Customer Reviews

The Truth Shall Set You Free: A Memoir

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This book was engrossing as I felt the struggle of this couple dealing with being a married couple in the south with one partner being gay. It led to me read Mel White's book STRANGER AT THE GATE: TO BE GAY AND CHRISTIAN IN AMERICA. Both of these books take the reader into the heart of their struggle with the Christian church. And both reveal true healing and connection with the church.

In a work of rare honesty and compassion, Sally Lowe Whitehead shares her heart with the reader. While focusing on the painful reality of discovering that her husband and the father of her children is gay, this work deals with much more. It is an honest and sometimes painful account of the author's coming to terms with a Church that is often unforgiving and unloving. Whitehead's journey toward faith and forgiveness is both moving and challenging to the reader. It is impossible to read her words and not re-evaluate one's own ideas and prejudices. The Truth Shall Set You Free is a work that is not only honest in its presentation, it is one that encourages the reader to equal honesty.

I am living out the same experience as the author's and I was deeply moved by her story. It validated my own feelings and helped me to better understand the feelings of my gay ex-husband. I was touched to read that their friendship was sustained through it all and it gives me hope for the same. Any married couple dealing with this devastating situation should read her memoir.

Although the book explores her husband's journey toward reconciling his faith and his sexuality, it truly explores the myths and realities of faith in the context of sexuality in general. A refreshing memoir about one family's maturing into authentic Christian faith, "The Truth Shall Set You Free" demonstrates that "real" Christians and "gay" Christians can come together in the reality of life and faith to develop close, intimate friendships that strengthen the faith of each.

I believe that this book will minister to other couples who are going through a similar experience (where one of the partners is gay)... they will see that there is HOPE! Also this family's spiritual journey before, during and after "fundamentalism" was fascinating and will lead one to understand that God is a lot bigger and merciful than we may think! As a gay man, who is a non-custodial father of three children, I was captivated by this book and literally read it in about 3-4 sittings! It is great!!!

I read Sally Whitehead's book with keen interest because my wife and I are in it! I have known Sally for...how many years??? Her book is an honest look at some painful experiences, from which Sally grew as a human being and brought hope and renewed life to her family and friends. I am supportive of this book for many personal reasons, but I can also highly recommend it because it will speak to many people who have similar journeys

This is an excellently written work that addresses the confusion and the struggle of being in a relationship with someone who is at odds with their own sexuality. To further complicate matters, this book tackles the issue of being deeply entrenched in Christian Fundamentalism while dealing with a spouse who is coming to terms with being gay. The author tells her story in a very open and personal way. It is written much like a novel or short story, yet it is powerfully "real". It is a book that you have a hard time putting down because you want to find out what happens next. Recommended reading for anyone who has a gay family member or friend who has come out after being married and having children.

The Truth Shall Set You Free is sure to touch many lives of gay Christians and couples that find themselves in the mold that our society has created. This compelling story is an example of true Christianity. The book has prompted and challenged the growth of my own life and the life of my former wife. Love does prevail all. I can not even count how many others I have given the book to read. It now seems as if it is constantly on loan. A truely touching story of truth, acceptance and unconditional love!

Whitehead's book traces the journey of a woman whose Christian fundamentalism was challenged by the discovery that her husband was gay. She grapples with the pain and disillusionment that results, ultimately emerging with a new life of honesty and victory.

A moving book, quite heart-rending at times. And yet frustrating as well. Too many pages are given to the crushing and authoritarian leaglism of their early faith which ultimately counts for nothing. As the doors of self- and God-understanding open, I yearned to know more to hear more of their internal transformation and the remarkable people who cross their paths--like Madelaine L'Engle. The climax of confrontation and decision was gripping but I sensed a gauzy filter descending thereafter, masking the grit required in reconsituting lives and relationships.