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The Burning Season
The acclaimed author of We Can Only Save Ourselves returns with an urgent and unsettling story that journeys into the heart of religious fanaticism and cult behavior as it probes one woman's struggle to define life on her own terms.
Here comes trouble, Rosemary's high school English teacher used to say whenever he saw her. Rosemary has often felt like trouble, and now at thirty-two, her marriage to her college sweetheart, Paul, is crumbling. In a last-ditch attempt to restore it, she agrees to give herself over to a newly formed Christian sect in central Texas, run by charismatic young pastor Papa Jake.
While Paul acclimates quickly to the small town of Dawson and the church's insistence on a strict set of puritanical rules, Rosemary struggles to fit in. She finds purpose only when she's called upon to help Julie, a new mother in the community, who is feeling isolated and lost.
Then the community is rocked by a series of fires which take some church members' homes and nearly take their lives, but which Papa Jake says are holy and a representation of God's will.
As the fires spread, and Julie is betrayed in a terrible way, Rosemary begins to question the reality of her life, and wonders if trouble will always find her--or if she'll ever be able to outrun it.
Here comes trouble, Rosemary's high school English teacher used to say whenever he saw her. Rosemary has often felt like trouble, and now at thirty-two, her marriage to her college sweetheart, Paul, is crumbling. In a last-ditch attempt to restore it, she agrees to give herself over to a newly formed Christian sect in central Texas, run by charismatic young pastor Papa Jake.
While Paul acclimates quickly to the small town of Dawson and the church's insistence on a strict set of puritanical rules, Rosemary struggles to fit in. She finds purpose only when she's called upon to help Julie, a new mother in the community, who is feeling isolated and lost.
Then the community is rocked by a series of fires which take some church members' homes and nearly take their lives, but which Papa Jake says are holy and a representation of God's will.
As the fires spread, and Julie is betrayed in a terrible way, Rosemary begins to question the reality of her life, and wonders if trouble will always find her--or if she'll ever be able to outrun it.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2022
16 people are currently reading
3866 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
June 10, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rosemary is married to her college lover, Paul. When their marriage is in trouble the couple joins a religious cult formed by a young pastor called Papa Jake. This cult or community is governed by some strict and stringent rules and regulations that are set by Papa Jake. While Paul finds it easy to be a part of this community, Rosemary struggles big time to adapt to these fanatical rules. She becomes a friend of another woman, Julie. When the occurrence of fires kills several members of the community, Rosemary finds herself responsible to take care of Julie’s daughter, Lilly. Eventually, Rosemarie will decide to face her fears and insecurities and take all the steps needed to free herself.
The Burning Season is the story of human struggle. The concept behind the crazy beliefs and this closeted cult made the story interesting. The book is narrated from the main character’s point of view in a first-person style. The narration depends a lot on the stream of consciousness form of storytelling. This can be either a plus or bothersome depending on the reader’s taste. Rosemary is not a loveable character, yet she is awfully honest in her narration. When she cheated on her husband she explicitly said that she feels no feeling of guilt or shame. The only burden for her is keeping the thing a secret. I didn’t like Paul’s character in some situations especially when he knew that his wife cheated on him again. He was OK with it because it was not the first time! Papa Jake was a meaty character obviously. This is what you expect from the leader of a cult. The man is so crazy that according to him even calling firefighters is against God’s will!
The story is decent with an exciting premise. The characters' likeability is questioned and depends on the reader’s taste and preferences. At times the pace seemed to slow down in some parts but then picked up in other scenes. I feel readers who like to read about religious cults will enjoy this book the most.
Many thanks to the publisher Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Perennial, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rosemary is married to her college lover, Paul. When their marriage is in trouble the couple joins a religious cult formed by a young pastor called Papa Jake. This cult or community is governed by some strict and stringent rules and regulations that are set by Papa Jake. While Paul finds it easy to be a part of this community, Rosemary struggles big time to adapt to these fanatical rules. She becomes a friend of another woman, Julie. When the occurrence of fires kills several members of the community, Rosemary finds herself responsible to take care of Julie’s daughter, Lilly. Eventually, Rosemarie will decide to face her fears and insecurities and take all the steps needed to free herself.
