Customer Reviews

Flabbergasted: A Novel

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Okay, I've just gotta know...Who came up with this breezy cover and its light-hearted title hinting at all things zany? Give that person a raise!

I was captivated before even reading the premise. Then, thankfully, the premise looked promising as well. I mean, how can you resist a tongue-in-cheek, fictitious look at singles and dating and church and life and the serendipitous ways in which they all come together? Ray Blackston's irreverent ideas and the publisher's presentation had me thoroughly hooked.

But--and here's the crunch--could Mr. Blackston's writing live up to the hype?

Ha, I laugh at your doubt. This book had me chuckling, shaking my head, wiping a tear from my eye, and jotting down quotable quotes all within 327 pages. Let me tell you, these pages fly by, blown by the summer air that permeates the story, and by Blackston's lighthearted style. In the midst of sharing Jay Jarvis' struggles to meet women and know God, Blackston communicates marvelous insights while never banging us over the head. This is a book I'd give to my male friends. And to my wife. And to our single friends. And...well, hey, why not send a copy to my mother-in-law. She'll love me for it--and brownie points with the in-laws are always welcome.

Bottom line: "Flabbergasted" is a comic and wise peek into the ways that God works in our lives, leaning heavily on the romance side of things. Never sappy, though. Remember, this is from a guy's point of view.

If Bridget Jones ever met Jay Jarvis, there'd be all kinds of havoc. Thankfully, Jay's in love with someone else. Read the book and you'll know what being "Flabbergasted" is all about. Then, if you're like me, you'll be waiting for the promised sequel.

"Flabbergasted" is one of the most quirky, interesting stories I have ever read. I cannot recall having laughed so much or so hard while reading a book since the last time I read one of Erma Bombeck's books.

Jay Jarvis is a single, eligible, stock-broker bachelor who has just recently moved to Greenville, South Carolina. Not interested in church other than to meet eligible bachelorettes, Jay meets the girl of his dreams, Allie, on his first visit to North Hills Presbyterian Church.

Unfortunately for Jay, Allie is not easy to get to know. Jay will embark on a strange journey domniated by the color lime green, a row of numericals, a less-than-punctual preacher, a pirouette of the gospel, and a multi-hour ride into the Ecudorian jungle. As Jay learns more about Allie and who she is, he will learn about who He is.

"Flabbergasted" is a Christian, coming-to-the-Lord novel. However, this is not your normal salvation tale. Ray Blackston, in his first book, has created a wild and imaginative story that will have you laughing, keep you guessing, and make it difficult for you to put down.

With colorful cast of quirky characters and a plot that is full of surprises, "Flabbergasted" is truly the feel-good novel of the year. It tells the tale of Jay Jarvis, a young stockbroker who moves from his hometown of Dallas to the unfamiliar Greenville, South Carolina, and decides one day to go to a local church to meet chicks and starts attending the church's singles ministry meetings. It is there that he meets a fascinating young missionary named Allie, as well as a number of other interesting characters, who completely turn Jay's life upside-down. Together they share many adventures which leave them, as well as the reader, truly flabbergasted! I just finished reading this book, and I'm really glad I took the time to read it, considering I rarely ever have time to read for pleasure. This book not only made me laugh, but made me think about life and faith and left me with a really good, satisfying feeling when I was finished. Although it did get a little boring at some times, you just couldn't help but keep reading, wondering what would happen next. This was Ray Blackston's first novel, and I'm so glad he took the leap of faith to leave the security his old job and start writing (a method which he does not recommend to the "faint of heart"); from the looks of "Flabbergasted", I think this could be the start of a great career for him. I'm already looking forward to more books by him in the future; word has it that he's already working on a sequel, and you can be sure I'll be among the first in line to read it!

Jay Jarvis moves to Greenville, South Carolina due to a job transfer from Dallas, Texas. Since his girlfriend just dumped him by email he is interested in finding the singles' hangout. Jay's realtor tells him that churches outnumber bars by a twenty-to-one margin. Memorial Day weekend finds Jay on a singles retreat to Myrtle Beach with thirty-four females and nineteen males from the North Hills Presbyterian Church.

Between singing eulogies to lobsters, floating to Africa on an inner tube and riding in a lime green Cadillac, Jay makes friends with a food-throwing, poetry-writing anti-materialistic missionary girl named Allie. And the summer has only just begun...

Flabbergasted is more refreshing than lemonade with a squeeze of lime. Buy this book in hardcover and tell everyone you know about it!

