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Thinking Straight
by Robin Reardon
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$15.00 |
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$10.20 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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Paperback
Publisher: Kensington
ISBN13: 9780758219282
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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I know God doesn't make mistakes, and if I'm gay it's because that's what he wanted. What you wanted. And I think the challenge is to get everyone else to see that. This is their test, not mine. If only Taylor Adams had kept on lying to his parents, none of this would have happened. He wouldn't have been shipped off to Straight to God, an institution devoted to "deprogramming" troubled teenagers and ridding them of their vices--whether it's drugs, violence, or in Taylor's case, other boys. Not that Taylor has a problem with being gay, or with reconciling his love for God with his love for his boyfriend Will... At Straight to God, such thoughts--along with all other reminders of Taylor's former "sinful" life--are forbidden. Every movement is monitored, privacy is impossible, and no one--from staff to residents--is quite who they first appear to be. There's Charles, Taylor's clean-cut roommate, desperate to leave his past behind...Nate Devlin, a handsome, inscrutable older boy who's alternately arrogant and kind... gorgeous, secretive Sean, who returns to Straight to God each year to avoid doing prison time for drugs. Here, where piety can be a mask for cruelty and the greatest crimes go unpunished, Taylor will learn more than he ever dreamed about love, courage, rebellion, and betrayal--but the most surprising lessons will be the truths he uncovers about himself. In this smart, insightful new novel, Robin Reardon presents a compelling exploration of the journey from boy to man, and a testament to the strength that comes with accepting both who we are, and who we love...
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Can Christianity be Reformed? |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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An interesting tale, if you can get past all the graphic accounts of gay sex scattered throughout -- I read this to try to get more familiar with "liberal" Christian theology, and should have expected the sex scenes considering the nature of the book I suppose, although I think the author could have made her point without them, to try to reach a more broad (non-gay) audience. Anyway, it does highlight the schism in modern Christianity between those who view the "good book" literally, and those who take a more selective approach as to what parts of the Bible should be followed or not. It does beg the question though: why would anyone choose to remain part of a faith where even a sizable number of believers believe that way? Why try to water-down and temper Christianity, when you can just as easily forsake it altogether? A "gay Christian" just seems like an oxy-moron to me, and I can't help but think sometimes that those who seek to liberalize Christianity are really just giving more credence to ALL of it -- even the bad conservative/authoritarian parts -- but I'd definitely take a "liberal" Christian that doesn't interpret every word of the Bible literally over a conservative Bible-thumper who does, any day of the week.
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| Thoughtful While Also Being a Great Read |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I read Thinking Straight several months ago and have continued to think about it ever since . . . hence my recommendation here. Other reviewers have accurately described the plot/characters so I won't repeat that here. Just know that Reardon has created fully-developed characters here; some of whom actually grow and change. There are many points of view fairly represented and the book as a whole offers readers much to consider long after the basic plot points get resolved. Great book for teens and adults, particularly if you are looking for something to stimulate (book group) conversations. I particularly like the civil tone and thoughtful "open-mindedness" of Reardon's writing.
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| thinking straight |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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I have read about half of the book so far and have found it quite interesting. It arrived in excellent condition. I would buy similar products from this saler anytime. Jerry
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| BUY THIS! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I have been sitting on my butt after reading this book and wanting to gush how good it is, but I think other reviewers have already done it right and I haven't anything new to add besides buy this book or read it somehow, you won't be disappointed. Sure, there is a crazy religious character in here that makes you go 'wtf?' Why is it that when the objective is making religious people look bad, they make sure it's a psycho doing stuff God probably would be shaking his head at. Mandy Moore is the movie Saved was pretty crazy, huh? It makes religious people look bad, but I guess it was in the book because there are people like that, so be wary liberals! It's sad when that an abortionist doctor was murdered. Other than all that, great story! Wanted more romance, but the mystery of the camp makes a great YA book.
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| An inside look at the Ex-gay movement |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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If you don't read any other book on the ex-gay programs and the harm they can do to lgbt individuals, I highly recommend Reardon's book. Readon is sensitive to all sides in this ongoing debate, about whether one can truly change sexual orientation. She shows that the good intentions of some of the leaders in the "Straight to God" center actually do have beneficial effects on some of those that go through the program. Not all the participants are gay or lesbian. Some are drug addicts, etc., and much of what is practiced at the center bring some troubled youth to a better understanding of themselves. The central character in all of this is seventeen-year-old Taylor Adams, who has been sent to the center when he admits to his parents that he is gay. In other words, he is one of thousands of real-life young people who suddenly find that their parents have stripped them of any autonomous rights and, at first, Taylor feels that he has been incarcerated in a cruel prison. He only intends to play the game and to get out in six weeks. He goes to the center to avoid another threat by his father, who tells him that if he does not successfully complete this program, he will go to military school. And so the story begins. Reardon is quite good in ratcheting up the tension of a psychological sort as Taylor tries to navigate through the program, without calling attention to himself, and trying to appear as though he is being successfully re-programmed--holding doggedly onto his love of a boy on the outside. I can't give away the plot. It is intricate and ultimately satisfying, with an ending that will surprise you. There are no straw characters in this story. Reardon does a marvelous job of developing complex characters, and the plot is relentless.
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