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The God Box
How could I choose betwen my sexuality and my spirituality, two of the most important parts that made me whole?
High school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're good together. They have a lot of the same interests, like singing in their church choir and being active in Bible club. But when Manuel transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to reevaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation that leads Paul to take a stand.
Lambda Literary Award-winning author Alex Sanchez tackles a subject ripped from the headlines in this exciting and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be both religious and gay.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2007
36 people are currently reading
5056 people want to read
About the author
Alex Sanchez
15 books859 followersAlex Sanchez is the author of the Rainbow Boys trilogy of teen novels, along with The God Box, Getting It, and the Lambda Award-winning middle-grade novel So Hard to Say. His novel, Bait, won the Florida Book Award Gold Medal for YA fiction. Alex received his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University and for many years worked as a youth and family counselor. His newest book is a graphic novel from DC Comics, You Brought Me the Ocean. Find out more about Alex at www.AlexSanchez.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
February 20, 2013
Wow.
This one was hard to read, because it hit so close to home for me. Actually, my Dad mailed it to me about four months after I'd moved in with my Grandparents - a full year after he'd come out to us. I was actually quite pissed that he'd sent me the book, because I wasn't mad at him for being gay. I was mad at him for pretending to be straight. I just didn't know how to tell him that. That was June of 2011.
So I picked up this book rather reluctantly after it had sat, not-quite-forgotten on my bookshelf, for Pick-A-Shelf's monthly shelf read. Despite my increased involvement in the Rainbow community, I still haven't read many GLBTI novels and this one was convenient more than anything.
I enjoyed it because the characters were likeable and I could relate to them, relate to their situations. Not only to Paul, but to Angie (because my own mother had gone through the same thing - except, you know, she married the gay guy and stuck with him for 20 years). I could even relate to Elizabeth and Cliff, because several years ago, I harboured the same homophobic attitude they do, and since speaking out for gay rights, I've had several well-meaning Christians like them tell me in that patronizing tone that they would pray for me. I know what it's like to fully trust the bible as the inerrant Word of God. I can relate to what Paul describes as "Proof-text Volleyball", having played on either side of the net on numerous occasions. My own journey in getting over homophobia is sort of similar to Paul's. No, I never battled with my own sexuality, and I didn't even really battle with Dad's. Before he came out, I was already starting to realize how ridiculous the Church's stance on homosexuality was, and Dad coming out was just enough to get me ticked off at the Church for forcing him into the closet, forcing him into a pseudo-hetero relationship, forcing him to lie (which, actually, is a sin). Not enough to push me away from God, though. I think my faith was a little bit too deep-rooted for that.
And that's what this book does. It shows that faith and homosexuality, or the acceptance of homosexuality, can and actually should go hand-in-hand. I was extremely emotionally invested in this book. It ticked me off at times, yes. Because even though Paul was real and relatable, he was also really incredibly thick sometimes. I wanted to yell at him to stop kidding himself and come out. There was one point where I so wanted him to just allow himself to fall for Manuel that I actually threw the book down in frustration. It wasn't an easy read, but it sure as hell was a good one.
This one was hard to read, because it hit so close to home for me. Actually, my Dad mailed it to me about four months after I'd moved in with my Grandparents - a full year after he'd come out to us. I was actually quite pissed that he'd sent me the book, because I wasn't mad at him for being gay. I was mad at him for pretending to be straight. I just didn't know how to tell him that. That was June of 2011.
So I picked up this book rather reluctantly after it had sat, not-quite-forgotten on my bookshelf, for Pick-A-Shelf's monthly shelf read. Despite my increased involvement in the Rainbow community, I still haven't read many GLBTI novels and this one was convenient more than anything.
I enjoyed it because the characters were likeable and I could relate to them, relate to their situations. Not only to Paul, but to Angie (because my own mother had gone through the same thing - except, you know, she married the gay guy and stuck with him for 20 years). I could even relate to Elizabeth and Cliff, because several years ago, I harboured the same homophobic attitude they do, and since speaking out for gay rights, I've had several well-meaning Christians like them tell me in that patronizing tone that they would pray for me. I know what it's like to fully trust the bible as the inerrant Word of God. I can relate to what Paul describes as "Proof-text Volleyball", having played on either side of the net on numerous occasions. My own journey in getting over homophobia is sort of similar to Paul's. No, I never battled with my own sexuality, and I didn't even really battle with Dad's. Before he came out, I was already starting to realize how ridiculous the Church's stance on homosexuality was, and Dad coming out was just enough to get me ticked off at the Church for forcing him into the closet, forcing him into a pseudo-hetero relationship, forcing him to lie (which, actually, is a sin). Not enough to push me away from God, though. I think my faith was a little bit too deep-rooted for that.
And that's what this book does. It shows that faith and homosexuality, or the acceptance of homosexuality, can and actually should go hand-in-hand. I was extremely emotionally invested in this book. It ticked me off at times, yes. Because even though Paul was real and relatable, he was also really incredibly thick sometimes. I wanted to yell at him to stop kidding himself and come out. There was one point where I so wanted him to just allow himself to fall for Manuel that I actually threw the book down in frustration. It wasn't an easy read, but it sure as hell was a good one.
November 30, 2014
In spite of some nice moments in the book, I have to admit that on the whole I was disappointed with the story. Maybe because I'd expected much more from it or maybe because I simply wasn't the target audience for this book.
I liked the style of writing, but I struggled to warm to the narrator:
* I understand that Paul was supposed to be a deeply religious person, with Jesus, God and Bible ruling his life, who rejected to accept his sexuality because it was not Bible conformed. It explains a lot of Bible's quotes and a lot of thoughts about God's love and God's acceptance.
* I understand that it was not easy for someone like Paul to come out, but I got tired and sometimes angry of having his coward reaction, his continuous coward behaviour and coward acts, his ongoing monologues with Jesus or God or whoever, and his lasting begging for the divine mercy.
What I liked is the idea of THE GOD BOX itself.
At the beginning of the book we learned that time ago Paul's Dad had given him a wooden box, the God Box, where he supposed to write down specific prayer and fold it into the box, kinda giving his problem up to the Lord.
Though it was not THAT God box, it was the BOX Paul put himself into:
Had I put myself in a box, unable to love and be loved?
I'm glad that he came out of it. At last. Thanks Manuel.
Three stars for sympathetic secondary characters, a poignant ending and educating prose.
I hope only that many target readers will read the book.
January 20, 2010
I read this in one day and I didn't skip work!
I started this morning, where I read the note in the front: "To those who believe in a loving God and those who struggle to love themselves." That's all I got, but it had my attention.
The first line of the first chapter did that too: "Sex and religion don't mix," my grandma once told me.
Pablo (err..Paul), our narrator, has a great voice. Okay, he's struggling with something and it makes me want to smack him around sometimes, but he's REAL. He loves God and wants to be a good christian, but he kinda might be having feelings for boys. Whoops. The entire story is him unraveling and then being reraveled in a new and interesting way.
The cover is pretty awful and I think I'd put a cover on it if I were reading it in High School. It looks cheesy and awkward and...un-enticing. But the story is great.
