Customer Reviews

The Children of Mother Glory

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C.M. Harris has written an extraordinary novel, "The Children of Mother Glory" which is a century-long saga of an American religious community held together by its communal land, business enterprise, and its religious fundamentalism. Unusual, too, the woman, Glory Potter, whose father, Thaddeus Potter founded the sect, inherits the ministry. Upon that history, author Harris has built an incredibly complex plot which bares the hearts and souls of her dozen main characters in the major social and spiritual issues of the last century, i.e., 1) religion and science; 3) matriarchal and patriarchal leadership; 3) gender and sexuality; 4) church and state; 5) war and conscientious objection; 6) wealth, charity and greed. There are no cardboard cutout characters in the oeuvre of Ms. Harris. A master at developing characters, C.M. Harris deals with each of these issues through finely honed characters who grow with the novel. She shows the struggle of those men who follow their religion to become conscientious objectors and the response of individuals and governments who incarcerate or assassinate them. Harris causes us to see the pain of choice for gays and lesbians who struggle with their sexuality in the real world and the edicts of Christian Fundamentalism.

As the Potterite community grows and flourishes through the wars of the twentieth century, it becomes extremely wealthy. Here, an example of moral issues and values is shown in the hypocrisy of exhorting their young male parishioners to eschew military service as COs while producing war materials in Potterite factories. It is important to point out that these "issues" are always shown through character and setting, dialogue, etc. never "told" or preached. Finally this book is rich in history. The author's command of historical detail is awesome.

Another of the many remarkable qualities of "The Children of Mother Glory" is this novel's "writerly" qualities, the prose itself, often profound, lyrical, elegant, and imaginative, is full of simple phrases or sentences that cause the reader to pause and say, "I never thought of it like that"; or ""What a lovely way to say that"; e.g., [the sky] "to the west, the sky grew lavender, fell to pink and finally exploded into melon orange"; [a train whistle]"her passionless call promised no perfect destination, only junction"; and,[a bad girl]"God felt some people needed talking to, while others just needed keeping an eye on. And if that was the case, the least I could do is put on a show".

If you enjoy American history and a truly grand novel, C. M. Harris's "The Children of Mother Glory" should be at the top of your must-read-next" list. Like a Gourmet dinner, this novel provides eight courses of mental nourishment, a book that will live in your mind a long time afer you've read the last sentence.

The Children of Mother Glory by first time author C.M. Harris is a sweeping trek spanning the twentieth century through the eyes of four disparate characters born into a Mid-western religious sect. The Potterites are not a cult, just fundamentalist and devout. Mother Glory, an absorbing and steady woman and the eventual leader of the community, is introduced to the reader as an adolescent. She's the anchor of the novel and we see her through to old age. She is a remarkable, complexly drawn character who continues to inform the small clan long after she is gone. She describes her flock thusly: "She could find no demons among them, only the gently flawed."

The four primary characters deal with issues of sexuality, faith, and the powerful bonds of community. Each character is adroitly drawn. None are saints but all have a sense of honor and fidelity. Hemmed in as they are by a sometimes repressive and closed environment, each of them is compelled to bury their more dangerous desires. Inevitably they bump up against the challenges of trying to prevent their own identities from being completely subsumed. But Harris shows quite clearly that nothing can be buried forever.

Though this novel has several gay characters, I would not call it a gay novel. That would be much too simple a label considering both the scope and depth of the narrative. For a story that addresses some controversial issues, Harris handles her material free of any agenda other than to tell a good story well. There is no preaching here other than by Mother Glory herself.

I was deeply touched by this novel. Glory, Seb, Danielle and Jacob navigate very human terrain in a hothouse atmosphere that attempts to shield the faithful from the world. The Children of Mother Glory is an exploration of the complex bonds of community. Each of the characters experiences some form of escape and homecoming and the reader feels their joy and pain along with them. This novel and these characters have stayed with me long after reading the final page.

Harris has an impressively assured writing style, often lyrical, at times funny, and always compelling. Her powers of description, whether evoking the past or the present will carry you along, quite willingly, into the richly textured and deeply sensual world she has imagined. She continually surprised me with her word choices, making me see the familiar with new eyes. This is a very American novel and it made my heart pang for our mixed up, diverse and complicated country.

A terrific debut novel. A most satisfying read. I'm excited to see what this talented author will do next.

I finished The Children of Mother Glory this afternoon while I was supposed to be working. It was that enjoyable. It's far from a light read but the story is captivating. Some people classify this as gay fiction. I wouldn't pigeon-hole this book. It's about family and community and how things can go terribly wrong (and also at times terribly right). It gave me a rare glimpse inside a small, closed community with a charismatic leader. The characters are beautifully drawn. I grew to care about the people and the place and to wish I could visit a real community like this one in person someday. I think The Children of Mother Glory would make an excellent book club read for those who take their books more seriously than their margaritas.