The Burning Season is the story of human struggle. The concept behind the crazy beliefs and this closeted cult made the story interesting. The book is narrated from the main character’s point of view in a first-person style. The narration depends a lot on the stream of consciousness form of storytelling. This can be either a plus or bothersome depending on the reader’s taste. Rosemary is not a loveable character, yet she is awfully honest in her narration. When she cheated on her husband she explicitly said that she feels no feeling of guilt or shame. The only burden for her is keeping the thing a secret. I didn’t like Paul’s character in some situations especially when he knew that his wife cheated on him again. He was OK with it because it was not the first time! Papa Jake was a meaty character obviously. This is what you expect from the leader of a cult. The man is so crazy that according to him even calling firefighters is against God’s will!
The story is decent with an exciting premise. The characters' likeability is questioned and depends on the reader’s taste and preferences. At times the pace seemed to slow down in some parts but then picked up in other scenes. I feel readers who like to read about religious cults will enjoy this book the most.
Many thanks to the publisher Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Perennial, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
July 18, 2022
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Desperate to start over again and rekindle her relationship with her husband, Paul, Rosemary agrees to accompany him to the small, isolated town of Dawes, Texas. There, only followers of Papa Jake live and work, and Rosemary and Paul are immediately accepted into the fold of “believers”. But the surrounding towns do not want the community of Dawes, and they are constantly under threat. First, homes of Dawes residents’ burn down one by one, leaving the members to merely watch it burn, following “God’s way”. Then, a young mother in the town, Julie, is evicted by the townspeople, leaving her newborn baby behind, allowing her husband to marry his mistress. When Rosemary cannot provide Paul the baby he so desperately desires, she begins to fear that the Dawes community will judge her for being unable to provide for her husband, and she will be at risk for retribution from her husband, Papa Jake, and God Himself.
“Burning Season” by Alison Wisdom is a novel focused on a cult and its practices, which of course, always intrigues me. Papa Jake is the charming leader, full of “healing hands” that “do God’s work”, taking in the abandoned and the lost. Paul and Rosemary join the community soon after they are married, at Paul’s request, both looking for somewhere to belong.
The story is told from Rosemary’s perspective, and the reader experiences a full immersion into cult society; the complete naiveté and innocence of young Rosemary, the manipulative powers of Papa Jake, and the complete patriarchal society that is Dawes. Think “The Handmaid's Tale”, with “The Leftovers”, combined with Wisdom’s own unique spin.
“The Burning Season” is a cult novel, yes, but the underlying meanings are also so poignant. Patriarchy, religion, marriage and child bearing are at the forefront, and they bring such powerful meaning and relevance to the plot that no reader will be left unaffected. Wisdom provides an entertaining novel with deep, thought-provoking messages. Told beautifully, with well defined, exceedingly flawed characters, “Season” is creative and powerful, in all the right ways.
Desperate to start over again and rekindle her relationship with her husband, Paul, Rosemary agrees to accompany him to the small, isolated town of Dawes, Texas. There, only followers of Papa Jake live and work, and Rosemary and Paul are immediately accepted into the fold of “believers”. But the surrounding towns do not want the community of Dawes, and they are constantly under threat. First, homes of Dawes residents’ burn down one by one, leaving the members to merely watch it burn, following “God’s way”. Then, a young mother in the town, Julie, is evicted by the townspeople, leaving her newborn baby behind, allowing her husband to marry his mistress. When Rosemary cannot provide Paul the baby he so desperately desires, she begins to fear that the Dawes community will judge her for being unable to provide for her husband, and she will be at risk for retribution from her husband, Papa Jake, and God Himself.
“Burning Season” by Alison Wisdom is a novel focused on a cult and its practices, which of course, always intrigues me. Papa Jake is the charming leader, full of “healing hands” that “do God’s work”, taking in the abandoned and the lost. Paul and Rosemary join the community soon after they are married, at Paul’s request, both looking for somewhere to belong.
The story is told from Rosemary’s perspective, and the reader experiences a full immersion into cult society; the complete naiveté and innocence of young Rosemary, the manipulative powers of Papa Jake, and the complete patriarchal society that is Dawes. Think “The Handmaid's Tale”, with “The Leftovers”, combined with Wisdom’s own unique spin.