The tale we are told is pretty much the one we expect (Christian boy meets gay Christian boy and world gets flipped upside down), but with lots of tiny twists (which I won't ruin for you). The voice it's told in helps, but for me it's the arguments that the two boys have that is the strongest part.
If you don't like thinking about the Bible, you probably shouldn't bother reading this. But if you want to take all those supposed gay-bashing parts of the Bible and look at them with new eyes, I'd say this is a good read (assuming you've nothing against the gay).
I did nothing tonight but read this book. And I kind of what to read it again.
I started this morning, where I read the note in the front: "To those who believe in a loving God and those who struggle to love themselves." That's all I got, but it had my attention.
The first line of the first chapter did that too: "Sex and religion don't mix," my grandma once told me.
Pablo (err..Paul), our narrator, has a great voice. Okay, he's struggling with something and it makes me want to smack him around sometimes, but he's REAL. He loves God and wants to be a good christian, but he kinda might be having feelings for boys. Whoops. The entire story is him unraveling and then being reraveled in a new and interesting way.
The cover is pretty awful and I think I'd put a cover on it if I were reading it in High School. It looks cheesy and awkward and...un-enticing. But the story is great.
The tale we are told is pretty much the one we expect (Christian boy meets gay Christian boy and world gets flipped upside down), but with lots of tiny twists (which I won't ruin for you). The voice it's told in helps, but for me it's the arguments that the two boys have that is the strongest part.
If you don't like thinking about the Bible, you probably shouldn't bother reading this. But if you want to take all those supposed gay-bashing parts of the Bible and look at them with new eyes, I'd say this is a good read (assuming you've nothing against the gay).
I did nothing tonight but read this book. And I kind of what to read it again.
November 10, 2012
A very thought provoking read. All schools should have a copy of this in their library.
ETA On a second reading I found this as emotional as the first.
I love how Manuel explains his thoughts against Pauls thoughts. Maybe because I have no deep religious beliefs this works so well for me.
I still think this kind of book should be part of schools standard reading.
ETA On a second reading I found this as emotional as the first.
I love how Manuel explains his thoughts against Pauls thoughts. Maybe because I have no deep religious beliefs this works so well for me.
I still think this kind of book should be part of schools standard reading.
March 28, 2008
I have enjoyed all of Alex Sanchez's (Rainbow Boys) books to date but this one somehow touched me more than all of the others. This book ranks right up with David Leviathan’s "Boy Meets Boy" in my opinion. Set in West Texas, the story is a familiar one; boy comes to new school and upsets the status quo. The twist is that the school is located in a conservative Christian community, and the new boy, Manuel is both gay and deeply religious. Most affected by Manuel's arrival is Paul, a popular boy who is troubled by thoughts that he can't control, but prays nightly to be delivered from. Manuel sets out to change the school's perceptions of homosexuality and how it is often misinterpreted in the bible. He befriends the outcasts of the school's pecking order and helps Paul "get real" with his feelings. I think what touched me most in this book were the recurring themes of love of self and forgiveness. I am not a particularly religious person, in part due to the attitudes held by most Christians about being gay. This book taught me to look at the Bible and some Christians differently, and in the process love myself a little more.
January 4, 2009
This is a great book for a whole lot of reasons. First of all, the main characters are Mexican American, which adds a different perspective to the age old controversy over sexuality and religion. It allows the author to add in more general issues of identity. Straight Paul is a mask worn by Gay Pablo, and he realizes the importance of both by the end of the book. Secondly, it deals with religion in a very nuanced fashion. It of course confronts the religious homophobes for misusing the Bible to condemn gays, but it also subtly admonishes all those gay people out there who have strayed from their belief because they felt Jesus couldn't love them. The book demonstrates the power of Jesus to love us regardless of who we are. The characters are likeable and you want it to work out in the end, and when it does, you are as satisfied and pleased as the characters are. A great book that made me think a lot about all the issues it tried to deal with.
June 12, 2009
I planned on reading 20 or 30 pages of this before I went to bed last night (at 1am). I've read most of Sanchez's other books and found this in the library today and picked it up. I absolutely couldn't put it down once I started. I don't know what it was that kept me turning the pages. It's not like it's suspenseful, but I was so... drawn?... to Paul and Manuel and I just wanted to KNOW what happened. Every other page, I kept saying "I'll go to bed at the end of this chapter" but I never did. I finished it... at 4:30 in the morning. The religious aspects are compelling and really make you think about how homosexuality is perceived by different religions. This was an all-around good read.
October 16, 2015
At first, I thought that I would have a lot of fun reading this book, and I sort of did, but I did have some problems with it. I was drawn to it because I can relate to it on multiple levels. The main character is Latino, whereas I am a Latina. He is also raised in a very heavily Christian environment, as I was, although not as strictly as the main character. And finally, I struggled for years to admit to myself that I am bisexual, just as the main character struggles to accept his own homosexuality. But I'll describe how I connected with it in the latter way under one of the "spoiler" links.
The points where the plot references Paul's Latino heritage come off as very realistic, especially in his relationship with his grandmother. Likewise I think that the Christian environment is portrayed incredibly accurately, albeit falling into a number of cliches.
And there comes my biggest grievance with the book: that at so many points in the book, the plot seems incredibly contrived, predictable, to the point of a great degree of annoyance on my part. The main character's two close female friends at the beginning of the novel are a blonde cheerleader dating a powerful-looking, aggressive jock, and a girl whose wild red hair shoves her "feisty" personality down the reader's throat. And it is not just predictable characters that bothered me, but predictable EVENTS. (Not going into spoiler territory but) at one point, Paul and his love interest, Manuel, get into an argument (I won't specify which one), and I just thought to myself, "oh, no, something bad is about to happen", and of course it does.
Especially towards the end of the book, certain events are so heavily dramatized for the sake of shock value that I visibly cringed, groaned, and complained loudly to my roommate. The events largely became about tossing common sense out the window to serve a narrative purpose than about following a reasonable course of events, given the established situation. Then, of course, everything gets tied up in a neat little bow. Gag. Cringe. I came incredibly close to breaking my phone vis a vis forcibly ejecting it from my person and into the wall, since I listened to it as an audio book through my phone. What happens to Paul's girlfriend, Angie, at the end, is so convenient and so contrived and so unrealistic that I could not wait for the book to be over.
However! Despite my coming down very hard on this book for a lot of things, including downright wonky descriptions such as, "Sweat blistered on my forehead" (blistered?? what??), there was one saving grace: this book did an amazing job at challenging religious notions against homosexuality. Even despite being bludgeoned half to death with the theme of Manuel being a Jesus-like figure, the book goes into an all-out scripture brawl, and systematically disassembles many passages I have personally seen all over Facebook and other social media denouncing homosexuality as "an abomination". It gave me a great deal of glee to have enough background in studying the Bible to know that, armed with the arguments made in this book, anyone could quickly leave someone using the Bible against the LGBTQ without a leg to stand on.
Not only that, but the book goes a wonderful, extra step FURTHER. Being raised through an entirely Catholic education system, I am all too familiar with pathways offered by the Church as alternatives to "the gay lifestyle" (which assumes that any non-straight sexual contact will lead a person to sex addiction, as well as rampant alcoholism, drug addiction, and venereal disease). The book "The God Box" has the main character tirelessly strive to fit himself into each one of these "alternatives", most of which center around the "reformation" of gay people who are thought to be living in sin. And the main character exhausts every one of these avenues, not for lack of trying but because these so-called solutions are incredibly confusing and often deeply traumatic for those trying to force themselves to live according to Church teaching.
And here's where I talk about my own experience as a bisexual woman for just a moment:
All in all, if you can get past the cliches and the contrivances, as well as the VERY frequent quoting and discussion of the Bible, this is an incredible book to explore the details of Christian ideas surrounding homosexuality. I would recommend putting your nose to the grindstone and barreling through it on the merit of that alone. All in all, it is a cute read.
The points where the plot references Paul's Latino heritage come off as very realistic, especially in his relationship with his grandmother. Likewise I think that the Christian environment is portrayed incredibly accurately, albeit falling into a number of cliches.
And there comes my biggest grievance with the book: that at so many points in the book, the plot seems incredibly contrived, predictable, to the point of a great degree of annoyance on my part. The main character's two close female friends at the beginning of the novel are a blonde cheerleader dating a powerful-looking, aggressive jock, and a girl whose wild red hair shoves her "feisty" personality down the reader's throat. And it is not just predictable characters that bothered me, but predictable EVENTS. (Not going into spoiler territory but) at one point, Paul and his love interest, Manuel, get into an argument (I won't specify which one), and I just thought to myself, "oh, no, something bad is about to happen", and of course it does.
Especially towards the end of the book, certain events are so heavily dramatized for the sake of shock value that I visibly cringed, groaned, and complained loudly to my roommate. The events largely became about tossing common sense out the window to serve a narrative purpose than about following a reasonable course of events, given the established situation. Then, of course, everything gets tied up in a neat little bow. Gag. Cringe. I came incredibly close to breaking my phone vis a vis forcibly ejecting it from my person and into the wall, since I listened to it as an audio book through my phone. What happens to Paul's girlfriend, Angie, at the end, is so convenient and so contrived and so unrealistic that I could not wait for the book to be over.
However! Despite my coming down very hard on this book for a lot of things, including downright wonky descriptions such as, "Sweat blistered on my forehead" (blistered?? what??), there was one saving grace: this book did an amazing job at challenging religious notions against homosexuality. Even despite being bludgeoned half to death with the theme of Manuel being a Jesus-like figure, the book goes into an all-out scripture brawl, and systematically disassembles many passages I have personally seen all over Facebook and other social media denouncing homosexuality as "an abomination". It gave me a great deal of glee to have enough background in studying the Bible to know that, armed with the arguments made in this book, anyone could quickly leave someone using the Bible against the LGBTQ without a leg to stand on.
Not only that, but the book goes a wonderful, extra step FURTHER. Being raised through an entirely Catholic education system, I am all too familiar with pathways offered by the Church as alternatives to "the gay lifestyle" (which assumes that any non-straight sexual contact will lead a person to sex addiction, as well as rampant alcoholism, drug addiction, and venereal disease). The book "The God Box" has the main character tirelessly strive to fit himself into each one of these "alternatives", most of which center around the "reformation" of gay people who are thought to be living in sin. And the main character exhausts every one of these avenues, not for lack of trying but because these so-called solutions are incredibly confusing and often deeply traumatic for those trying to force themselves to live according to Church teaching.
And here's where I talk about my own experience as a bisexual woman for just a moment:
All in all, if you can get past the cliches and the contrivances, as well as the VERY frequent quoting and discussion of the Bible, this is an incredible book to explore the details of Christian ideas surrounding homosexuality. I would recommend putting your nose to the grindstone and barreling through it on the merit of that alone. All in all, it is a cute read.
March 19, 2014
I finished The God Box by Alex Sanchez last week.
This is not a book I would have ever selected for myself. While I read a lot of books with an LGBT element, I am not fond of books with a major religious theme. However, a friend of mine said this was one of his favorite books and since he has read some of my favorites and liked them a lot I decided to give it a shot.
I should be clear when describing my reactions that I am an atheist. I have no problem with religion itself as it applies to people in their personal lives. It is none of my business what you believe about the origin of the universe and what tools you use to help you separate right from wrong as long as its a personal thing and you do not try to legislate that others have to use the same tools. I knew going into the book that the person who told me he loves it is a Christian and that the book was about Christian issues and various Biblical views on homosexuality so it was no surprise when I actually read the novel.
The book is essentially a coming out story. It centers on the life of an evangelical Christian Mexican-American high school senior named Pablo (he goes by Paul) in Texas who has been dating the same girl since junior high and is deeply involved in his church and his school's Bible study group. For years he has had unwelcome thoughts about other boys and he has prayed, daily, for God to remove those thoughts thoughts and desires. It has not worked. He has clung to every article or statement he has read or heard that says that some boys experience curiosity about other boys during puberty and will outgrow it but Paul has not outgrown it. The feelings are still there and as strong as ever despite his most pious efforts to shed them.
The God Box: 'I tugged my red rubber WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? wristband - snap! - against my wrist. I hoped the sting would help me forget the sex dream that had woken me. But it didn’t.'
The book opens on the start of his senior year at Longhorn High School when a new student, Manuel, arrives in his homeroom class.
The God Book: 'During the remainder of homeroom I tried not to stare at Manuel. What was the strange pull I felt toward him, almost like some force stronger than my own? Did he know me from somewhere? And what was up with those earrings?'
At lunch the first day of classes Paul and his close circle of friends learn that Manuel is openly gay. This creates a schism in the group with some accepting Manuel - or at least not shunning him - and some taking an instant dislike to him based on what they see as the Biblical condemnation of homosexuality.
The rest of the book really plays out this schism. Paul, his girlfriend Angie, and their good friend Dakota who don't reject Manuel on one side, and Elizabeth and her boyfriend Cliff on the other.
Unlike Angie and Dakota, Paul would really kinda rather be on the other side. He is confused and afraid that association with Manuel will bring unpleasant attention to him and make people assume he is gay.
Through the remainder of the book Paul and Manuel grow closer as friends - but mostly in private - hanging out at one or the others home where they will not be seen together. During their time together Manuel exposes Paul to alternate views on the meaning of the passages most used by Christians to condemn homosexuality as a sin.
This eventually helps Paul (who goes back to being called Pablo) come to grips with his feelings and come out to his family and friends (who are not really surprised).
I left out a lot of drama and important elements in case anyone else reads it.
For me, this book falls into a category with a lot of other books. The story was really good, but the author telling the story did not do a particularly good job. The characters tend to feel very one dimensional and act like archetypes instead of people with actual thoughts and feelings.
The book's pool of characters include these archetypes:
Stoic and quiet father who, when pressured, turns out to be very supportive and loving - even if he can't show it.
Homophobic High School Jock
Uptight pretty Christian Girl who justifies her hatefulness and bigotry behind scripture.
Confused gay boy
Out gay boy who gets verbally and physically abused
Violent homophobe who turns out to be acting out because of childhood trauma
Emotionally tone-deaf Evangelical minister who condemns homosexuality
Wise elderly woman who sees past Religion(tm) and into the underlying meanings of life
and others...
