Describe About Books Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America
| Title | : | Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America |
| Author | : | Randy Attwood |
| Book Format | : | Nook |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 0 pages |
| Published | : | July 17th 2011 by Randy Attwood, via Smashwords |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Science Fiction. Dystopia. Apocalyptic. Post Apocalyptic |
Randy Attwood
Nook | Pages: 0 pages Rating: 3.65 | 34 Users | 13 Reviews
Rendition During Books Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America
Please note, I originally read this book 9/2/2011 from a copy provided by the author for review; I provided editing for the author later, prior to publishing this book in paperback format.Additional note: I now have an audio file of myself reading this review aloud, which can be found on Soundcloud by following this link. So, if you've been curious to hear my voice, here is your chance!
Book info Genre: Dystopian Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: EVERYONE
My reading experience: I expected a few things when I started reading this book. I expected to maybe be amused by a satirical take on the Fundamentalists that are doing their utmost to take over this country – sadly, the concept is difficult to make amusing, because the idea of Fundamentalists taking over this country and turning it into an Evangelical theocracy is absolutely terrifying to anyone who wants to live in love and Light. I expected to be outraged by the excesses of Fundamentalist leaders who grow fat and rich off the tithing of their flock, while the common people live in poverty and squalor. I expected to be terrified by the idea of an Evangelical theocracy in general. What I did not expect was to be profoundly moved. I did not expect the overwhelming desire to make this book required reading for everyone. I did not expect goose bumps or a profound feeling of “rightness” to come over me while I read this book. I did not expect to want to take to the streets to preach the word of Bobby – to propose that the world would be a better place if we all became … Bobbites.
Synopsis: You see, 12-year-old Bobby Crowley – the son of stone-mason Bob Crowley, who is working to build a cathedral in Topeka, KS that will be larger and more glorious than any other cathedral in the world – is special. He has an amazing memory for Bible verses, and a strangely wise way of saying just the right thing at just the right time. And he has been carefully watching the formation of a significant alignment of stars in the sky, including a new star that just appeared three months ago, which are coming into a cross-like shape. And on a Friday like any other Friday – a Stoning Friday that would see the stoning to death of a “heathen, a whore, a pair of adulterers and a pair of faggots” - Bobby takes his place among the great religious leaders of the world when he steps forward and speaks the words, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” and in the process saves the life of a beatific young woman: he gains a following and begins performing miracles, and providing proverbs of hope, peace and love. Many people believe he is the second coming of Christ.
Caught in his wake are a prostitute, his teacher (himself gay and who has been forcing himself upon the weaker boys in his classes), the young woman who had been accused of being a whore and set to be stoned, a seller of banned books, a Catholic friar and many more; they go into Rabbletown, the slums of Topeka, where Bobby spreads the true way – the way of peace, love, acceptance and kindness, rather than the hate and manipulations used by those in power. And in a world where the leaders all revere and emulate the practices and beliefs of that disgusting scumbag Fred Phelps, those sorts of teachings are threatening to the power structure. Bobby and all who believe in him and his miracles are declared anathema and the Inquisition is sent after them.
My Thoughts: This book does two things: it exposes the horror of a theocratic, fascist Evangelical Fundamentalist power structure, and it provides hope for redemption for anyone who chooses to live a truly good life, and follow the basic teachings that so many modern-day dogmatics seem to forget are the only two rules laid down by Christ – you know, the one Christians are supposed to emulate? Yeshua Christos told his followers to follow two simple rules:
1) love each other and treat others like you would like them to treat you and;It doesn’t matter what religion, creed, belief structure, or lack thereof you choose to affiliate yourself with, these simple rules are common across almost every single one, and are the only rules that are really necessary to create a world in which everyone would like to live. This book – reading this book – will cause a profound shift in perception and I believe, honestly, that the world would be a better place if everyone followed the example set by Bobby. We all need to become Bobbites. Read this book and see if you don’t find these truths to be as profound as I did.
2) love the Higher Power of Creation, in whatever form you choose to comprehend It.
Present Books To Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America
Rating About Books Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America
Ratings: 3.65 From 34 Users | 13 ReviewsCriticism About Books Rabbletown: Life in These United Christian States of Holy America
Overall: 4 out of 5 bookmarksIm of two minds about this novel. On the one hand, its an intriguing (if somewhat familiar) premise with unique characters and an unapologetic tone. On the other hand, it was a story in search of a plot that never quite materialized and, because there were so many characters, there wasnt a heck of a lot of individual character development. Under normal circumstances, Id be giving a novel sans in-depth character and plot development a pass, but in this particular casePlease note, I originally read this book 9/2/2011 from a copy provided by the author for review; I provided editing for the author later, prior to publishing this book in paperback format.Additional note: I now have an audio file of myself reading this review aloud, which can be found on Soundcloud by following this link. So, if you've been curious to hear my voice, here is your chance!Book info Genre: Dystopian Reading Level: AdultRecommended for: EVERYONEMy reading experience: I expected a few
Rabbletown is a short novel set in what was once Topeka Kansas, seventy some years in the future. Nuclear War has wiped out much of the world. A fundamentalist Protestant Christian theology has taken over what is left of the US. The story is full of passionate energy, and is written with the fury an avenging angel.Rabbletown sets out explaining this new society, starting with the hierarchy of the new leadership class. A kind of hereditary priest class, (or rather Pastor class) is in charge. It
I wanted to like this book. Intriguing premise and a favorable comparison to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale were enough for me to buy it. However I found it far too heavy-handed. The word "offensive" came to mind more than once. I'm not a fan of Evangelical Fundamentalist Christianity but the version in this book was so completely one-sided that I wondered if there weren't some personal axe being ground. I had problems with the story line too: seemed as if things were being added to make
This brilliant portrayal of what the red-neck right will do if they ever seize total control of America is almost a parable. It should be required reading for all high school students. Not since 1984 have we had such a chilling warning of what the future could be.Content and political effect aside, it's beautifully written and presented and a credit to the author.
I grew up on the grounds of a Kansas insane asylum where my father was a dentist. I attended the University of Kansas during the troubled 1960s getting a degree in art history. After stints writing and teaching in Italy and Japan I had a 16-year career in newspapers as reporter, editor and column writer winning major awards in all categories. I turned to health care public relations serving as
The author had a great idea but spoiled it by getting all caught up in his philosophy. Could have been so much better.
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