I have a hard time finding books that hold my attention. Not this book ...I have to FORCE myself to save it for my "before bed" reading. I too have actually stepped into the book and feel like I am right there with these characters. I allow myself 2 chapters per night...I dont' want it to end.
Although married for 17 years this still brings back memories of the singles scene and I find myself in stitches over some of the antics of these guys! Kudos to Allie and her pitching arm!!
Hey who can go wrong with a money back guarantee...although mine is being read and bookmarked by 3 people in the house my copy is well used already and not going back for a refund!

If you are looking for light reading that you can interact with -jump in the lime green convertible and come along for a ride!

I too hope there is a sequel

I picked this book because I totally love Southern novels but this book is a little bit different. It is entertaining no doubt about it! It's really hard to believe this is Mr. Blackston's first novel.Even though I've finished this book days ago, I find myself still thinking about the main characters and what became of them.It's the kind of novel that when you come across it again in a book store- you just look at it and smile a great BIG smile! This book really makes you feel good & leaves you with a lasting impression about life in general..Sequel pretty please with mangoes on top!!!!

This is a fun read that has a powerful message about making lifelong, worthwhile friendships. About prioritizing and setting goals. I'm 62 years old and while reading this book I felt young again and up for a challenge. All the characters remind me of someone I've met somewhere that left a sweet memory in my mind, especially Jay Jarvis, if I didn't know better I'd think that Mr. Blackstone and I had a mutual friend. Just great!!!

Ray Blackston amazed me with his abundant talent and wit so strongly displayed in his first novel, Flabbergasted. The bright, fun cover first attracted me to pick up the book and try my luck reading it, and after the first page, I couldn't put it down! Now I've recommended it to many friends, family members, and church members. What a great story plot! The characters were remarkable, and the sequel will be equally witty, I'm sure! Pick this book up if you haven't already...you're sure to enjoy it. Also, check out his website... Have a great day!

What first drew me to this book was the funky cover. It looked like fun. It sat on my shelf for a good couple of months before I actually picked it up and read about the first 6 pages. I was so not into it. Yet as an avid reader & in fairness to RayB I put it back on my shelf and waited for a better day. When that day came I wondered why I hadn't gotten into it from word go! And then I knew... I've read so many serious books, been quite distracted with life, and it's written in first person which I tend not to pick up because some first person books tend to sound like 'letters home to Gran.'

This book is not a letter home but a private encounter with the reader on what happens when a cruisy stock trader (Jay) gets outside his square and visits a church in hope of meeting a girl (what better place to look?). And she's ellusive, hard to get and downright godly! When Jay and Allie and a group of friends end up at the beach, riding carts in the supermarket and singing to the lobsters, it made me think of the times that built my life, going on identical kinds of camps and beach trips. Sea green, drifting on cheap floats and writing in the sand will take on new meanings for you if you get involved in this book... These characters are very real because I grew up with their 'clones' who did even more crazy things but had the same relaxed nature and freedom within themselves. Chapter 5 is particularly special and at the risk of ruining it, next time there's a mosquito in your room, think twice before you reach for the flyspray, ok? And if someone else is doing the spraying, do what Jay-bird did and cover your head because you never know what you might find when the lights come on.

This book made me want to head south and check everything out and I bet I'd find it just as RayB wrote it. I thoroughly enjoyed the male perspective on life and dating, and Jay's responses to situations left me grinning from ear to ear. There are movies you watch and wish you'd heard about before going see it because they end up so dumb and passe. 'flabbergasted' is refreshing and lively, and anyone who does not enjoy it needs to become less serious and remember what it's like to be free... Ray crafts his work so effortlessly that suddenly you're sliding from the fun and games into what really matters most in life - Jesus, true freedom, and relationship (with Him) not religion. If you're not a believer, don't let this put you off because any objective mind will want to take a look at this. I have been giving this book as a gift... It's too amazing to keep to myself! I'm reading it again... and again...

Ray Jarvis is a young, unmarried stockbroker relocating to Columbia, SC. He asks his realtor where men like him can meet the opposite gender. He is told that Columbia's singles scene revolves around church. So the unreligious Ray goes to church... North Hills Presbyterian to be more exact.

What follows is an enjoyable look at the Christian singles scene, Ray's religious experience and a dandy game of hard-to-get with an attractive female missionaries.

There is no doubt this is Christian fiction. It has the requisite call to repentance and conversion of one of its main characters. And it employs the worn out analogy that one must choose faith or a career ; but that the two cannot coexist.

Despite those shortcomings, this is a fun quick read. Author Bankston turns a cute phrase and obviously understands the single male mind. He litters the book with wholly likable characters who have amusing foibles that make them lovable. The South Carolina coast is described so well that the reader can smell the salt air. A very nice summer read.

Is there a sequel in the works?