I read The Children of Mother Glory in about 5 days. I didn't want to put it down. The author kept my attention and I was always wondering what was coming next.

Although it is a book about growing up gay & Christian, I am straight & Christian and I thouroughly enjoyed this book.

I also appreciated how the book spanned over one hundred years, but it all the characters were intertwined throughout the book.

If CM Harris writes a sequel to this book, I will pre-order it!!The Children of Mother Glory

Thanks CM Harris!!!

Traditional religion has always found itself at odds with the flows of progress. "The Children of Mother Glory" tells of Glory Potter, a matriarch in the town of Gulliver where her sons and daughters face their inner conflicts that put them against the other people of their town and themselves. A woman who was brought up in traditional small town America and has her own splintered religious sect, the matriarch faces the many LGBT issues that enter her life, as well as her own deep seated attractions. "The Children of Mother Glory" is a riveting tale that sends its message well.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I wish the story could have continued although it did follow three generations. I enjoy following the people in an area through time. That this is a world that is not familiar to me made it even more interesting. I also loved how the protagonists faced similar problems but due to their station in life, and the era, ended up handling them in completely different ways. I can't wait until this author comes out with another book.

Most people have trouble putting a book down when they're enjoying it, and I'm no exception. So in this case, I had to force myself. I didn't want the experience to be over too quickly. I wanted to savor the details and think about what I'd read after each sitting. And there was so much to consider...

Ms. Harris' characters are so well formed and each story is so carefully woven into the next that I couldn't believe this was her first novel. The historical detail is amazing. It was almost as if she were recalling the events and surroundings of another life. I can't imagine how much research must have gone into this project.

And although the publisher has classified MOTHER GLORY as an LGBT novel, I feel that the themes are universal. Struggles with faith, finding our own paths in life and summoning up the courage to live with integrity is something we all face. And because Harris doesn't take any political or moral stands in the book, she's able to show readers what we share as humans rather than what makes us different. She bridges gaps rather than widening them.

Fantastic first novel. Can't wait to read the next one!

"People shouldn't commit suicide because this is all there is; we should commit life because it may be all we get. This is heaven and hell. And it does kinda have its moments of grandeur, doesn't it?"-Suzy Gilmore

I am so grateful to Amy Dawson Robertson for leading me to this absolutely wonderful author and her equally wonderful book. She told me it deserved more attention, and, by golly, she is absolutely right. C.M Harris's The Children of Mother Glory (Spinster Ink, 2009) is yet another great first novel and deserves the distinction of being called a Great Read/Must Read.

When we first meet Glory Potter she and her friend Emma gaze fondly at the new church being built. This is the church her father will preside over, and quite unexpectedly, it will become hers to watch over after his death. The church represents the heartbeat of a community called Gulliver. This town is small and remote, and is a place where everyone knows each other (or at least they think they do). Most of the town's residents are adamant in their desire to keep a healthy distance between themselves and the world at large, and they do a darned good job at it. They share their lives with each other (unless they can't), struggle with the "sins" aligned with being human, and have true inspiration to guide them, that being their church and their minister, "Mother" Glory.

Now, don't let this scare you off. Fundamentalism and being "different" don't usually mix well, but C.M. Harris craftily plays off these people and their rules of conduct, quickly showing us that regardless of the rules, differences will always emerge. As always, these differences create conflict, and it is their resolution we are most interested in. This congregation, known as Potterites, becomes the reference point for all that follows. We are introduced to quite a few characters throughout this delightful work, but it is the queer ones who become the novel's true focus. That being said, I am convinced this book will resonate within us all.

Covering a hundred year span, this work is told in four sections, each focusing on the lives of four diverse individuals and the people they know. Everyone is connected in some way, especially to the past. As we might expect, Glory Potter, even in death, has become a significant component in how they live their lives. They are never far away from her influence, and it is for us to determine how good or bad that is.

The novel begins in the early years of the twentieth century, and as I said above, introduces us to our title character. She is strong willed and capable of almost anything, but, she also has a secret. She is drawn to her friend Emma, and eventually falls in love with her. Of course, regardless of her true feelings, because of her role in the community, she must suppress them. As we get to know her we experience her inner conflict, and we also witness her determination and need to set her desires aside and be the true leader of her flock. Given the time depicted, we understand, but we desperately want her and Emma to be able to brave it out and declare their love for one another. Alas, we know better. The heartbreaking resolution they must choose sends a ripple through time. As we finish the beginnings of her story, we are now ready to meet her "children".

