New novel with major JW themes

by Jankyn 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  Jankyn

  For those who might be interested: I recently read an advance review copy of a new novel, <I>By Way of Water,</I> by Charlotte Gullick (Blue Hen Press, 2002). Pretty good first novel, I'd say, but the most interesting thing for me was that the characters' involvement with Jehovah's Witnesses was a main theme for the novel, and not merely a minor plot point.

  Set in northern California in 1977 and told through the eyes of 7-year-old Justy, the novel tells the story of the unravelling of a family because of the violence and alcoholism of the father and the alienation that the mother's involvement in JWs causes. It's also fairly accurate about the religion--only big gaffe I caught was singing from a brown songbook, when in 1977 we were all using the old mauve <I>Singing and Accompanying Yourselves with Music in Your Hearts.</I>

  One passage that struck me in particular takes place when the family attends a timber carnival--mostly because it's the sort of thing that happened with my family. At the opening ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. For clarity, Jake is the unbelieving father and Dale is the JW mother.

  <B>Mark led the pledge while Justy looked around for Ochre or Sunshine. Her hand stayed at her side. The people near her and Dale sneaked glances at them. Justy turned her gaze forward, not meeting anyone's eyes. She knew Jake's hand lay on his chest, and that he spoke loudly and firmly, as if trying to make up for his pledgeless family.

  Dale and Jake confused Justy anew, and she knew they confused each other. Dale insisted that they live by the law but without showing any outright loyalty to the country. Jake wanted to live by his own rules but voiced his allegiance to the same system of government he claimed held him down. Their different worlds swirled in Justy and made her want to gasp for air. </B> (pp. 181-182)

  Curiously enough, the author has included a disclaimer as an afterword, in which she states that this is not representative of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, and that for accurate information, readers should contact their local Kingdom Hall. This made me think she might be a "jack Witness," definitely not in, but probably still claims to think it's the "Truth." (I've run into a lot of this sort, including both my brothers.)

  I'd be really interested to hear from anyone else who gets a chance to read this--it was supposed to be out in August, and is listed on Amazon. Also, why do you think there are so few novels in which JWs are anything other than blips on the radar screen? There are magnificent novels and stories about all the major religions, and the Baptists and Pentecostals show up as major themes in many American novels. What is it about JWs?

  Or maybe there's somebody on the list who's already working on the Great American Witness novel...I hope.

  Best,

  Jankyn, avid reader class
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  rem

  Jankyn,

  Sounds interesting!

  I was thinking about starting a similar thread after reading White Teeth, by Zadie Smith. It's a great novel, with much of the story revolving around the Witnesses. I don't think that Zadie was ever a Witness herself, though, because she does make some errrors, such as Witnesses wearing crosses and some other things. But she does seem to know a great deal about the history and the literature... including dates such as 1925 and 1975.

  I give White Teeth two thumbs up, even though some of the Witness errors were a little annoying.

  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375703861/qid=1034112713/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/002-2204643-9100831

  rem
• 

  RunningMan

  In the past, there were good reasons for the absense of JW literature. First of all, consider the size of the group. At 1/3 of 1% of the population, the odds of producing a writer are small. Then add the low education level, discouragement of education, and the likely ostrasizm of anyone who speaks out, and you can see why there are few JW writers.

  This is changing. The number of former Witnesses is now about the same size as the number of active Witnesses, and they are an outspoken and better educated group. There will be more and more literature with JW themes, as long as the public is interested in reading it.
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  heathen

  personally I think that sounds a like some boring reading .What I would like to read is some of the experiences that were discussed in the WT about the people that were oppressed during world war 1 and 2.After all there is no law that says you have to say the pledge of allegiance even though they forced the japanese to say it in concentration camps in the US during WW2.Which I thought was a sad story as told by Mr.Sulu from star trek.
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  Dia

  I think there hasn't been very much because the WTS would probably threaten to sue.

  To be really fair, the author should have directed people to various places to find out more. The Kingdom Hall, the WTS website and HERE! (Course we can always include that at Amazon).

  Overall, was it favorable to JWs?? (I would imagine so, given the back flap comments).

  Thanks for sharing.
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  Jankyn

  I'd say it was far too honest to be favorable to JWs. The child, especially, is very aware that all the people around her are supposed to be destroyed at Armageddon. The constant sense of having failed to do enough for Jehovah is one of the things that the mother struggles with. And the way that JWs distance themselves from non-JW family and friends is portrayed very accurately. There's no mention of disfellowshipping or shunning, but that's not really part of this story.

  Jankyn