Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Holy Ghost Girl caught my attention because I enjoy memoirs and I spent about 10 years of my life in an Assembly of God church which was rather calm compared to the stories in this book. Johnson seems to tell it as she saw it and her writing style made the story interesting and believable. And I believe every word – men like the preacher she wrote about exist – I’ve seen them myself. There really isn’t much in this book that surprised me but for others who are unfamiliar, I’m sure they will be fascinated and incredulous at some of the events detailed here. Johnson’s retelling is “matter of fact” yet gives enough personal thought and emotion that the reader cheers for her the whole way. Thank God, she survived it all and lived to tell the story. This story is an example of the resilience of the human spirit. When looking at people, we don’t know, we have to acknowledge that we don’t know what unbelievable places they have been in their lives and what profound places they may be headed. Thanks, Donna, for sharing your journey. What's heartbreaking about this story is that the Holiness movement and tent evangelists did more harm than good, and Johnson was crushed in the process. She shows instead of tells us how misguided the Terrellites (those following David Terrell, or Brother Terrell) were. Johnson underscores the pain and darkness of power hungry individuals who do bizarre things in the name of Christ.What surprised me the most was how I could relate to her tale: demon possession/exorcisms, saving coins because of some rumor of the US government replacing silver with less or no silver in said coins, role of shame in religion, the darkness of the theology, insufficient platitudes, and the condemnation heaped upon all who approach this unapproachable God. Religious abuse is a real thing, and this memoir tells the tale.
What do You think about Holy Ghost Girl: A Memoir (2011)?
Really, really good. Along the lines of the Glass Castle but with a different voice.
—gdeyway
interesting from the view point of a child growing up with this as her norm.
—ashira
