achilliad's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I admired the author's ability to challenge the reader and her willingness to challenge herself. She seems to understand that one of the most important aspects about personal nonfiction and memoir is radical honesty with the self and the reader, which can be painful all around.
Personally, as an ex-Catholic queer, I struggle with the space she wants to provide for evangelicalism, Catholicism, and other forms of Christianity. It's not a thing I want to grieve, and my personal ruminations are always focused on how Christianity is an institutionally dangerous practice. I should have had more faith in the authorbecause she does give the last thought to the ways Christianity is dangerous and she treats it with the forthrightness and honesty I think are often missing when we tiptoe around the conversation of religious faith as if it's something above reproach.
Personally, as an ex-Catholic queer, I struggle with the space she wants to provide for evangelicalism, Catholicism, and other forms of Christianity. It's not a thing I want to grieve, and my personal ruminations are always focused on how Christianity is an institutionally dangerous practice. I should have had more faith in the author
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry
artificerchris's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
A wonderful account of a gay woman's journey out of an evangelical marriage and church, and into her own queerness. Well written, and compelling!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Homophobia
lovelyoutliers's review against another edition
2.0
A detailed account of Jeanna’s childhood and adolescence in a strict evangelical church. Her writing style is a bit preachy for my liking and instead of finding insight, I struggles to finish.
punkystarshine's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the memoir bits of this so much, such great slice-of-life writing, dabbled with lines and paragraphs that were practically poetry. Chapter 6, F/F, was my favorite, having been raised in fandom as well.
ashwolff's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely on the more academic side than memoir, with long chapters about tne history of religion and religion driven movements in America. However, the actual memoir parts were relatable and interesting.
jmk1447's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This book is so good, a light in the darkness for folks who grew up queer in conservative Christian spaces. So so good and life changing.