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Bad Sheep
Teenagers are not conformists by nature, but some religions accept nothing less than obedience. Parents attempt to connect those two worlds, but is that bridge strong enough to turn back the tide of rebellion? Or is rebellion simply being true to oneself instead of the faith?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2020
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November 22, 2020
Most of us have had that knock at the door to find well-dressed people offering us a free copy of "The Watchtower." I've always been curious about "What makes these people tick and gives them the courage to knock on strangers' doors?" Yet I've never had the fortitude to stand there and listen to their perception of the world. This book offers insight from the inside out. What's it like to be a Jehovah Witness when your heart is not in it? What if you're born into it? Obey thy father and thy mother—but what if you're a teen trying to find your own identity? Look at my question marks in this opening paragraph. That's what this book is about. Questioning faith. Questioning your parents. Questioning yourself. Questioning God. Can you do that without getting struck down by lightning?
Let me say, the tone of this book is not sacrilegious, sarcastic, or judgemental. It is enlightening and made for a fascinating story. The author did a fantastic job of being impartial, although I'm pretty sure she has had a lifetime of exposure of being a JW. It is not bitter and it is not condemning. I really like how the author did not attempt to lead the reader to any specific conclusions or get on her soapbox. As a preacher's kid myself, I fully appreciate that this is a story of "Hey, this is what it's like to be brought up in the JW religion."
Bad Sheep is 4 different stories about teens in the Jehovah Witness religion and their struggle to reconcile the faith imposed upon by their parents with things teenagers are naturally attracted to or curious about. Sex, alcohol, peer acceptance, and a different life than that of what your parents live. Each character is very different and but share a common bond—yet they are not allowed to discuss their possible disenfranchisement from the religion for fear of losing family, friends, and spending eternity in purgatory.
Ms. Grant has written a compelling debut novel. It is not a book about religion, per se, it is about choosing a path one wants to take in life—but in this case, the consequences are severe.
Let me say, the tone of this book is not sacrilegious, sarcastic, or judgemental. It is enlightening and made for a fascinating story. The author did a fantastic job of being impartial, although I'm pretty sure she has had a lifetime of exposure of being a JW. It is not bitter and it is not condemning. I really like how the author did not attempt to lead the reader to any specific conclusions or get on her soapbox. As a preacher's kid myself, I fully appreciate that this is a story of "Hey, this is what it's like to be brought up in the JW religion."
Bad Sheep is 4 different stories about teens in the Jehovah Witness religion and their struggle to reconcile the faith imposed upon by their parents with things teenagers are naturally attracted to or curious about. Sex, alcohol, peer acceptance, and a different life than that of what your parents live. Each character is very different and but share a common bond—yet they are not allowed to discuss their possible disenfranchisement from the religion for fear of losing family, friends, and spending eternity in purgatory.
Ms. Grant has written a compelling debut novel. It is not a book about religion, per se, it is about choosing a path one wants to take in life—but in this case, the consequences are severe.
Displaying 1 of 1 review