Praise For This Book
Praise for Sin Bravely An NPR Best Book of 2017
"Rowe deftly juxtaposes dark humor with raw emotion without ever yanking the reader out of the story." --
The Guardian "Anxiety, guilt, and a debilitating fear of going to hell don't feel like they'd make for a great vacation read, but
Sin Bravely, Maggie Rowe's hilarious--and ultimately heartwarming--story of her time spent in an Evangelical Christian rehab, is . . . Laugh-out-loud funny." --
GOOP, 1 of 8 new reads for Labor Day Weekend
"Rowe's fantastic book is a born-again version of
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...Not for the faint of heart, this is a cutting examination of Rowe's spiritual evolution that plunges into the big questions with the fearlessness found in the most brilliant of comics." --
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"A gripping exploration of the necessity of disobedience on the road to authenticity. A beautifully written, deeply funny memoir." --Jill Soloway, creator of
Transparent "This book is so honest, so chock full of struggle and philosophical profundity --and ultimately so heartbreakingly funny-- that one is only left to conclude that if Heaven is a place that won't let in the likes of Maggie Rowe, then why the hell would anyone even want to go there?" --Mitch Hurwitz, creator of
Arrested Development "A sharp, genuinely funny book about the dangers of literalism and fear of the afterlife. A must read for anyone on this side of eternity." --Bill Maher
"Maggie Rowe suffered for our sins so we don't have to. There are many laugh out loud moments in Maggie's deeply moving account of her spiritual wrestling match with a god she both feared and worshiped. A book with an original voice that should definitely be on your reading list." --Annabelle Gurwitch, author of the
New York Times bestseller and Thurber Prize Finalist
I See You Made an Effort "Maggie Rowe's writing is a rare thing: brilliant, intelligent, hilarious, thoughtful, and, most importantly, utterly believable.
Sin Bravely is a startling reminder of how 'faith' and 'belief' are often synonymous with pure terror of a fictional--and seemingly very mean--Guy, and of what He'll do if you doubt Him for even a second. Her fear of Hell is a hell in itself, lived though the mind of a fiercely intelligent woman.
Sin Bravely deserves to sell more copies and scare more people than the Bible; this is what I call a 'good book.'" --Peter Baynham, co-writer,
Borat and
Arthur Christmas "A powerful debut memoir that hits the unusual sweet spot of rigorous theology, candid sexuality, and laugh-out-loud humor. Who knew theological inquiry and obsessive questioning of one's eternal fate could be so damn funny?" --Mishna Wolff, author of
I'm Down: A Memoir "Hilarious and heartbreaking. Hints of
The Bell Jar in that Maggie Rowe makes a painful story feel vibrant and funny and alive. Immensely readable." --Ilyse Mimoun, author of
Choose Your Own Love Story "By turns harrowing and hilarious, Maggie Rowe takes us with her on a journey to the heart of faith and despair, love and madness." --Eric Kaplan, author
Does Santa Exist?: A Philosophical Investigation "Readers who have wrestled with self-doubt over the strength of their convictions will find a funny, frank companion in this frantically compelling memoir...Rowe's book does not provide easy answers, but her capacity to eventually sin bravely signals a new beginning. This engaging and adventurous book is an excellent companion for fellow seekers."--
Booklist "Rowe is a winning narrator...you can't help but root for her." --
America Magazine
