Novelist Sheri Reynolds weaves lyrical prose and folksy dialogue into her spellbinding tales. The Rapture of Canaan, a New York Times best-seller, is the moving story of a teenaged girl clashing with her harshly controlled world. Growing up in a closed religious community deep in the rural South, 15-year-old Ninah Huff painstakingly and obediently follows her church's many rules-she knows that public humiliation follows the smallest transgression. But lately she can't stop thinking about how handsome James is, even when she should be praying. Ashamed and confused, she hides her feelings. However, when the elders assign James as her prayer partner, she takes her first steps down a path away from the security and blind belief of her upbringing. With warmth and compassion, Sheri Reynolds embeds rich wisdom throughout this compelling novel. Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan skillfully brings out Ninah's joy, uncertainty, and despair as she searches for a truth that brings freedom.
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"Ninah is a 15 year old member of a religious group her Grandfather has started called The Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind. They live as secluded from the outside world as they cad. The kids, however, do attend public schools. Most of the day, Ninah and her family spend in church or hard at work. They are awaiting the rapture, when God will come for the rightous and leave the sinful behind on a devastated world. Ninah and the other members of the group try their best to be faithful as they each struggle with their own demons. Ninah has strong feelings for her prayer partner, James, and although she punishes herself for these feelings(she walks with nettles in her shoes, wears barbed wire around her leg) she soon finds herself in his arms. The results that come about from their actions change the entire community. The book is beautifully written, and I was unable to put the book down-I read it in one sitting."
— Mrs. (5 out of 5 stars)
" um, i read it before it was labeled as part of "Oprah's Book Club" "
— Judie, 2/14/2014" A quick and easy read, although not nearly as good as I thought it would be. Lacked character development and events seemed unlikely to happen in real life. The author also uses a lot of wordy similes that just make me cringe. I did like the inner struggle of the main character to deal with her own ideals as opposed to those of the church (cult) she belonged to. "
— Aleah, 2/13/2014" It was scandalous! I don't think it's one I'd ever need to read again but if you're looking for a fundamentalist Christian sect gone bad - this might be the book for you! "
— Rebecca, 1/28/2014" My sister picked this book up years ago in a bargin bin at the drugstore before Oprah discovered it. Growing up in a church strict with some silly rules, and perceptions, we thought it was funny in a sad way. We could relate to some of the some of the thinking of the charactures. And to this day my, sister, mother, and I will say, "The church of fire and brimstone,and God's all mighty baptizing wind" when ever we hear someone say something sill about rules or strictness of a church/pastor. I know, I know we are going straight to hell. But now we can laugh at some of the silly things that life hands you. "
— Yvonne, 1/27/2014" I thought this was a really interesting book, I did read it quite a few years ago but I remember liking it at the time (I think I finished it in three days). It was a coming of age story centered around a girl in the very strict religious environment and how this process confuses her. She doesn't at all understand the consequences of her actions or how she can justify her actions with her religious beliefs. "
— Mo, 1/17/2014" One of my all-time favorite books. "
— Oceandreamer001, 1/14/2014" Great inside into the minds of fundamentalist christians combined with a very good story. "
— Griselda, 1/11/2014" I'm sorry. I couldn't get through this one. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm passing it on to others, though. Maybe they will like it better. "
— Maggie, 1/7/2014" Unusual story of young lust. "
— Shawn, 12/20/2013" Sheri Reynolds allows the readers to peek behind the curtain into a closed community. Utterly fascinating! I read this book in two days and quickly MADE my best friend read it also! I was on the edge of my seat up until the very last page! I highly recommend this book to anyone! "
— Julie-Ann, 12/16/2013" this book was compelling and interesting altho not great lit. i would recommend it as a beach read or for a long airplane ride. "
— Laurie, 12/11/2013" Read Sunday 8/10/08. Weird but couldn't put it down. About a young girl who lives in a religious community run by her grandfather. Bible laws and human laws blurred this girl tries to make heads or tails out of her life, family, love and her relationship with God. 300+ pages "
— Teresa, 10/23/2013" This book was a struggle for me. Just not my type of book. "
— Lori, 10/22/2013" Small southern Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's Almighty Baptizing Wind, with teenager Ninah trying to follow the rules, but straying. Funny and well written. "
— Jeanne, 10/21/2013" This is really good. A quick, easy read...you'll get sucked in. Well written and interesting. "
— Erin, 10/20/2013" I forgot the title of this book but read it a long time ago. Unfortunately I read it for a book group. If I were to read the jacket, I most likely would not have picked it up. "
— Jenna, 4/5/2013" From Oprah's Book Club. Apparently, I don't have the same taste in books as Oprah. "
— Etta, 2/2/2013" This book reminded me of growing up in a Baptist church in the south. So many strange experiences. "
— Debbie, 1/23/2013" I REALLY truly enjoyed this book - it's realism, earthiness, and how deftly it captured a young girl's naivete.....and how life and those around us mold us....and yet can't truly touch who we are. The only downfall is that I was left wanting to read more. :o) "
— Michelle, 1/4/2013" Terrifying and true. "
— Goodreads, 12/5/2012" I would recommend this book to anyone! "
— Sherry, 7/16/2012" Not the greatest book for a cult survivor to read, as it's bringing back a lot of memories. Still, it's compellingly written and I breathe a sigh of gratitude and joy after each page that I'm no longer a part of that lifestyle. "
— carmie, 7/7/2012" My estimate regarding when I read this is a wild guess. This book is a book that will stick with you forever after you read it. I would put it next to The Poisonwood Bible on my bookshelf. "
— Dana, 7/3/2012" this book was an interesting look into what a religion like this would be like. i thought it had some good lessons that we can all apply in our lives now. "
— Christy, 8/22/2011" Sheri Reynolds allows the readers to peek behind the curtain into a closed community. Utterly fascinating! I read this book in two days and quickly MADE my best friend read it also! I was on the edge of my seat up until the very last page! I highly recommend this book to anyone! "
— Julie-Ann, 5/10/2011" Interesting perspective on the lives of (fictional) ultra-fundamentalist Christians. Particularly because I suspect many of these sects are based on made-up rules from the parts of the bible the founder liked. Good story, but a little sad. "
— Nina, 4/25/2011" writing was good...just didn't like the story about this radical religious cult "
— Shawn, 4/13/2011" This book is from Oprah's Book Club. "
— Leah, 4/1/2011" Eye-opening deft portrayal of coming of age under restrictions that can kill hope, yet Reynolds makes the very sad story sing with emotion. "
— Sarah, 2/25/2011" I was really taken with this book. A little sacrilegious at times. Morbidly interesting. "
— Tenaya, 2/12/2011" This book was a struggle for me. Just not my type of book. "
— Lori, 2/2/2011" This book is about a religious cult ruled by male dominance. How anyone indoctrinated into such a lifestyle could rise against it is beyond me. Ninah, the 14 year old main character certainly had me pulling for her. "
— Twobbema, 1/24/2011" Incredibly disturbing story because you just know there are people out there who are so brainwashed they follow anyone regardless of how twisted the "dogma." "
— Kasha, 1/12/2011" Obsessed with cults? Yeah, me too. If so, you will enjoy this. Disturbing, interesting, enjoyable, but nothing life-changing. "
— Brynaleh, 1/8/2011" Another favorite. Now I feel a little like crying just thinking about it. "
— Joanna, 1/3/2011Alyssa Bresnahan is a dynamic dancer, actor, and audiobook narrator. She has narrated over two hundred audiobooks, has earned twenty Earphones Awards, and was named one of AudioFile magazine’s Golden Voices. In 2009 she was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best fiction narration.