The Feast of All Saints

Book Description

In the days before the Civil War, there lived a Louisiana people unique in Southern histroy. Though descended from African slaves, they were also descended from the French and Spanish who enslaved them. Called the Free People of Color, this dazzling historical novel chronicles the lives of four of them--men and women caught perilously between the worlds of master and slave, privilege and oppression, passion and pain.

Customer Reviews:

Very hard to get into.......2007-08-22

I tried to like this book, I really did, but try as I might, I could not fall in love with it, even a little. I dont know what it was, but it was almost torture to read it. I found it disinteresting and quite boring at times. I found myseld losing track of who did what and which character was which. I usually dont have that issue when reading anything. I was truly dissapointed as I love Anne, she is my favorie author. I breathed a great sigh of relief after finishing it because it felt like I had just ran a marathon and was tired and out of breath after. And not in a good way. The last few chapters were much more interesting but it was not enough to redeam this mess of a book.

THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.......2007-07-25

As a native of New Orleans I'd often heard stories told about these free people of color, but until I read Anne Rice's THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS, I never knew much about them. This book was so interesting that I've read it twice over the past twelve years since I first heard about it. Each time I've read it I enjoyed in more than the first time. This is the first and only book of Anne Rice I've read. I'm not into vampires, but I plan to read her most recent book about Jesus.

Nice background - but a slow-turner.......2007-06-26

I usually have patience when it comes to reading works that require more effort than your average bestseller, but this was really pushing it. I read "Interview with a Vampire" which was a great mood piece. Anne Rice's use of description in that case really fit the story and made me enjoy the darker aspects of 19th century New Orleans and Paris. In this novel, Anne Rice's use of description really made the work seem bloated. It kept getting to the point where I was wondering when she would get the the real meat of the plot (if there was one). Her characters were interesting, especially Marcel, Anna Bella, Christophe, and his mother Juliet. But most activities involving these characters are interrupted by descriptive paragraphs on every flicker of emotion or curve of woodwork. I saw a TV movie based on the novel, which is what peaked my interest, but the writing style Rice used was more annoyingly descriptive than I expected. The stream-of-consciousness in the novel also made reading it difficult. I've read a few shorter novels using that style of writing, like "Mrs. Dalloway" , but in this novel of a little over 600 pages, it really tested my patience. This book could have really benefited from some considerate editing. If you're interested in the subject of the gens de colour of New Orleans (and willing to display more patience than I could gather)then you could check this out. This for me was disappointing considering how accomplished "Interview with the Vampire" was.

I highly recommend this book!.......2007-02-20

If you like historical fiction, you will definitely like this book. I was so fascinated with the historical context, I researched it further and found the book very accurate in its details of a little-known "society" that existed pre-Civil War. You can Google New Orleans People of Color to find historical information. I have not read Anne Rice, since I'm not interested in her usual topics, so am not familiar with her writing style, however, she kept my attention with this book. I couldn't put it down. I read a lot, and it is one of my all-time favorite books.
I rented the movie, which was a disappointment, as usual, but it gave me a visual impression of the characters and places.

quick view of the novel.......2007-01-24

I can only say that Anne Rice's novels are getting less as she goes on. Not that the quality of her books following this one are subpar, to say the least, they are all fantastic narritives. I only mean that The Feast of All Saints is by far her best writing to date and in fact one of the ten best books I have ever read. The book far surpasses anything I could have expected. As an avid Rice fan and a lover of the Mayfairs and her Vampires I must still say this novel is the epitomy of everything I love about her.

Least of All Saints: The Story of Aimee Semple McPherson

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vaudeville
It's Like a Novel

Least of All Saints: The Story of Aimee Semple McPherson
Robert Bahr
Manufacturer: Backinprint.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0595152899

Customer Reviews:

vaudeville.......2006-01-07

She seems to have been heavily influenced by both azuza street crowd i.e. much of today's pentecostalism/charasmatics i.e. the toronto/brownsville blessing (a history which is fraught with charlatans and very biblically problemic) and hollywood.