If you are reading it as a person who loves well crafted novels, you may be disappointed. But if you think of the book as an allegorical tale like John Bunyan's Christian classic Pilgrim's Progress where the story's progress matters more than character development for anyone except the main protagonist you may find it a decent read.
My one true pet peeve, and this happens in other books too, is that the main character meets another gay person for the first time in his life and it turns out to be the love of his life. That feels like a real cheat to me and I feel that kind of reflects badly on the authors respect for the character by denying him the kind of complexity that he deserves.
December 8, 2017
2.5 Stars. This is a hard one for me to rate. I am a Christian so I tried my hardest to read this with an open mind. This rating is mostly about the writing. It was very basic and a bit boring.
Now, for the topic. I had a few issues with it. Not with the subject matter itself, but a few things that bothered me were that many of the arguments of homosexuality not being a sin is because the Bible never uses the word “homosexual”.....and that’s because this word didn’t exist when the Bible was written. I felt that was stretching a bit and being hung up on the actual words being used. Also, Manuel referred to God as “she” a few times and I couldn’t get behind that. One last thing I didn’t like was that the Christians who were against homosexuality in here were the villains. And they were to the point where they encouraged violence. There was no middle ground. Either the characters were 100% in favor of it or 100% against it and hateful. It’s possible to disagree with it and still be a loving and non-judgemental person. That wasn’t reflected. And the teachers....witnessing bullying to an extreme point and doing NOTHING. Extremely unrealistic and disappointing to see.
Good for the author to take on this tough subject. I just didn’t like some of the story arcs and the writing wasn’t great in my opinion.
Now, for the topic. I had a few issues with it. Not with the subject matter itself, but a few things that bothered me were that many of the arguments of homosexuality not being a sin is because the Bible never uses the word “homosexual”.....and that’s because this word didn’t exist when the Bible was written. I felt that was stretching a bit and being hung up on the actual words being used. Also, Manuel referred to God as “she” a few times and I couldn’t get behind that. One last thing I didn’t like was that the Christians who were against homosexuality in here were the villains. And they were to the point where they encouraged violence. There was no middle ground. Either the characters were 100% in favor of it or 100% against it and hateful. It’s possible to disagree with it and still be a loving and non-judgemental person. That wasn’t reflected. And the teachers....witnessing bullying to an extreme point and doing NOTHING. Extremely unrealistic and disappointing to see.
Good for the author to take on this tough subject. I just didn’t like some of the story arcs and the writing wasn’t great in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2021
so this was definitely triggering because I've lived a lot of the experiences of Paul (Pablo) & Manuel. But it was also very healing in a way. It really does get better.
September 6, 2010
Paul is a high school senior in a small Texas town, and he is devoutly religious. Everything in his life is right on track. He’s an outstanding student, he’s sustained a longstanding relationship with his girlfriend Angie, and he is very active in his high school and church. Both Paul and Angie are committed Christians, and they love their church, their school, and their country.
When a transfer student named Manuel arrives at their high school, he threatens to completely derail Paul’s “on-track” life plan. Manuel is openly gay, and everyone knows that homosexuality is a sin. Yet Manuel claims that he’s a Christian. When he begins attending the student Bible study group, he really makes some waves. The entire student body is split, because there are many who find Manuel’s frank openness to be patently offensive.
Paul’s girlfriend Angie is not among the group who is offended by Manuel, and she is quick to voice her support of the new student. She and a sympathetic friend join forces to create a Gay-Straight Alliance group in the school. Paul is dismayed, for he doesn’t really want to be associated with this avowed homosexual. He’s afraid of how it may taint his reputation. He’s afraid that people will start to question his Christianity. Worst of all, he’s afraid that his true identity will be discovered.
As Paul begins to come to terms with his sexual orientation, he goes through a process of grieving. He denies the significance of his same sex attractions. They must be just a phase. It is perhaps just a test of his faith. He can’t really be gay. He then goes through a period of horrific depression where he loathes himself and feels like a complete fraud and a hypocrite. He tries bargaining with God, begging Him to take away the sinful desires. Finally… he accepts his identity.
During this period of self discovery, Paul begins to examine his belief system. He becomes hungry for the truth, and he leaves no stone unturned as he seeks answers to his questions. As he and Manuel begin to build a friendship, an awakening occurs and Paul starts to see things in a whole new light.
As with many gay-themed books that deal with religious issues, The God Box was heavily steeped in religious jargon and doctrinal precepts. The author appeared to have painstakingly researched the theological arguments which he presented through the voice of Manuel. Although I understood the importance of this tactic, I was at times a little bit flabbergasted that a boy the age of Manuel would be so well-spoken and knowledgeable of such weighty topics. He seemed to be educated well beyond his years.
Thematically I felt that the story made the case that Christianity and homosexuality do not have to be mutually exclusive. There is no valid biblical argument which would prevent a gay person from being able to remain a practicing Christian. Each of the scriptural passages which are commonly used to condemn homosexuality were examined, and logical arguments were presented to counter the vitriolic language that is frequently used by fundamentalists in their condemnations.
This book does contain a very touching love story that develops between Paul and Manuel, and it is this beautiful relationship that is the foundation of the book. The way the boys warm to one another, share their first kiss, and ultimately fall in love was sweet and heartrending. This love was a far more convincing argument to me than was the biblical analysis.
The external relationships were quite beautiful as well. I loved the way that Paul’s abuelita (grandma) was presented. I also felt that the character Angie was remarkable. These platonic male-female relationships were representative of the meaningful connections that gay men so frequently have with the significant females in their lives. The manner in which these characters were fleshed out was nearly as poignant as was the romantic relationship of Paul and Manuel. In a word, the characterization within the story was magnificent.
The most significant element of the story for me is the existence of a secret prayer box that Paul keeps in his room. This is Paul’s private mode of communication to God. He writes down his most personal issues and turns them over to God by placing these requests in the box. Ultimately Paul realizes that the box symbolizes more than what he originally had intended. God doesn’t fit in a box, and sometimes no matter how fervently we pray, God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want or expect.
The God Box is an amazing story. I wish that I could get it into the hands of every youth pastor in the country. It contains a beautiful and romantic coming of age story which deals very openly with a controversial topic. It is well-written and edited, and obviously comes straight from the heart.
When a transfer student named Manuel arrives at their high school, he threatens to completely derail Paul’s “on-track” life plan. Manuel is openly gay, and everyone knows that homosexuality is a sin. Yet Manuel claims that he’s a Christian. When he begins attending the student Bible study group, he really makes some waves. The entire student body is split, because there are many who find Manuel’s frank openness to be patently offensive.
Paul’s girlfriend Angie is not among the group who is offended by Manuel, and she is quick to voice her support of the new student. She and a sympathetic friend join forces to create a Gay-Straight Alliance group in the school. Paul is dismayed, for he doesn’t really want to be associated with this avowed homosexual. He’s afraid of how it may taint his reputation. He’s afraid that people will start to question his Christianity. Worst of all, he’s afraid that his true identity will be discovered.
