Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic read
Review: A powerful, exciting book that I couldn't put down. This is a book about Ninah, raised in the community of her Grandpa Herman, a man who preaches Fire and Brimstone services (in other words, religion to the extreme). Ninah is raised in this harsh environment only to find herself attracted to James, her prayer partner. She does everything she's been taught to fight it, including punishing herself physically, but nonetheless, she ends up succumbing to her feelings. The consequences are gripping. This is definately a worthwhile read. Just block out some time for yourself, because you won't be able to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Wasted Potential
Review: At first glance, this book looks promising. The cover art is beautiful, and the exotic title seems to allude to the biblical homeland of Palestinians, Canaan, Land of Milk and Honey. The enticing blurb on the back cover hints that the novel contains themes of religious fanaticism (The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, what a mouthful!), masochism (Ninah inflicts pain on herself to ward off impure thoughts), teen pregnancy (Ninah gets pregnant during a forbidden relationship), and other taboo items. I expected a lot from this book, but was sorely disappointed. "The Rapture of Canaan" had vast potential and Reynolds had many interesting threads of ideas to weave into a complex story, but her childish prose made the tale dull and simple. The themes were not fully elaborated and expanded, and the plot remained narrow and flat. It is aggravating that a novel which deals with such deep, controversial issues such as religious cults has the literary value of a Danielle Steele paperback. Also, every character in the novel, even Ninah, the "heroine," is a one-dimensional cardboard cutout, much like the paperdolls Ninah's grandma used to play with when she was a girl. For instance, Ninah's grandfather is a zealot who uses religion to suit his own purposes, Ninah's grandma is the practical, story-telling type, Ninah's mother is domineering, Ninah's father is soft. The secondary characters are even worse, each with a single characteristic and one or two lines: the token rebel, the token ethnic classmate. And as for Ninah - how can she expect the reader to sympathize for her when she never bothers to share her feelings with us? Ninah rarely has an interesting thought, save a reflection or two about something her wise old grandma tells her. Ninah describes the world around her and its inhabitants in an offhand, disconnected manner. It is impossible to relate to her and understand the "Fire and Brimstone" world when the reader's single source of information about this world is vague. Perhaps Ninah's simple words and disconnected manner perfectly convey the mindset of a confused girl growing up in a strict, repressive community. Perhaps . . . but that doesn't make for interesting reading. Read this book only if you expect little from it - then you will be less disappointed than I am. However, if Judgement Day, or "Rapture," arrives soon, I must immediately repent for reading this boring piece of fluff. If I don't, I'll be sentenced to an eternity of pain and suffering - rereading this book over and over again.
Rating: 
Summary: A rapturous read
Review: Don't let the fact this book was selected by Oprah's Book Club throw you--"The Rapture of Canaan" is not flash-in-the-pan, trendy lit but rather an evocative examination of religious devotion and the power of forgiveness. Ninah, the 15-year-old protagonist, is a member of a radical religious sect, but finds it difficult to reconcile her sinful thoughts--particularly about her prayer partner James--with her religion's insistence on purity in preparation for the Second Coming. Despite her attempts to banish such thoughts from her mind, she and James consummate their love, and disaster ensues. Her black-and-white world is upended, and she stands on the brink of despair. But Ninah perseveres, learning, as well as teaching, a powerful lesson of redemption. Though the novel is religious in subject and theme, its appeal spans both sacred and profane tastes. The writing is fast-paced, and the characters just eccentric enough to be completely believable. Ultimately, Reynolds shows that miracles can be found in the most mundane, secular places and that, as Hawthorne says, some things, however carnal and worldly, have a consecration of their own.
Rating:
Summary: Poignant, Powerful, Passionate...
