Church Folk

Rating:
Summary: Eye Opener..
Review: Michele Andrea Bowen, goes behind the scenes to inform all of us, what is really going on. It is a must read for all readers. If you are on a Spiritual level where most novels offend you, this novel is not offensive. This is true to fact. You will really enjoy it, once you pick it up, you will not put it down. Please Read it and contact Michele Andrea Bowen and give her your views. I am very confident that you will enjoy Church Folk.

Rating:
Summary: Church Folk
Review: This is by far one of the best books I have ever read that truly
speaks to the culture of the African American church. If anyone
reads the first 30 pages and can put this book down for any length of time that person is not a reader.

I read this book within 36 hours. Just couldn't put it down.
I was not aware of Ms Bowen' work, but she will be an author I will continue to look for.

I will recommend this book to anyone who has ever set foot in 'the black church.

Take the time for a heart warming, true experience.

Gwen Walker

Rating:
Summary: Drama in the church house
Review: Church Folk by Michele Andrea Bowen is an uplifting, inspiring and entertaining tale. New pastor Rev. Theophilus Simmons of Greater Hope United Church is single, new in the ministry and falling head over hills for the very sassy Essie Lane. Rev. Simmons and Essie share a long distance relationship then marry. Their marriage is put to the test by the members of the church. The devil was very busy.

I found myself laughing, shaking my head, shouting all the way through this realistic look at 'Church Folk'. The character were real and colorful. I enjoyed this compelling read until the last page. Best Wishes and Blessings to Michele.

Rating:
Summary: Can I Get A Witness ?
Review: i met michelle in d.c. last summer at sisterspace books, when i was hanging out in the city with a bud. we went to her reading of church folk, and she had the crowd laughing for much of the reading. if her career as a writer falls flat, she should consider being a comedian, as she is a naturally funny woman.
but her writing is good too. she presents christians here as real people, doesn't sugarcoat the black church or the drama that goes on within it. i grew up in a black baptist family. i know this stuff, i can relate to it. reading this book made me see, hear, and feel it all over again.

Rating:
Summary: Met the Write and Read The Reviews - Still Pleased
Review: Last Night I meet Ms. Bowen and now I understand better about what she wanted to accomplish. Not a story with some great profound message, but a carefully woven story with speckles of humor and mischief. I am not a 'Church Folk' myself, so the descriptions while perhaps over-the-top for some, really painted a picture for me that I would have had trouble painting for myself (if I was frustrated I think I would have put the book down). Church Folk around me admitted that she had captured the intrigue and 'juice' of the real and as a reader I appreciated that.

I was marginally disappointed (why I rated a 4 not a 5) that the historical time period was not better woven in the story (I think Ms Bowen was light on this point). I also did not feel I had as much of a flavor for the characters as much as I did when Ms. Bowen read at the book signing. I say this because I hope she is more daring in her next attempts.

Overall however this was just a good story. I think what I appreciate most was Ms. Bowen's word-smithing - she really does have a gift for description and metaphoric genius. Knowing what she did to bring this book to print and achieve her dreams, makes me appreciate "Chruch Folk" even more. Thank you for sharing this story!

Congrats on a noteworthy first book and the folk on the real - well we are waiting in anticipation for more works from you, Ms. Bowen. Keep writing!

Rating:
Summary: Realistic!
Review: This book is real! The issues are real! The people are real! I KNOW these people because I worship with them every Sunday. The Theophilus's of today, have their work cut out for them because church folk can be the worst folk to work with!

Rating:
Summary: AAAA....HH MEN
Review: This was a good read, which depicted church life in the African Community to a tee!(sad but true). The characters were people everyone can relate to.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I thought this was an excellent book. I throughly enjoyed reading it. Essie really had it going on. My hope is to meet someone just as special as she did.

Rating:
Summary: Reality of Church Society
Review: This book was full of good down home church humor. The book basically focuses on a new young pastor who makes a decision to get married. However, there is something in his past that attempts to disrupt his marriage. While this book is fiction, it seems to have a lot of truth in it. I don't believe that the author pulled everything she wrote out of her imagination and creativity. However, she does an excellent job of painting the picture of a pentecostal church service in the South. The mood of the book causes you to feel like you are actually in the church services or any of the social activities discussed. The book has a very unique ending. Overall, it helps you to really understand that members of the clergy are as human as anybody else and should be treated like so.

Rating:
Summary: Can The Church Say - - - - Amen!
Review: Go head! Those are the first two words that come to my mind when I think about this book. Ms. Bowen has captured the "behind-the-scenes flavor of the black church and let the light shine. Her combination of believable character, hysterical scenes and downright honesty make this novel a best-seller if there was ever one.

Church Folks is set in the South during the early 60's. We find young pastor Simmons dealing with all the issues that a young, handsome and unfortunately single pastor has to deal wiht. He finds the answer to all his prayers in a young Christian Essie. Now Essie is definitely a match for our main character. (...) she lets folks have it (Theophilus included)when need be.

You just fall in love with the character as they have you laughing, crying, sucking your teeth and shaking your head. If you haven't read this book you need to run out and get it, in hardback, thank you. This is definitely one of the ones you want in your bookcase.