Church Folk

By: Michele Andrea Bowen

Narrated by: Denise Burse

Raised in the South with strong religious influences, Michele Andrea Bowen makes her literary debut with Church Folk.

Weaving together the turbulent 1960s Civil Rights movement with the chaos within the Greater Hope Gospel United Church, Bowen carries a message of hope that transcends human failings. Young, handsome Rev. Theophilus Simmons and his new bride, Essie, settle into pastoral life as the "first couple" of the congregation. Although Theophilus makes references to the civil rights struggles in his sermons, most of his energy is directed toward fighting enemies within his flock. Uncovering a brothel set up in a parishioner’s funeral home by a band of sleazy ministers and bishops, Theophilus realizes that he must do the next right thing - no matter how much backlash could come of it.

©2001 Michele Andrea Bowen (P)2002 Recorded Books

Clean, Christian nostalgia

What did you love best about Church Folk?

I enjoyed this book thoroughly, but I really enjoyed the way the author pulls you into this era and the circle of characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Church Folk?

The pastor's anniversary scene is my absolute favorite, but I don't want to share more and spoil it.

What does Denise Burse bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She pulled off the accents and multiple character voices very well. I feel she added a richness to the experience by playing up each characters personality.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

They ain't always been saved!

Any additional comments?

Church Folk is about all the good and the bad that can go on in the church. It's very true to life in the church now even though it takes place in the sixties. You really feel like you know all the characters personally and truly invested in what happens to them. It's a very entertaining story without being vulgar or overly sensational as seems to be a trend in some supposedly Christian books.

a book for Southern Church Folk!

this story is the perfect homegrown feel-good fiction for every black baby that came through the church in the Deep South. the many character plots were easy to understand, easy to keep up with, and drew me in for emotional responses to the characters' actions. i could relate and reason with the whole story. 1000/10.

Slow but Good

It took me a min to get into it but it was a very good read/listen I usually do my most listening/reading while in office working or in the car traveling.

Let Your Spirit Soar

Travel back to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and into the politically charged world of prominent black preachers. Let your soul be roused by fire baptized sermons and the love of a man of God for a woman of God.

A Slow Listen, but So Worth It

This was slow getting into the story and building the characters. I almost stopped a couple of times because of my past listens, those stories moved faster. As the narrator continues to bring each character into light, they each have their own personalities and their southern drawls.. Folks back in the 60's spoke differently, their meanings and behaviors were an adjustment. Overall the story was unfortunately all to relatable when it comes to the church, light skin black people versus dark skin and just how the black communities were against each other in the worst way. Too bad some of that racism still exist within the older black communities. Anyway, I would definitely recommend this audible!!! Narrator was on point.