In studying many of her sermons what is readily apparent is the lack of any solid biblical understanding or doctrine. It was just get saved and jesus loves you. A cozy accomodation to the masses who can pretty much define that jesus they want to believe in and then follow.

It's Like a Novel.......2004-09-19

Mr. Bahr took this complex woman and turned her into a vibrant, sexy, amazingly talented superstar.

Excellent book.

Congratulations, Author.

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The Feast of All Saints
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Arrow Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0099269473

Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint

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Captivating

Ella's Story: The Duchess Who Became a Saint
Maria Tobias
Manufacturer: Conciliar Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints

ASIN: 1888212705

Book Description

Ella's Story, the Duchess Who Became A Saint, brings to life the amazing journey of Princess Elizabeth, from privileged childhood to eventual martyrdom.

While her biography, as St. Elizabeth the New Martyr, is available to adults, this is the first such book for girls, written in an approachable appealing style. Maria Tobias tells the Princess' story in such a lively way that the book is hard to put down. A true role model for today--Elizabeth, a real princess, is gifted with all those qualities girls still seek (intelligence, beauty, wealth, renown), converts to Orthodoxy and subsequently sheds all of this for the greater prize of the martyr's crown.

Customer Reviews:

Captivating.......2007-04-11

I was looking for a book about St. Elizabeth, the new martyr, for an elderly friend. This is all I found, but it will be a perfect way to start. It is so readable and captures the essence of this saint's life. It just took an hour or so to read. I could hardly put it down.
I think it is good for all ages.

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The vulnerability she brings to this biblical character is compelling
Marybeth Williams
AMAZING!!
WWJD? What would you do?
Amen To the Last Review! Fantastic!

Maggie's Story
Dandi Daley Mackall
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1414309783

Book Description

Maggie's Story Maggie Dale is stuck at a dead-end job in a podunk town in rural Ohio. Her life is on the fast lane to nowhere, until a stranger named Joshua comes to town and shows her that she can be a part of something bigger than herself. This contemporary retelling of Mary Magdalene's story will capture young adults ages 14 to 19 looking for a biblical perspective on the character disparaged by The Da Vinci Code.

Customer Reviews:

The vulnerability she brings to this biblical character is compelling.......2007-06-01

Author Dandi Daley Mackall creates the scene for a modern-day Mary Magdalene to walk today's streets, face contemporary society's struggles, and finally be confronted with Jesus. While Mackall imaginatively fills in the missing spaces where the Bible doesn't, she is careful to draw on what scripture does reveal. It is known that Mary Magdalene, along with other women, did travel with Christ and the disciples as Jesus taught the people. Mackall also cites several scripture references upon which she based some of the events of her story. Fact: according to Luke 8, Jesus did cast out seven demons from Mary; Mary was by the cross at Jesus's crucifixion; Mary was one of the first to go to the tomb and find it empty; and Mary was the first to see the resurrected Christ (John 19-20).

Readers will appreciate how Mackall tells Maggie's story with all the internal angst, grit and realism of a young woman who has been neglected, discarded, rejected and fallen away from "normal" society. Maggie, a waitress at a local bar, is tough, wizened and cynical. During her shift, she can handle whatever is thrown her way. Once home (home being a dingy second-hand apartment), Maggie looks for an escape and every night finds it through several hours of male companionship and a mix of alcohol and drugs. Despite her inner hopelessness, she forces herself to compose heartfelt letters to "Chance," her aborted son, confessing and pleading pathetic words that erupt from her broken heart.

Then one day, a friend tells Maggie about a man she has met. Unlike other men from Maggie's past, Joshua (Jesus) changes the lives of those who hear him for good. Maggie is skeptical but inwardly is drawn to Josh. Wrestling between guilt and fear, Maggie forces herself to take the plunge of faith and follow Josh. Maggie learns and listens, and is forgiven. Soon, Maggie joins other believers who have given up their livelihoods to join Josh's crusade. They take on the state of Ohio, traveling from city to city to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and rebuke the pharisaical religious folk.