“The Burning Season” is a cult novel, yes, but the underlying meanings are also so poignant. Patriarchy, religion, marriage and child bearing are at the forefront, and they bring such powerful meaning and relevance to the plot that no reader will be left unaffected. Wisdom provides an entertaining novel with deep, thought-provoking messages. Told beautifully, with well defined, exceedingly flawed characters, “Season” is creative and powerful, in all the right ways.
August 6, 2022
4.5/5 stars
review coming…because wow i loved this
the burning season is about a religious group living in a small town in texas. it’s about a married couple who had some problems, and turned to religion to help solve them. it’s about the struggle to get pregnant, the struggle to even want to become pregnant, and having to deal with the repercussions by other women when you don’t have children. it’s about religion, how welcoming and also how unwelcoming it can be. mostly though, this book was about how far someone will go to save their relationship.
to say i loved this book is an understatement, just from the synopsis i was extremely excited to read it, but right from the beginning i was hooked. cults, texas culture, a woman who is trying to find herself and her place in the world, like yes. sign me up. i read this all in one day, in two sittings, with a three hour break in the middle. it was that good.
so many things were questioned by this book: patriarchy, religion, child bearing, marriage, the idea of family, nostalgia. and the way they were written left the reader to decide their own answer. the vibes were very similar to “handmaids tale” but was a better read imo. and had a fairly good twist to the end that i didn’t guess. i loved following the story, as we learned the current lives of rosie and her husband, the lives they had before they joined the cult, and the future that is never promised to them.
the epilogue felt a little misplaced, and i believe the book may have been better without it. at times the mc thoughts droned on when she was reminiscing about life before she joined the cult, but overall this was a thrilling read, and i will think about it for quite some time
review coming…because wow i loved this
the burning season is about a religious group living in a small town in texas. it’s about a married couple who had some problems, and turned to religion to help solve them. it’s about the struggle to get pregnant, the struggle to even want to become pregnant, and having to deal with the repercussions by other women when you don’t have children. it’s about religion, how welcoming and also how unwelcoming it can be. mostly though, this book was about how far someone will go to save their relationship.
to say i loved this book is an understatement, just from the synopsis i was extremely excited to read it, but right from the beginning i was hooked. cults, texas culture, a woman who is trying to find herself and her place in the world, like yes. sign me up. i read this all in one day, in two sittings, with a three hour break in the middle. it was that good.
so many things were questioned by this book: patriarchy, religion, child bearing, marriage, the idea of family, nostalgia. and the way they were written left the reader to decide their own answer. the vibes were very similar to “handmaids tale” but was a better read imo. and had a fairly good twist to the end that i didn’t guess. i loved following the story, as we learned the current lives of rosie and her husband, the lives they had before they joined the cult, and the future that is never promised to them.
the epilogue felt a little misplaced, and i believe the book may have been better without it. at times the mc thoughts droned on when she was reminiscing about life before she joined the cult, but overall this was a thrilling read, and i will think about it for quite some time
April 5, 2022
Where does faith end and fanaticism begin? The Burning Season centers this provocative question inside a fiery landscape where men conjure holy visions and women serve as the vessels of God. In a stark and haunting tale, Alison Wisdom has written her way to the core of belief and submission, finally arriving at a deeply human prayer to be free.
May 29, 2022
I've read a few novels and also true stories about religious cults and the people who join them and live within them. A cult is not, and cannot be described as organized religion. It is, by definition, a relatively small group of people who have a misplaced and/or excessive love and devotion to a certain person who teaches unusual and possibly dangerous beliefs or practices which can be seen as strange and even sinister. Here our main character is a woman who is married to her college sweetheart and together, at his urging, they join a small group of a religious sect in Texas. The story is unsettling, complicated and tense.
In some ways, I genuinely liked it. It swept me along the way few novels can...and then this happened, then this, than THIS. I could not put it down even though my work and other responsibilities beckoned. Rosemary, the main character, used to be a gymnast - the kind we all watch in the Olympic games. When she compared her feelings about her marriage and seeming failure to get pregnant to the demands she made of her body as an Olympic athlete, I could not stop thinking about it. But when the houses in the little community regularly caught fire and it was against the rules ("God's rules") to call the fire company, I was horrified. Likewise, the head of the group, charismatic "Papa Jake," made other rules and routines that denigrated and disparaged females that made me squirm and my mind revolt. But I kept reading to find out what would happen next.
