Review by Festus -- A Good Boy by Anthony Andre

[Festus]

[Following is a volunteer review of "A Good Boy" by Anthony Andre.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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With a dazzling array of worshipers, consists of retired widows, matronly women, bald men, grey beards, diabetes victims, owners of arthritis and carriers of cholesterol, this one hundred and fifty member congregation could be best fit for Old Peoples’ Home. The negligible presence of youthful parishioners represented by Alicia would rather advance the culture of rebellion against the pastorate. Others like Casey is literally caged by his septuagenarian mother, Sussie who doubles as Church Secretary. This among many other unpalatable atmospheres greeted Rev Wesley Aame on resumption at New Covenant Church Asheville.

The challenges are indeed in legions. First, members are consumed with the mindset of sixth century where the use of computer and technology in general does not add value to church operation. Undaunted by these antagonistic circumstances, Rev Aame poised to change the fortune of the dying church through personal sacrifice among other measures. Nevertheless, new twist emerged two weeks into his duty post when a vote of no confidence is slammed on him. He however, escapes being sacked by whiskers through the sole effort of his predecessor, Charles Loftin. From that moment on wards, his hope, passion and enthusiasm generously invested in Asheville project suffer irredeemable disillusionment.

A Good Boy essentially focuses on the decline of Christianity with the contemporary generation in the developed world and the rising trend of atheism and secularism. Nowhere in the novel that this assertion is more evident than the following remark " This contentious splintered church was dying, there were few youths…". The theme of conservatism is also explored in the depiction of the archaic approach to religious sacrament that pervades the entire veins of Ashville church prior to the arrival of Rev Aame. For instance, the application of technology in church operation is inconsequential rather, an ancient pew with the “scars of use and abuse from the generation of shoe-shuffling, gum- chewing children is esteemed as a symbol of piousness.

One of the high points of the book is an attempt by the author to castigate the excessiveness of Evangelical Movement and secularization of Christian ethics. This is demonstrated through the reaction of the congregation over Rev Aame state of drunkenness and his unreserved solidarity for Rosa Lee, whose sense of independence and social disposition make her character questionable. Succinctly put, Andre appears to be advocating for moderation and balance approach to issues of spiritual concern.

I am particularly impressed by the manner the author distinguishes thoughts from direct speeches by italicizing the former before inserting them between quotation marks. It is an innovation that is worth emulating by every contemporary writer. A Good Boy is generally inspiring and deeply insightful despite some handful cases technical imperfections. Few grammatical errors like: “We was sisters” (P.94), “Ever have anyone commit suicide?” (P.165),”We was married for a year” (P.260) dotted the work. It is on this premise that I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars . The book will be particularly useful to church council and the entire Christendom.

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A Good Boy
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[Manang Muyang]

Hi there, Festus! Are you back for good? Thanks for your incisive review of the book. It seems Rev Aame has a lot of work to do to address both his drinking problem and his parishioners' attitudes.