Every reader knows how the story ends. Josh is summarily executed while Maggie and the other disciples scramble to make sense of his death. The final scene poignantly wraps up the biblical story of Christ's resurrection and how his appearance to Maggie (Mary) readied her to go and tell his story to the world.

Mackall does an admirable job of getting inside Maggie's heart and mind, and the vulnerability she brings to this biblical character is compelling.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

Marybeth Williams.......2007-03-09

Everyone's been through a time in their own lives where struggles seem to never fade and sometimes get the best of you. For Maggie these struggles overcame her life and trouble just kept knocking at her door, well at least until she met Joshua Davidson.
Maggie like a lot of teenagers fell into the wrong crowd in high school. Testing out everything from drugs to boyfriends, which led her to become a drug addict and having an abortion. That's pretty overwhelming for anyone to go through you'd think, but Maggie didn't stop there. She ended up not going to college and becoming a full time bar tender. To her advantage bar tending was an open door to meeting the right people (drug dealers), making new friends (other drug addicts), and keeping her mind off Chance, her aborted baby.
Maggie's now at her lowest point and thinks no one can change her. But to her surprise that is exactly what's going to happen. Her buddy from high school decides to through a big party but not the usual ones where she can score big on what she wants. This time she will score big on what she needs. Joshua Davidson a traveling evangelist wants to share the good news and by chance ends up at the same party Maggie is at.
Watching people's lives be changed for the good can be so empowering. This book is full of inspiration and is at a level that everyone can seem to relate to. Whether you are like Maggie, were like Maggie or know someone who is like her. That is why Maggie's Story seems to engross you while reading it. In my opinion Maggie's Story is an easy read and is great for everyone, but i believe teenagers would enjoy it the most. I enjoyed it and give it two thumbs up!

AMAZING!!.......2007-02-12

This is an amazing, and ming boggoling story about the life of Jesus. Some of the reviws for this book say it was unrealistic and that it couldnt have happened. I am 18 and this story showed me the real depth of our fathers love, and forgiviness. I think this is a must read for any teenager who wants to better understand God.

WWJD? What would you do?.......2006-10-27

If Jesus had come during our time, what would our reaction have been? We scoff at the Jewish leaders in the New Testament for not seeing Jesus as the Messiah, when clearly all the signs point at him. Yet if someone now comes and says the same things, we label them as a lunatic, insane, unstable.

Maggie's Story takes a modern day view of the story of Mary Magdalene. The book takes her story from the Bible and puts it into a 21st century setting. Maggie is a bartender living a sex, drug filled life. Pete and Andy own a garage shop. Matt is her drug dealer. Jude is a reporter. The setting is set in Ohio. Jesus is portrayed by a former construction worker named Joshua Davidson. (get it? son of David?) The reader is taken through the life of Jesus/Josh through Maggie's eyes and how she feels about him and his ministry. And there is no Da Vinci Code in this story; no sexual relationship between Josh and Maggie here.

I found this book interesting. The characters were young and the miracles and other events are made more relatable and easier to understand. You sympathize with Maggie and her situation.

Yet I kept having trouble fully getting into the story. I found it hard to accept the modern setting without Jesus having originally happen. I realize that this is just a modern retelling but if Jesus didn't originally exist how is it the 21st century? The modern era started after Christ was born. Modern events could not have taken place without Christianity. The US wouldn't have even existed. I also noticed that there was no mention of Josh's birth. I guess that the virgin birth still would be hard to explain even in modern times? Also I know that as Christians that we're suppose not to judge people and this is going to sound bad, but if I saw a bunch of girls traveling with a group of guys and they were all living in the same van together, I might think negative towards those girls. The leader may say he's religious but the atmosphere would look sketchy.