My issues with the style of the writing ultimately caused my issues with the story itself. Rosemary tells much of the story in a stream of consciousness that was annoying and off-putting for me. Some conversations are contained in proper quotation marks but many others are not...also annoying to me. My other issue was the way it ended, and I will not engage in spoilers here. But let me say the ending and the epilogue were so aggravating that it lost a star, and I cannot think of it as a four star novel. You will have to decide that for yourself.
In some ways, I genuinely liked it. It swept me along the way few novels can...and then this happened, then this, than THIS. I could not put it down even though my work and other responsibilities beckoned. Rosemary, the main character, used to be a gymnast - the kind we all watch in the Olympic games. When she compared her feelings about her marriage and seeming failure to get pregnant to the demands she made of her body as an Olympic athlete, I could not stop thinking about it. But when the houses in the little community regularly caught fire and it was against the rules ("God's rules") to call the fire company, I was horrified. Likewise, the head of the group, charismatic "Papa Jake," made other rules and routines that denigrated and disparaged females that made me squirm and my mind revolt. But I kept reading to find out what would happen next.
My issues with the style of the writing ultimately caused my issues with the story itself. Rosemary tells much of the story in a stream of consciousness that was annoying and off-putting for me. Some conversations are contained in proper quotation marks but many others are not...also annoying to me. My other issue was the way it ended, and I will not engage in spoilers here. But let me say the ending and the epilogue were so aggravating that it lost a star, and I cannot think of it as a four star novel. You will have to decide that for yourself.
June 29, 2022
Thank you to @harperperennial for my advance copy and for putting this on my radar.
A book on cults?! Sign me up. Especially since @alisonwisdom last novel, We Can Only Save Ourselves was phenomenal and cultish as well. This cult centers on religion where men have holy visions and hear the voice of God while women serve as the vessels in the state of Texas. It was fascinating (especially in light of the current state of the world) and Alison’s writing is pure lyrical poetry. There are some very quote worthy lines in this as well. I never highlight books and yet, I could not help myself here.
This book made me furious at times and I could not help but hope for Rosemary’s escape and freedom. There is quite a bit of inner dialogue as this is only one POV. The chapters are also on the longer side but it was paced well. I was also so intrigued. The people in this cult left lives behind to join. They were educated, well off members of society and I was totally perplexed by their choices. I just cannot help but love the inner workings of these types of stories because I just do not see how someone could be wrapped up in something like this.
This book does such a great job of showing you submission at its core. Definitely, worthy if you are looking for something Handmaiden-y and disturbing.
A book on cults?! Sign me up. Especially since @alisonwisdom last novel, We Can Only Save Ourselves was phenomenal and cultish as well. This cult centers on religion where men have holy visions and hear the voice of God while women serve as the vessels in the state of Texas. It was fascinating (especially in light of the current state of the world) and Alison’s writing is pure lyrical poetry. There are some very quote worthy lines in this as well. I never highlight books and yet, I could not help myself here.
This book made me furious at times and I could not help but hope for Rosemary’s escape and freedom. There is quite a bit of inner dialogue as this is only one POV. The chapters are also on the longer side but it was paced well. I was also so intrigued. The people in this cult left lives behind to join. They were educated, well off members of society and I was totally perplexed by their choices. I just cannot help but love the inner workings of these types of stories because I just do not see how someone could be wrapped up in something like this.
This book does such a great job of showing you submission at its core. Definitely, worthy if you are looking for something Handmaiden-y and disturbing.
July 5, 2022
A beautiful and gutting book about a woman who turns to religion to save her broken marriage — only to find herself in way, way over her head. THE BURNING SEASON is signature Alison Wisdom: gorgeously written, full of quietly escalating menace, and a thought-provoking look at how the human desire to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves can lead to incredibly dangerous places. A complex, introspective, lyrical literary fiction / crime fiction hybrid.
