GHOSTED:
An American Story
By Nancy French
Zondervan. 288 pages. £20
ISBN 978 0 310 367 444
Bestselling author Nancy French sure knows how to tell a story. Unusually for her, and wonderfully for her readers, this time the story she tells is her own. Formerly a ghostwriter, this book tells of French’s journey from poverty, through abuse, to huge political influence – and being cast out by her tribe and her church.
French’s faith comes across as charismatic, full of dreams and prophecies fulfilled. From growing up and being abused by a preacher from a young age, to experiencing rejection at her Christian college, but then ostracised at NYU for being too conservative, she is authentic and gritty. She writes for an American audience, with references to the GOP (the Grand Old Party, or Republicans) but is easy to read – though this will not be easy reading for those accustomed to sticking with one particular tribe, in politics or in the church. If you’ve ever had doubts about evangelicals supporting Trump, French asks some of the questions you’ve probably pondered: “Why was the party of ‘family values’ rallying behind the guy who made a Playboy cameo?”
