The Rapture of Canaan

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Summary: The Rapture of Canaan
Review: The Rapture of Canaan uses the literary devices to their upmost potential. Sheri Reynolds pushes the limits with this particular book. I began to feel apart of the world she created. The trials faced by Ninah are educational and would benefit the average reader, no matter what type of books interest you. I enjoyed reading this book and hope everyone else will feel the same.

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Summary: You call that an ending?
Review: Although I agree that there are religious fanatics out there such as this cult, I found the gutless wonders masquerading as adults in this group amazing. They came across as a bunch of stupid sheep. Now we can understand how there can be people like David Koresh running around. Anyway, about the ending...it seemed to me as though the author ran out of good ideas and just threw some contrived ending together. It was pointless and implausible in my opinion. This had the potential to be a very good book, but the author missed lots of opportunities to deepen her characters and turn a timely topic into something to make us think. By the way, I don't read books simply because Oprah recommends them; I found this book lying around the office. I'm glad I didn't buy it.

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Summary: Controversial and challenging
Review: In the Fire and Brismstone community, a legalistic religious sect, Ninah's Grandpa Herman is the man who preaches at church, gives instructions for each days work and also leads his people in their moral and ethical decisions. Sins can be missing prayers, blaspheming God, talking with non Fire-and-Brimstone people, lying, cheating, drinking and, of course, fornication. Punishments range from sleeping on nettles, paying fines and walking on shells to sleeping in a grave, confinement to a dark cellar for as long as forty days, and so on and so forth all pendant on what Grandpa Herman decides will bring a person to a repentant state. Ninah has lived in this community all her life and, although she is anxious to please God and her elders, she has doubts about the righteousness of the legalistic life to which she is bound. The only person she feels she can talk to is her Nanna with whom she spends as much time as possible. Until she gets to know James, a young man just one year older whom she has begun to talk to in the fields. They become prayer partners in order to draw closer together to God only to become caught up in their feelings for one another. When Ninah finds herself pregnant, she faces multiple fears, the most imminent being Grandpa Herman. As their secret unravels into a tragedy, Ninah becomes more bold than ever, standing up for what she believes to be true. Reynolds does a wonderful job of portraying the hideousness of a dictatorial religious society and the consequent rebellion of a young girl. I found myself becoming furious at the ludicrous accusations being made, the punishments withstood and the way the people, for the most part, just blindly followed. It really forced me to think, however, and that to me is a good book.

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Summary: Excellent
Review: I read it in a few hours. I was intrigued by Ninah's character, who showed wisdom and strength, while also showing the appropriate naivety of someone her age. I loved the relationship between herself and her grandmother, and the way they had a sincere way of dealing with the people around them. I felt as though that could be me and my grandmother. Many of the things she brought up stirred up memories from my own life, so for anyone to claim this book is unrealistic, is to claim that any experience outside of their own is not real. In addition, I did not ever feel that it was trying to represent 'the south,' as much as just the emotions and habits and beliefs in this small circle of people. I look forward to reading more work from this author.

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Summary: Nothing special
Review: What's all the fuss about? I thought this was a very flimsy story barely held together by it's thin and implausible premise. The writer's tone comes across as overly conscious of her attempts to portray Southern attitudes, personalities, and religious beliefs and contradictions. The ending was almost laughable and left me wondering why I bothered sticking with the book to get to it. I know someone is bound to try to illuminate the "deeper meaning" of the conclusion, but let's face it, there's nothing deep about this novel. It's packaged to look sophisticated, but it's extremely simplistic and banal.

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Summary: living with canaan
Review: This book was extremely moving and kept one's interest. Ninah is a role model for all women. Her strength and faith to continue to believe in herself. This is excellent reading!

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Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I could not put it down. I was captivated and completely immerssed in the story. Sherri Reynolds is a phenomenal author.

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Summary: Couldn't make it through
Review: A woman at a book club gave me this with a warning that it wasn't so hot. After a chapter, I had to agree. Maybe it's meant as allegory, but the characters were shallow and the portrayal of southern religion willfully ignorant and excessive and painfully unrealistic. You want southern gonzo religion in a better vein, try Flannery O'Connor.

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Summary: EXTRAORDINARY!
Review: Sheri Reynolds is a gifted writer, and this novel is one of the finest I have read in years. The plot is compelling, and the characters' complexities challenge the reader to consider the nature of faith, love, and forgiveness. The book's questions and messages linger long after the last page.

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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This is a great book that stirs emotions. I couldn't put it down