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The Truth Shall Set You Free: A Memoir
A riveting new voice in literary memoir tells the gripping true story of a family shattered--and ultimately set free--by the revelation of a long-hidden secret. Sally Lowe Whitehead shares the deeply personal story of her own and her husband's lifelong quest for spiritual truth--and her astonishing discovery of her husband's homosexuality, which initially broke and then remade her vision of family, love, and Christian faith.
- GenresLGBT
261 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 3, 2019
Extremely frustrating book for several reasons. It was not hard to read, but not exactly eloquent. Throughout the entire first section, while she was telling of her teenage self, I was impressed at how much like a teenager she sounded; as if she were quoting from diaries. But as I read on, it was clear that she sounded that way due to a lack of immaturity shown over and over by her emotion-driven choices.
While she spends most of the book talking about her years in a "fundamentalist" group (not actually defining the term, nor sounding that beyond the pale of Christian Community), she spend relatively little time on her reasoning for abandoning some major Christian teaching about homosexuality later in the book. She states that she no longer felt it was wrong but with not scriptural back up.
The other MAJOR issue that was completely glossed over was her husband's infidelities. It was as if, because they were with men, they were not something she should be angry about. That because they were with men, they were not adultery. That because deep down he was gay (although, it seems he is probably bisexual, as he claimed that sex was better with her and he was very much attracted to and turned on by her), that it was completely acceptable for him to give in to his urges. I mean, he was just "being who was born to be." But if he has been with women all those times, she would have reacted very differently. A lie is a lie.
I do find it interesting that she came to think of homosexuality as fine during the 90s, well before the rest of American society. She doesn't speak much of the backlash she and her husband must have gotten for that. Even the Episcopal church was not as accepting at that time.
Overall, while this book was written by someone who lived the change, it also sounds a lot like something written for propaganda. Just as she was led like a sheep by James Smith, she seemed to also be led by her husband and his lover who urged her to write a book about how their lifestyle was normal and great and how they were now all "free."
While she spends most of the book talking about her years in a "fundamentalist" group (not actually defining the term, nor sounding that beyond the pale of Christian Community), she spend relatively little time on her reasoning for abandoning some major Christian teaching about homosexuality later in the book. She states that she no longer felt it was wrong but with not scriptural back up.
The other MAJOR issue that was completely glossed over was her husband's infidelities. It was as if, because they were with men, they were not something she should be angry about. That because they were with men, they were not adultery. That because deep down he was gay (although, it seems he is probably bisexual, as he claimed that sex was better with her and he was very much attracted to and turned on by her), that it was completely acceptable for him to give in to his urges. I mean, he was just "being who was born to be." But if he has been with women all those times, she would have reacted very differently. A lie is a lie.
I do find it interesting that she came to think of homosexuality as fine during the 90s, well before the rest of American society. She doesn't speak much of the backlash she and her husband must have gotten for that. Even the Episcopal church was not as accepting at that time.
Overall, while this book was written by someone who lived the change, it also sounds a lot like something written for propaganda. Just as she was led like a sheep by James Smith, she seemed to also be led by her husband and his lover who urged her to write a book about how their lifestyle was normal and great and how they were now all "free."
April 27, 2016
Great window into Christian fundamentalism and how harmful legalism can be to not only to all God's people, but to those who are "different" from what society has in the past viewed as the acceptable norm. It is also a good book for those people that have spouses that have finally found the courage to reveal who it is that they were created to be. While it is a difficult road, Whitehead, shares a path that reveals the real possibility of life and love, after such an event takes place.
March 12, 2016
I read this book after reading "Stranger at the Gate." This book discusses the repercussions of living one's life in the closet and not coming to terms with being gay and Christian. This is a moving book!
May 22, 2015
A stunning true story of religious legalism and tragic dishonesty eventually leading to forgiveness, compassion and understanding modeling what real, authentic, accepting-as-you-are love is. Will definitely read again. Would love to see a follow-up story as this book was written 20 years ago.
August 27, 2008
It is obvious that this is a first novel and the writing leaves much to be desired. But I actually grew up with this family and their story is one that should have been told.
September 18, 2011
Great book. Would love to see it be made into a movie! More people need to hear this story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews