Product Description
The author of last year's startling debut "The Right Man for the Job" presents an equally stunning second novel--a wild, thrilling, and darkly comic story of a Wisconsin drought and of the bogus evangelist who desperate locals hope will save them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Fire Gospels
I'd remarked one or two chapters in that THE FIRE GOSPELS was 'very pro-Christian.' I didn't mean that in a derogatory or sardonic sense, but boy did I eat my words anyway.

In some ways, it reminded me very much of Sheri Reynolds' THE RAPTURE OF CANAAN as well as THE SCHOOL OF BEAUTY AND CHARM (whose author currently escapes me). Similar veins of middle class Christians struggling with harsh dosages of reality.

Mike Magnuson's THE FIRE GOSPELS is very harsh indeed, and lambasts any assumption I made (and shouldn't have made) judging by the first few chapters that it had anything to do with belief. Rather, it slaps you in the face with the degradation of belief, the destruction of faith. I am left, having just finished the book, feeling empty and raw.

THE FIRE GOSPELS is quite thought-provoking and may not be exactly what you first think.

Good, more.
I agree with our reader friend from McCutcheon; the book is a tad on the short side. It strikes me that there is a lot going on in the text, maybe more than Magnuson was fully prepared to handle. Some of the thematic elements could have used a little more development. Overall, however, I believe that this story, a story about a couple facing marital issues and a town possesed and lead by a charismatic weather man who attains televangelist-style esteem, is one of a gothic and primeval nature set in a land sterotypically seen as a place of ham, cheese, and beer, hey.

The pending naturtal disaster which carries the story is, in concept, much like the work of main-stream novelists such as King or Chrichton. The difference is that Magnuson knows how to write -- and well. His treatment of the craft, on a level defined by the enjoyability of each individual sentence, is one which shows that the text itself is only a cloudy hint at the literary genius he could one day unleash on us.

Largely, this book is one that you could read quickly and enjoy, but is one worth reading slightly more slowly and marvelling at the time put into the formation of each line of text.

Not enough here to completely satisfy, but still very good
If it had been polished and fleshed out a little, it would have been a much better read.With its short length, I was able to take in the whole thing in a single sitting, and I wanted more.There is so much more lifeand detail that the characters in this story are give.I casn tell thatthere is a lo of thought behind this story, which raises it up a notch.Itis a good book, but ends much too soon.

Mike Magnuson is the Man.
Having had Mike Magnuson as a prof @ Mankato State for the Comp 102 class, I had the opportunity to read a segment of "The Right Man for the Job" back when it was still entitled "The Cheese Stands Alone"...bought myself a copy as soon as it hit shelves.I picked up"The Fire Gospels" last night and read, literally, until I fellasleep.I'm only through the first 5 chapters, and I can't wait to get thef--k out of the office today and get back to this book. (Hey Mike! I woundup switching from Computer Science to Creative Writing!)

Fuel for the Fire
In Mike Magnuson's second book, he takes on the subjects of God, adultery, drunkenness, and smalltown celebrity--blasheming all four in the process.There is much in this book to offend; but much more to entertain, consider,and read over and over.Again, his images and language are the freshestand most vivid of any writer working today. When book burnings becomefashionable again, the holier than thou powers that be will likely soakFire Gospels in kerosene, torch it, and fling it into the pile ofimitations to get the rest going.Magnuson would burn there with D.H.Lawrence, Henry Miller and Erica Jong.I am sure the author would glorifyin the prominence, and he would likely lug in a keg a Leinenkugels andcrate of marshmallows to light up the crowd. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (286)

disappointing treatment of a fascinating subject
I was quite excited to get my hands on this book. To me, the history of American in the 1930s, and in particular the Dust Bowl and Depression, is a fascinating period the hardships of which shaped the ideals of one of our greatest generations of men and women. I had hoped to get an intimate look at what it meant to be in the Depression and Dust Bowl for those who stayed behind instead of fleeing for the thinly gilded promised land of California. But I found this book to read as if written by an amateur writer who was blatantly overwhelmed by his subject. I don't think the writer ever quite figured out what story he wanted to tell, and he ends up telling different tales in a halting, sometimes over-detailed manner that never quite seems to do justice to the real story of that time period. The book often seemed to degenerate into a listing of factoids (this happened, then this, then this person did this...)
This isn't true of the whole book of course, and towards the end the story seems to flow a little bit more (as often happens when somebody is trying to do something he's not quite up to, once the end is in sight things get a little bit better). But overall I was disappointed. It was more like reading a list than reading a story.

the worst hard time
Dramatic review of a trying time in US history but very repetitive in the telling of similar trials experienced by the book's characters.

A bit of a slow start, but well worth the read
Though it is nonfiction, this book contains all the qualities I look for in a historical novel - vivid imagery, fast-moving plot, engaging characters. It chronicles the fallout of one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in history - the Dust Bowl. Using his journalistic skills, Egan transforms research, data and interviews into a page-turning tale of devastation, tenacity, endurance, redemption and optimism. Story telling at its best.

Reads like a novel
One of the best books I have ever read.This is a can't-put-it-down non-fiction book that is so gripping and emotionally charged that it reads like a novel.The suffering and endurance of the plains settlers who lived through and endured the Dust Bowl was Biblical. The "wheat boom" and then bust which led directly to the Dust Bowl has warnings for us today.If you grew up hearing stories about the Dust Bowl this book will complete your education.Highly recommend.

What government can cause
This is very well-written book.Can hardly put it down.Gives the history and govenment involvement in the causes of the dust bowl.Can relate to what the government is doing today.There is always more to and event than we realize and anyone involved in government and agriculture as well as history will find this a very informative book.It was recommended to me by a friend who was a teacher and loves reading.As I began reading I expected to find a "green" read but not at all.It gives facts in a very good historical novel way.I have really appreciated it as that is the type of book that I love and being so well-written is a huge plus. ... Read more