High as the Horses' Bridles by Scott Chesire opens with twelve-year-old Josiah testifying to four thousand congregants that the apocalypse will come in the year 2000. Twenty-five years later, our protagonist lives in California and lo longer believes in the apocalypse. At the urging of his ex-wife Sarah, Josie goes home to New York to check on his aging father, who is declining physically and mentally. While this book started out very strong, it was overall underwhelming. Sort of like Josiah's life. ( )

A promising prologue—written in the crescendo of an itinerant preacher's tent revival sermon—unmasks the false sense of community fundamentalism creates. Unfortunately, the rest of the semi-autobiographical novel focuses on the now-adult main character's misanthrophic inner musings. The nature of faith is explored, but the story somehow lacks depth. Josiah is a typical MFA protagonist: privileged but oppressed (by whom? one wonders), self-absorbed, bitter. Thinly-veiled anti-choice commentary and the author's attitude that women are manipulative seductresses also make sympathizing with the protagonist difficult. ( )

At the age of twelve, Josiah Laudermilk testifies in front of his massive congregation in Queens, New York with the untempered belief that the apocalypse will come in the year 2000. Years later, with the apocalypse prediction behind him, recently divorced Josiah leaves his home in California to care for his father who has started to unravel after his mother’s death.

High as the Horses’ Bridles circles around faith, both its presence and absence, particularly in the face of illness and death. Despite the delicate subject, Cheshire writes with such respect that his commentary can be read, examined and appreciated from nearly any viewpoint. But that’s not to say he handles anything with kid gloves, rather he chooses to write with the depth of reality over searing critique.

“What I wanted to say was, Dad, you got it all wrong. Death is not a home. Cancer is not a reward. When it comes knocking on your door, you should run. And if you don’t run because for some reason you don’t know better, you should be taken up and protected.”

At the end of the novel, Cheshire jumps to nineteenth century Kentucky in a brave move that will likely throw off some readers, but serves as a fascinating bookend to the novel’s fiery opening. For those interested in exploring the risks of faith through story, High as the Horses’ Bridles is a book that readers will want to dig into, turn over and discuss at length.

More at www.rivercityreading.com ( )

"And God's army will come riding forth on horses, and the sinners' blood will run in the streets, thick and deep, high as a horse's bridle ..."

Much enjoyed this -- recommend it highly. Cheshire's brief interlude with the closing chapter, "No Moe Dominion," was a pleasant surprise and probably "made" the book for me, as it was the best-written section of the book, IMO, and brings the whole story full circle. ( )

I just didn't get this book, kept waiting for something profound to happen. I really would have liked to know more about Issy. ( )