tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912043579415184090.post8235437208847277830..comments2023-12-28T15:28:36.740-07:00Comments on Shelah Books It: Book #44: No Going Back (Whitney Book 24)Shelahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14894331035791148486noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912043579415184090.post-80060552892707132072010-03-22T21:00:04.182-06:002010-03-22T21:00:04.182-06:00I liked it too--I told my husband when I finished ...I liked it too--I told my husband when I finished reading it that it should be required reading for bishops in the Church today. And I guess that is both compliment and criticism, because occasionally the book came across as a morality play, something intended to preach how we should act towards gay people. An effective tutorial, but still a tutorial in places.<br /><br />I also felt jolted around by all the many points of view--I would have liked that to be streamlined a little. Give me three different POV characters, maximum, for a book this short. I realize that each POV shift had a purpose for the story, but I kept wondering how the story would be different without the shifts, and if the discipline of sticking to fewer points of view would have improved the story overall. <br /><br />Having said that, I was very moved by this book. It kept me thinking, and it made me cry in places. I loved that Paul was able to maintain at least one friendship--that was a hopeful element to me, in spite of all the hate around him. I loved Paul's character, deeply committed to the Church, trying to figure out what it means to him to be gay as well. And the relationships between the characters felt authentic to me. So overall, I would recommend it.Emily M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912043579415184090.post-75201448129372913542010-03-22T17:42:49.899-06:002010-03-22T17:42:49.899-06:00An interesting and insightful review. From what yo...An interesting and insightful review. From what you wrote, it sounds like the book mostly succeeded in what I wanted it to do, despite some artistic choices that didn't work so well for you. Thanks for posting your thoughts, and I look forward to your future "more complete" review.Jonathan Langfordhttp://www.langfordwriter.comnoreply@blogger.com