Jerry Tovo

The Bible Reading Contest: a Novel Jerry Tovo

Sometimes satirical, sometimes serious, this is the story of one boy, two wars, two families, piety and sensuality. It begins in the killing fields of France 1918 and moves on to Armistice day 1941, when seven-year-old Teddy Nardo, lies in his parent's bed listening to his Dad's stories from World War I -- over the top, no man's land and machine gun nests. It is one time when he loves his father most. Armistice day was his day. He also loves his mother. But both are irrevocably square and that irritates him. They are also steeped in the Presbyterian ethic. This is more than an irritation. It is an affliction. But with the beginning of World War II the walls of fortress church are breached and exciting people come pouring in: people who buy on the black market, a sexy teacher, a bipolar uncle, enticing teenage girls and an unhygienic prostitute. But then the charismatic Rev. Geoffrey Hartman and his exquisitely charming wife Sara come to town. Rev G. was chaplain for the 101st Airborne, serving at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. They galvanize Teddy's spiritual life, but bring something unexpected with their new take on religion and the Bible Reading Contest.