UK Release
"Jesus Land" was released as "Another Hour on a Sunday Morning" in the United Kingdom this month. The publisher, Random House, changed the title, thinking -- ironically -- that people would assume it was a Jesus tract and shun it.
It's received great reviews in about 20 newspapers and several glossy magazines based in England, Ireland, and Scotland. Here's an example of one such review, by the Guardian-series fo East London and West Essex:
Another Hour
Kinda weird to think of people reading about David and me in foreign countries I've never visited - but would love to see.
Julia
9 Comments:
Ugh! I'm astonished at the inconsideration over the title of your wonderful and certainly memorable novel.
I'm only fifteen but I was affected by your story, perhaps even more so considering I'm the fruit of an interracial couple- a blend of our country's "black" and "white".
Nothing should have ever been changed about Jesus Land. When will those assholes learn... =)
You realize I meant "memior". =P
Hi Nicole, thanks for reading my book!
To be honest, I'm just happy it's been published in the U.K. as well as the U.S. - not an easy feat.
best wishes, Julia
Oh, hi! Came back to this site and was shocked you responded, very happy too. :)
Just wanted to comment again to let you know I did a presentation in English on Monday about your book and recieved a 98. (Yeeessss!)
She said I "thoroughly conveyed my enthusiasm for the book," which must be the light take because I basically commanded (hehe) everyone to read it and shoved some Agua de Coco down their throats (not your and David's kind though... not allowed in most schools, haha.)
Thanks for the inspiration to do something good for school. ;) (I made a scrapbook dedicated to it for the project- wish you could see!) Byes for now.
Hi Nicole, I'm very flattered that you chose my book for your school presentation. (Congrats on the great grade!). Maybe you could take a picture of your scrapbook and send it to me....I'd love to see it.
Julia
Hi Julia,
My name is Elaine. I am a 37 year old mom of 3 kids whose life doesn't even compare to yours. I thought I had a rough childhood...I know it's all relative. I know you're not looking for pity. I heard about your book after reading a post of yours on the Taylor alum forum. (I am a '90 grad) I promptly went to my public library and was happy to find our book on the shelves. I have been pouring over it all afternoon. I have spent some time on your website and looked at the New Horizons Site, after having "googled" you. Curious about your experience. And even more so, I am saddened by the abuse you suffered under people posing as Christian parents. Hypocritical isn't even the word...That's exactly why my father has as strong a disdain for Christianity as you do. Really, really sad. I get it though. I can fathom feeling the same. I can't get over your story. And I want so much to convince you that what your parents "lived" was/is not the real thing and that they DO NOT define God. They set up their own religion. I suppose we could go back and forth on this indefinitely...that's not really what I'm interested in. I just want you to know that I'm sorry. Not my responsibility, obviously, but I just feel for you and wanted to extend myself to you. All I know is that foundation of life with Christ is LOVE. Maybe your parents would have said that too. Creepy. But it is all about love. And love is easily discernable, when you have the real thing.
Anyway, I hope you have heard my heart.
A FOLLOWER of Jesus,
Elaine
I just finished your book and found it to be astonishing. I will be looking forward to more of your books in the future.
I am curious about your relationship with the rest of your "biological" siblings. I understand from your book that you remain close to your sisters. What ever happened to your brother, Dan? How do your siblings feel about this book and how your experience compares to theirs.
Magnificent book!!
Elaine,
I've seen so many times how Christians love to justify other Christians' failings by saying that "they weren't really Christians at all." That's wrong and you know it - Christianity doesn't make anyone more loving or more generous. If you are kind and loving, it's your nature to be so - your faith simply reinforces it. The same way it reinforces bad behavior in evil Christians. Another ex-Christian once said "Christianity is good only for good people." Ms. Scheeres' experience only proves it beyond doubt.
i have Another Hour... been waiting for it for months having read Jesus Land reviews. i was tempted to buy through amazon u.s. and have my family ship it out to australia, but decided that i wanted to read it under the u.k. (and oz) cover so people know what they have to read next!
my husband has to coach me through it when he sees me shut it, close my eyes, and hold my breath.
i'm not done reading it yet, but it's held up to my ...no, it's surpassed my expectations. i just wish it were fiction.
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