Jumping ahead in time (1942) , we are introduced to Sebastian or Seb Brickman, who is on his way to an interment camp for Conscientious Objectors. Here is a young man who listens while Mother Glory declares from the pulpit that the devil is waiting for the "tick in his wires" to scoop up those who covet. She continues by saying, "And no, we cannot ever truly cast off our desires while we remain on earth. But we must silence our appetites."

Seb, however, is possessed by an "itchy appetite', and although he hears these words, when it comes to his desire for another man, he becomes willing to create that tick, and ultimately pay the consequences. He eventually returns to Gulliver and hides his secret until it is no longer possible to do so. Is there acceptance in this strict community, or merely tolerance? Seb's story is yet another important layer in this intricately woven tale.

Moving to 1983, we are introduced to Danielle Clancy, who is the granddaughter of Emma. Although she also experiences the same internal struggle as Mother Glory and her grandmother, she isn't beyond sending anonymous crush notes to Angela Klinshoffer. Angela, to her, is the "impossible lovechild of Greta Garbo and Boy George"! And she is not the only girl who Danielle desires. At one point, she makes it her business to seek counsel from Seb Brickman, as she feels she is like him. As her character develops, we understand her need to break away from the judgement of others and leave her family, her friends, and of course, the church. In this segment we witness the bravery of not only following your dream, but following your heart as well.

The book finishes with the remarkable story of Diana Bower. Diana started her life as Darrell, and makes the penultimate societal sacrifice in her need to bravely celebrate her difference. Diana is also a black woman, so this adds a visible difference to her already remarkable aura. She is a lovely, understanding person, someone we'd surely like to know. It is by being true to herself that she frees herself from the fearful bondage of self that could make her feel "less than". By bringing the book toward its conclusion by introducing this character, C.M. Harris beautifully closes the circle first drawn by Mother Glory in the beginning. As we witness intolerance softened by time, and as the real world totally penetrates this once closed society, we look back to this tale's beginnings, and see that love, however manifested, will always prevail.

In the end, The Children of Mother Glory accomplishes what it set out to do, and more. Somewhere, (and I dare say everywhere), in this grand book, we as GLBT folk can find ourselves and bear witness to our own struggle for peace within. Once again, I found a treasure for you to enjoy and savor. It will carry you forward like the wind, and even though the ending is extremely satisfying, I bet you'll be hungry for more. I'm also certain you'll be eager for her next book, I know I am

Robert Jaquay, Book Reviewer
[...]

The Children of Mother Glory is all kinds of wonderful. When I was only halfway through, I knew I would be able to recommend it without reservation to anyone except homophobes. Now that I have finished, there is no reason to change my mind.

The book is arranged in what I consider to be four novellas linked by the protagonists' ties to the Potterite community, begun in faith in God, Amish-like self-sufficiency, and pacifism.

Glory Potter is shown first as a young girl at the turn of the 20th century, and finally as an elderly woman at the end of her life, the revered matriarch of her church. It tells the story of her faith, so intense she gives up her personal life to minister to the church founded by her father. She knows in her heart she loves another woman, and for one glorious brief time they are together. And then they each fulfill their own destiny, one as the religious community's "mother" and the other as a wife and mother.

The World War I story is of Sebastian, who has grown up believing in Mother Glory. He also believes with all his heart that war is wrong. Tormented and despised by townspeople and sent to a government work camp, he falls in love with another conscientious objector.

Danielle's part of the story is the only one told first person, and the switch is a little jarring. It's really my only criticism of the book because the inconsistency took me just a little out of the story. Danielle is a child of the '80's. She accepts in her teens that she is a lesbian and that she will never be accepted by her family or her church. She knows
both love and loss, and in the end, hope for a life with the woman she has come to love.

It's left to Jacob to discover, in 2007, a century after Glory Potter's father founded the church, that, though it is still a robust force in the area, there is nothing left of its heart. Not only has it changed completely physically, it has changed completely spiritually. It has sold its soul for profit. In this section, also, there is introduced a completely
delightful character named Diana, an outsider with a very startling secret unlike any other in the closed community.

There is so much to this book that to delve into it in a meaningful way would make this a very, very long review.

If you love books with heart, intelligence, commitment and betrayal, heartache and hope, and if you love books that are well-written, with the bonus of giving you something to think about after you have closed the covers, read The Children of Mother Glory.

The Children of Mother Glory has all of the makings of a great American novel. The historical detail is fantastic, the characters are real, believable, even flawed. I liked that we were able to see how the choices Glory makes for herself and her followers play out 50 years later. I agree with other reviewers that the writing is good. I got to know the characters through their actions. I never felt like I was being told who they are or what they felt, it was just obvious. The story moved along seamlessly with the four sections tied closely together. I don't think it matters if you are straight, gay, lesbian, transgendered; male or female. This is a well written book that we all can find ourselves (and lose ourselves) in.