Rating: 
Summary: Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up & Everything Else...
Review: I had purchased Church Folk a while ago, but never took the time to read it until recently. I don't know why it took me so long to delve into this gem of a novel! Once I picked Church Folk up and started reading, I could NOT put it down. I started reading it on a Tuesday morning before I went to work and (Lord forgive me), I continued reading it at work, while on a series of conference calls! Work became an interruption for me that day as I became immersed in the vivid descriptions and engaging characters that Church Folk's gifted author, Michele Andrea Bowen, had created. Ms. Bowen took special care in introducing her characters and their lives to the reader. She gives enough detail that you can smell the delicious food, hear the music, and envision yourself in a 1960's Mississippi. It only took me a few sentences to get hooked on Rev. Theophilus Simmons, the main character in Church Folk. Ms. Bowen succinctly described his plight in the first few lines of the book, and I immediately wanted to follow his story to the end. Along the way, she introduces one Glodean Benson, who proves to be a thorn in the good Reverend's side, and Ms. Bowen gives the reader ample reason to dislike her. However, when Rev. Simmons meets the woman of his dreams, a jook joint cook named Essie Lee Lane, he strikes gold...and so does Ms. Bowen. Many books of this genre make the mistake of boring readers with neat, predictable plots. Unlike in real life, many characters in Christian fiction are pristine, God-fearing and so close to holiness that it outweighs what could have been a decent plot. By introducing Essle in such a way, Ms. Bowen totally and pleasantly surprised me. I had expected the good Rev. Simmons to meet a nice and quiet church girl...I must say that he did -- in the form of snooty Saphronia Anne McComb -- and chose the earthy, fiesty Essie Lee instead. I will not do you this disservice of dosclosing any more details of the plot. You just will have to read it for yourself. (And by the way, I was so enthralled with Church Folk that I left work early to go home and finish it...which I did by 2 a.m. the following morning!)
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful!
Review: Church Folk follows the rise of a young black up and coming Rev. Theophilus Simmons at Greater Hope. The story begins in 1960 and travels through to 1963. The story gets off to a slow start, but by midpoint the reader is locked into some "real" church mess. The author sprinkles in a little here and there about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Right Movement to set the tone for the time period in the 1960s, but the primary focus is on church folk and scandalous behavior. As holds true today, some church folk are full of the devil. Some Ministers don't practice what they preach. You will laugh and get angry with the church folk. The story has betrayal, power struggle, infidelity, adultery, revenge, true love, Pastor rivalry and a few Pastors running a Prostitute service from a funeral home. The author introduces the reader to some colorful characters. A few are Glodean Benson, Uncle Booker, Lee Allie, Essie, Mr. & Mrs. Jarvis, Sister Willie Clayton, Mrs. Coral Thomas, Mr. Pompey, Bishop Caruthers, Rev. Marcel Brown and Cleotis Clay. The young and handsome Rev. Simmons has made mistakes, but is determined to do God's will. He is serious about not getting caught up by the temptation that comes with being a prominent pastor (liquor, money, politicking and women). He wants to make sure that church positions go to the most qualified members instead of those who gave the most money. He has to put his full armor on to fend off "temple prostitutes" and "sanctified tramps" or women who would do ANYTHING to become the First Lady. This was one of the selected readings for my book club and I recommend it for other book clubs. It is delightful and you will enjoy all 352 pages.
Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed the trip
Review: When I first decided to read this book, I had no idea what I was in for. It was a real treat. I enjoyed the author's candor, upfront and plain viewpoint regarding the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of a black church. It was very funny. I like the overall theme from her books where she strongly echos to black women how you should pray to God for a husband and not just go out there in the world and pick one. Can I get an Amen. A very good read !!!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Read
Review: Overall, I did enjoy reading Church Folk. It was very entertaining; once I started reading it was hard to stop. I loved the humanity of the main character,Theophilus and the "down to earthness" of his bride, Essie. I really love the way Ms. Bowen portrayed their relationship from their initial meeting to their marriage. I also liked reading about the inner workings of church politics, and most of all there are some utterly hilarious moments in the book.
However, I was thrown by the extent of the corruption and scandal that leads to the climax of the book. I felt that it was a bit extreme - that's not to say that those types of things just possibly could not happen in the church, but it was just a bit too much for my tastes.
I was expecting the book to be more about the relationship between the young pastor and his wife and a showdown with is past "friend" Miss Glodean, and the church folks' reaction to all of that, because it weighed so heavily on Theophilus at the beginning of the novel but ,as stated before,I enjoyed it and I do recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Wanting More
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it in a couple of days. As a Christian, I was not offended by the sinful behavior of some of the characters, because that's how some "church folk" behave. The passion from the main character, Rev. Simmons to his wife was HIGH! I was a little disappointed that the author chose to skip the period between the proposal and the first day as a first lady (especially after the build-up of passion she had described). The plot was good and somewhat outrageous. Without any prior knowledge to the set up of this type of denomination, a reader could easily get confused. You're almost tempted to take notes of all the different pastors and bishops so you won't get them confused! The author did a good job in describing the characters, maybe a little too good of a job when it came to their clothing because those descriptions were long.
Rating:
Summary: Must read
Review: This book will have you laughing all the way though. As a Christian I feel it's always a good thing to be able to laugh at ourselves (and not to condone sinful activities). A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Do not read this book if....
Review: Do not read this book if you're sitting on a train, plane, bus or any form of public transportation. You will be laughing out loud with tears running down your face and people will think you lost it. Do not read this book if you've just had surgery. It will be a surefire way to remove your stitches. Do not read this book if you cannot have a good laugh at yourself. Having grown up a PK, I can fully relate to this wonderful, funny look at church folk. HIghly recommended, it shows that in spite of our foolishness, God loves us anyway.
Rating:
Summary: God sees all
Review: Essie Lee Lane knew she was wearing those dresses. this book may be fiction but not far from home at all makes one wonder about some of the scandals still brewing in our churches today. and the dusting under the rug. It shows whatever happens in darkness will come to light someday. Cant help but say hmm hmm hmm excellent book
Rating:
Summary: Deception
Review: Welllllllll....churck folks are a mess! This book was witty, snappy and the scene in the funeral parlor was funnnnnny! Churck Folks is a comical book on how church folk acts. Sad but true. I don't see how they could play with God like that because I'd be too scared that he will strike me down or something. It's a fun book to read. I look forward to a sequel because that's what church folk are -- a Big Messy Sequel!
Rating:
Summary: Thank God for Michelle A Bowen
Review: I just recently read, "Church Folk" and I couldn't put it down. The story is very realistic. It is very positive and grounded. I only wish I had read it earlier. I could really relate to the very real characters. It proves that, "with God, ALL things are possible." It was very refreshing to read a good novel that was not filled with profanity every other word. The book was so good, as soon as I finished it, I bought, "Second Sunday" which is part 2 of Church Folk. That was very well written also and it was good to find out what happen to the people in the previous book. If you haven't read it, please pick it up.
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