Neither of us knew what book mood we were in so Grace and I started playing the “find a Christian book” game at the library.
The “find a Christian book” game has absolutely nothing to do with finding interesting books to read–and has everything to do with seeing how good you are at identifying Christian novels from their spines. The best players can identify using only the color, font, and graphics on the spine. In other words, the best players don’t even have to read the book’s title.
I, of course, am among the best players :-)
But even I went out on a limb when I selected Heavens to Betsy by Beth Pattillo as a Christian novel. From the spine, it could have been a Christian novel or it could have been some really low-quality chick-lit. But I’d already been successful at several rounds of our game and I was ready to be bold (“Be Bold! Be Strong!” as my dad would sing.)
I turned out to be right. On both counts.
Heavens to Betsy is Christian, of a sort. And it’s chick-lit, of a sort. And its quality is rather poor. But while I generally avoid talking about poor quality, pseudo-Christian chick-lit, I just can’t help but want to say a few words about this title.
It’s about a female pastor.
A single female pastor.
Who is convinced by another single female pastor to do a makeover show.
And who falls in love with another single pastor (this one a guy.)
Yeah.
Wow.
I really don’t have a lot more to say about it.
Except that the whole thing is totally wrong. In so many ways.
The thing that bothered me most?
The assumption the author makes that a woman can’t minister, or even be “in the ministry” unless she’s a pastor.
Completely mistaken.
Very sad.
But what should I have expected from an author who is herself a pastor in the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ (not to be confused with the more conservative independent Christian churches)?
Why’d I read it?
I don’t know.
I guess I sometimes find chick-lit entertaining. I sometimes find Christian novels entertaining.
And Heavens to Betsy was mildly entertaining–if only for the shock value.
Rating: 0 stars
Category: Christian chick lit (of a sort)
Synopsis: Reverend Betsy Blessing struggles with her awkward role as a single, female, interim senior pastor of an aging Nashville congregation.
Recommendation: No need to read. Just gasp along with me as you read my “review”.
Visit my books page for more reviews and notes.
I started this book and didn’t finish it. I don’t remember why, just that it grated on my nerves. Maybe because it wasn’t very well written, had a bad plot, and I didn’t care about the characters. That might have been part of the reason. :)
LOL! OH MY! I am laughing and shaking my head over this one! I was expecting a review about Betsy, the Maud Hart Lovelace one.
LOVE your library game and cannot BELIEVE this book exists!