April 29, 2022
The Burning Season was this truly remarkable story that sucked me is from the start. I was pulled in before I even opened the book. And I was transported to this hazy summertime atmosphere where smoke is in the air and nothing is really what it seems…
This is about a couple who basically drop everything in their life to join this religious group in Texas. But while Paul is content in their new life and happy to have spiritual dreams that foretell what will happen, Rosemary still feels off. She has never really been content in her life. Always pushing the limits and needing more…
Now, in their quiet community, fires are burning up whole houses and their leader, Papa Jake sees it as God’s work. But there is just something that feels off to Rosemary and we spend the whole book with her just trying to do good, but still feeling like she can’t sit still in this life.
This book was beautifully written. And I am so obsessed with the religious cult-like feel you get from it. Organized religion both terrifies me and intrigued me so this was right up my alley. As the outsider you can see that their practices and their way of thinking isn’t wholly just or right but you can’t stop reading.
Rosemary was such an enthralling character. My heart ached for this woman. She must come to terms with the realization that even those closest to you whom you truly love are still on the path of their OWN happiness and can stop at nothing to get it, even under the guise of being righteous and Godly. Oh, this book was just fantastic!
This is about a couple who basically drop everything in their life to join this religious group in Texas. But while Paul is content in their new life and happy to have spiritual dreams that foretell what will happen, Rosemary still feels off. She has never really been content in her life. Always pushing the limits and needing more…
Now, in their quiet community, fires are burning up whole houses and their leader, Papa Jake sees it as God’s work. But there is just something that feels off to Rosemary and we spend the whole book with her just trying to do good, but still feeling like she can’t sit still in this life.
This book was beautifully written. And I am so obsessed with the religious cult-like feel you get from it. Organized religion both terrifies me and intrigued me so this was right up my alley. As the outsider you can see that their practices and their way of thinking isn’t wholly just or right but you can’t stop reading.
Rosemary was such an enthralling character. My heart ached for this woman. She must come to terms with the realization that even those closest to you whom you truly love are still on the path of their OWN happiness and can stop at nothing to get it, even under the guise of being righteous and Godly. Oh, this book was just fantastic!
December 4, 2022
The School For Good Mothers (Jessamine Chan) & The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood) × The Project (Courtney Summers) in a debut that will stay with me for a long time. Haunting how quickly a person can earn power & leadership and let it lead to destruction. The Burning Season hit a bit close to home with a string of barn arsons in our not so distant community history. Very emotional read on many levels and would be a wonderful book club pick just to be able to discuss it all.
May 19, 2023
This book reminds us there is a thin line between faith and fanaticism. It also makes comments on the way that some people use pregnancy/motherhood as a form of power over a woman. Though she was certainly written to be an unlikeable main character I loved Rosemary. And I felt she was incredibly easy to relate to and understand.
September 15, 2022
4.25🌟 - I enjoyed it!
Thank you @harperperennial for the #gifted ARC!
This book is cultish, compelling, and disturbing. I devoured this by the pool within two sittings and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I loved the commentary on religion, patriarchy, motherhood, power, and belonging. The author’s quiet and introspective voice shines through her writing, and will leave you with something to think about when you finish.
Another great pick for the #BTWBC! Thank you @alisonwisdom for chatting with us and answering our questions! We loved your book! 🫶
Thank you @harperperennial for the #gifted ARC!
This book is cultish, compelling, and disturbing. I devoured this by the pool within two sittings and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I loved the commentary on religion, patriarchy, motherhood, power, and belonging. The author’s quiet and introspective voice shines through her writing, and will leave you with something to think about when you finish.
Another great pick for the #BTWBC! Thank you @alisonwisdom for chatting with us and answering our questions! We loved your book! 🫶
August 3, 2022
Where is the line between a religious community and a cult? The difference between a miracle and the simulacrum of one? And how do you know something is God’s will versus man’s? This was quiet and compelling. I wasn’t entirely sure where it was headed, but I appreciated the tension along the way.
December 22, 2021
Can’t wait to read
June 19, 2022
The Burning Season by Alison Wisdom. Thanks @harperperennial for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rosemary and Paul move to a Christian community in Texas at an attempt to save their marriage. Rosemary struggles to fit in and wonders about the fires that are taking over the community.
I was hesitant to read this because I do not like religious stuff but I found this a fascinating read. I loved the main character, flaws and all. There’s a fine line between religion and cult that the story explores. The story advanced with a growing sense of dread of something coming. It is a slow burn, but definitely a worthy read.
