Rating: 
Summary: The best book I have read in 2002
Review: Church Folk was great. I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried, I laughed until I cried. It was a great depiction of African Americans in the church, with just enough make believe for fiction. I definantely recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Expected?
Review: I anticipated reading Church Folk since Dec 2001. It wasn't what I expected. It was boring. I couldn't maintain focus. It was confusing at times.
Rating: 
Summary: Something to think about
Review: This book was exciting, it was also crazy, and funny.
Rating:
Summary: Confusing at times but exciting till the end!
Review: I enjoyed the journey that the author took me on in this novel but I was led astray at times. The character are very complex and interesting at times but I would have to agree with other reader's about the "holes" in the story. I went from Theo courting Essie to her being the first lady in a blink of an eye. I would have enjoyed the wedding if it had been included. Some of the character were well developed and described, Glodean, and others I felt were over done, Marcel. There were way to many names of preachers, bishops, conventions, and churches at times to follow. Simplicity is the spice of life. I wouldn't say it's a best seller, but it's worth reading :-)
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Summary: Scandalous
Review: I was so into this book that I found myself praying for Essie and Theophilus one night! I enjoyed the story and was glad to see that this realistic kind of Christian fiction exists - KEEP it real, Ms. Bowen.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable!
Review: This book had characters that you love to hate! It was very entertaining!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed in Metro-Detroit
Review: For a first time effort, this book was okay. The overall story about African American Church folk, was a good story line. The author, had a few weaknesses that stood out like a sore thumb. The author took too much time describing the apparel of the church folk. This was distracting as well as annoying. I found myself skipping paragraphs to get to the next topic. Granted in a few of our Black Churches, on any given Sunday, what Sistah Jones was wearing at church could possible be a topic of discussion over Sunday dinner. There was too many names of churches, preachers, bishops, conventions, and ceremonies, that in itself got to be confusing and monotonous. The author should have covered a little more of the courtship, (after proposal)and wedding plans of the good Reverend Theophilus Simmons and Essie Lane. The reader didn't experience the "I love you" phase of the courtship. What happened to that part? I think that would have provided the reader with just a little more insight into the sexually hot couple. There was a point in the book where the Reverend experienced some problems with Essie providing comment on his decisions made as a pastor, but the author did not clear up that problemed aspect of the relationship for the readers. The threat of "Glodean" the Reverend's previous flame as the saboter of the new marriage, did not occur as expected. She seemed to fizzle out as the story was overtaken by the hoodlum Pastors and Bishops. This story was too contrived....A brothel in a funeral home ran by a bunch of wayward Preachers and Bishops??? Not too bad for a first attempt. The next attempt should be better.
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Summary: this book was different from any book that i read
Review: church folk was a different book from any other fiction book mainly because the book is about 2 groups of people in the religious world:the good christains who want to do right by god and the christians who just want to be low down and not right. well this book is about a new pastor named rev. simmons who want to be a great server to god and be a nice husband, and about the other preachers and bishops who just dont want to do right, and who gets caught up in their scandoluos act. i dont want to give the book away but you may want to pick this up and see how these church folk act.
Rating:
Summary: Fashion Show
Review: This book was more about a church fashion show than anything else. Although it was lovly how she described every outfit in great detail, but the fashions overtook the essence of the story. The character, Glodean, as described in the jacket of the book was suppose to highlight the story. However, in fact, she did not offset the rough interior as the author describes her. You will get confused with all of the names of the reverends, bishops, and other folks. The best part about this book was the last few chapters on the "set-up" of Marcel. A church organization having a whore house in a funeral parlor is a bit outrageous. You'd have to be an atheist to hypocrite and play games and things like that with God? It's really scary to play church like that. I guess it's possible but it seems highly improbable. I read a book called "Waiting to Exit Hell," and it was just too good. I highly recommend that book. It's on the really real!
Rating:
Summary: Take it to the Alter...
Review: Church folk is a book for all, regardless of what church you go to. Essie is a for real young Pastors wife and Theophilus is a man of God and a husband in all aspects. This is a must read. Pastors and First Ladies are also Husbands and wives, and they live normal lives.
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