Customer Reviews

Thinking Straight

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Taylor Adams is a gay high school junior, hopelessly in love with his classmate, Will, who feels the same way about him. When a first love seems to be working out so well, it's hard to imagine anything can go wrong, which is likely why Taylor didn't think through his response to his parents, who wondered why he wasn't intersted in continuing to see a girl from their church whom they had set up on a date. Their knee-jerk reaction to his coming out resulted in Taylor being sent away for six weeks of "rehabilitation" at Straight To God, a church-sponsored residential center for "confused" teens and young adults.

Based on his first few days aty Straight To God, Taylor felt his worst fears about the place were true. His roommate, Charles, seemed to be an inflexible, nosey snitch, some of his fellow residents were sullen robots or vindictive bible-thumpers, his caseworker was a stern lady who seemed eager to trip him up to prolong his "sentence," and the chaplain was just plain creepy. But Taylor warmed up to some of the other teens over the next few days, and found a helpful group of like-minded friends who helped each other make it bearable. When he became aware of some relationships that were not at first obvious, and the reasons why some of the older residents voluntarily came back multiple times, the center took on a new interest for Taylor, feeling a responsibility to some of the friends he had made while there.

In this compelling and rather ambitious followup to "A Secret Edge" (which also dealt with a gay teen's first love), Reardon tries to be fair to both the traditional Christian view on homosexuality, and the more liberal (and generally accepted) interpretations of scripture that support the fact that Jesus actually considered homosexuality a non-issue. That transition happens to both the staff and many members of Straight To God during the 300+ pages of the book, making for rather interesting reading, a good lesson for others wanting to be so enlightened, but perhaps more than a bit implausible and contrived to GLBT teens and adults who were past that point. I give it four stars out of five.

Just last night I finished Robin Reardon's "Thinking Straight," a most involving story falling under the Young Adult category, though I would recommend it only for teens in the upper age range, due to strong language and sexual situations.

The story is told from the viewpoint of Taylor, a teen who is sent to an institution to be "de-gayed" after he comes out to his parents. I was particularly interested in this story, because I've heard some truly horrendous reports detailing the methods used by these "ex-gay" ministries, and was curious as to how such a programme would be depicted in a work of fiction.

The daily routine of the programme which Taylor is forced to join sounds very much like what I've seen and read about these groups in the past, so it seems that the author really did do her research. The storyline was quite interesting, and it really did make me think about the many viewpoints out there (both religious and secular) which deal with what it means to be gay. There are a lot of shades of grey in this book; the situations discussed are not broadly drawn in black and white. In fact, in the end I did not completely agree with everything the author had to say about faith and homosexuality, but I did feel like I had learned a lot. And I had grown to care about the characters quite a bit as I read.

If there is a drawback to this book, it occurs in the last few chapters, in which the storyline veers wildly into melodrama. Now, what takes place certainly is within the realm of possibility---and surely does make for exciting reading! However, the book up to that point was very realistic and low-key in tone, so the sudden shift was a bit disconcerting. Also, I would say that one aspect of the plot, at the very end, seemed to me to be rather unlikely; however, I can't go into that without providing major spoilers. Still, overall I would classify these as minor problems that did not greatly decrease my overall opinion of the book as a whole.

I liked this one, and highly recommend it with certain qualifications. Those being, the reader should be aware that the book contains a few rather frank scenes with sexual content. And, the reader should probably have a natural interest in theology; a LOT of this book is all about theology! (I found all the discussions on the topic to be extremely interesting, but I realise that some people may have the exact opposite reaction.) The book certainly did draw me in, completely, on an emotional level; these people seemed completely real to me.

Robin Reardon has done a wonderful job presenting the story of Taylor a gay teenager whose parents send him to Straight to God to un-confuse his sexuality. The plot line is complex enough to keep your attention throughout, but with a theme that is unmistakable: the only thing wrong with being gay is how others perceive it. The characters are well developed and it was easy to put myself into their shoes. Like a good mystery (or real life), the characters motivations are unclear throughout.

The biggest takeaway for me was that one can have a healthy gay and Christian identity simultaneously. Reardon does a nice job interweaving scripture and progressive Christian thought while also presenting more traditional Christian views. While the protaganist, Taylor, definitely favored the progressive view, I felt Reardon fairly presented the qualms and quandries of traditional Christians.

This is one text that is not to be missed.

I just finished this book last night and loved it. I didn't go through a deprogramming institution like Taylor, but I did grow up in the Church of Christ, and went to a Christian university for my music degree. I know all about the pain, shame, secrecy, and fear that go with growing up gay in a Christian environment. So I can identify with the kids in this book. The characters pulled me in much more intensely than I expected. I couldn't wait to make sure they were okay each night when I got in bed to read.
Straight or gay, everyone should read this book and let your mind be opened.

Robin Reardon has taken on a hugely important subject in her new book, Thinking Straight. Taylor Adams, a teen who starts out the book with his head pretty well in place, has parents who think differently about their son's well adjusted outlook on life. As the story begins they have sent him to Straight To God, a program that prides itself on fixing teens' problems, including getting young men and women to overcome homosexuality. Despite his circumstances and justifiable anger, Taylor has faith in who is he and believes that being gay is okay with God. Reardon knows her Bible and uses it well. Full of drama, great dialog and well developed characters, Thinking Straight is a book I couldn't put down.

Beckie Weinheimer

Author of Converting Kate

I really did like this story but unfortunately what happens to Taylor still happens today by Christian parents. Our own pastor here in town still thinks that it is a choice of being gay and we are all going to hell if we don't become straight. I had him come into my house to tell me that and I asked him if it was a choice that he made to be straight. I also asked him if being gay wasn't how God created us and was such a deadly sin why didn't Jesus ever mention it during his days here on earth. Believe it or not his answer was that "He didn't have time." I just looked at him and asked him if he was serious. So yes, I loved the book and loved Taylor for knowing himself, loving himself and facing what he did with courage. Taylor did make a difference in his life as well as others in that school or should I call it a prison. Good read all the way.

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.

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.

I highly recommend this novel to both gay and straight teenagers and their parents. I also feel it is important reading for those who care about their health and welfare, especially members of faith communities and the medical profession. The beginning of the story was extremely difficult and I could only read it small doses. The attempts by the staff of the fictional "Straight to God" institution to destroy a person's very being is incredibly horrifying. And to do this in the name of God or Jesus seems absolutely unbelievable. Taylor is an incredible young man supported by the love of another young man. Fortunately the staff of this bizarre institution is not monolithic; not all of the them are truly evil persons. The "inmates" develop their own ways of dealing with those in authority. I am not sure I would have had the maturity to survive as the characters mange to do. I found the ending realistic and satisfying. "Thinking straight" is a book to inspire. It demonstrates that each of us can survive and grow and even succeed if we have faith in ourselves.

Robin Reardon has written an extraordinary second book. I read her first book, A Secret Edge, and found that one to be excellent. Thinking Straight is even better. The characters are so well-developed that they seem to spring from the page. The book contains humor, drama, and suspense enough to keep one reading on. Reardon spins her plot with the expertise of a well-established writer like Maugham or McMurtry. I had a hard time putting this book down. It is an excellent subject for any teen (or anyone for that matter) coming to terms with their faith in God and homosexuality. Reardon has certainly become one of the truly good writers of today. I can't wait for her next book.