“The world had its hooks in you (actual hooks, I imagine, curved and sharp, piercing my skin), and if you lost your way, but now look at you. Look at us. A miracle. How can you not look at yourself and see?”
The Burning Season comes out 7/5.
Rosemary and Paul move to a Christian community in Texas at an attempt to save their marriage. Rosemary struggles to fit in and wonders about the fires that are taking over the community.
I was hesitant to read this because I do not like religious stuff but I found this a fascinating read. I loved the main character, flaws and all. There’s a fine line between religion and cult that the story explores. The story advanced with a growing sense of dread of something coming. It is a slow burn, but definitely a worthy read.
“The world had its hooks in you (actual hooks, I imagine, curved and sharp, piercing my skin), and if you lost your way, but now look at you. Look at us. A miracle. How can you not look at yourself and see?”
The Burning Season comes out 7/5.
June 29, 2022
This is the book that we need right now! Haunting and beautifully written, Alison Wisdom delivers a book that is impossible to put down.
July 23, 2022
3.5/5
An intimate portrait of a woman who follows her husband into a patriarchal religious sect.
The Burning Season addresses the question of who the people are that end up in cults and why. At least in this case, if not most, they are very ordinary people with very ordinary reasons. The protagonist is someone you recognize, someone you know, it could even be you (but not me because I'm way too interested in cults to be drawn into one ;) )
A quiet yet compelling read. And I love the eye-catching retro-vibe cover!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the ARC.
An intimate portrait of a woman who follows her husband into a patriarchal religious sect.
The Burning Season addresses the question of who the people are that end up in cults and why. At least in this case, if not most, they are very ordinary people with very ordinary reasons. The protagonist is someone you recognize, someone you know, it could even be you (but not me because I'm way too interested in cults to be drawn into one ;) )
A quiet yet compelling read. And I love the eye-catching retro-vibe cover!
Thanks to Harper Perennial for the ARC.
did-not-finish
July 5, 2022I was so excited to read this one when I read that it was a cult book, but oh the writing style is so off-putting! I have no problem reading about unlikable characters, but you need to at least have captivating writing.
I really thought I could power through this, but I got as far as 22% and I´m already bored. I need to stop forcing myself to finish books I´m not enjoying so I´m DNFing this one.
I really thought I could power through this, but I got as far as 22% and I´m already bored. I need to stop forcing myself to finish books I´m not enjoying so I´m DNFing this one.
July 17, 2022
This book is well-written, but it's just so bleak and depressing, and the women live in such a misogynistic world... and seem FINE with it! Like, the main character pushes back a little, but in scenes like the one where her husband decides he needs to cut off all her hair, she just sits there and justifies why it's a good thing that's happening. The whole book left a sour taste in my mouth and frankly I've already wasted too much time thinking about it, so... yeah.
July 24, 2022
Somewhere between “it was ok” and “I liked it.” I never quite understood Rosemary. She would say she stayed because of how much she loved and depended on Paul, but she really didn’t seem like she liked him or needed him at all. Her buying in and playing along when she clearly wasn’t a true believer didn’t make sense to me.
July 20, 2022
Culty. Shocking. Disturbing. Addicting to read. I flew through this one in a single day! LOVED IT!!
March 9, 2022
I finished this novel in one fell swoop! I literally couldn’t put it down, I had to know what was going to happen next. Cannot wait to read it again.
September 11, 2024
One thing about me is I will never not read a book about religious cults.
October 13, 2022
4 Stars
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
🔥 The Burning Season 🔥
"Here comes trouble," Rosemary's high school English teacher used to say whenever he saw her. Rosemary has often felt like trouble, and now at thirty-two, her marriage to her college sweetheart, Paul, is crumbling. In a last-ditch attempt to restore it, she agrees to give herself over to a newly formed Christian sect in central Texas, run by charismatic young pastor Papa Jake. While Paul acclimates quickly to the small town of Dawson and the church's insistence on a strict set of puritanical rules, Rosemary struggles to fit in. She finds purpose only when she's called upon to help Julie, a new mother in the community, who is feeling isolated and lost. Then the community is rocked by a series of fires which take some church members' homes and nearly take their lives, but which Papa Jake says are holy and a representation of God's will. As the fires spread, and Julie is betrayed in a terrible way, Rosemary begins to question the reality of her life, and wonders if trouble will always find her--or if she'll ever be able to outrun it.