Maybe I'm just looking too hard and reading too much into this. Like I said I did enjoy it. I would recommended this for teens or anyone who wants to know more about Mary Magdalene. It is a thought-provoking read.

Amen To the Last Review! Fantastic!.......2006-09-08

Edgy, but with a heart. An unusual take on Mary Magdalene. Thought-provoking and ultimately a book which echoes the heart and soul of true Christianity.

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Story Magazine [Summer 1995]

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000F1VK12

Product Description

Mapping Gods Voice (Richard Dooling); Bill (Brad Watson); People on the Empty Road (Tim Gautreaux); Elk Talk (Elizabeth Gilbert); Mosaic (Vinayak Vatsal); Hotel of the Saints (Ursula Hegi); Moon Baby (Kathleen Tyau); All Lips (Kathleen Tyau); General Markmans Last Stand (Tom Paine); Grant (Ellen Douglas); The Last Party Boat Out (David Lansing); The Opposite of Loneliness (Brad Udall); The Vigilante (Victor Schiff);

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Good King Wencelas by Neale and Ladwig
Excellent Illustrations in a Good Christmas Book.
Ye Who Will Bless the Poor, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing
I don't know,

Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale
Manufacturer: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0802852092

Book Description

This story, based on actual events that occurred in the tenth century, tells of a kind-hearted king and his page who set out to help a poor man on a cold winter's night and experience a miracle along the way. Tim Ladwig's energetic paintings bring new life to the familiar words and remind readers of all ages that helping others is a blessing.

Customer Reviews:

Good King Wencelas by Neale and Ladwig.......2007-03-22

Beautiful pictures. Uplifting story. Definitely for Christmas. So glad to have this book in my library of good books.

Excellent Illustrations in a Good Christmas Book........2004-05-06

"Good King Wenceslas" Illustrated by Christopher Manson
North-South Books.
The Illustrator, Christopher Manson, has gone through a great deal of work to produce a beautiful book of art telling the story of "Good King Wenceslas", as well known by the carol of the same name, written by John Mason Neale in 1853.
The colorful illustrations match the Christmas season, with the front piece and the back piece both being intertwined holly. The book presents the entire carol. Each stanza of the carol faces an illustration portraying the action in the song: for example, at the beginning, the good King is actually looking out a window, with the wind obviously ruffling the pages of a book on a chair. King Wenceslas is presented as young man, with a concerned look on his face as he sees the tattered peasant "...gathering winter fuel." As the Page and the King carry food and pine logs to the peasant's dwelling, the winter cold grows harsher. The King tells the Page to walk in his foot steps, and the Page finds warmth in each foot print. I have always thought of this as an echo of Christ telling St. Peter to leave the boat and walk across the water to Him.
I look forward to my granddaughter, Katlain, using the music at the back of the book to play this carol at Christmas time, while my daughter, her aunt, supports her on the piano. Excellent book! That can become a family heirloom.

Ye Who Will Bless the Poor, Shall Yourselves Find Blessing.......2001-12-26

An excellent children's book of one of the greatest carols ever. This carol above all proclaims the social justice of the Gospel; the need to share what we have with others, even in the face of our own adversity, and at the loss of our own pleasure. It's only the more wonderful in that it's based on the story of an actual king, Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic, who worked tirelessly for his five years in office to bring Christianity to his country of Bohemia. With very beautiful illustrations with a Gothic style of writing, the entire carol is included, a verse for each illustration, along with the notes at the end to sing along with. Children of about 30 should enjoy this work as well.

I don't know,.......2000-09-16

This a legend from my childhood, one of the many I was told nothin of. buy this one for your kids, so that they may know that wich I knew not.

Teresa of Avila: Her Story : A Compelling Biography of One of the Most Remarkable Women of All Time

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Teresa of Avila: Her Story : A Compelling Biography of One of the Most Remarkable Women of All Time
Shirley Du Boulay
Manufacturer: Servant Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A different kind of read
a subtle, humorous story
Pure garbage
"American Beauty" African American Style
Sharp-edged humor, wry parody. . .

