal... but she almost did it to well. The story is past the unbelievable line into ridicules by the end. Which is a shame.
There was one thing from the book though I've taken with me and deeply thought about upon completion of it. Being a girl who loves to read stories about revenge... I liked this part of the book best.
"Grudges are bad things, Ninah," she said at last. "There's only so much room in one heart. You can fill it up with love or you can fill it with resentment. But every bit of resentment you hold takes space away from the love. And the resentment don't do no good noway, but look what love can do."
It's the story of a young girl who finds herself in a bit of a position after she gets pregnant. She lives within a cultish community that is so far overboard they are fanatics lead by Ninah's grandfather who wasn't the same when he came back from war.
It's got both interesting little sides stories in it, as well as the main story, and her future.
The author did everything she could to shock you while trying to make Ninah feel like it was completely normal... but she almost did it to well. The story is past the unbelievable line into ridicules by the end. Which is a shame.
There was one thing from the book though I've taken with me and deeply thought about upon completion of it. Being a girl who loves to read stories about revenge... I liked this part of the book best.
"Grudges are bad things, Ninah," she said at last. "There's only so much room in one heart. You can fill it up with love or you can fill it with resentment. But every bit of resentment you hold takes space away from the love. And the resentment don't do no good noway, but look what love can do."
September 7, 2011
I think I give everything three stars. I think the star rating system is messed up. But, that's a soapbox discussion for another day. I enjoyed The Rapture of Canaan. Reynolds writing is top notch. It is however, very Oprah book club-- well written, well drawn characters, who go through a whole lot of crud. The good thing is the crud moves along quickly in this one. I didn't feel like I was bogged down forever, and looked forward to opportunities to read. On the flip side, I wish Reynolds would have fleshed things out a bit. I understand the main character is meant to be seen as brainwashed and naive, and that's ok, but she seems to remain naive, despite her transformation. Also, the surrounding characters seem thin. So, overall I enjoyed it, but found it lacking somehow.
September 28, 2012
One of the best books I have ever read! It was loving and heartbreaking and inspirational. Ninah was born into a community of holy rollers, with strict rules and regulations. As she falls in love, she begins to question the way things are done. I fell in love with Ninah and wanted her to come out whole. She's a wonderful, three dimensional character. I cried at the end, when she is finally released in her love. Beautifully written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
March 23, 2016
This was a really interesting book to read, and I loved that it was through the eyes of a young person, who was being forced to be something she wasn't while all the while defying it all, and becoming her own person anyway. Truly a very good book, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good, simple, but also very deep read.
March 21, 2016
Even though this book had its weird moments, it has been my favorite book yet and it was so hard to put down. All of the weird and awkward events just made me wanna read more!
Read
March 30, 2016This book was my favorite book so far, very interesting
November 5, 2020
This book was definitely different. The story is centered around the lives of the members of the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind. It takes place in a community where everyone in that particular neighborhood is related in one way or another and they all belong to that particular "church sect", headed up by Grandpa Herman. Basically everyone is primarily preparing for the Rapture but, of course, people being people...some are going to occasionally slip up. Their punishments could be anything from sleeping in an open grave overnight to sleeping on barbed wire. The narrator is a 15 year old girl who is experiencing her first romantic feelings and where that all leads. I can't say this was a page turner for me but it was certainly a fascinating look at a way of thinking way out of my imagination.
October 6, 2018
Love, love, loved it! An emotional and gripping story about a young woman raised in an ultra conservative Christian cult. I loved the first person voice and all the characters, particularly Ninah's relationship to her Nanna.
February 19, 2008
Good. Mixes fundamentalist elements of The Chrysalids with sacred/bloody imagery of Toni Morrison’s Beloved. A little strange because of certain images of Jesus that are morphed into sexually charged adolescent dreams.
Summary
Ninah grows up in a community of extended family that centers around a fundamentalist church led by her Grandpa Herman. After her “prayer partner” James learns that she is carrying his baby he drowns himself rather than face Herman’s cruel punishments.
Ninah is nearly cast out when the community learns she is pregnant out of wedlock. She claims the child is holy, born of God, and is “dunked” for her blasphemy in the same pond James drowned in. During her pregnancy she is placed in isolation where her only consolation is her “Nanna” who speaks frankly about both her distaste for Herman’s law and her uncompromising love for her husband.
When Canaan is born, the community is shocked to see the “sign” of his hands, which are permanently joined in prayer. As the new “mother of God”, Ninah enjoys new freedoms, like cutting her hair and wearing James’s clothes. However, Canaan is given over to another couple who could not have children and who restrict Ninah’s corrupting visits.
Herman has a stroke. Nanna cares for him, though he rarely recognizes her as his wife. He wanders away one day and the community thinks he has been raptured; they’ve been left behind. Then he returns.
Ninah steals away with Canaan as the community erupts in confusion. Story ends with Ninah cutting Canaan’s palms apart, praising his normality.
Summary
Ninah grows up in a community of extended family that centers around a fundamentalist church led by her Grandpa Herman. After her “prayer partner” James learns that she is carrying his baby he drowns himself rather than face Herman’s cruel punishments.
Ninah is nearly cast out when the community learns she is pregnant out of wedlock. She claims the child is holy, born of God, and is “dunked” for her blasphemy in the same pond James drowned in. During her pregnancy she is placed in isolation where her only consolation is her “Nanna” who speaks frankly about both her distaste for Herman’s law and her uncompromising love for her husband.
When Canaan is born, the community is shocked to see the “sign” of his hands, which are permanently joined in prayer. As the new “mother of God”, Ninah enjoys new freedoms, like cutting her hair and wearing James’s clothes. However, Canaan is given over to another couple who could not have children and who restrict Ninah’s corrupting visits.
