The Devil In Pew Number Seven (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Excellent book about the challenges a family faces at the hand of evil, and the continuous love, determination and endurance of faith exhibited during that time. My heart really went out to this family, who really practiced what it preached. The lesson of the power of forgiveness will stay with me forever! A must-read book for those who think they have had it bad or are thankful they have had it good! Good read, touching book. It is not the best written and, as other people noted in their reviews, there are times when the author struggles with continuity. She added unnecessary details that are unrelated to the main story and do not even qualify as sub-plot. The story itself is tragic. When Robert and Ramona Nichols move to Sellerstown to take up residence in the new parsonage, Robert ruffles the feathers of a man who fancies himself a local bigwig. Robert, upon becoming pastor of the church, sets things in order there, interrupting the control of Mr. Watts, a man who though not a member of the church, attends and holds a lot of power. This spurs years of hatred, spite and malice from the older gentleman who takes to intimidating them with threatening mail, phone calls, and bombings. Wanting to remain true to their calling, the Nichols stay put, resulting in various acts of terror from the neighbor. Another incident, helping an abused member of their church, results in vengence from the abusive husband, where Ramona and Robert are both shot and Ramona killed by the abusive husband (Not Mr. Watts) in front of their children.The author tells the story and then spends quite a bit of time discussing the virtues of forgiveness.While it is easy to question the choices of the Nichols and to be critical of the idealization of them showed by the author, it is important to remember her age when her mother died- she was seven. Often, when a trauma happens to a child, certain aspects of their personality become arrested. The idealization of a parent is true of many people, even as adults, so faulting the author for idealization of her parents is a bit overly critical. It is also very easy to question their choices. I must admit that there were times I also thought to myself that the choices that they made were very poor, indeed, but when reading, it is helpful to remember that there may have more to it than what was presented as again it is told from the viewpoint of a seven year old girl, someone who may not be privy to all her parents reasons.Their faith is apparent. I am not sure why other reviewers were so critical of the language of faith here. After all, from the title, it is a safe bet that faith would play a role in the story.The biggest problem with the book is the authors telling of small incidents that are unrelated to the overall story. Some things just don't make sense to the overall story or would seem to serve better as a memory journal entry as opposed to a part of a published narrative for the world to see. I think it would have been interesting to delve into Dad's psyche and obvious Post Traumatic Stress Disorder better and to set the connection to Watts and Williams, if there really was one. Otherwise the harassment and the death of her mother are unrelated and since so much of the book is focused on Watts, indeed he is the devil of the title, it makes the book seem kind of, well, pointless.
What do You think about The Devil In Pew Number Seven (2010)?
It's difficult to rate a book such as this which was clearly written with such passion and raw emotion. While the story itself is compelling, the steady barrage of similes and metaphors made it cloying and difficult to relate to. It became laborious to try and separate out what was the distinct memory of a 6-7 year old girl and what was the factual reality. Timelines became muddled, and I found myself lost in what-happened-when. This is certainly a story that needed to be told, but the perspective of a third party, professional writer would have lent a balanced viewpoint while still capturing the horrors this family endured. Story = 5 stars, but the execution = 1 star. The actual writing, while fine in small doses, was overwrought and laden with too much effort. The reader can certainly understand the fear and persecution without the endless metaphors and similes.
—Liz
I have to say this book is worth reading. What I like about the book , is the lesson of forgiveness, the chance to hear this woman's incredible , true, horrific story, and the incorporation of faith's ability to heal. Also, it was an easy read. The characters were interesting, and real! BUT, I never wanted to get back to the book. It never hooked me in, which I feel is necessary for a 4/5 star grade.
—Missb810
This family shows what it means to forgive. An extraordinary story.
—mrsFcombs
