Casting the First Stone [Hardcover]

Kimberla Lawson Roby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

Tanya Black had deeply believed in her husband's call to preach. And when he asked her to marry him she'd felt blessed to be part of such a future. Sitting in the second row of his Chicago church only a few years later, she is unable to bear listening to his sermons or understand what happened to their shared dream.

Blackboard bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby takes on one of the most controversial issues in America: corruption and temptation within church leadership. An electrifying read, CASTING THE FIRST STONE goes behind the scenes of a fictional Chicago church and its struggle to keep faith and commitment alive in the face of ambition.

This is the third novel of this author whose previous books have won her dedicated fans and a connection to readers coast-to-coast. Her works bring to life Black women whose lives are complex with jobs, children, spouses and lovers - in short the kind of lives her readers themselves live. Giving voice to the women who share their concerns with her has always been Roby's aim in each novel she has written.

CASTING THE FIRST STONE listens in on the heart of a woman torn between loving who her husband was and hating who he has become. Roby weaves a fast-paced story about faith's challenges in a world made up of material desires and other physical temptations. Taken right from the headlines, Roby's cautionary tale looks at the other side of church politics and the emotional toll it takes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There are few surprises in the insubstantial plot of Roby's third novel (after Here and Now), a story of a marriage that, obviously doomed from the book's opening pages, drags on through repetitive and melodramatic scenes. When she married him eight years ago, Tanya Black thought that Curtis would be a dedicated evangelist preacher, but the power of his current position as pastor of a prominent African-American Baptist church in Chicago has turned his head, and their "model marriage had long since turned into something very ugly and dreadfully different." Curtis flaunts his expensive wardrobe and lifestyle, and he continually begs his congregation for more money. He's having an affair with the deacon's wife, lies outrageously, neglects his daughter and eventually grows physically abusive. Although most of his misbehavior is described in chapter one and grows more flagrant as the book progresses, Tanya dithers through the entire novel deliberating whether she should file for divorce. Roby strives for an ironic twist in making Tanya a counselor for battered women, but this only makes her seem more duped and self-destructive. Because the pointlessness of this marriage seems so clear, there isn't much of a story aside from the stock characters who contribute to the tawdry drama: Alicia, the Blacks' sensitive, six-year-old daughter; Tanya's supportive best friend, Nicole; and James, the perfect man whom Tanya meets. While the book aims to inspire and send a strong Christian message, calling for women to take charge of their lives, the narrative is written in such clich?d prose that it cannot effectively address the serious issues of marital strife and domestic violence. 22-city author tour. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Roby, Behind Closed Doors (1997) and Here and Now (1999), tackles the subject of marriage and the black church. Tanya and Curtis Black are the first family of a prominent Baptist church in Chicago. The family's move from a small church in Atlanta was the appropriate step up for Curtis' career. Although Curtis had dreamed of this type of advancement, he is not prepared for the changes and sacrifices that it requires. While Curtis succumbs to the temptations (women and money) his newfound power affords him, Tanya battles to save her marriage. She is forced to deal with some painful and unexpected truths about herself that help her deal with her circumstances and relish her independence. Revenge, greed, lust, and dishonesty are at the root of Tanya and Curtis' problems; yet, they learn that even in the most tempting situations, acting out negative feelings and impulses always results in negative consequences. They learn to value the important things in life and are able to start life anew. Lillian Lewis

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Dafina (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575664895
• ISBN-13: 978-1575664897
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (266 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Honor, and Betray, Be Careful What You Pray for, A Deep Dark Secret, The Best of Everything, One in a Million, Sin No More, Love & Lies, Changing Faces, The Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, It's a Thin Line, Casting the First Stone, Here and Now, and her self-published debut title, Behind Closed Doors. Her 16th novel, SECRET OBSESSION will be released on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. She lives in Illinois with her husband, Will.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENTERTAINING, EXCITING, AND CAPTIVATING!, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Casting the First Stone (Hardcover)

After reading this book, I went back and read the reviews. I totally disagree with the bad reviews of this book. I found that this book may not have captivated Curtis' reason for all of his lies and betrayal, but why does a man cheat we will never know. I thought that Kimberly brought to the forefront the issues surrounding the church and its pastors. We should not worship the man behind the pulpit but the spirit and son of God. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover as well as all of her books. It makes you think whether you are a man or women. Why do we make decisions to stay in bad relationships? Why do we let another person control us? Maybe the bad reviews were the result of some of the characters hitting to close to home. Thanks Kim for the happy ending!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sad subject, good story!, March 19, 2001

By 

"dst4lyfe" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casting the First Stone (Hardcover)

I was truly sorry to read that the topic matter was of a Baptist Minister with a promising congregation, but the story was good because it could be true. I was proud of the main character, Tanya, for sticking to her guns and looking out for herself and her daughter, because they are who matters. Curtis, who is no-good anyway, got what he deserved. The ending was surprising and had a good finale. I was intrigued througout the entire story and was hoping and praying for James the whole way through. This is a worthwhile book and a good weekender if you want something to keep your attention and is easy to read.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLIANT, A PAGE TURNER, MS. ROBY DOES IT AGAIN!, August 18, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Casting the First Stone (Hardcover)

Ms. Roby has truly outdone herself. I mean Lord have mercy I just could not put this book down. I have recommended it to everyone and I plan to start a book club and this will be the first book we read. Oprah needs this on her "TO READ" list. Thank you for addressing the concerns of the church that many people are aware of but are afraid to speak on. You hit the nail right on the head and then some. Curtis was slimy & grimy and what goes around comes around. Tanya was a victim and God always takes care of His own so she ended up right where she was supposed to be. Poor little Alicia had to suffer for her father's selfishness. When will we ever learn how to be good to each other and love each other? Its sad really. A wonderfully written book by a wonderfully talented author. I applaud you for having the courage to write about this VERY sensitive but very REAL issue. It does NOT apply to all pastors but it does apply to many of them. Trust me I know from whence I speak. Will there be a sequel? I would LOVE to know what happened to Curtis, Tanya, Alicia and the rest of the characters. HINT HINT. Whatever you do I will be on the lookout for it and I will get it as soon as its available. I am and forever will be an avid fan. By the way I saw you on Cable TV (The Unblinking Eye) talking about this book. Very good. May God continue to bless you and your family and keep you forever in His loving care.