Reading Group Guide
ABOUT THE
TITLE
At the Church of Fire and Brimstone and God's
Almighty Baptizing Wind, nearly every pleasure is
forbidden, and every action takes place under close
scrutiny. Herman Langston, founder of this isolated
Pentecostal community, believes he has structured an
existence where his followers' only thoughts are of
preparing for God's rapidly approaching Day of
Judgment, "the rapture."
But for Ninah Huff, Herman's 14-year-old
granddaughter, the world is a much more complicated
place. Her passionate pursuit of righteousness has
collided with her attraction to her young prayer partner,
James. The consequences of their relationship rock the
very foundation of the community, and the conception of
their child is the catalyst for Ninah's dramatic
coming-of-age.
Told in Ninah's clear, powerful voice, The
Rapture of Canaan is the bittersweet story of a
girl's moving beyond the unquestioning acceptance of
religion to a true, loving faith. In the process, she
comes to learn that "what is normal is miraculous
enough."
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Born in rural South Carolina, Sheri Reynolds now lives
in Virginia. She has taught English at Virginia
Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, and The
College of William and Mary. She is at work on a new
novel.
PRAISE
"The newest and most exciting voice to emerge in
contemporary Southern fiction." – San
Francisco Bay Guardian
"Truly rapturous. Ms. Reynolds's poetic gifts are
uncommonly powerful." – The New York Times
Book Review
"Reynolds delivers folksy lyricism...colorful
supporting cast... a fresh story. As they say in church,
'Hallelujah.'" – The Los Angeles Times Book
Review
"A riveting, thought-provoking experience.... A
compelling story." – The Boston Globe
"Powerful." – Atlanta Journal &
Constitution
DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
- Ninah struggles to understand the difference
between "good whores" and "women
of passion," as well as the ways society
views them. At the novel's conclusion, what has
she learned about being a good woman and about
the nature of good and evil, in general?
- As Ninah matures, she comes to see Fire and
Brimstone "like an island sinking from the
weight of fearful hearts" (p. 17). Why is it
so difficult for an isolated community to
maintain its strength and vision? What is the
role of such a group's leader, and do you
consider Herman an effective leader?
- The empathy shared by Ninah and her grandmother
touches every aspect of the girl's life. What is
the significance of Ninah's projecting her
thoughts and feelings onto the stories Nanna
tells about her own past? (See pp. 69-71, pp.
207-212.) Given the relative weakness of her
parents' personalities, what do you think would
have happened to Ninah without the gift of
Nanna's presence in her life?
- How does the creation of Ninah's rugs mirror the
process of storytelling in the novel? What does
Ninah mean when she says that each rug is
"never hers" and that "like all
lies, loves, stories, it is imperfect, but I
could walk on it." (p. 1-2)?
- Why would young people find it difficult to
embrace a religion like Fire and Brimstone that
focuses on severe discipline and the end of life
on earth? By the end of the novel, has Ninah
completely rejected her religion? If she chooses
to stay in the community, accepting some of the
religion's tenets while disregarding others, can
she rightly still be considered a member of her
Church? Do you feel a person can be a member of
any religion without adhering to all of its
beliefs?
- In what ways can the beginning of Ninah's
menstrual flow be considered the "inciting
moment" of the novel (that is, the
circumstance that sets the book's events in
motion)? How does the author use the symbolism of
blood to achieve impact at various points in the
story? Why is it fitting for Ninah to include
blood in her materials for weaving rugs?
- How do the harsh punishments administered by
Grandpa Herman and the Church lead to Ninah's
mortifying her own flesh? What does the group
hope that severe punishment will accomplish, and
what does it achieve in actuality? What is the
significance of Ninah's not bothering to sleep on
nettles when she discovers she is pregnant?
- What is the role of Ninah's friendships with
Ajita and Corinthian in her coming-of-age? How
would Ninah and the Fire and Brimstone community
have been different if the group's children were
tutored at home rather than taught at public
school?
- How does the character of Ninah's grandmother
humanize and add to the reader's understanding of
the novel's other characters, especially Herman?
How has Nanna survived so long within the
community despite being skeptical of its beliefs,
and why doesn't she take an active role in
changing them?
- Why does Ninah ironically feel lonely in a
community that emphasizes sameness? Why do cults
encourage the loss of separate identities among
their followers, and why are these followers
willing to give them up? How does Ninah's special
status as Canaan's mother disturb the balance of
the Fire and Brimstone community?
- In your opinion, what should be the role of
religion in shaping the morals of children? Is
instilling guilt the best way to promote ethical
behavior? What, if anything, can be the
alternative? Do you think James and Ninah were
adequately prepared by their religion to face
temptation and deal with its consequences? Why,
or why not?
- Why does the conferred status of "the New
Messiah" paradoxically strip Canaan of his
dignity? How does Ninah's final act in the novel
restore it? How does the author utilize acts of
cutting throughout the book as metaphors for
Ninah's severing the bonds of her childhood and
her religion?
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Bitterroot Landing
Sheri Reynolds's first novel is the compelling story
of Jael, a woman born into a hard life made more
difficult by the constant buzz of competing voices. Some
are real, like those of the women in her incest-survivor
group; others are more mysterious, like the Virgin
Mary's. But Jael is a survivor, growing stronger all the
time…waiting for the day when the only voice she
needs is her own…
