Customer Reviews

Marjoe

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This book was very interesting. It was not interesting because of the writing style however, but more due to the subject. This book chronicles the life of former child evangelist Marjoe Gortner and is a tell-all expose of both his family, upbringing and the corruption that existed within certain areas of the Christian Pentecostal movement. I was disturbed and embarrased at the things which were done "in the name of Jesus". As a Charismatic Christian minister, I felt that this book was not a slam on Christianity, but instead serves to shine the light of truth on the hypocrisy and religious pride that sometimes exists (hidden) within the church. After reading this book, I was left with a curiosity to know more about the current goings on with Marjoe Gortner. I was also sympathetic for the abuse and manipulation Marjoe suffered at the hands of his overbearing and manipulative parents. I highly recommend this book, especially to those people who are currently involved with church service.

I saw the documentary film Marjoe & I thought that Marjoe Gortner was fascinating. How many barnstorming pentecostal preachers admit that they are fakes and that they copy their "stage moves" from Mick Jagger? Since I wanted to know more, I found an old copy of Steven Gaines' 1974 book on Marjoe. I enjoyed the book, but it's not great.

Marjoe Gortner was born to a pair of evangelists in 1944. Under his mother's strict teaching, Marjoe developed his preaching skills. He was ordained, performing marriages, and traveling the country while still a small child.

As Marjoe grew up, he saw the hypocrisy of fundamentalist leaders, who cared only about money. Marjoe's dysfunctional parents constantly moved the family in search of greener (haha) pastures. By the time Marjoe was a teen, he'd lost his little-boy cuteness, his parents' marriage was kaput, and the family was broke. Marjoe attempted to establish a life outside of evangelism, but eventually returned to preaching.

This book has a lot going for it. There are many colorful scoundrels who charm the masses out of their dollars while secretly living bawdy lives. Marjoe is charismatic and charms people whether he's preaching, working as a carnival barker, or trying to seduce a woman.

Gaines focuses on Marjoe's childhood, while Marjoe the film focuses on his adulthood. I'm an avid reader, so it pains me to say that the film - which shows Marjoe's flamboyant appeal - was better than the book. Also, Gaines should have given his book more structure; the reader gets vignettes from Marjoe's life, but the book meanders to a close.

This is not a bad book, but I can't give it more than three stars.