Joseph O. Patton
Editor and Publisher
Capital City Free Press
S. Dennis Hale takes on the two most unshakable cornerstones of Southern life, politics and religion, in his latest work of fiction, "The Prayer Amendment: A Humorous Novel of Southern Politics and Religion."
With guts and a keen sense of satire, Hale wades into the mire of politics and religion, offering the pointed tale of Jim Forbe, a Republican candidate for governor in Alabama who runs for the state's highest office promising only to mandate prayer in public schools. The hypocritical Forbe, who isn't personally the biggest proponent of prayer, hits a snag by way of two girls' "heavenly" intervention after his election.
Forbe's precisely worded, state-mandated prayer is altered by two well-meaning school girls. Their prayers seem to be answered, so they continue with others. However, the "answering" of their prayers somehow begins altering all of state goverment, in the opposite direction Forbe was steering it.
Hale's host of larger-than-life characters and his ability to blend basic human life with the higher themes of spirituality makes for a funny and intriguing novel. He has crafted each character in a way that allows you to understand each point of view. "The Prayer Amendment" is a thought-provoking and fascinating read. |