As Paul begins to come to terms with his sexual orientation, he goes through a process of grieving. He denies the significance of his same sex attractions. They must be just a phase. It is perhaps just a test of his faith. He can’t really be gay. He then goes through a period of horrific depression where he loathes himself and feels like a complete fraud and a hypocrite. He tries bargaining with God, begging Him to take away the sinful desires. Finally… he accepts his identity.
During this period of self discovery, Paul begins to examine his belief system. He becomes hungry for the truth, and he leaves no stone unturned as he seeks answers to his questions. As he and Manuel begin to build a friendship, an awakening occurs and Paul starts to see things in a whole new light.
As with many gay-themed books that deal with religious issues, The God Box was heavily steeped in religious jargon and doctrinal precepts. The author appeared to have painstakingly researched the theological arguments which he presented through the voice of Manuel. Although I understood the importance of this tactic, I was at times a little bit flabbergasted that a boy the age of Manuel would be so well-spoken and knowledgeable of such weighty topics. He seemed to be educated well beyond his years.
Thematically I felt that the story made the case that Christianity and homosexuality do not have to be mutually exclusive. There is no valid biblical argument which would prevent a gay person from being able to remain a practicing Christian. Each of the scriptural passages which are commonly used to condemn homosexuality were examined, and logical arguments were presented to counter the vitriolic language that is frequently used by fundamentalists in their condemnations.
This book does contain a very touching love story that develops between Paul and Manuel, and it is this beautiful relationship that is the foundation of the book. The way the boys warm to one another, share their first kiss, and ultimately fall in love was sweet and heartrending. This love was a far more convincing argument to me than was the biblical analysis.
The external relationships were quite beautiful as well. I loved the way that Paul’s abuelita (grandma) was presented. I also felt that the character Angie was remarkable. These platonic male-female relationships were representative of the meaningful connections that gay men so frequently have with the significant females in their lives. The manner in which these characters were fleshed out was nearly as poignant as was the romantic relationship of Paul and Manuel. In a word, the characterization within the story was magnificent.
The most significant element of the story for me is the existence of a secret prayer box that Paul keeps in his room. This is Paul’s private mode of communication to God. He writes down his most personal issues and turns them over to God by placing these requests in the box. Ultimately Paul realizes that the box symbolizes more than what he originally had intended. God doesn’t fit in a box, and sometimes no matter how fervently we pray, God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want or expect.
The God Box is an amazing story. I wish that I could get it into the hands of every youth pastor in the country. It contains a beautiful and romantic coming of age story which deals very openly with a controversial topic. It is well-written and edited, and obviously comes straight from the heart.
September 22, 2009
"The God Box" was about Paul (Pablo) and coming to terms with whether or not he's actually gay. The Christian belief (atleast in that small town) is that being gay is sinful, yet how can it be sinful if it's just a matter of falling in love?
"The God Box" is loaded with challenges- Can you test god? Can you test your faith? Can you test what's in your heart and learn to be honest with yourself- regardless of what others think?
Now, I titled this "coming from an outsider" because I'm just an avid reader. I am not gay, I'm not a teenager, and I'm not a believer in a god of any kind. However, because I love to read, I've read the Bible and I can respect it very much- as well as respect the faiths of those who are able to hold tight to their own personal beliefs. Religion is personal- reading books... not so much.
So, now that you have a bit of a background on me- I hope that it will colour what I have to say next.
WHAT I LOVED:
-Paul and Manuel's characters were VERY well developed. Angie, Pa and Abuelita's were also VERY strong characters. I could picture them in my head, even though I don't think they actually were physically described in much detail in the book.
-The journey that Paul was taken on through Manuel. The inner turmoil that Paul was going through while deciding if he wanted to take action or not
-The dialogue with Paul and his Abuelita. I think she is my favorite character.
-The descriptions and the arguments during Bible study classes. Fair to see BOTH sides of the story- and to keep true to each of the characters' opinions (didn't waver)
-The discussions between Manuel and Paul about if it was sinful to be gay and Christian. I love religious debates and love hearing BOTH sides and many different viewpoints.
-The ending. Very good. Brought a tear to my eye!
WHAT I COULDN'T GET OVER:
-The story jumped RIGHT in. Page one, there was already the inner turmoil. I think it would have been better if we got to know Paul and Angie at least a little bit before he started to "change". This book was about learning to accept- but it seemed like we "met" Paul when he was already learning to accept. Maybe a little more background would have been helpful?
-The instant reaction to Manuel. Is it really like that? I know that when I see someone for the first time, no matter how handsome or energetic he is, I don't necessarily feel a "pull" toward him immediately. My mind doesn't instantly go to what it would feel like to touch his skin.
-The reactions from the anti-gay guys. (turned out in the end, there was a sob story there too- I hated learning that part) It was just so dramatic. Maybe it's because it was such a small town? I know many gay guys and girls in my area and nothing like that EVER happened. Not since, like, the 80s.
Even though it is technically a teen book, "The God Box" can be enjoyed by any age group and any sexuality. It's about attraction and acceptance. About romance and honesty. About faith and truth. Even if you're not religious, like me, it is still interesting to read what people choose to hold so dear to their hearts. It is intense to see inside their minds and try to understand and to feel what they do.
I think everyone can relate to this story- regardless of your own life choices.
"The God Box" is loaded with challenges- Can you test god? Can you test your faith? Can you test what's in your heart and learn to be honest with yourself- regardless of what others think?
Now, I titled this "coming from an outsider" because I'm just an avid reader. I am not gay, I'm not a teenager, and I'm not a believer in a god of any kind. However, because I love to read, I've read the Bible and I can respect it very much- as well as respect the faiths of those who are able to hold tight to their own personal beliefs. Religion is personal- reading books... not so much.
So, now that you have a bit of a background on me- I hope that it will colour what I have to say next.
WHAT I LOVED:
-Paul and Manuel's characters were VERY well developed. Angie, Pa and Abuelita's were also VERY strong characters. I could picture them in my head, even though I don't think they actually were physically described in much detail in the book.
-The journey that Paul was taken on through Manuel. The inner turmoil that Paul was going through while deciding if he wanted to take action or not
-The dialogue with Paul and his Abuelita. I think she is my favorite character.
-The descriptions and the arguments during Bible study classes. Fair to see BOTH sides of the story- and to keep true to each of the characters' opinions (didn't waver)
-The discussions between Manuel and Paul about if it was sinful to be gay and Christian. I love religious debates and love hearing BOTH sides and many different viewpoints.
-The ending. Very good. Brought a tear to my eye!
WHAT I COULDN'T GET OVER:
-The story jumped RIGHT in. Page one, there was already the inner turmoil. I think it would have been better if we got to know Paul and Angie at least a little bit before he started to "change". This book was about learning to accept- but it seemed like we "met" Paul when he was already learning to accept. Maybe a little more background would have been helpful?
-The instant reaction to Manuel. Is it really like that? I know that when I see someone for the first time, no matter how handsome or energetic he is, I don't necessarily feel a "pull" toward him immediately. My mind doesn't instantly go to what it would feel like to touch his skin.
