Mr Wroe's Virgins

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A VERY PROPHETABLE READ...

Blind Faith or Arrogance?

If you like Oprah's picks....

Dynamic Tale for Snow Days

A great read!

Mr Wroe's Virgins
Jane Rogers
Manufacturer: Abacus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0349113262

Amazon.com

There is something seductive about cults--a fascination, a temptation into the lurid and unknown. In her fifth novel, Mr. Wroe's Virgins, award-winning author Jane Rogers has delved into the history of one such sect. In northern England, amid the religious fervor of the 1830s, Mr. Wroe presents himself to the Christian Israelites as their prophet. Several accurate premonitions cement his authority, so when he informs his congregation that "the Lord has instructed me to take your number seven virgins for comfort and succour," they send their daughters without question. The story is told through four of the women, beginning with Leah, who sets out to win Prophet Wroe's favor and gain sole dominion over the household.

Once Leah arrives, her life as a "sister in God" consists of backbreaking domestic labor. While she fails to corner Wroe's earthly attentions, she is granted permission to bring her son secretly into the household. Focused both on wooing the Prophet and on her baby, she is unaware of the other "sisters": Hannah, the cynical one, may leave soon, and the pious Joanna suffers a wrenching sacrifice for the sake of her faith. As factions of the church grow skeptical of both Wroe's powers and his domestic situation, Leah suspects that the Prophet has taken another woman for his mistress. A sudden loss fuels her anger, and she begins to plot Wroe's exposure and ruin. When she makes her accusations public, no one is prepared for the truth.

Rogers's narratives are sparked with some exceptionally lyrical passages, as when Hannah describes the church music as "a sound so hauntingly plaintive a stone would melt to hear it." And Mr. Wroe's Virgins is particularly strong at evoking an era, weaving together the different social forces of the time into the context of this one uncommon household. --Joannie Kervran Stangeland

Book Description

When God told Prophet John Wroe to comfort himself with seven virgins, his congregation gave him its daughters. So begins this provocative and immensely powerful novel, set in nineteenth-century England and based on actual events.
Jane Rogers chronicles the nine months these women spend together until accusations of indecency and the trial that follows bring Wroe's household to its dramatic end. There is a cripple, a badly beaten mute, two underage sisters who can barely read, Joanna "the Saint," Hannah the unbeliever, and Leah, who secretly mothered an illegitimate child. And then there is Prophet Wroe, as enigmatic and attractive to each of the virgins as he is an iron hand. With an impeccably crafted narrative and utterly beguiling prose, Rogers delves deep into the conflicts surrounding faith, love, and passion. Ultimately each of the virgins comes away with a powerful lesson in independence.
MR. WROE'S VIRGINS casts a spell on readers from the outset, playing on our expectations and touching a chord of desire that could lead to disaster on nearly every page. With an intelligence and skill that recall the work of A. S. Byatt and Margaret Atwood, Jane Rogers has given us novel of ideas that is not so much to be read as to be devoured.

Customer Reviews:

A VERY PROPHETABLE READ..........2002-06-21

Jane Roger's ISLAND impressed me so much that I began to look for some of her other works -- MR WROE'S VIRGINS is the first one I came across. It didn't disappoint. Rogers has done an amazing job retelling/reinventing the story of the 'real' John Wroe -- her prose and characterizations are excellent, and the technique of using multiple narrators is extremely effective and enlightening.

Told from the point of view of four women -- four of the 'virgins' taken into the home of Prophet John Wroe, 'for comfort and succor' -- but never from that of Wroe himself, Rogers' novel goes beyond simply telling a story. The voices of these four women are individual and distinct. The sections of the story they each relate overlap in time a bit, and their various points of view illuminate descrepancies in the way they view the events depicted here.

Leah is a beautiful, haughty, self-centered young woman -- she is sure in her own mind that she is the most beautiful and desirable of the seven chosen, and she is determined to play this to her own advantage. She sees her 'sisters' as competition, and she views their motives -- innocent though most of them may be -- with great suspicion, seeing and imagining things not quite as they actually are at times.

