Revival Season

By: Monica West

Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt

The daughter of one of the South’s most famous Baptist preachers discovers a shocking secret about her father that puts her at odds with both her faith and her family in this debut novel.

“Spellbinding…Revival Season should be read alongside Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus.” (The Washington Post
A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice)

Every summer, fifteen-year-old Miriam Horton and her family pack themselves tight in their old minivan and travel through small southern towns for revival season: the time when Miriam’s father - one of the South’s most famous preachers - holds massive healing services for people desperate to be cured of ailments and disease. But, this summer, the revival season doesn’t go as planned, and after one service in which Reverend Horton’s healing powers are tested like never before, Miriam witnesses a shocking act of violence that shakes her belief in her father - and her faith.

When the Hortons return home, Miriam’s confusion only grows as she discovers she might have the power to heal - even though her father and the church have always made it clear that such power is denied to women. Over the course of the following year, Miriam must decide between her faith, her family, and her newfound power that might be able to save others, but if discovered by her father, could destroy Miriam.

Celebrating both feminism and faith, Revival Season is a “tender and wise” (Ann Patchett) story of spiritual awakening and disillusionment in a Southern, Black, Evangelical community.

©2021 Monica West. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Liked the Book - One Glaring Research Error

Overall I liked this book and would recommend it. It would make a great book for discussion by a book club. Many points for discussion, especially topics of faith, abuse, and the ending.

But one glaring research error by the author almost made me rate it down:

I have Type 1 Diabetes, like Micah in the book. When Micah is "healed" and her sickness comes back a couple of months later, Miriam discovers her in the restroom with blood sugar of 50 and offers her chocolate. Seriously? A Diabetic who went into remission for a bit and had returning symptoms would NOT have LOW blood sugar! The symptoms of the return of the disease would be extremely HIGH blood sugar - a number like 250, 350, 500, or more. And you certainly wouldn't offer her sugar. You'd be seeking insulin, immediately!

Writing like this about this disease that affects millions of Americans just goes to show how dangerously little people really understand about it - and how lazy the author must have been to have been so far off in her presentation of the facts. Shameful, really.

Anyway, that aside, there were things to love and hate about the book, as I see in other reviews. And overall, I enjoyed it.

I’m ready for the movie

This book was well written and voiced well also. I enjoyed the characters and storyline. It read as if there could be a sequel. I like making up my own ending. I did feel it should have been the 1980s. Very entertaining premise. A world with which I am not familiar. I was happy to go on the journey of Revival Season.

Good book

Good story. it left me hanging in the end.loved the mine characters. God Bless.

What a story

Revival season took me to a place and into a cultural in my own country that I know little about. I found it fascinating even if horrifying at times. The story is well told and the characters are interesting. I wanted to know more, where will Miriam go next?

Tackling Church and Family

Seeing your parents for the flawed humans we are is not an easy journey. I loved watching Miriam figuring out her place in the world and in her family . Even challenging archaic views on women ministering in the church. I loved how it ended because Miriam will always be torn between following her truth and wanting to fit peacefully into her family . it is kind of what we all struggle with. the narrator once again delivered all the feels .

good

Good narrator, very believable.
The book addresses significant problems among people of faith groups.
Good ending.

Fresh Dynamic Unpredictable

Wow, Revival Season left me breathless at the end; wanting for more! It was stunning unexpected and not just a religious drama of do’s and don’ts. It made me think and question some standards of religion. Great story about family dynamics and the importance of mental health healing as well.

Well Written, But Ending Fell Flat!

While this book was well written, I feel the author left us grappling with what would be an ending with multiple loose strings. The build-up was a crescendo of intense anticipation. I literally could not put this book down as I waited to learn Marian’s fate, only to realize that we would never know.

Empathy-Evoking and Heartfelt

Gorgeously written, West weaves a literary tapestry from the dark and muggy summer nights under a revival tent with the bright dreams of an inconveniently intelligent and questioning Pastor’s daughter. Heartfelt and honest, the protagonist’s story draws the listener in as she endures conflict and abuse. Abbott-Pratt deliver a fine performance narrating a southern teen girl, octogenarian parishioners, furious male preachers and everyone else in between. A must listen.

Beautifully Written

The book did a beautiful job of shining light on issues with church folk. Let me be clear, the Church, as established by Jesus is flawless built on the Solid Rock. It is us church folk that are flawed. I highly recommend reading and reflection by Saints and Ain'ts alike.