The Body

by R.J. Martin

The line separating flesh from spirit can be elusive….
Teenaged altar boy Jonah Gregory’s faith is strong, even if some of his beliefs are unconventional. Jonah is certain Christ is gay, like him, and he knows the devotion he feels is mutual. His plans to become a priest are called into question when he meets Rusty Naylor, the closeted son of a famous romance novelist. Not only is Rusty attractive and charming, he could be Jesus’s twin. Jonah is torn between the calling of his soul and the desires of his body—a distinction that grows more and more muddled since Jonah can’t look at Rusty without imagining the Lord, and vice versa. Worse yet, Jonah feels caught in a tug-of-war between them.
As Jonah struggles to determine the course of his life, he’s aided by his parents, Rusty’s famous mother, a surly Father from Brooklyn, and the two men who hold sway over his Rusty and the Lord.

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2015

About the author

RJ Martin grew up in a teaming horde of a Catholic family in the foothills of the Adirondacks, and other than a few years in Los Angeles, he has lived in Brooklyn most of his adult life. He started writing stories while in kindergarten and has never stopped. He’s studied writing, in one form or another, while getting a bachelor’s at Skidmore and MFA from Columbia, for which he has almost finished paying. RJ tends to work in the afternoon but his best ideas come while slurping coffee on long morning walks with his dog.

He has been active in the LGBT Christian community, enjoys riding his bike without a stopwatch but to see the world around him, and hiking either in his north country home, on the coast in Down East Maine, or Joshua Tree National Park. His favorites: food cooked at a barbecue or in Italy, great conversations over coffee or dinner, and movies devoid of explosions or body counts. He is drawn to books with memorable characters, new insights about a place or profession, and a story that earns its upbeat ending.

His three goals in life were to live in New York City, to have a dog he didn’t have to share with his brothers and sisters, and to be a published author. While being very thankful he’s attained those three, RJ is thinking about another set of goals as well as the next idea for a story.

RJ Martin is also a blogger for the Huffington Post.

Reviews

[Sam Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

First attracted to the very quirky premise, I remained engaged and discovered that The BODY is one of those books that stays with you. It has a style and pathos that references Russell Banks and characters that harkens to Anne Tyler at her best, mixed with a razor sharp wit it that is engaging and fresh. R. J. Martin’s first novel is a coming of age story, shining a light on the soon to be sixteen year old Jonah, who reconciles his love of the Catholic Church and his newly embraced sexual identity by coming to the conclusion that he and Jesus have a lot in common – their both gay. When he falls for a boy who is almost the personification of his favorite depiction of Jesus, his life turns upside down. At its core this is a book of self-discovery and acceptance, mixed with a sly satirical style that gives David Sedaris a run for the money. It’s a good read for adults as well as the teen audience.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a different sort of character in Jonah. I'm really not sure how to take his wanting to be a priest and then crushing on his sister's boyfriend. The first part of the book Jonah read like someone younger than his age and it threw me off. There was also an uneasy factor for me with him and Rusty doing stuff behind Angie's back. Overall this is a different kind of slice of life book that I can see why people might like it but just didn't gel for me.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Body is a beautifully written coming of age story, a coming out story and definitely one the LGBT Christian youth should read. Exactly how does a Christian come to terms their gay identity? Can their be an acceptance and balance of the two?

R.J. Martin has created a touching novel of one boy's search for purpose. This is in no way a preachy book. I would think anyone, from any background; that appreciates a good coming of age story would enjoy this book. Jonah's dilemma is one that so many young people face. There is no shaming in this book. There are also no clear paths projected as the right answer. Rather, this is the story of one boy's deep faith being challenged through his own budding recognition of his true self.

This is a story about family, friendship, first love and finding a greater calling.

Personally, as someone who grew up in the church, I was left alienated and felt the church doors slammed in my face. I totally identified with Jonah's inner conflict and even fantasies of his greater calling to serve.

The Body- in every aspect, shows a positive approach to finding love and acceptance. It emphasizes that it is possible to both love who you are meant to love and contribute toward the good of all mankind-- effectively; even if it is not through the church.

I received an ARC copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Mary Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful coming of age story in the likes of Robert McCammon’s Boy’s Life. However, different than most because the protagonist Jonah Gregory wants to be a priest and is also gay. The story is funny, but also sad at times, like life is. Jonah has to come to terms with the fact that though he wants to be a priest he is also attracted to his sister’s handsome boyfriend, Rusty Naylor . Though Jonah tries to stay true to his calling he finds it difficult to fend off the normal feelings of wanting to be with someone who is flesh and blood. The story invokes much emotion, but it is subtle and understated.

I could see where the LGBT Christian youth would really enjoy this book. However, I think anyone who enjoys coming of age stories would appreciate the depth and beauty of this novel. And though this novel is considered YA, I think the literary style of the writing would also appeal to more discriminate readers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this talented and insightful writer.

[Ron Selgratj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Body, RJ Martin’s first novel presents at first blush as young adult novel. Actually Martin has written a novel whose characters transcend adolescent development, and presents the questions of identity, belief, and social integration presented to each of us in each stage of our lives. Martin masks this universality by capturing in a Steinbeck way the vocabulary and nuances of adolescents.

Jonah's expanding realization of his sexuality, his capacity for love, and his awareness is an engaging tale. He addresses feelings and issues that I encountered when I was 15, and that I still wrestle with half a century later. I found it fascinating to explore his mental gymnastics in it as he attempted reconcile he is overly rigid religious practices, his awareness of his own conscience, his hidden sexuality, and his insights into the people who populate his world: Rusty, first his sister’s boyfriend and then his. In this tight little world, he becomes his own man, and, while never losing his beliefs, is directed by his conscience.

[Judith Baicich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been devouring YA fiction lately, but this novel was a lovely departure from the norm. It is in no way preachy. Instead it is subtle, funny, strange, and in the end, a true coming of age story. Instead of Ending A or Ending B, we get a realistic (and much more complicated) description of boy learning to be an adult.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won The Body from GoodReads for a honest review. R.J. Martin delivered a beautiful coming of age book, about family and friends and love. I definitely recommend this book! I look forward to reading more of his books.