Keeping Misery Company

by Michelle Larks

Book Overview

Keeping Misery Company is an inspirational tale about Ruth Wilcox, the only daughter of prominent Chicago minister, Reverend Isaiah Clayton and his feisty wife, Queen Esther. Ruth has her hands full... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1601629486
• ISBN13: 9781601629487
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Urban Books
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

WOW...Thought Provoking...

Keeping Misery Company is an accurate account of everyday life both inside and outside of the church. At first glance, the Claytons appear to be the perfect first family, but readers will soon find out things aren't always as they appear. Ruth, Daniel, Bishop, and Queen as well as the other characters, all have real stories and secrets everyone can identify with. I found myself evaluating my own life and how I respond to the dark spots in my family. Michelle Larks has penned a powerful story of forgiveness, reconcilation, and redemption as well as reaping what one has sown. I strongly recommend this book to everyone struggling with forgiveness, especially Christians.

The Skeletons Are Out the Closet!

This has got to be one of the best Christian Urban fiction novels I have ever read. Keeping Misery Company by Michelle Larks is mind-blowing, compelling and a gripping tale, reaching such levels of intensity that I could actually feel the characters in this novel. The storyline is great, the character development is on point, and the scenes feel like something from a Tyler Perry movie. Bishop and Queen Clayton are trying to raise a well-bred Christian family. They are running a well-founded ministry and trying to keep their families secrets just that, a secret. But it seems like time has run out for them when the prodigal son reappears, with a deadly secret of his own. Ruth Wilcox, the daughter of the Claytons', has run into some family problems of her own, mainly the demise of her thirty-five year old marriage. Trying to keep up with the times, and not allowing menopause to slow her down, Ruth is in for a surprise when Daniel decides he has other things on his mind than reconciliation. Can this family pull together and face their adversaries? Will the walls come crumbling down on this well-loved Christian family? I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this family, their struggles with their faith, love and guidance. The love that was shared throughout this story was very real, and touching, with twists and turns that made me forget it was a Christian fiction book. There is scandal in the pulpit! It did not take away from the storyline, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that I read from an advanced reading copy, and there were a few missed words, and some misspellings that I hope the editor or author catches before the book goes to final print. I would recommend this book to everyone, not just Christian fiction readers, but readers who believe in faith, praying, and blessings. Reviewed by: Cheryl H APOOO BookClub

Exceptional Read, Remarkable Storyline

God never put more on you than you can bear and Ruth is holding God to His Word. Ruth has lived her entire life in the shadow of her parents, Bishop and Queen Esther, as the poster child of Preachers kids. After over 30 years of marriage, she realizes that her husband was stepping out on her. Ruth woke up from the haze that had become her life to realize that life threw her a drastic curve ball. Keep Misery Company is an exceptional read. The storyline is full of twists and turns while dealing with everyday issues - homosexuality/AIDS, forgiveness, teen pregnancy, adultery, homelessness, and drama in the church. The character development is on point as the reader can easily relate with the realistic characters. Keeping Misery Company was a combination of The Color Purple and Diary of a Mad Black Women - running the emotional gamut while illustrating God's ultimate sacrifice. Definitely one of the BEST and ORGINAL CHRISTIAN FICTION books this year! Deltareviewer Reviewing for Real Page Turners

Simply Wonderful

"Keeping Misery Company" is one of the best books that I have read in a while. This book had me laughing and crying all at the same time. The character development in this story is ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, there was a twist in the story. This is Christian fiction at it's best. I can easily see this on the big screen. Michelle Larks is a force to be reckoned with!!!!!!!!!!!! Brilliant... absolutely Brilliant.

God Is Good All The Time!

Ruth and Daniel Wilcox were your typical married couple. They were married for 35 years and had three children. Unbeknownst to Ruth, Daniel had a wondering "eye" for the ladies. He had been seeing someone else for years. When things started to dwindle between him and Ruth, he started to hang out more with his brother Fred, who was a womanizer. One night, Daniel didn't come home until the next day. All hell broke loose because he had another woman's scent on him. Daniel did not hide the fact that he wasn't happily married anymore. Things started to move quickly in Ruth's life. She was a minister's daughter and she was firmly placed in the church. But her life was spinning out of control. Her estranged brother Ezra had came back into her life, but only for a short time. Ezra had AIDS, and he lived an alternative lifestyle which his parents did not approve of. It was time for Ruth to gain the strength that God had given her. She had reconciled with her brother in his last days and everything was going well until a dark secret came to light. Meanwhile, Daniel had it made. He was in love with his mistress Lenora who had plans of her own. Once Ruth and Daniel's divorce was finalized, Lenora thought it was time for her to become the next Mrs. Wilcox and she did....THE NEXT DAY!!! This information crushed Ruth and her children, because not only was Daniel married, but he had became a father again to his and Lenora's son. As Ezra's time on earth became shorter and shorter, he made peace with his family including his parents. When Daniel finally had the courage to talk to Ruth about the events that had happened in his life, she only made one comment. "What goes around comes around, and Daniel, your time is coming." Daniel will soon learn that you reap what you sow, and he will pay the ultimate price. Ruth will learn that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Michelle Larks did an outstanding job when she created Keeping Misery Company. I enjoyed how she tied the plot in with the day to day family drama. The novel was free flowing, never missing a step. You could feel the pain and suffering that each character had to endure. There was never a time while reading this book that you would lose your way or get confused about anything. This is the first Christian fiction book Ms. Larks has written, and she's done an exceptional job. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone that loves Christian Fiction. Reviewed by Jackie for Urban Reviews