Reviews

Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free, by Linda Kay Klein

momogajo's review

dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

This book isn't perfect. I find the way the author intersperses the interviews is a little jarring. However, if you are wanting to dip your toe into critically thinking about and talking about Purity culture and Evangelicalism it is a good start.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Incest, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Body shaming, and Alcohol

They all get spoken about, but not in graphic detail. This book has a lot of interviews with people who have diverse backgrounds.

mikaylaupcott95's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

revmegankelly's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Appreciated the personal, narrative approach to uncovering the negative ramifications of a popular movement, as well as its underlying optimism about the possibility of healing and wholeness. The book also honestly acknowledged some of the positive elements people experienced in evangelicalism as well, honoring the complexity of these communities and one’s relationship to their religious past. 

khirneis's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

purplehotdogs's review

2.0

This book had potential. I came in with an assumption that the author would be outside of the church, and I was incorrect. This woman is still very much a Christian (which is pretty hard to reconcile for me personally). For someone completely separated from the church, this book isn’t enough and in my opinion doesn’t take the critique as far as it deserves to go. Sometimes the baby does deserve to go out with the bath water. Evangelicalism cannot be separated from its racist, colonial, patriarchal, homophobic story. As the author highlights, the church has traumatized so many of us. Permanently.

The author glazes right over several assaults without calling them what they are and makes a whole lot of space for what I consider unacceptable behavior.

I’m glad this book exists, it’s just not written for me. It’s written for someone still in the church struggling with purity culture. I wish I would have had it at that point in my life. If you’re in the church and things aren’t quite adding up when it comes to sex and dating and your body—this is the book for you.

taylor15809's review

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

4.75

sarahesmaewolfe's review

5.0

If you didn't grow up in the church during the purity culture or think this movement was good thing, I dare you to read this book. And if you read this book and think this kind of thing doesn't happen, think again.

krisalexcole's review

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Medical content, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, Mental illness, and Eating disorder

tkhamilton3's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad fast-paced

5.0

fletcher's review

just kind of basic, a good intro to the subject but not for me