The daughter of one of the South’s most famous Baptist preachers discovers a shocking secret about her father that puts her at odds with both her faith and her family in this debut novel. “Spellbinding… Revival Season should be read alongside Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus .” — The Washington Post A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice 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 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 in a Southern, Black, Evangelical community. Miriam Horton's Papa is Rev. Samuel Horton, the Faith Healer of East Mansfield, TX. Every summer, the Hortons, a Black family, load up their van and bring the word of God to the spiritually starving in Southern cities. People pack into revival tents by the hundreds to witness the Reverend perform miracles on the sick and suffering. At 15 years old, Miriam idolizes and reveres her Papa for the healing work he has been gifted with. At the root of this idolatry is the striking juxtaposition that Papa is abusive to his family behind closed doors, and caused a scandal last summer when he assaulted a pregnant teen. This summer the Horton family is on pins and needles as they begin, hoping that people will have forgotten. The peace in their family depends on it. As the season gets underway, Miriam's faith and adoration of her dad is tested as she discovers more about her own healing abilities. Ultimately, this is a coming-of-age story, and a meditation on how the core values of Southern Baptist Christianity are in stark contrast to present-day views on gender equality. West's writing technique is precise and calculated-each word and sentence engaging and marvelous, every character masterfully fleshed out. VERDICT An impressive, special, haunting novel. Teens interested in literary fiction will be engrossed.-Gretchen Schulz, Schaumburg Township District Library, ILα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice “In “Revival Season,” her atmospheric, layered debut, Monica West probes that annual rite, when evangelicals are called to go forth and preach to all nations. West steeps her tale in a rich broth of religious ardor and personal betrayal… West creates a vivid, intimate world on the page, dramatizing the compromises evangelical women must make.”— New York Times "Spellbinding…. It is nearly impossible to avoid falling in love with Miriam and becoming entranced by this family’s story.... West’s debut marks the entry of a stalwart new voice in American fiction. James Baldwin famously said that his debut novel was “the book I had to write if I was ever going to write anything else.” We can only hope that West’s literary launch will similarly be the first of many.”— Naomi Jackson , The Washington Post “A standout debut about spending summers on the road for revival season and learning that everything you’ve been told could be a lie, this is a smart novel about empowerment with a memorable character at its core.” —Boston Globe "Readers trust her ability to lead us on this breath-stopping journey… this is a remarkable book for this season, astounding in its power to transport the reader to another universe. “Revival Season” assures that Monica West is a writer to watch.” — Seattle Times "Explosive.... West does a fantastic job illuminating the struggles faced by women and girls in the Southern Baptist evangelical movement, and the change in Miriam is palpable and moving. West's deep understanding of her characters and community makes for essential reading."— Publishers Weekly (starred review) "This propulsive story, narrated by a strong, young voice, is one of the most memorable and moving novels I have read in recent months.... [Miriam is] a fascinating character, and her transformation over the course of the story is impres