Herman has a stroke. Nanna cares for him, though he rarely recognizes her as his wife. He wanders away one day and the community thinks he has been raptured; they’ve been left behind. Then he returns.
Ninah steals away with Canaan as the community erupts in confusion. Story ends with Ninah cutting Canaan’s palms apart, praising his normality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2018
Synopsis: Ninah is a member of a cult-like "church," the awesomely-named Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind. Basically the church members are all related and the women can't cut their hair, have to wear dresses, condemn the sinners who aren't part of their church, use pain as punishment, etc. Common punishments are beatings, sleeping on nettles, and sleeping in an open grave. There are characters named Mustard and Barley.
MAN, I love this book. This is an old favorite, but I hadn't read it in a few years. Ninah slowly realizes that these people are insane, and when something happens that she gets in trouble for, she's got to figure out how to avoid punishment - not in a wimpy way, she actually thinks that the church leaders will kill her.
I really liked the look into an INSANE culture, and I looooved Ninah's grandmother and her relationship with Ninah.
This is not a book about religion, really. She's TRYING to be good (according to the crazy Church), but when she becomes closer to James, technically her nephew by marriage, she realizes that while both of them try to follow the strict rules of their community, neither of them really believes some of the craziness they're taught. So together they try to deal with it. Then some STUFF happens. And it is awesome.
*I read this in audiobook form.
MAN, I love this book. This is an old favorite, but I hadn't read it in a few years. Ninah slowly realizes that these people are insane, and when something happens that she gets in trouble for, she's got to figure out how to avoid punishment - not in a wimpy way, she actually thinks that the church leaders will kill her.
I really liked the look into an INSANE culture, and I looooved Ninah's grandmother and her relationship with Ninah.
This is not a book about religion, really. She's TRYING to be good (according to the crazy Church), but when she becomes closer to James, technically her nephew by marriage, she realizes that while both of them try to follow the strict rules of their community, neither of them really believes some of the craziness they're taught. So together they try to deal with it. Then some STUFF happens. And it is awesome.
*I read this in audiobook form.
July 4, 2019
Amazing book in the General feel of classic southern gothic literature. Powerful writing.
Quote “When I’ve used up all my rugs and lies, rope and hair, fabric and love, when I’m out of twine and my loom is broken and there’s still a story in me, that’s when I unknot and begin the unraveling. My rugs are never finished. I use the same materials to make them over and over again, featuring something new each time and hearing a different tale. But sometimes they speak the most wisely when they are heaps of fibers on the pack house floor, intermingling and waiting. If I sit with them silent long enough, they will talk. Just listening, I can give them tongues. They will speak like prophets”.
Ninah is a young girl moving toward adulthood who lives in a religious compound. Her questions about life and love and truth are universal. The religious setting provides context, but this is not a book about religious fervor.
I highly recommend this and Reynolds’ other masterpiece, “A Gracious Plenty” to all my friends who revel in contemporary literature.
Quote “When I’ve used up all my rugs and lies, rope and hair, fabric and love, when I’m out of twine and my loom is broken and there’s still a story in me, that’s when I unknot and begin the unraveling. My rugs are never finished. I use the same materials to make them over and over again, featuring something new each time and hearing a different tale. But sometimes they speak the most wisely when they are heaps of fibers on the pack house floor, intermingling and waiting. If I sit with them silent long enough, they will talk. Just listening, I can give them tongues. They will speak like prophets”.
Ninah is a young girl moving toward adulthood who lives in a religious compound. Her questions about life and love and truth are universal. The religious setting provides context, but this is not a book about religious fervor.
I highly recommend this and Reynolds’ other masterpiece, “A Gracious Plenty” to all my friends who revel in contemporary literature.
December 20, 2009
I have much in my mind about the ‘innocence’ of my youth that affected choices and events in my life. Reading this book has brought to mind many circumstances that I’d like to mark in reflection of what I’ve learned and experienced.
From as early as I can remember, my thoughts were naive and immature in regards to those around me. I remember thinking that there was no one to talk to about what was happening within my body. It is this type of thing that I've always tried to avoid with my own children. This is a thought provoking book and one that reveals many things that can happen to the young children. Any parent and young woman can learn from this story.
Excellently written and one that I will refer to often to remind myself what its like to be young and not know how to protect my own feelings. Something that will stir up confidence for standing up for your own feelings. A great read and true to real-life experiences.
From as early as I can remember, my thoughts were naive and immature in regards to those around me. I remember thinking that there was no one to talk to about what was happening within my body. It is this type of thing that I've always tried to avoid with my own children. This is a thought provoking book and one that reveals many things that can happen to the young children. Any parent and young woman can learn from this story.
Excellently written and one that I will refer to often to remind myself what its like to be young and not know how to protect my own feelings. Something that will stir up confidence for standing up for your own feelings. A great read and true to real-life experiences.
September 7, 2007
Excellent writing, I was hooked. This was one of those books that when I am reading it I feel like I am really there and when I'm not reading it all I can think about is that place and those characters. This book was astonishing and made me cry (it might be because I just had a sweet little boy that I love so much) I was constantly being shocked, disgusted and frustrated but somehow it was still beautiful and stirred all sorts of emotions inside of me (love, faith, hope, understanding...) it was riveting, strange but riveting. This book taught me to see that God means something different to each person depending on what they have gone through in their life. I also learned that we should not just believe what we are told to believe :) but have some faith and ask God who He is so that we can come to know who he really is (like Ninah).
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