-The reactions from the anti-gay guys. (turned out in the end, there was a sob story there too- I hated learning that part) It was just so dramatic. Maybe it's because it was such a small town? I know many gay guys and girls in my area and nothing like that EVER happened. Not since, like, the 80s.
Even though it is technically a teen book, "The God Box" can be enjoyed by any age group and any sexuality. It's about attraction and acceptance. About romance and honesty. About faith and truth. Even if you're not religious, like me, it is still interesting to read what people choose to hold so dear to their hearts. It is intense to see inside their minds and try to understand and to feel what they do.
I think everyone can relate to this story- regardless of your own life choices.
December 18, 2023
Honestly, this book was difficult to read because of how relatable it was. I also grew up religious in a Latinx family in a conservative town, and I struggled (and to a certain extent, still struggle) to reconcile my beliefs with my homosexuality. Sanchez raises some good points in regards to Christian beliefs and Biblical passages regarding homosexuality, like the needed "reformation" of "same-sex attracted" individuals into something less "sinful". While I'm unconvinced as to its efficacy as a tool for "converting" Christian readers into tolerance and acceptance, I don't think that was his goal to begin with. Understandably, some of the events (particularly towards the end of the work) are a bit dramatized and overexaggerated, and some plot elements are a bit predictable, but perhaps that's par for the course for a YA novel written over 15 years ago. But notwithstanding, it reads as an authentic, believable story in terms of the experience as a homosexual Latino Christian.
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https://dandanlibrarian.blogspot.com/...
January 26, 2012
Paul attends a very conservative public school in an equally conservative small town. His friends are all Christians, many of them attending the same church as Paul and participating in after school Bible studies. Then Manuel moves to town. Manuel is the first openly gay teen in Paul's school, and Manual also is a Christian. Paul and his friends have to wrestle with what they have been taught is truth and what Manuel is saying is truth. Manuel's very presence rips the Christian group in two, with those who accept Manuel on one side and those who condemn him on the other. Paul feels the effects of this debate very personally, as he is wrestling with his own demons of homosexuality. His friendship with Manuel causes him to evaluate what he thinks and believes as well. When Manuel is savagely beaten for his orientation, Paul must take a side once and for all and stand for what he believes in.
This book interested me for obvious reasons. I can completely relate to Paul's struggle with his orientation as well as his concern for what the Bible says about homosexuality. I have listened to and argued on both sides of the homosexuality debate and know how personal and heated these discussions can get. Parts of this book, I will admit, read a lot like many of the websites about what the Bible says about homosexuality. It almost seemed as if the author was attempting to turn one of those websites into novel form, perhaps in the hopes that more people would read the novel. In any case, I was glad for Paul's decisions toward the end of the novel, and I appreciated that the author made this struggle seem real and the characters real as well. This story does not make for easy reading, but it is definitely worth it.
This book interested me for obvious reasons. I can completely relate to Paul's struggle with his orientation as well as his concern for what the Bible says about homosexuality. I have listened to and argued on both sides of the homosexuality debate and know how personal and heated these discussions can get. Parts of this book, I will admit, read a lot like many of the websites about what the Bible says about homosexuality. It almost seemed as if the author was attempting to turn one of those websites into novel form, perhaps in the hopes that more people would read the novel. In any case, I was glad for Paul's decisions toward the end of the novel, and I appreciated that the author made this struggle seem real and the characters real as well. This story does not make for easy reading, but it is definitely worth it.
May 18, 2013
This was more a tract than a story... it was a discussion of what is said about homosexuality in the Bible, and how people can form a belief system that both includes God and being gay. The characters and what plot existed (the only plot was basically the closeted & Christian main character coming to terms with who he is, and integrating being okay with being gay into his Christian belief system) were basically an excuse for the aforementioned examination of the intersection of homosexuality and religion.
This, however, is not exactly a criticism. Especially 6 years ago in 2007 when this book was published, when most stories featuring gay characters were gay-main-character-coming-out stories or gay-experience stories (as opposed to the current spate of novels where, pleasantly, a main or supporting character happens to be gay, but really, not that much is made of it), this was an important discussion to have. It's something that a lot of people struggle with, and it could be incredibly affirming to someone who finds themselves in a similar situation to the main character.
I, however, as someone who has read a lot and thought a lot about different current issues and what the Bible says about them, just kind of felt like I was being beaten over the head with the completely undisguised message of the book. Being beaten over the head was not unpleasant, per se, just... repetitive.
That said, I did really start to care for some of the characters about 2/3 of the way through the book.
Anyway, 3 stars.
This, however, is not exactly a criticism. Especially 6 years ago in 2007 when this book was published, when most stories featuring gay characters were gay-main-character-coming-out stories or gay-experience stories (as opposed to the current spate of novels where, pleasantly, a main or supporting character happens to be gay, but really, not that much is made of it), this was an important discussion to have. It's something that a lot of people struggle with, and it could be incredibly affirming to someone who finds themselves in a similar situation to the main character.
I, however, as someone who has read a lot and thought a lot about different current issues and what the Bible says about them, just kind of felt like I was being beaten over the head with the completely undisguised message of the book. Being beaten over the head was not unpleasant, per se, just... repetitive.
That said, I did really start to care for some of the characters about 2/3 of the way through the book.
Anyway, 3 stars.
December 11, 2018
This book will break your heart, mend it and break it again (in a good way). This book will challenge long-held misconceptions about religion (in good way), and deliver a sweet, coming-of-age, romance story that is truly beautiful. I absolutely loved this story, so much so, that I do not know how many times I have read it. (Also, I cry every time I read it. So have tissues ready if you choose to read this delightful tale.) More importantly, this story reminds us that love is never wrong because that is the way God designed it to be. Give this story a chance. You will not be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Sassy Jacksun
Sincerely,
Sassy Jacksun
December 13, 2021
"É una questione d'amore" è certamente un libro di una certa importanza in quanto, al di là della storia d'amore, cerca di lasciare un messaggio che purtroppo per molti non è scontato. L'autore infatti, servendosi dei personaggi, cerca di dimostrare che nei testi sacri non vi è una vera abolizione dell'omosessualità, prendendo e spiegando vari versi da sempre usati per condannare ingiustamente l'amore fra lo stesso sesso. Trovo che sia importante leggerlo per poter capire quanto effettivamente l'accanimento religioso su queste tematiche sia infondato e storpiato. Oltre a questo aspetto anche la storia in generale é davvero carina.
March 3, 2010
Wonderful book! I wish it had been around when I was a teenager. I even wrote a quick note to the author thanking him for it!
February 23, 2019
Pros first. I'm sincerely glad this book did and continues to exist. I ended up in the end really liking the characters and caring about their story and I appreciated the different character points of view from dad to grandma to the various classmates. And I feel like the book was well researched and sound in its knowledge of the faith and the Bible.
