Say Jesus and Come to Me

by Ann Allen Shockley

The physical and emotional attraction a charismatic black female evangelist feels for a beautiful but damaged blues singer grows into a powerful, sensual love in a southern city rocked by racism, intolerance, and sexual violence.

The traveling minister Reverend Myrtle Black is a proud, strong African American woman, passionately devoted to God, justice, and intimate female contact. Enraged over a brutal assault on two young prostitutes, the good pastor comes to Nashville intending to organize local women in protest over the racism and sexism the city’s officials seem all too eager to ignore. Then, in the course of her crusade, a beautiful, profoundly damaged stranger walks through the church door . . . and turns Myrtle’s life upside down.

A world-famous rhythm-and-blues singer, Travis Lee has experienced more than her share of pain and heartbreak. Having hit rock bottom—burned out on drugs and stuck in her latest very bad relationship—she comes to Reverend Myrtle seeking the kind of hope and salvation only Jesus can bring. What she experiences instead is a profound and powerful physical and emotional attraction that neither she nor the minister can ignore. But in the media spotlight, in this town where intolerance rules, a love such as theirs is a most dangerous thing, inspiring the hatred and violence of those who would go to any lengths to destroy it.

Genres: Fiction, Lesbian, LGBT, Queer, Romance, Novels

283 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

About the author

Shockley is a black feminist theorist, novelist, and librarian. Shockley’s extensive contributions to black literature in general and black queer literature and politics more specifically, have broken ground in the vast wilderness of works that do not exist.

Shockley has written reference books, nonfiction and fiction for newspapers and journals, as well as book reviews, essays, novels, and a collection of short stories. She was born on June 21, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky. She began publishing short stories in 'The Louisville Defender' at age eighteen.

After receiving a B.A. at Fisk University, Shockley went on to pursue an M.A. in Library Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She has worked at Delaware State College, the University of Maryland, and at Fisk University where she works as the curator for African American collections.

Reviews

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would’ve been a really important book in its time! I found Myrtle’s overall ambitions and her specific march scheme to be grating, and I was hoping for more smut LOL.

Wouldn’t recommend over other lesbian fiction, but I also wouldn’t go as for to say you shouldn’t read it if you want to!

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it really interesting but…

There was so much antifatness and it pulled me out of the story every time.

I was fascinated by Myrtle as the older single woman who got what she wanted when she wanted it and her embrasure of her sexuality and taking advantage of the hypocrisy of the church while using it to her advantage. The love story was sweet but everything else was hard to read in it’s datedness. I’m glad I read Shockley, because I’m totally into what she was doing in the earliest days of mainstream lesbian romance, especially featuring Black characters. This wasn’t the one for me, but I’m willing to try her out again.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say Jesus and Come To Me is everything I didn't know I needed in a novel. When a charismatic and conflicted evangelist with a weakness for the women of her flock meets a tortured female soul singer turned born again Christian, the lines blur and eventually get crossed. Ann Allen Shockley is an OG in the black literature game whose novels and short stories were some of the first to explore black and interracial lesbian relationships. Published in 1982, Say Jesus and Come To Me explores patriarchy and homophobia in the black church, racism and women's rights in the deep South. A story featuring pimps, prostitutes, protest, crooked cops, flamboyant gay men, closeted lesbians and an old school gospel extravaganza concert, the novel is a nod to the blaxploitation era and yet a foreshadowing of battles we have yet to win.

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing novel - the first one I read that focused on a love affair between 2 African American women, one of whom is an evangelist and the other a famous soul singer (in a marriage with an abusive husband).

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book veered off from the premise a bit. I was really looking forward to reading about Myrtle and Travis, together and separately. However, the focus was very much on this march that was set to happen. Important themes of racism, sexism, homophobia and their intersectionality were highlighted, which was great. But in my opinion, the story suffered for it. Even still, it remains February...so, 4 stars!

[Leanor Bland Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story because it is common and believable. I enjoyed getting to know the characters however I wish there was more depth with some of the characters especially Agnes and Bobby, however it didn't ruin the book for me. I am left wanting more.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This silence she justified by weighing the burden of the consequences. She had her career as minister who headed her church. Together with that, her sight was set on expanding her secular leadership role, an aspiration that was beginning to materialize. For her to come out now, declare her lesbianism, could be disastrous for both herself and her church. The core of her existence was rooted in black life. Black people had not yet come fully to grips with homosexuality. For these reasons, she had to conceal her sexuality. Religion and race mattered first to her."

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I have read all of Shockley's other work and enjoyed it, and this book wowed me! Great characters throughout and a really wonderful demonstration of the ways lesbians engage in everyday life and transform people. Highly recommend.

[Stephani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel about the romance between a Black female minister and a veteran soul singer diva, set in socio-political turmoil in Nashville.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This old, outta print novel is as important as ever for black community discussion now.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!! Very bold and gritty read!! Many truths to the life of a closeted woman who has spent her life being a part of the church and needing desperately to “step out”.