I was so excited to read this book since I loved Alison Wisdom’s debut novel “We Can Only Save Ourselves”. In this book we follow Rosemary who lives with her husband in a strict religious community. One where the Pastor rules over all, and one where mysterious fires keep burning down the houses of members. I love books about cults/ religious sects so this book was right up my alley. It had a lot of mystery to it, while reading much like a literary fiction book, which I love. I would definitely recommend this book and her debut novel if you haven’t read it yet!
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
🔥 The Burning Season 🔥
"Here comes trouble," Rosemary's high school English teacher used to say whenever he saw her. Rosemary has often felt like trouble, and now at thirty-two, her marriage to her college sweetheart, Paul, is crumbling. In a last-ditch attempt to restore it, she agrees to give herself over to a newly formed Christian sect in central Texas, run by charismatic young pastor Papa Jake. While Paul acclimates quickly to the small town of Dawson and the church's insistence on a strict set of puritanical rules, Rosemary struggles to fit in. She finds purpose only when she's called upon to help Julie, a new mother in the community, who is feeling isolated and lost. Then the community is rocked by a series of fires which take some church members' homes and nearly take their lives, but which Papa Jake says are holy and a representation of God's will. As the fires spread, and Julie is betrayed in a terrible way, Rosemary begins to question the reality of her life, and wonders if trouble will always find her--or if she'll ever be able to outrun it.
I was so excited to read this book since I loved Alison Wisdom’s debut novel “We Can Only Save Ourselves”. In this book we follow Rosemary who lives with her husband in a strict religious community. One where the Pastor rules over all, and one where mysterious fires keep burning down the houses of members. I love books about cults/ religious sects so this book was right up my alley. It had a lot of mystery to it, while reading much like a literary fiction book, which I love. I would definitely recommend this book and her debut novel if you haven’t read it yet!
August 10, 2022
“I think of what I have seen. Flames and gray tumors in a jar. Specks and showers of light and glory and the gifts of angels, leaving pieces of themselves behind so that we might believe, an offering from their own beings, a sacrifice. Sustenance created from nothing.” Pg 295-296
Beautifully written prose. Burning season touches on many themes I love in fiction- motherhood, postpartum, faith, fanaticism, CULTS and twisted relationships.
TBS tells the story of Rosemary and Paul- how they loved (or didn’t)—eventually finding themselves in a small town Dawes, Texas involved with a cult.
Highly recommend. It’s a dark story that will keep you turning the pages past your bedtime. It’s Normal People meets Under The Banner of Heaven.
[loved this piece on motherhood]
“She told me once when I was very little, I couldn’t differentiate between her body and my own. I touched her the way I touched my own body—unthinking, mindlessly. “It made sense,” my mother told me. “You came out of my body, and honestly, I don’t know if it’s healthy, but I always thought of your body as an extension of my own.” An arm, a leg, a hand, a daughter.” Pg 205
Beautifully written prose. Burning season touches on many themes I love in fiction- motherhood, postpartum, faith, fanaticism, CULTS and twisted relationships.
TBS tells the story of Rosemary and Paul- how they loved (or didn’t)—eventually finding themselves in a small town Dawes, Texas involved with a cult.
Highly recommend. It’s a dark story that will keep you turning the pages past your bedtime. It’s Normal People meets Under The Banner of Heaven.
[loved this piece on motherhood]
“She told me once when I was very little, I couldn’t differentiate between her body and my own. I touched her the way I touched my own body—unthinking, mindlessly. “It made sense,” my mother told me. “You came out of my body, and honestly, I don’t know if it’s healthy, but I always thought of your body as an extension of my own.” An arm, a leg, a hand, a daughter.” Pg 205
June 3, 2022
4.5 rounded up
What just happened to me. I could not pull myself away from this book. It made me stay up past my bed time for every single one of three days I was reading it. I love reading novels with any sort of cultish element and this did not disappoint.
I was so furious sometimes and couldn’t help but feel some second hand Stockholm syndrome because I felt so immersed in the main character’s life. This is weird and twisty and I loved every minute of it. The epilogue was a bit atmospheric and I’m not sure if I missed a point there but there’s no way to be sure because like I said this is weird!