Cons...it's not the best writing. It feels very abrupt...you get dumped into this story and it took me awhile to get to know these characters and care about them. Also, it's 12 years old. YA lit itself does not have a good shelf life and from early on I found myself thinking, what's IMing? (Which is kinda insane because we used to do that. A LOT.) In terms of the subject matter 12 years ago versus now, I hope things have changed and I think they have. I find the adult reactions to what is going on at this school pretty unbelievable in 2019, no one talks about a Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage anymore and while sadly conversion therapy is still a thing both of the big organizations that used to do it have gone belly-up (thank God.) It could be it hasn't changed as much as I want it to, however, especially in some places, and if this book helps one kid that would be amazing. I'm sure it has.
Cons...it's not the best writing. It feels very abrupt...you get dumped into this story and it took me awhile to get to know these characters and care about them. Also, it's 12 years old. YA lit itself does not have a good shelf life and from early on I found myself thinking, what's IMing? (Which is kinda insane because we used to do that. A LOT.) In terms of the subject matter 12 years ago versus now, I hope things have changed and I think they have. I find the adult reactions to what is going on at this school pretty unbelievable in 2019, no one talks about a Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage anymore and while sadly conversion therapy is still a thing both of the big organizations that used to do it have gone belly-up (thank God.) It could be it hasn't changed as much as I want it to, however, especially in some places, and if this book helps one kid that would be amazing. I'm sure it has.
January 8, 2021
So I was very wary to go back to read this book, as it held such a strong place in my heart from my childhood and I was so afraid that it wouldn’t hold up and boy was I so relieved to remember it was just as wonderful as when I first read it. Not only did this book help to pave the way for current queer YA books, but it is basically a self help guide and love story all rolled into one. Okay, is the book a bit cut-and-dry about the message it’s getting across at times? Sure, but for this book it works! The BEST part of this is that the language is so clear cut answering every. single. question. that queer Christian teens have regarding sexuality and the Bible. There is no dancing around topics or scriptures, it’s just clear. It makes you ask your own questions right along with Paul. For me, this book gets a 5 strong stars, solely based on just how many times this book was the FIRST time queer Christian teens were told that God loves them no matter what.
July 17, 2011
Original post at One More Page
High school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're good together. They have a lot of the same interests, like singing in their church choir and being active in Bible club. But when Manuel transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to reevaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation that leads Paul to take a stand.
Paul considers himself a perfectly ordinary high school guy, striving to be good in every way he can be. He's been dating his best friend Angie since middle school, sings for his church choir, and active in his school's Bible club. Underneath his smooth facade hides his struggles that he keeps on praying for, until he meets Manuel, the first openly gay person he's met who's also a committed Christian. Paul tries to deny the attraction he feels for Manuel, believing that it is wrong. But as he spends more time with Manuel, talking about their faith and homosexuality, Paul wonders if maybe he was wrong after all this time.
The God Box by Alex Sanchez is my first LGBT book ever. I tend to steer away from LGBT books because I'm not really that interested in them, until I saw this book and got it because of the Christian aspect. Homosexuality is one of those big issues that could easily spark a fire of debate among Christians and non-Christians alike. I never thought I'd have a hard time about it -- I've had gay friends, and it didn't really matter much to me because they were already openly gay when I met them. It's different when someone comes out to you -- the basic things I know about my faith back then tells me that it's wrong, but another part of me says that discriminating because of that is also just as wrong, maybe even worse. Who am I to judge, anyway?
The God Box spoke a lot to me and reinforced the things I've learned years since my friend came out to me, things that I remind myself in my everyday life. I think, as much as this book is about homosexuality, it can also be a book about bullying. Or being different. It's a book about intolerance and how this can lead to cruelty, especially coming from Christians who interpret the Bible literally and forget the one important thing that God called us to do. The God Box is a message book that tackles the given topic quite nicely, and I think that Alex Sanchez did a good job with the Biblical arguments and how some of the anti-LGBT arguments are just Bible verses interpreted literally to suit an intolerant attitude.
However, as much as The God Box has a good message in its heart, I'm afraid the execution of it leaves little to be desired. I was a little bored with the story and the characters were, if not cliche, very flat. Everyone seemed to be just black and white: you're either for or against the issue. Manuel, as cool as he is, felt a little bit too perfect and too Mary Sue (or Gary Stu?), with what how everything revolved around him and how blameless he was made to be. More often than not, the story wasn't showing -- it was just telling, and that kept me distant to Paul as a character. I think the only one I really liked and related to was Angie, who played the role of a seemingly perfect tolerant girlfriend.
It wasn't bad, but it's not that great either. I think The God Box would be a good book to discuss in book clubs or in church for its message and not its writing. There are a lot of good arguments that was presented in the book, but I think it still has to be read with guidance from open-minded church/community leaders so as to really discuss the issues surrounding homosexuality and the call for Christians to love.
And I think that's what it is all about really: love. That is the one important thing that we Christians are called to do. A good friend once told me, "It is better to be loving than to be right." I agree. I liked what Paul's grandmother had to say about love and the Bible:
In the end, that is what I am always going back to: love. Like I said, who am I to judge? And I'd like to believe that the God I believe in is always bigger than the things that I don't understand, and He just wants me to love the people He brings into my life, regardless of race or age or gender or religion. Maybe if we, regardless of our faith, approached issues with a firm determination to love first above anything else, then maybe (pardon the cheesiness) this will be a better world to live in.
High school senior Paul has dated Angie since middle school, and they're good together. They have a lot of the same interests, like singing in their church choir and being active in Bible club. But when Manuel transfers to their school, Paul has to rethink his life. Manuel is the first openly gay teen anyone in their small town has ever met, and yet he says he's also a committed Christian. Talking to Manuel makes Paul reconsider thoughts he has kept hidden, and listening to Manuel's interpretation of Biblical passages on homosexuality causes Paul to reevaluate everything he believed. Manuel's outspokenness triggers dramatic consequences at school, culminating in a terrifying situation that leads Paul to take a stand.
Paul considers himself a perfectly ordinary high school guy, striving to be good in every way he can be. He's been dating his best friend Angie since middle school, sings for his church choir, and active in his school's Bible club. Underneath his smooth facade hides his struggles that he keeps on praying for, until he meets Manuel, the first openly gay person he's met who's also a committed Christian. Paul tries to deny the attraction he feels for Manuel, believing that it is wrong. But as he spends more time with Manuel, talking about their faith and homosexuality, Paul wonders if maybe he was wrong after all this time.
The God Box by Alex Sanchez is my first LGBT book ever. I tend to steer away from LGBT books because I'm not really that interested in them, until I saw this book and got it because of the Christian aspect. Homosexuality is one of those big issues that could easily spark a fire of debate among Christians and non-Christians alike. I never thought I'd have a hard time about it -- I've had gay friends, and it didn't really matter much to me because they were already openly gay when I met them. It's different when someone comes out to you -- the basic things I know about my faith back then tells me that it's wrong, but another part of me says that discriminating because of that is also just as wrong, maybe even worse. Who am I to judge, anyway?
The God Box spoke a lot to me and reinforced the things I've learned years since my friend came out to me, things that I remind myself in my everyday life. I think, as much as this book is about homosexuality, it can also be a book about bullying. Or being different. It's a book about intolerance and how this can lead to cruelty, especially coming from Christians who interpret the Bible literally and forget the one important thing that God called us to do. The God Box is a message book that tackles the given topic quite nicely, and I think that Alex Sanchez did a good job with the Biblical arguments and how some of the anti-LGBT arguments are just Bible verses interpreted literally to suit an intolerant attitude.