Hannah is an unbeliever, thrown in with this group of Christian Israelites, feeling much like a fish out of water. Rather than accepting Mr. Wroe's dire predictions of the imminent end of the world -- Judgement Day -- she instead sees the answer to humanity's woes through education, through working together for the common good. These beliefs lead her to working with the poor of the town, teaching them to read, attempting to raise their social and political consciousness, and getting involved in the birth of the trade union movement in England.

Joanna -- Saint Joanna, as she is called by most of the other women -- is completely devoted, in heart, body and soul, to God and to Mr. Wroe's movement. She views every single event in her life through scriptural interpretaion, bending to God's will every chance she gets. From the opposite end of the scale, her view is thus just as skewed as that of Leah.

Martha -- the fourth narrator -- comes to the house as a mute, obviously horribly beaten and abused by her father at home, who has seen Mr. Wroe's call for seven virgins to serve him as an easy way to rid himself of a daughter he doesn't want, a burden. Martha's narrative is, for me, the most striking in the novel. At first, it comes in fragments, little bursts of words, the most rudimentary images and feelings. As the novel progresses, Martha's thoughts and expression become more organized -- she is being taught speech and hymns by 'Saint Joanna', who evidently possesses the patience of Job -- and the horrors of her earlier life, which she sees as so completely separate that she thinks of it as happening to the 'other Martha', become clearer and clearer. The abuse and suffering she has endured is unbelievable and heartbreaking -- and it explains her temperament, which could at times be seen as epileptic or schizophrenic. This is an incredibly damaged young woman.

As the Prophet of his church, Mr. Wroe weilds immense power and influence. He hears instructions and illuminations directly from God, almost on a nightly basis -- even with a council of Elders to aid in governing the affairs of the church, Wroe's word is practically law. Living in a house with seven young women, it is inevitable that suspicions and accusations begin to mount -- the novel is set, after all, in 1830s England, a much more puritanical society that we enjoy today. Wroe himself is tempted by the presence of the women as well -- and this temptations, combined with his human frailty, lead to much trouble for him and his church.

Rogers skills in both narrating this tale -- and, again, the use of the four narrators is done to stunning effect -- share the spotlight here with her ability to convey the contradictions inherit in organized religion in general. When one person -- or even a group of persons -- holds such power and influence over their 'followers', there is bound to be trouble. The weight of the organization's purpose is too much for a leader to bear. When the people rely on a human leader to tell them how to follow the will of God -- rather than listening to their own hearts and finding their own path -- that leader's humanity will almost inevitably lead to disaster.

The novel is very 'heady' -- but at the same time very readable, being compelling and entertaining. It's a wonderful achievement. Knowing that Rogers wrote the script for the BBC's adaptation of the novel, I'd be very interested to see that as well.

Blind Faith or Arrogance?.......2001-03-08

Mr. Wroe has annointed himself "The Prophet" of a small group of Christian Israelites" at the end of the 1800's. Claiming to hear the voice of God whispering in his ear, Mr. Wroe preaches the approach of doomsday, the end of the world. As the Prophet of God, he quotes, "The Lord has instructed me to take of your number, seven virgins for comfort and succor."

Of the numerous young women gathered before him, he chooses Joanna, sisters Rachel and Rebecca, Hannah, an unbeliever, Dinah, a cripple, Martha, a mute, and Leah, an unwed mother. As part of the bargain, Leah brings her infant into the home under the guise of a foundling.

The young women soon fall into their natural order, performing household tasks, laundering, planting a vegetable garden, their days filled with neverending chores. Occasionally, Mr. Wroe takes some of the girls along when he preaches to the townspeople, who are mostly illiterate mill workers. Mr. Wroe also requires that one of the virgins read from the Bible to him each evening.

The story is related through the eyes of four of the girls: Joanna, Hannah, Leah and Martha. Joanna is pious, constantly praying for guidance, while Hannah is skeptical but helpful, and Leah opportunistic, with a child to care for. Martha, the mute, eventually finds a means of expression through Joanna's patient teaching; she relives her past while preparing for the future. The story takes an interesting turn when one of the girls makes shocking allegations. Consequently, the household of virgins is disbanded, each left to find her own way.

As a religious period piece, the story creates a particular atmosphere of candle light, rustling petticoats and starched linens, as well as the crackling pages of a well worn Bible.

