Revival Season

Written by Monica West

Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797124636

Monica West

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Monica West received her BA from Duke University, her MA from New York University, and her MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where she was a Rona Jaffe Graduate Fellow. She was a Southern Methodist University Kimbilio Fellow in 2014, and she will be a Hedgebrook Writer in Residence in 2021. Revival Season is her first novel.

Reviews for Revival Season

[Tameka Dixon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. I can relate to this story . The ministry is filled with men of God who don’t believe women should preach. Thank God for an author bringing this inequality to the surface. Wonderful book.

[Kylie Miracle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the author's way of telling the story. It was well written and I can appreciate the "women can do it too" aspect, especially from something as heavily dominated with controlling men, like Christianity. I grew up a believer, but have been an atheist for a few years now. I don't know what I wanted from this, but I was hoping for more of a realization in how corrupt the church really is, especially with faith healing. That's not what happened though. Like I said, I can appreciate the point that the story tried to make, but was left with more questions than answers at the end, since no answer was given. It was all left up to us to decide and I just feel cheated with my time. I still thought it was good though and my experience doesn't define someone else's experience and I urge people to experience it themselves if they think that this is the kind of material they'd be into.

[Diane Pater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that you don’t want to stop listening great story great narration.

[Divine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Seriously loved this book. A must read for anyone who grew up in the church. Literally could not put it down, and the ending kills me because I want to know what happened next!