21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Hard Look At A Hot Issue, September 20, 2006
This review is from: Bright Purple: Color Me Confused (TrueColors Series #10) (Paperback)
Melody Carlson has written the other nine books in the True Colors Series so that she could write number 10: BRIGHT PURPLE. Carlson keeps building on her topics that she chooses to be the frame for each book, and this time around, she has chosen to deal with homosexuality. But the approach she takes is different in this one - she does not write a story from the point of view of a person who comes out of the closet, but instead focuses on that person's best friend, who has to deal with this new revelation about her best friend. Oh, and did we mention that both of these girls have been attending church for years? And that both of them happen to claim they are Christians?
As the Christian community in general is beginning to talk more openly about homosexuality and how we should deal with the subject as followers of Jesus, BRIGHT PURPLE comes at a good time. Ramie, the main character of this book, has to deal with her best friend Jessica's confession to being a lesbian. This shocks Ramie, who now is beginning to wonder if she herself might be a lesbian. How does someone know if they are gay? How do you know if the people around you aren't or are? Ramie wonders through this questions, and as Jessica slowly lets out her secret to more and more people, she keeps getting poked at and made fun of, and it's escalating. Before too long, it will be fists that are flying, not just words. Soon Ramie has to choose - does she stand by her friend, or does she turn her back on Jessica for good?
On a story-level, this one does it all. The conflict is complicated for the main character - and all the conversations feel very real. Once again, Carlson does not tie things up neatly with a bow at the end, one of my favorite aspects of her books. There are still messy ends to the bow, which is the way it should be.
BRIGHT PURPLE deals with a very touchy subject in such a wonderful way - I wanted to applaud Carlson at the end. She takes the Biblical views of loving the way Jesus did, and what the Bible says about homosexuality, and blends them together in a way that really should be a wake-up to the Christian community at large - especially since so many look down on the homosexual community. What happened to loving people past the mess? What right do we have to make fun of homosexuals? We are all people - and we all need Christ's love and forgiveness - something Carlson does not fail to mention. Please check this one out. You can't not read this one. Why? Because it's about time someone said all this.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A plausible and realistic story in which faith and life choices collide, February 9, 2007
This review is from: Bright Purple: Color Me Confused (TrueColors Series #10) (Paperback)
While enjoying lunch at the mall, Jessica LeCroix decides it's time to tell her best friend, Ramie Grant, what Jessica has known for a long while --- Jessica is a lesbian. Ramie, however, can't handle the news. Sickened, she excuses herself from the table, runs to the ladies' restroom and loses her lunch. With feelings of betrayal and hurt (and perhaps an inkling of what's to come), Jess passes Ramie's purse to her and immediately a line of division is drawn.
Ramie's initial reaction is denial, then disgust. She wonders how her formerly best friend (her best Christian friend) can "come out" with such an outrageous statement. Her imagination starts running rampant: Has Jess ever "felt" things for her? What about when they dress in the locker room for basketball practice? How does Jess square what the Bible says about homosexuality? Worse yet, will others think she's gay too?
Confused, Ramie distances herself in every way possible from Jess and makes a concerted effort to form alliances that put Jess on the outside. Ramie discusses the situation with her counselor mom, but doesn't get the answers she needs. Then, Ramie jumps into dating a boy with a "who cares" attitude as further "insurance" that others won't assume she's a lesbian by association.
In the tumultuous days and weeks following Jess's confession, everyone gets an education on how emotionally charged any topic of sexuality becomes. Ramie and Jess's church members, Jess's family, kids at school, the girls on the basketball team --- everyone weighs in with their thoughts and opinions. Sadly, most of what comes to the surface is ugly.
Even after Ramie secures for herself a "safe" social standing, she continues to feel conflicted about her rejection of Jess. Witnessing Jess get verbally abused finally forces Ramie to live out the tenets of her faith. She can love Jess as she always has and be her friend without agreeing with her stance on homosexuality. But will she?
Somehow, Melody Carlson has managed to craft a very plausible and realistic story in which faith and life choices collide. There's fallout to be sure, but she skillfully offers hope, good counsel and substantive challenge throughout.
--- Reviewed by Michele Howe.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good., December 20, 2010
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Bright Purple: Color Me Confused (TrueColors Series #10) (Paperback)
Good but i think it might possibly have gone into a bit more detail about how bad Ramie felt after treating her best friend like trash just because she was different from her. But it was still as good read and I enjoyed the parts i read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
