The Revival [Paperback]

Max Yoho (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

A holy war in Epic, Kansas? You'd better believe it! It's Revival Week, and every man, woman, child and cocker spaniel—if it looks Methodist—is expected to be there.

There really is an Epic, Kansas, but you won't find it on a map. Perhaps it's the very town where you grew up. Perhaps you, like Edwin J. Stamford, at age eleven, lived there while coming to grips with one of the basic truths of life: "Always blame the boy!"

Growing up is never easy—and Edwin may not have been the first nor the last boy to cut his toe while trying to learn the manly art of shaving.

If you were ever a boy, you probably lived many weeks like Edwin's. If you were a sister, you were probably "Irene the Rat"—and you should be ashamed of yourself.

A fantastic rite of passage, THE REVIVAL reminds us of innocent times, simpler places, and the wonders of growing up.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a delightful diversion, an experience somewhere between Huckleberry Finn and Booth Tarkington's Penrod and Jasper... -- Don Coldsmith

...my 'find of the year' [2001] -- Carol Ann Robb, Pittsburg Public Library

...rip-roaring, entertaining, fast-paced... -- Roy Bird, Kansas Library Association

May just be the funniest book I've ever read! -- Bill Shaffer, Producer-Director, KTWU Channel 11

Yoho's book is...my kind of lunacy! -- Baxter Black, cowboy poet

From the Publisher

Dancing Goat Press is pleased to share the hilarious, imaginative world of writer Max Yoho. THE REVIVAL has been enjoyed by readers from 9 to 90. This, Yoho's first novel, has been nominated for the Kansas Authors' Club 2001-2002 J. Donald Coffin Award.

This book is laugh-out-loud funny.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dancing Goat Pr (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970816006
• ISBN-13: 978-0970816009
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,465,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE REVIVAL is wonderful!, October 18, 2001

By 

Bill Shaffer (Topeka, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revival (Paperback)

Review # 1 (Feb. 28, 2001)

THE REVIVAL is wonderful! I am only ready for Chapter 6 (I'm a slow reader), but I don't want to read it fast because it's so rich. I just love it! Don Coldsmith's comparison to Mark Twain is very apt. The writing reminds me of Twain in his younger, leaner days before he wrote tomes that went on and on. I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard last night. I think this may just be the funniest book I've ever read. It's also a pleasure to read it, not a chore. Chapters 4 and 5 are superb examples of comic writing.

Review # 2 (March 12, 2001)

Well, it's a sorry day for me today. I have just finished one of the best books I've ever read - THE REVIVAL by Max Yoho (Snake Shadow). No more shall I read with pleasure of the adventures of Edwin, the hero of Epic, Kansas. I told my wife last night that it was the best book I'd read since HUCK FINN. Now, you may surmise that I'm not too well read (and I may not be), but I've been through quite a few volumes since I first read the Twain classic, but none as memorable as this slim novel. I will read it again just for the beauty of the language. It's a classic. I've already received several requests (beggings) from friends to borrow it, but I'm not sure I can let it go yet...

Review # 3 (October 2, 2001)

Joy! Rapture! Somebody finally returned my copy of Max Yoho's THE REVIVAL. I have started reading it again and am exploding with delighted laughter at the most unusual times. This time as much from nostalgia as a true need to laugh as well. I am anxiously awaiting Max's next book (due out shortly), but THE REVIVAL is just as much fun now as it was before. Don't loan it to anybody. You may never get it back!

Bill Shaffer
Topeka, Kansas
.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Title Mislead You, October 11, 2001

By 

"gizzier" (Topeka, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revival (Paperback)

Our book group just finished this book and we're in total agreement. It's wonderfully funny and easy to read. Several of us admitted to laughing out loud several times as we wound our way to the end.

"The Revival" is about a small boy in a small town during the week the revival preachers come to town - one Methodist and one Holy Roller, but that's just a loose outline to give his main characters a dance floor. You'll get introduced to the family, the churches, the town & all seen through the eyes of 8-year-old with a sense of humor & a sense of drama.

Yes, I admit to a certain prejudice because the author is a hometown boy, but Don Coldsmith liked it well enough to write the intro. If you like Garrison Keillor or Mark Twain, give this one a try too.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Embarrassed myself laughing, May 30, 2002

By 

Jeff J. Veteto (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Revival (Paperback)

This is without a doubt, the funniest book I have ever read. I have read thousands of books in my lifetime but this one is the only one that had tears of laughter running down my face. My wife had to quit reading it on a night flight to England as she was laughing so hard it was keeping others awake. Max's humor is absolutely brilliant. It is a real classic.