This felt very much like Godshot but a little less graphic and from an adult perspective instead of a child. If you liked Godshot or The School for Good Mothers, you should definitely give this one a shot.
I received an advanced copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest review
What just happened to me. I could not pull myself away from this book. It made me stay up past my bed time for every single one of three days I was reading it. I love reading novels with any sort of cultish element and this did not disappoint.
I was so furious sometimes and couldn’t help but feel some second hand Stockholm syndrome because I felt so immersed in the main character’s life. This is weird and twisty and I loved every minute of it. The epilogue was a bit atmospheric and I’m not sure if I missed a point there but there’s no way to be sure because like I said this is weird!
This felt very much like Godshot but a little less graphic and from an adult perspective instead of a child. If you liked Godshot or The School for Good Mothers, you should definitely give this one a shot.
I received an advanced copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest review
July 14, 2022
This one was C U L T Y!
It started off slow and kind of remained the same pace throughout. I would say it’s more character driven then plot and that’s something I’m definitely not used to reading as much. However, if you enjoy cult stories like myself, I think you should pick this one up!
Please check out one of my favorite passages in the book that I wanted to share it with you guys!!
“These people are like serpents with two heads, and they’re speaking out of both of them at once, that’s how bad they want you to believe them. Two heads, two tongues, one for each of your ears. One head tells you what the world says, that’s you’re fine, that everything is fine, that you’re perfect, never change. The other head tells you that you’re wrong, that you’ve never been right, but they know how to help you, change you” (page 12)
It started off slow and kind of remained the same pace throughout. I would say it’s more character driven then plot and that’s something I’m definitely not used to reading as much. However, if you enjoy cult stories like myself, I think you should pick this one up!
Please check out one of my favorite passages in the book that I wanted to share it with you guys!!
“These people are like serpents with two heads, and they’re speaking out of both of them at once, that’s how bad they want you to believe them. Two heads, two tongues, one for each of your ears. One head tells you what the world says, that’s you’re fine, that everything is fine, that you’re perfect, never change. The other head tells you that you’re wrong, that you’ve never been right, but they know how to help you, change you” (page 12)
August 15, 2022
This summer has become the season of cult reads for me and I was thrilled to add THE BURNING SEASON to my stack once I learned it was hitting shelves. This is a literary fiction story, but everything about the community Rosemary finds herself living in felt incredibly real. Wisdom perfectly captures the isolation surrounding this cult community and the deceptive ways members are made to believe the things their pastor is preaching. Rosemary was a perfect choice for a narrator, as we experience the constant conflicting feelings she experiences regarding her present situation and her past. In addition to Rosemary there is a cast of secondary characters that Wisdom allows the reader to briefly get to know without taking away from the progress of the story, but instead enhancing the experience by giving the reader more insight into the cult.
🎧: I loved the narrator of this audiobook and how she brought everything to life. I think I enjoyed my reading experience more through the audio than I would have reading the physical copy. Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Harper Perennial for my gifted copy!
🎧: I loved the narrator of this audiobook and how she brought everything to life. I think I enjoyed my reading experience more through the audio than I would have reading the physical copy. Highly recommend!
A huge thank you to Harper Perennial for my gifted copy!
July 1, 2022
What a story! Compulsively readable, I finished this book in a day and a half. I've always been fascinated by the idea of religious cults, how some people can be brought into what, from the outside, clearly looks not quite right. I enjoyed the book being told from Rosemary's perspective, her permissiveness to her husband, her human weaknesses and her strengths all being laid bare. All of these together told a story of religious zeal, the lengths one will go in order to save a marriage, and the breaking point we each have within us. Highly recommend this book!!
September 7, 2022
Rosemary follows her husband into a cult in an attempt to fix her marriage. Cults being what they are, it's not long before the totally reasonable day to day activities turn into nightly arson, murder, and absolute refusal to admit to what is actually happening. Rosemary continues to discover new and ugly facts each day, but does her best to lie to herself. This is an interesting perspective from inside a cult that attempts to explain why people make the choices that they make.
November 23, 2024
I really liked this book. It's about all the things someone may do to save a relationship. Even though she was in a cult, she was still resistant.
The epilogue threw me off, I didn't really understand it.
The epilogue threw me off, I didn't really understand it.
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