First time author Maudarica Lewis received an inspiration to do to something she’d never done before, write a play. Rather than question she set pen to paper and created what would ultimately be “Take Up Your Bed and Walk”.
After presenting the play with a successful run Lewis took her writing a step further and wrote a novel of the same title based on the characters in the play.
“TakeUp Your Bed and Walk” takes place in a town just outside of Atlanta and as with any small town the lives of the people in it intermingle to create joy, laughter, chaos, hurt, misunderstanding and inspiration.
It centers around Freewill Macedonia Baptist church goers and former church goers who try and remain in faith though the pressures of everyday life seems to push them in less than faith-based directions.
Kim, Brittney and Monet, the main characters of the book, come together often to chat, gossip and vent. Each struggles with their own flaws as they navigate their day to day while trying to reconcile their past hurts.
Kim seems to have commitment issues based on a past love she can’t let go. Britney has started a completely new life for herself seemingly running from her past but realizing that ultimately it will catch up with you. Monet, though successful in business can’t seem to find that type of commitment in love. The men she beds are indeed committed but to other women.
As the story unfolds we find that the pastor of the church has misspent the money that was allocated for the building and disappeard. Pastor De’angelo Downs has taken over but, with no church building Kim volunteers her home to holds services where an array of characters venture in and out, including her flamboyant neighbor Dino who is constantly having ‘visions’.
The men add to with Kim’s boyfriend Keith struggling with his own commitment issues because of past hurt. Brittney’s boyfriend Tim, despite being a hustler comes off as a fairly nice guy who is struggling with his own indiscretions and lack of faith. All rounded out by Michael, a blast from the past in more ways than one whose return to town is not welcomed by all.
Then there’s the matter of Gabriel who is fairly new to the town and though a bit mysterious people are drawn to his kind nature and advice.
As the book proceeds, we learn just how entangled everyone is in each other’s lives from past and present involvements. Secrets and lies are revealed and at times comedy ensues.
The strong point of the book is in the dialog that happens throughout between the characters. They are so animated and come to life with their colorful conversations that flow as easily as regular conversations you would normally have with your friends. There are a lot of music and pop culture references and quite a bit of church lingo that is easier to follow than you’d expect.
You’ll get a bit of everything in this book, scandals, lies, deception, heartache, longing, sorrow and joy which all comes to a head at, where else, a BBQ.
All of the characters and their stories are very relatable. You’re sure to think to yourself that you know someone like Kim or that you see a bit of her in your own personality.
They are so well developed that you care what happens to them and want to know that they’ll be okay and in the end just like in real life everything doesn’t end perfectly but, there is the sense that everyone will carry on as they should.
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You can purchase your copy of “Take Up Your Bed and Walk” on Amazon.com in Paperback or Kindle format.
Paperback: 444 pages
Publisher: GIT IT RITE PUBLISHING (March 28, 2014)
Language: English