If you like Oprah's picks...........2001-01-11

The best way to describe this book is "Atwood lite". The premise and early telling of the tale are interesting, with promising characters. About halfway through, the book unfortunately shifts into a predictable tale of jealousy and longing. Rather than allowing the characters to develop (which one would expect through the multiple first person perspectives), the plot is pushed forward with clumsy devices. Still, some characters remain intriguing, and the pages turn quickly. This book is ideal for people who are used to reading best-sellers, and want slightly more literary value.

Dynamic Tale for Snow Days.......2001-01-06

Jane Rogers successfully captured my imagination in the first two pages and until I finished this novel of women I couldn't put it down. Though the women are all speaking from an 19th c perspective, I was amamzed how skillfully Rogers threaded the timeless issues of faith, self-esteem, the desire for self-expression, the need for love and compassion in such a fashion as to speak to the women and men of today. Throughout the book I saw sometimes tiny, sometimes huge aspects of each women in myself. This is one of the best books I've read in years, don't miss it.

A great read!.......2000-11-27

This is one of the best books I have read this year. It is intelligent and thoughtful yet full of dark humor. The character development remains interesting until the very end of the novel. I wish that my book group would have read this book -- I can imagine that it would have been an interesting and controversial discussion.

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Mr. Wroe's Virgins.

Manufacturer: The Overlook Press.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I7ZCLM

Mujer y religion en la narrativa anglofona contemporanea (Arias Montano)

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Mujer y religion en la narrativa anglofona contemporanea (Arias Montano)
Sonia Villegas Lopez
Manufacturer: Universidad de Huelva
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Spanish | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

The mix of Magic and Technology.......2000-05-02

This was a book that kept me intrigued through out the entire thing. The characters reminded me of well me. Myri may be my name but I am more likeYassima then anything. Lan is a great man to bad about his talent. Youwill have to read to find out what I mean. I love this book all the way down to the core. I would neve3r giv it any less then a 5 star reveiw, (...)

The Last Battlemage is a wonderful addition to the series!.......1999-07-03

This book is of the high quality we have come to expect from Irene Radford. It is worth it's weight in gold. The Last Battlemage is a great look into the history of Kardia Hodos. It is well thought out and well written. Read it!

It's a book you have to read if you are a fantasy fan........1999-03-17

I've read lot's of fantasy book's, some good some bad, this is on of the better ones I've read.. This is the second book by her I read, and I still enjoy reading her work..so far she is in class with eddings&jordan It's a book you have to read if you are a fantasy fan. waiting for the next.....

IT WAS AMAZING.......1998-11-17

MS.RADFORD WROTE A TRUALLY WONDERFUL BOOK AND I HOPE SHE WILL WRITE ANOTHER. I HAVE READ ALL OF HER BOOKS AND CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER.

Love it.......1998-02-20

I have read the entire history of the Dragon NImbus and I crave more. I enjoyed how she tied this strange princess theme together with "The Perfect Princess". I would like to see many more stories involving the Varns, maybe some more on Hanassa and the machines. Or the plague that affected the Varns. A new type of magic or the restoration of the ley lines eveywhere would be exciting. And some more exploration of the world Outside of Cronon. All in all Mrs. Radfords booksend wonderfuly. The epilouge was heart raising. It brought the book to good close, but not the epic. I want more.

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The Last Battlemage

Manufacturer: Daw Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRORKG

Book Description

Discover the life-changing gems in the roots of Western culture and philosophy.

This inspirational self-help book identifies eight pillars of Greek wisdom enshrined in the myth and legacy of the past. These guiding principles are illustrated with vivid examples drawn from the rich heritage of Greek history and mythology, including tales of heroines and heroes, adventure and exploration, and self-discovery and personal triumph. Guiding the reader on his or her spiritual odyssey will be such legendary figures as Ulysses and Aphrodite, Antigone and Helen of Troy, Socrates and Alexander the Great.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful find and a fun read.......2004-03-12

This is a wonderful, easy to read book, and I'm suprised that I only chanced upon it by accident. I wouldn't really class it as a full-on "self improvement book". Its more of a fun read with a wide variety of short Greek stories, each with a brief explanation of the lessons and deeper meaning that can be drawn from them. Great for picking up and reading several pages at a time.

