Revival Season

By: Monica West

Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

The daughter of one of the South’s most famous Black evangelical Baptist preachers discovers a shocking secret about her father that puts her at odds with both her faith and her family in this “spellbinding” debut literary novel that “should be read alongside Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus” (The Washington Post).

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 faith-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 amid church patriarchy in a Southern, Black, Evangelical community.

Critic reviews

"Joniece Abbott–Pratt's performance captures the fear and exhilaration of 15-year-old Miriam Horton as she travels the revival circuit with her family. Abbott–Pratt narrates in a fast-paced style that suits the high emotions of revival meetings, which are the focus of the plot. She expertly emulates Miriam's troubled voice when things go wrong. Miriam's famous father, a boxer turned preacher, travels the Deep South to save souls and heal the sick. But when the autocratic preacher/healer loses his gift, a brutal side of him emerges. Ironically, the spiritual gift remains in the family—Miriam herself becomes a faith healer. As the plot etches a story of patriarchy at its worst, the listener feels Miriam's pain and sees the harsh Preacher Horton for who he is."

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.

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.

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?

Good book

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