Monte Wolverton

Monte Wolverton was raised by Wolvertons in the Pacific North West. He is the cartoonist son of cartoonist Basil Wolverton. He is known for his political cartoons and his satirical contributions to Mad Magazine. Monte Wolverton is also an associate editor and board member of Plain Truth Ministries, a publishing and teaching ministry committed to proclaiming 'Christianity without Religion.' In The Remnant, Wolverton imagines a world where "the apocalypse came and went and Jesus didn't return along with it"(268). So this is Christian fiction with a healthy overlay of seventies-style-dystopia science fiction.

In 2131, the world is ruled by an atheistic, totalitarian regime based in Carthage, Tunisia. The few Christians and people of faith in the safe zones are sent to work camps far away from the general population. Outside the safe zones, is the wilderness—vast regions more or less free from the Federation's direct control.

Grant Cochrin is a geologist imprisoned in a work camp in North Dakota (probably working on a pipeline). He is a Christian, and has a single page from the Sermon of the Mount (Matt 5-7), a remnant page of the family Bible (the Bibles had all seized and destroyed by the government). After Grant has a chance encounter with a wilderness dweller, he learns about Christian communities in the wilderness. He, his family and friends escape the camp, and chase after the promise of religious freedom and authentic Christian community.

However, their post-religious-context means the groups they encounter have tenuous grasps on historic Christian faith and practice. They meet profiteering prophets, legalistic faith healers, Charismatics that do drugs during communion (and then cavort), and catholic monastics who are way too into their shrines and spiritual disciplines. And they encounter a few helpful voices as well: kind strangers who take them in and help them on their way, fellow Christians who join their quest, friendly Muslims and Buddhists (who reunite Grant with the Bible his page remnant was from), an elderly religious scholar who tries to get Grant and his group to look at what they already have as community instead of looking elsewhere, and even helpful Raptors (Mad Max style motorcycle gangs who control everything in the wilderness). They face perilous dangers along the way, and in the end Grant is forced to make a major decision.

I don't review a lot of (self consciously) Christian fiction because of the tendency of their authors to tell instead of show. The medium is merely a vehicle for the message and the literary craft falls flat. If I want preachy prose, I'd rather just read John Piper (or someone else more Reformed than God). Wolverton is guilty of way too much tell, and not enough show in his writing. The whole book is designed to promote the Plain Truth's Ministries idea of "Christianity without religion." It has a sermonic quality (here is another group that gets it wrong, how can we be faithful to the gospel). Grant says near the end of the book, "If there is anything I've learned on this trip," Said Grant,"I'd have to say that Christianity functions poorly as a religion. It is most healthy when it's an active trust in Christ—a friendship in which he leads, obviously, since he's our Shepherd" (240). This is the message the entire story tries to illustrate and hints at along the way.

So I can't say this was great literature or anything. However the book held my interest. There is some playful, humorous dialog. I kept reading to see what kind of religious nutjobs Grant and the team would encounter next. For mindless fiction, the book was alright, and well paced. I give it three stars.

Note: I received this book via Speakeasy in exchange for my honest review.
… (altro)

As soon as I read the blurb on The Remnant, by Monte Wolverton, I knew I wanted to read it! I signed up for the book tour and dived right in. This book instantly put me in mind of Left Behind but it carries its own style and dystopian/post-apocalyptic feel. It drew me in and I was hungry, but a couple issues hung me up.

To be placed in concentration camps for carrying your faith is a huge deal, but that's what Grant had to live with. When the world fell apart, there was no great rapturing and all was left in chaos under an governmental, iron fist. When Grant and his team of escapees run, seeking sanctuary with a Christian group, going by the remnant of a piece of bible. The escapees soon find out, all Christians aren't who they say they are.

The story is powerful and saddening at the same time, and left me with the thoughts of another book to follow. I found the story to be written rather well, but there were a cluster of grammatical errors. I was able to overlook them, and they didn't hurt the story, but they were very distracting. I just wish, with a story like this one, it was cleaned up better. The other issue was overkill on backstories. I like the extra information but sometimes, enough is too much.. It was a cool story but just a little overdone.

You may enjoy this Christian, dystopian fiction. It's a fast read with barely any dry spots. On to the next read!

*For the full review: http://bit.ly/TheRemnantNovel
**Book is from Litfuse Group tour .… (altro)

As I was reading the remnant I was hit with the realization that several of the places the group visited, could be a place that people worship today, false prophets, or misleading in the practice of Christianity.
We are way out in history 2131, and all religion has been outlawed, and people with religion are asked to give it up or go into camps. This is what Grant Cochrin and his family experience living in a bleak petroleum plant in North Dakota.
I found myself chuckling at some of the happenings, so serious, and yet some misguided individuals think they are experiencing Christ, by yelling, and other things that I found a bit weird.
My attentions was kept though out this read, and you feel like you want to shake them, and yell that they have the most important part, and yet they receive even more, astonishing, and heart warming.
I felt at the end that maybe there will be another book, and more to come, but doubt they could match the danger this group encountered on their journey.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.… (altro)

Title: The Remnant
Author: Monte Wolverton
Pages:272
Year: 2016
Publisher: Plain Truth Ministries Worldwide
My rating is 4 stars.
The Remnant is a work of fiction set in a time of world confusion after all religion is banned and people unwilling to follow the “Federation” rules are moved to areas known as safe zones. Basically, all their needs are provided for, but it is still like a prison nonetheless. Grant is a 3rd generation geologist who is seeking the fellowship of other Christians in the area outside the safe zones known as The Wilderness. When he and his family escape along with a few friends their journey is just beginning.
I have to say at times as I read I wasn’t sure exactly what the point of the story was or where it was heading. Maybe that was the design of the author. The novel is futuristic and dystopian in nature; yet, it has the flavor of a mystery seeking an answer to the question “what if?” As the small group encounters various people groups with their beliefs and no one owning a Bible at this time, it is amazing to see what might happen to society in general.
The ending surprised me the most as it leaves room for a possible sequel. The novel is different from anything I have read recently and that can be good. I enjoy being an eclectic reader. The Remnant is a good story with some good insights into Christianity, along with the way many people interact with people of other faiths. At times it seemed like a character or two was cynical or was quickly captivated by what they experienced. At the end of the book, the author invites readers to leave comments or ideas on a facebook page that might be used in future books. Either way it was interesting to see how characters responded to a society without any organized religion or a single copy of God’s Word. For me, I am glad to have the freedom to read the Bible, study and worship alone or with others!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (altro)