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Not Free SF Reader
Nicely Crafted

Climbing Olympus
Kevin J. Anderson
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0446601586

Download Description

Betrayal Of The Red Planet: They were prisoners, exiles, pawns of a corrupt government. Now they are Dr. Rachel Dycek's adin: surgically transformed beings who can survive new lives on the surface of Mars. But they are still exiles, unable to ever again breathe Earth's air... And they are still pawns. For the adin exist to terraform Mars for human colonists--not for themselves. Creating a new Earth, they will destroy their own world; their success will kill them. Desperate, adin leader Boris Tiban launches a suicide campaign to destroy the Mars Project, knowing his people will perish in his glorious, doomed orgy of mayhem. Unless embattled, bitter Rachel Dycek can find a miracle to save both the Mars Project--and the race she created.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This book was not quite bad enough for me to not finish, although it came close 3 or 4 times. Pedestrian basic economic/political struggle. Not really worth wasting your time on.

What happens when humans are altered, to in turn alter a world for others to live on. What do they do when it is all finished?

Nicely Crafted.......1999-08-21

A well-written book with real and well-developed personalities. Plenty of internal and external conflict going on as they terraform Mars.

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Climbing Olympus
Kevin J. Anderson
Manufacturer: Books on Tape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0736630945

Average customer rating:

Very well done study of Therese

Complete Spiritual Doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux
Francois Jamart
Manufacturer: Alba House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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My Sister St. Therese

Jesus of Nazareth

ASIN: 0818903473

Customer Reviews:

Very well done study of Therese.......1999-10-23

Although no longer contemporary, this is an excellent study of Therese's life and doctrine,with rich theological background.

Average customer rating:

Great for Any Household

Best of the Best from Tennesse: Selected Recipes from Tennessee's Favorite Cookbook

Manufacturer: Quail Ridge Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
South | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Best of the Best from Georgia: Selected Recipes from Georgias Favorite Cookbooks

Best of the Best from Louisiana

Best of the Best from Alabama: Selected Recipes from Alabama's Favorite Cookbooks

Best of the Best from Kentucky Cookbook: Selected Recipes from Kentucky's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook Series) (Best of the Best State Cookbook Series)

Best of the Best from Texas: Selected Recipes from Texas' Favorite Cookbooks

ASIN: 0937552208

Book Description

From Johnson City to Memphis, Chattanooga to Clarksville, fifty-four of Tennessee's leading cookbooks have "Volunteered" their most popular recipes to create this remarkable collection.

Taste such delicious down-home favories as Mammy's Cracklin' Corn Bread, Chuck Wagon Pepper Steak, Skillet Fried Chicken, Garlic Cheese Grits, Country Ham and Red-Eye Gravy, Chattanooga Chew Chews, and Crisp Crust Apple Pie. These delightful dishes are just a sampling of the more that 400 recipes included within these pages.

Best of the Best from Tennessee is one of thirty volumes in Quail Ridge Press' acclaimed Best of the Best State Cookbook Series—continuing the tradition of Preserving America's Food Heritage.

Customer Reviews:

Great for Any Household.......2001-02-04

The cookbook is full of wonderful basic recipes for all types of dishes. It also includes several nice delicacies for entertaining, special dinners, etc. I have grown up in the South and find this is a great guide to keep me in touch with my roots and the great meals we shared. The book is well written and wonderfully illustrated with pencil sketched country scenes. Many recipes are personalized with comments from the provider that give it great personality without taking away from its main objective; Great Food. My hats off to the editors and all of the contributors!!

The Best of the Best from Tennessee Cookbook: Selected Recipes From Tennessee's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook)

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The Best of the Best from Tennessee Cookbook: Selected Recipes From Tennessee's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook)

Manufacturer: Quail Ridge Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1893062732

Best from Tennessee: Selected Recipes from Tennessee's Favorite Cookbooks

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Best from Tennessee: Selected Recipes from Tennessee's Favorite Cookbooks
Gwen, Editor Illustrated By Tupper England Mckee
Manufacturer: Quail Ridge Press, 1998
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: B000K5SHA0

