The Rapture of Canaan

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Summary: Proof that shameless imitation sells books.
Review: Regardless of textual merits, and regardless of compelling story, the author it seems has abandoned the concept of originality in favor of something much more unbecoming. She should simply subtitle her story a homage to Flannery O'Connor's "Wise Blood." Mortification with trash in shoes and with barbed wire on the body has been done before by O'Connor; the impact of Protestant fundamentalism on people either unable or unwilling to think things through honestly and faithfully has been done before by O'Connor. This current incarnation of O'Connor's themes does not speak well of the author--or the publisher.

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Summary: A tremendously compelling and beautiful story!
Review: A truly unforgettable story. I think there is a little bit of Ninah in all of us. We worry about the future and agonize over the past. We make painful attemps to separate right from wrong. We all feel at some point lost or trapped. Ninah's story is both horrific and inspirational. The Rapture of Canaan simply shows how God enters our lives in several different ways and no matter how agonizing life may be, God will be there and he is always guiding you towards the direction of glory.

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Summary: I grew to love Ninah's spirit!
Review: I learned a great deal about being strong, and a positive force for good, from Sheri Reynolds' young character Ninah. The book was a treat to read. Sheri Reynolds' writing style was wonderful, and her words where at times lyrical. I recommend this book to anyone.

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Summary: Inspiring story about a simple girl who triumphs
Review: It took me less than 2 days to devour this wonderful book (a record for a working mom). I found Ninah to be a tremendously empathetic character. Who cannot relate to being in a situation that we know is wrong but about which we have no power to change? Despite her youth and the tragedy of James' death, Ninah triumphs. The story was well developed and the characters were as real as my family. This was one of the best books I've read this year. It was a feel good book that I will read again

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Summary: This book got me hooked!
Review: This book really got me hooked on Sheri Reynolds. I love how her characters have to endure such heartache in order to truly appreciate the good in their lives. Each one of her books takes the reader through a journey of the heart, mind and spirit. I recommend both, Bitterroot Landing and A Gracious Plenty!!

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Summary: Ninah, so young and courageously real, is the true heroine
Review: of this novel. Ninah's childish innocence and religious faith, make us all sympathize with the hardships that she must endure at the hands of Grandpa Herman . In addition, are all the strict and bizarre laws that seem to suffocate the small community of Fire and Brimstone, in which she lives. Ninah's coming of age is soon caught up in a manipulative world of fiction and real life. She seems confused many times to earnestly do the right thing. However, Ninah's warmness and tenderness soon prove that God's abundant love works in mysterious ways. This is a powerful story with strong characters and a surprise ending!

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Summary: An excellent look at a religious cult and the people within
Review: The Rature of Canaan was an excellent read. I found myself angry and horrified at the desperate characters within this book who so blindly followed their leader who was tortured by his own past. He inflicted cruelty and brutality in the name of God on people who were desperate for love, hungry for a place to belong, and some who just simply did not know any better. This was an eye-opener for me, it revealed to me aspects of religion that I only generally knew about. Sheri Reynolds did an excellent job at bringing me into this community of Fire & Brimstone. I found myself being filled with anger at the blindness of some of the community and cheering when Ninah and James began questioning their leader and their religion. This book was very powerful for me to read as I have always had very strong beliefs about religions and the people who belong to them. It was not easy to be in this community as a reader as it so opposes my own beliefs in a loving and all accepting God, but yet it was good for me to open my eyes to others beliefs. All that aside, this was an very well crafted story a quick and easy read as the words flowed and the characters came into my heart. -Angela Bernardoni-

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Summary: Wow! Words can not explain!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read! Thank you Oprah!! What can you say? I totally related to this story, questioning my own religion early on, I can relate to Ninah. It is scary that people could follow a leader that blindly. It gave me hope that one person could have a say in changing that. Everyone who has ever questioned there religion should read this book!

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Summary: It left me depressed and sad I like reading happy books
Review: To me this book was okay but Oprah, please pick a book that after you read it you just want to go out and help the whole world or do some- thing for yourself to get healthier or learn how not to loose your temper, something like you teach on your shows :--) Thanks Oprah and Amazon Books

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Summary: A book of every emotion.
Review: A friend gave me this book saying, "Oprah recommends it. This book had her so excited that the anticipation of bringing it to me to read was killing her. I now know why. I have never read a book that made me laugh, cry, smile, and grief. I visualized every scene, laughing when I was suppose to laugh, crying when I was suppose to cry. I felt as if I were Ninah's best friend and she was confiding in me something she hadn't told anyone else. I thought I was her stepping stone when she needed a boost. I too, eagerly anticipated listening to the stories of how Nana was raised, and how she turned her back on the Lord. I listened to Grandpa Herman give his same sermon about how you must never turn your back on him. Hearing him enforce his ridiculous punishments for even the littlest things. Things I'm sure were never a sin to begin with. Getting excited about the thought of having prayer time with James. I found myself quickly reading over every feeling and emotion Ninah was expericing. Over and Over I looked forward to hearing the many roads of life Ninah had to travel. Thinking it was coming to an end but finding out it was only the beginning. I'm not one that really reads alot, but after reading this book, I can trully say it gave me an inner comfort I now look forward to having again and again. Thank you Sheri for writing such a wonderful book!