Review: Even from the very first page, it's as if the words are lifted up off the page, enrapturing you into this poignantly powerful and passionate story of a young girl struggling to make sense of it all. She's coming of age in a society, led by her Grandpa Herman, where almost everything is a sin. Reynolds' portrayal of this type of religion was astounding, yet hauntingly disturbing. I cringed and felt my stomach grow a couple of notches just reading her descriptions of their beliefs and punishments of "sinners". In many ways, I related so well to this book. I do not come from a family that is nearly as fervent as this community was, but like Ninah, I've cast my own questions about God and struggled to find "the truth". I read the book in one day - not because it was an easy read - but simply because I couldn't put the book down. Reynold's writing style makes it easy for you to read each page without effort - as if it was a song in your head. My only disappointment was the ending. I agree with one of the other raters who said that it didn't leave her much closure. The Rapture of Canaan is a beautifully piece of work that you must not miss out on. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow and contrived - but luckily a quick read
Review: I am almost a bit embarrassed because I was the one to suggest this book for my book club (mainly because the author, Sheri Reynolds has taught at my university).
This book tries so hard to be profound, yet gentle. However, I found both the theme and the charachters overly simplistic - the cultish verision of Christianity presented is forceful, yet lacks true impact, and the characters ultimately end up mere charicatures instead of believable personalities.
The protagonist, Ninah, never seemed like a real teenage girl to me - too often she was given language that was too grown-up or insights that were too formulated. For example, would she really have been able (in the first half of the book) to recoginize that her grandfather (and leader of the religious community) is "self-righteous"? I did enjoy several descriptions of Ninah's experience of growing up, and they felt true to what a girl experiences (her getting her period and the unexplainable shame it entails is a believabe example); however, so much of her thoughts smack of a grown-up's vocabulary and adult feminine progressive insights.
Also, even the most sympathetic character in the book, the Grandmother, eventually turns out to be a disappointing one-dimensional figure whose sole purpose seems to be to perpetuate the Wise-Woman-Knows-All-Things-Best-in-Life. She is simply not presented with any real-life flaws. Her "flaws" are actually admirable since they are based on devoted love (her reason for staying married to the evil Grandfather) or her lies (which are simply survival stories since no real damage is done).
Overall, I do not think this book could have been written by a man - it exudes the ultra-modern feminine wisdom which I have heard cleverly be labeled subcutaneous ckick-lit. The (in-your-face) metaphor about Ninah's weaving representing her being a master of her own faith is a typical contrived attempt of feminine bonding. So is the predictable and clicheed birth-scene. (Starkly missing in contrast is the actual descriptions of the sex scenes during prayer).
The parts of the book dealing with religion are also just skin deep. There is no depth to it, merely a collection of hideous details of medevial sadistic practices. Even if that is what it all boils down too, there is not enough explaination of the reasons the people stay in this community or why there even are newcomers - after all, the events take place in America, and not in an isolated rural culture such as can be found in modern-day Afghanistan. The adult members work outside their community and the children attend public school, so there is obviously opportunity to escape. What I am trying to say is that the author does not do a very convincing job in relaying WHY there is such devoted community among the members.
Finally the language is very simple, and the book is a therefore a speedy read. One of the best aspects of the book as a whole...
Rating:
Summary: Good book, the ending left me wanting a little more
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. It was simular to Reynold's other book "Bitterroot Landing" in that there are abuse and religious themes running through both of them. The only thing I didn't like was that the ending left me wanting a little more. It wasn't that the ending was terrible, on the contrary, I felt it was very symbolic. What I wanted was to see how things ultimately turned out for the main character and her family.
Rating:
Summary: Religious Background
Review: I just loved this book. Because of my very religious upbringing, I had a lot of hostility or resentment. I really connected with this story and after reading it was able to let a lot of negative energy go. I felt like I was not the only one.
This selection was great reading for enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: A page turner
Review: I read this book in one day. I could not put it down. It was such a wonderfully written story. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I recommend to everyone/anyone who enjoys reading.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I read it in about 3 days... I come a very religious family. As with this family they spent to much time being hypocrites... I really enjoyed this book and I will admit like anyone else Oprah picks some hard.... books. However, I realized she picks books that make me think.
Rating:
Summary: Neat-o!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was very descriptive, and tragic, with out being overwrought or cheesy. The flashbacks to grandma's side of things was interesting, and the surprise at the end was excellent! This is for sure one I will read again.
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