All American Dream Dolls
David Haynes
Manufacturer: Milkweed Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1571310150

Amazon.com

At the beginning of this madcap novel from David Haynes, named one of America's Best Young Novelists by Granta in 1996, Deneen Wilkerson is on vacation with her boyfriend, Calvin. While driving to Door County, Wis., Calvin announces that he thinks they ought to break up. Too stunned to protest, Deneen says nothing, and they continue on what was supposed to have been a romantic week away. Driving back to Minnesota, Deneen asks Calvin to drop her off at the airport, where she buys a ticket home to her mother in St. Louis. Once home she settles into a routine of watching TV and eating junk food. When her stepsister Ciara enters the All American Dream Dolls beauty pageant, Deneen is drawn from her basement lair to help Ciara and her tutor, a fey hairdresser named Hawkins. The novel is told in a first person voice that's a combination of Terry McMillan (with less profanity) and Groucho Marx.

Book Description

David Haynes “strikes out from the Waiting to Exhale formula” (Newsday) in a “hilarious” (Publishers Weekly), “consistently on-target” novel (Kirkus Reviews) about faithless boyfriends, spoiled siblings, preteen beauty queens, and Whitney Houston wannabes.

Customer Reviews:

A different kind of read.......2004-06-24

I just finished reading this book. It was okay. I usually don't read books by males but I thought I would give him a try. The book talked about the relationships between three women. All of the women had some deep issues that they needed to work on. I think this would be a good book for a mother and daughter to read. It was shocked by how well Mr. Haynes portrayed the three women. The male characters in the book were not a major major part of the book. Usually men have a better male point of view than a woman's. The title is actually what the book is all about. A pageant so if you are someone that doesn't like pageants, don't read this book. Overall, I would reccommend this book. I will continue to give Mr. Haynes my support.

a subtle, humorous story.......2002-05-17

as i sat in my bed, munching on junk food and reading this book, i kept looking around wondering where the hidden camera was! david haynes aptly captures some of the moods women experience with his depiction of deneen. she is a well drawn character that i could totally identify with.

as with his other books, haynes creates a subtle theme that, if you allow it, will slowly blend into your mind. i find myself thinking about some of the themes that he talks about, such as learning to love self or buying into commercial concepts of beauty. his story craftily weaves the theme within the plot so well that you don't realize that your view point may have been changed.

the theme and the subject will not bat you over the head. haynes employs a light touch in his writing style, so if you are looking for a formula type of story, then you won't find it here. instead, read about the characters, read about their development and let the characters reveal to you the connecting thread of their story.

all of this and a wry humor, too. mr. haynes should be lauded for his skill in developing interesting characters and weaving their lives within an engaging and subtle theme, as well as his consistent use of humor.

Pure garbage.......2000-08-21

I found this to be a waste. If i would have saw a bad review (which it deserved i would have saved my money). Don't waste your time buy another book.

"American Beauty" African American Style.......2000-03-06

David Haynes is a master of making what appears to be senility seem normal - An African American version of American Beauty. His wit and realism hit me to the core. I related so much to his character, Deneen, that I wondered if Haynes was my long lost brother attached unnoticeably to my hip pocket describing emotions that I've feebly experienced facing many of my life's challenges. I applaud All American Dream Dolls and David and admire "his" ability to capture the heart, essence and nuance of a complicated woman so superbly. In addition to the main character, Deneen, the author sensitively depicts the complicated mother/daughter relationship as well as the sacrifices a mother makes to ensure the success of her children. MUCH KUDOS David!

Sharp-edged humor, wry parody. . ........2000-02-21

. . .and a seemingly hopeless protagonist who redeems herself. I loved this book. Couldn't stop laughing and was surprised to find myself so sympathetic by the end. I love Haynes' resistance to a pat, happy ending (though the ending is definitely uplifting).

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The All Saints Story
Michael Heatley
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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