Product Description

Here is a fun, new collectible. Decorated cakes are associated with celebrations of all kinds--can you imagine a birthday party without a cake? Now many cake-lovers have discovered an engaging hobby: collect the pans that cakes are baked in! The most prolific pan manufacturer, Wilton Industries, Inc., has offered well over 600 designs since the 1950s. Delightful pans have also been offered by Nordic Ware, Inc.; Amscan, Inc.; Mirro, Inc.; Wear-Ever; West Bend; and others. Over 700 of these wonderful, formed-aluminum novelty cake pans are documented in this colorful and unique book. Current estimated values are provided for all pans, while multiple indexes help the collector look up pans by stock number, name, key word, mold type, or age. Whether you are wondering if there has ever been a licensed cake pan of Porky Pig, curious about how long your favorite piano cake kit was sold, or want to check out the plethora of bunny rabbit pans, the beautiful pictures and detailed data in this book will serve you well. 414 color photos

Average customer rating:

Spectacular....simply spectacular

The Nature of Design: A Quilt Artist's Personal Journal
Joan Colvin
Manufacturer: Martingale & Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Quilts from Nature

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Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter: Improve Any Quilt with Easy-to-Follow Lessons

Pieced Curves So Simple: No Applique, Pinless Piecing

Landscape in Contemporary Quilts: Design and Technique

ASIN: 1564771318

Customer Reviews:

Spectacular....simply spectacular.......2003-07-12

Simply the most inspirational book of treasures by the most creative and talented quilter ever. You will not believe the endless ideas and designes found here. Highly recommended for beginners (as I am) and the most skilled. Just a treasure to behold.

Book Description

With just a little inspiration from Country Living’s successful series, anyone can turn a small and awkward space into an appealing, cozy corner.
Every home has its tiny room, oddly shaped hallway, empty landing, or other difficult-to-decorate area—but these innovative and quick approaches are the first step in turning neglected spaces into models of decorative style. The topics covered range from Themes and Collections to Perfecting Your Palette; some of the ideas are as simple as varying the sizes of objects in a display to create visual interest. Other concepts—such as creatively mixing formal and informal elements—will free home decorators from tired and dull design tenets and bring “fresh air” into any décor. Smart tips and easy, enjoyable projects help jump-start the transformation, while detailed captions for the photos and many sidebars reveal exactly how the job was accomplished.
A Selection of the Homestyle Book Club.

Country Living Easy Transformations: Living Rooms (Easy Transformations)

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Buy me now!

Country Living Easy Transformations: Living Rooms (Easy Transformations)
Coleen Cahill , and The Editors of Country Living
Manufacturer: Hearst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorating | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1588162877

Customer Reviews:

Buy me now!.......2007-01-22

Incredibly beautiful photos with so many ideas it will make your head spin! I love it! This one is on the top of my recommendation list for all people interested in home design. Gotta have it! You won't regret it.

Book Description

Inspired by the concept of the prodigal son and based on the author's experiences, this is a unique and intimate story of spiritual awakening. Although largely biographical, it contains elements of an adventure story that follows the exploration of a universal divine essence and a greater reality of spirit. Both simple and profound, it conveys with disarming candidness the immediacy of the soul. This book will prove invaluable to those who are looking for life's deeper meaning in the face of modern challenges, and individuals who are searching for a greater spiritual understanding of the human experience. Included are a chart of the inner realms of the spirit and a CD audio tour of the reflective process.

Customer Reviews:

When Are You Coming Home?: A Personal Guide to Soul Transcen.......2005-06-15

This gentle/loving book is a simple, informative guide to opening awareness/abilities of oneself as a Soul in consciously connecting with God.

This must be a joke.......2004-12-10

Pure nonsense, reconstituted to sound like it means something, which it does not.

Search With-In & Bring Forward Inner Love.......2003-12-24

John-Roger has a wonderful ability to bring forward the techniques to go within ourselves to find our own spirit and to follow the truth of our own soul.

I recommend this book to any one who is interested in finding their own inner love, peace and joy and who wishes to express these qualities in their daily lives.

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When are you coming home? Five tips to realizing work/life balance. : An article from: The Exchange
Lonnie Pacelli
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Telecommunications | Business & Investing | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000E5KTOI
Release Date: 2006-01-09

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Exchange, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2005. The length of the article is 698 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: When are you coming home? Five tips to realizing work/life balance.
Author: Lonnie Pacelli
Publication: The Exchange (Newsletter)
Date: December 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 24 Issue: 6 Page: 10(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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