The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I think the technical term for a book like this 'a hoot'. Generally enjoyable and often funny story of a parish priest in a Louisiana backwater. Not for teetotalers, Pentecostal sympathizers (do they read fiction, apart from the Bible?), knee-jerk homophobes or those who possess strong feelings on a celibate priesthood. Or people who put tomatoes in the gumbo. Wheaton is a genial, easygoing stylist who manages to keep the crazy doings here almost this side of credible. The only scene that didn't quite work was the 110 year-old Miss Rita rethinking her homophobia in a two-page conversation. Otherwise this is just a great deal of fun. I would love to read a really good book that would draw me in, but this one was not it. I picked up this book because of the intriguing cover, but it did not live up to the expectations on the back cover. The main character is a Catholic priest who constantly abuses his vows (swearing, drinking to excess, uncontrollable anger, a whiner and more) with no mention of the impact of faith on one's life. Also, lots of unnecessary profanity, gay bar scenes, and focus on his alarmingly alluring congregant Vicky. This could have been a really good book about life in a small Louisiana town, but the book is riddled with unlikable characters. When Father Steve encounters a charismatic preacher building a Pentecostal church on the other side of town and who threatens to poach his flock, 100 year-old Miss Rita suggests he fight back by putting on a festival that will keep his parishioners loyal. It's to be called the First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival. There are a couple of funny moments when the two rival churches try to out-do each other, otherwise a depressing book. The ending was really unsatisfactory so don't waste your time reading this one.
What do You think about The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival (2009)?
This one should certainly give book clubs something to talk about! I loved it.
—Tiffany
i don't think there is one likable follower of Jesus in this book.
—CccccccCC
