Title: Even Sinners Have Souls
Authors: Noire, Chunichi, B.L.U.N.T., KaShamba Williams
Editor: E.N. Joy (2007)
Intro by: Nikki Turner, the “Queen of Hip Hop Lit”
Includes “Even Sinners have Souls” a poem by Oscar McLain III
This book is an anthology of short stories and novellas by some of female urban fiction writers with the express purpose of allowing them to write from their spiritual perspectives. They are following in a tradition laid down by earlier writers and preachers. Some of the best evangelists of any time period speak with a connection to the pop culture of their time. The Wesley brothers' hymns were often based on tunes heard in their local pubs.
These urban authors use the stories and language their readers expect with the additional insight into the inner spiritual struggles of characters trying to do the right thing or step away from sinful lifestyle choices. Each contributor has their own level of inclusion of sexual content, so the authors did keep portions of that element from their normal writing. High-end fashion, music and material goods descriptions are typical of the main genre. This volume is a perfect example of a caution Saricks gave about Christian fiction often confronting less than comfortable moral issues. Drugs, murder, out-of-wedlock relationships, deception, incest and affairs are discussed from various viewpoints along with the saving, forgiving and courage-inspiring power of God. The underlying message that anyone can still be reached no matter how deep they are entangled in a sinful life.
The writers use the inner thought life of their characters to depict their compelling motivations and spiritual struggles. Character is stronger than plot in driving these stories. In some ways, the stories reminded me of C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters in their depictions of the “temptations of the old life” and in one case the manipulative misuse of scripture by an adulterous male church leader. Nikki Turner’s introduction is not to be skipped as it does explain the goals of the authors which follow her of using their writing not only to feed their families but as a gift from God to point others toward Him or toward better choices. One of the most compelling purposes she stated in her intro was expressing to younger women that “Not all sugar daddy’s are sweet.”
Annotations for the individual stories:
Double Jeopardy by B.L.U.N.T.: Tells the tumultuous story of identical twins Denise and Dina, whose lives could not be more different. Dina is a drug dealer (Queen D) and single parent of 2, and Denise is a law office intern and fiancée of a well-connected lawyer. When Dina’s associates and the police come after her, she calls on Denise to care for her children while she sets up her escape plan. Denise is mistaken for her in a classic wrong place, wrong time situation and the story follows both women through the events that unfold from that mistake. (My personal favorite of the 4 stories in this book due to the contrast of the 2 sisters and the plotting involved. Plot and character drive this story equally.)
Trust No Man by Chunichi: This tells the story of a woman living the party girl lifestyle with her 2 best friends. Tatiana, nicknamed “Goldie” for her gold-digger lifestyle, has only one use for men: that they spend money on her. Her lack of trust comes from a horrible incident in her past. Her believing grandmother has another goal in mind for Goldie: her salvation and meeting the right Godly man. (This one does a bit of a jump to a conclusion.)
Backslider by KaShamba Williams: This tells the story of a beautiful single woman drawn into a church by an attractive but married church leader who twists scripture for his own carnal gains. Her dilemma about the nature of love makes an interesting read. (Contains the male character that most reminds me of Screwtape. "Backslider" is Christian slang for someone who has fallen back into sin).
Everything for the Truth by Noire: NBA star wife, Porsche, searches for the truth about an accusation against her husband. When she finds it, she chooses where to draw her line in the sand and decides if her man is part of her future or her past. She has to choose between material security and trusting God for everything. (I have to give this one credit for a courageous heroine.)
Characteristics of the Genre:
- Gritty street life and language
- Drugs or sex have an important role in the plot
- Detailed descriptions of fashions, accessories, cars and musical references
- Character Driven
- African American urban culture and slang
What makes it a Christian story?
- The authors showing their audience that no matter how “bad” the sin they are in, there is a forgiving God who loves them and can help them change their lives.
- Characters openly professing their faith
- Redemptive situations
- Focus on choices or repentance
- Confronting tough social or moral issues head on
Read Alikes:
B.L.U.N.T., Betrayal of a Hustler (urban fiction)
Nikki Turner, any of her titles
E.N. Joy, Love, Honor or Stray; Trying to Stay Saved; Been There, Prayed That (all titles Christian urban fiction)
Pat Simmons, Free from Guilt, (Christian urban fiction)
Vanessa Williams, Former Rain (Christian urban fiction)
Non Fiction Tie-Ins:
Taylor Field, Mercy Streets: Seeing Grace on the Streets of New York
(Field relays stories of unexpected grace in the mean streets of New York and the Bronx.)
Wesley Hill, Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality
(Hill is a gay Christian, who has chosen to live a celibate life--tie in for a Chunichi character.)
Tony Evans, God’s Unlikely Path to Success
God Is Up to Something Great: Turning Your Yesterdays into Better Tomorrows
Kingdom Man: Every Man’s Destiny, Every Woman’s Dream
Destiny: Let God Use You Like He Made You
(Evans is an African American Pastor in urban Dallas, Texas known for speaking to men about redemption, marriage, fatherhood, societal and spiritual responsibility.)
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (One of the characters in KaShamba Williams story reminds me of scripture-twisting Screwtape and Wormwood, Lewis’ classic demons.)
More Christian Urban fiction selections here:
http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/urban-christian-fictionhttp://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/urban-christian-fiction
More standard Urban Fiction selections here, thought the list is clogged with urban fantasy.
(I chose page 2 of the list because it contains half of the authors I know I’ve been asked about: K’wan, Nikki Turner, Deja King and Zane).
http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/urban-fiction?page=2
No comments:
Post a Comment