A moving and memorable story of a young woman's coming of age while struggling with religious meaning and value in her life. It is an American classic of its kind, along with such works as James Baldwin's 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' and Chaim Potok's 'The Chosen'. Dan Wakefield, author of 'Returning: A Spiritual Journey' A large and significant part of the American experience - its evangelical enterprise - will be lost to memory unless some writer reclaims and records it for us. Shirley Nelson's book captures its humor, madness, and compassion in the best possible way, from inside out. Virginia Stem Owens, author of 'A Feast of Families' A lively, funny, serious, well-written novel that tells the truth. 'Christianity and Crisis' Radiates the graceful confidence of a seasoned writer. 'The New Yorker' Shirley Nelson has written an honest and haunting book. 'Christian Century' Anyone interested in imaginative literature about the evangelical world ought to read this book. 'Christianity Today' A wonderful novel: it is beautifully written and its intertwined religious and psychological themes are treated with great subtlety and sophistication. Barbara Wheeler, President of Auburn Seminary, New York, New York A perfect combination of instruction and delight. 'Sojourners'