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A review by khopeisz
Two-Step Devil by Jamie Quatro
4.75
I had been waiting for Jamie Quatro’s next book since Fire Sermon, googling her every so often for book-related updates. So I was happy when I found that this book had been released, and that my local library carried it!
And wow. What a poignant read. But while I cried at multiple points, philosophically, I am not sure this book touched me on the deepest level. I’m just hard to engage with and challenge on a philosophical front though. But on a character level, I had such empathy for Zeke, who was torn on how to care for his father. And I loved the way Michael’s scenes were narrated, the youthfulness and also the skillful insertions of her past. And I appreciate the efficiency with which we get to know The Prophet. I never felt like he was crazy, only that I felt sorry for him. I was endeared by his paternalism and wished he’d chosen the alternative for his well-being. Much like Zeke.
One actual critique: I appreciate the found family aspect we have between The Prophet and Michael. I do wish we had more scenes of them bonding, from her perspective at least. Though I understand her as a character, I was not entirely convinced on why she stayed. Like I was 90% of the way convinced.
One actual critique: I appreciate the found family aspect we have between The Prophet and Michael. I do wish we had more scenes of them bonding, from her perspective at least. Though I understand her as a character, I was not entirely convinced on why she stayed. Like I was 90% of the way convinced.
You could readily compare the Prophet’s artistry to that of the man behind Salvation Mountain. And I’m saying you could because I personally don’t know much about the man behind Salvation Mountain. For me, I think the best real life equivalent of The Prophet is James Hampton, whose Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly is on display at one of the Smithsonians. That installation still haunts me, as I, formerly an evangelical, get overwhelmed by the concept of committing to a religiosity so deeply that the commitment eventually consumes you. And Quatro really captures this with The Prophet. This is a man who sees his visions until the very end, which is tragic, but the dedication is beautiful, thus making it haunting altogether.
Quatro also experiments with style, and in other books this experimentation, demarcated by sections, can leave the book feeling disjointed. But in this book, I feel like the varying styles work in favor of the story and its themes.
Here’s what I want to say about the portions with Two-Step: 1) I think with the script storytelling, and the imagery of them being on a stage, I could not help but compare this section to the performance scenes in All That Jazz, in which we also have a morally dubious man gripping with his life’s choices. 2) regarding Two-Step: I know a Screw Tape reference when I see one!
Anyway, this is the perfect sort of book for me. Can always appreciate whatever take Quatro has on American evangelicalism. Bonus points for referring to the 12 disciples as “those out-of-work fishermen” lmao. Also, as noted in another one of my reviews, I tend to be dizzy. The entire time I was reading this, I thought the book was set during Trump’s presidency. Doesn’t make sense timeline-wise lol. The years are at the start of ever chapter and Trump was not the president in 2014 🤦🏾♀️ It could help contextually if you understand that the present day scenes are during Obama’s presidency my b lol.