However, as much as The God Box has a good message in its heart, I'm afraid the execution of it leaves little to be desired. I was a little bored with the story and the characters were, if not cliche, very flat. Everyone seemed to be just black and white: you're either for or against the issue. Manuel, as cool as he is, felt a little bit too perfect and too Mary Sue (or Gary Stu?), with what how everything revolved around him and how blameless he was made to be. More often than not, the story wasn't showing -- it was just telling, and that kept me distant to Paul as a character. I think the only one I really liked and related to was Angie, who played the role of a seemingly perfect tolerant girlfriend.
It wasn't bad, but it's not that great either. I think The God Box would be a good book to discuss in book clubs or in church for its message and not its writing. There are a lot of good arguments that was presented in the book, but I think it still has to be read with guidance from open-minded church/community leaders so as to really discuss the issues surrounding homosexuality and the call for Christians to love.
And I think that's what it is all about really: love. That is the one important thing that we Christians are called to do. A good friend once told me, "It is better to be loving than to be right." I agree. I liked what Paul's grandmother had to say about love and the Bible:
"...the Bible was meant to be a bridge, not a wedge...it's the greatest love story ever told, about God's enduring and unconditional love for his creation -- love beyond all reason. To understand it, you have to read it with love as the standard. Love God. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Always remember that." (p. 171)
In the end, that is what I am always going back to: love. Like I said, who am I to judge? And I'd like to believe that the God I believe in is always bigger than the things that I don't understand, and He just wants me to love the people He brings into my life, regardless of race or age or gender or religion. Maybe if we, regardless of our faith, approached issues with a firm determination to love first above anything else, then maybe (pardon the cheesiness) this will be a better world to live in.
December 29, 2023
this book meant a lot to me when i was a teenager. back then it was a favorite book of mine, as i struggled with the same things and was going through similar situations. as an adult reading it, it doesn’t hold quite the same light but i still appreciate it for what it is. at times, the writing becomes a bit choppy and the characters a bit flat but the story is still good, so i give it four stars.
January 7, 2020
3.5 Stars. I found it to be very well written and solidly discussed.
December 29, 2019
This is nearly a guide for Christians confused/scared about being Christian and gay. I know it has "God" in the title, but it was really, really Bible heavy. A step-by-step guide through all the oft-quoted and debated passages.
In other words, not meant for me at all and, and therefore, quite boring. The poor kid goes over and over the same questions in his head, taking forever to do what needs to be done. Realistic, but not interesting. My edition had two boys holding hands on the cover, and those are the stories we need, but that cover isn't really this book.
If I had been a Christian gay boy a dozen years ago, this book might have saved my life. As it is, I barely made it through the thing.
In other words, not meant for me at all and, and therefore, quite boring. The poor kid goes over and over the same questions in his head, taking forever to do what needs to be done. Realistic, but not interesting. My edition had two boys holding hands on the cover, and those are the stories we need, but that cover isn't really this book.
If I had been a Christian gay boy a dozen years ago, this book might have saved my life. As it is, I barely made it through the thing.
March 18, 2011
This doesn't ruin anything about the novel that isn't obvious within the first 5 minutes of reading this, but, being neither gay or religious, there wasn't a whole lot of appeal for me in this. I did like seeing how one might struggle with the conflict between religion and reality; that is, what a person is born as (sexual orientation), and what their decided religion tells them that should be. Too many of the arguments were too tired and cliche for me, though. The bible passages and 'debates' were also a little tiring. It's hard to really get into the debates in the novel where one side is shown to be far more open and knowledgeable than the other side but both sides are Christian. It undercut the credibility of the entire argument that the characters would argue logically for why homosexuality should be accepted by religion but not logically for why they should even believe in such a faulty, non-historical, nonfactual idea like the bible.
Outside of that, the writing isn't so great. The first few pages are especially hard to read. Actually look at the dialogue between all the characters in the first few pages; it is atrocious. Try speaking it out loud for greater ridiculous effect. The writing also reminds me a bit of a cheesy romance novel. The talk of 'sinewy arms' and 'lush lips' is all very stomach churning. The characters brush each other then blush and turn away. It is, from what I have heard, like Twilight. The love interest is described largely in ways of how ridiculously hot he is. A lot of the moments were plucked right of romance 101 as well. Standing alone in the rain? Alright. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for romance, but the combination of poor writing, weak characters, and unoriginal scenarios made it all a bit much.
So why was it okay? It was like watching CSI. It doesn't make sense, it is all ridiculous, but it is entertaining. I don't think anyone watches CSI and says "My god, the acting was superb. Did you see the camera angels? I've never seen a shot such as that." But we watch it. This is entertaining in the same way. Maybe I've just been raised too much on the formula and it works too well on me. I didn't enjoy it much, but it was enough to keep me reading to the end, so that's something.
Oh! One last thing! Game cartridge? Game cartridge? I guess the novel could be set in 1991 or something; I don't recall seeing a date so it is certainly possible. I recall that the GSA was formed somewhere around 1990, and it didn't start becoming big until sometime in the late 90's. As I say, it is surely possible that this takes place sometime before that period, but it was written in 2007 and most of the hoopla across the nation started in the mid to late 90's. That I know of anyway... Point is, cartridges sounds ridiculous. It's like saying floppy disk.
Outside of that, the writing isn't so great. The first few pages are especially hard to read. Actually look at the dialogue between all the characters in the first few pages; it is atrocious. Try speaking it out loud for greater ridiculous effect. The writing also reminds me a bit of a cheesy romance novel. The talk of 'sinewy arms' and 'lush lips' is all very stomach churning. The characters brush each other then blush and turn away. It is, from what I have heard, like Twilight. The love interest is described largely in ways of how ridiculously hot he is. A lot of the moments were plucked right of romance 101 as well. Standing alone in the rain? Alright. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for romance, but the combination of poor writing, weak characters, and unoriginal scenarios made it all a bit much.
So why was it okay? It was like watching CSI. It doesn't make sense, it is all ridiculous, but it is entertaining. I don't think anyone watches CSI and says "My god, the acting was superb. Did you see the camera angels? I've never seen a shot such as that." But we watch it. This is entertaining in the same way. Maybe I've just been raised too much on the formula and it works too well on me. I didn't enjoy it much, but it was enough to keep me reading to the end, so that's something.
Oh! One last thing! Game cartridge? Game cartridge? I guess the novel could be set in 1991 or something; I don't recall seeing a date so it is certainly possible. I recall that the GSA was formed somewhere around 1990, and it didn't start becoming big until sometime in the late 90's. As I say, it is surely possible that this takes place sometime before that period, but it was written in 2007 and most of the hoopla across the nation started in the mid to late 90's. That I know of anyway... Point is, cartridges sounds ridiculous. It's like saying floppy disk.
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November 3, 2010Homosexuality and christianity are two concepts that is no easy to put in the same sentence without them being at the opposite.
Paul is the perfect teenager: a beloved son, an attentive boyfriend, a good friend, he is perfect in anything he wants to achieve. But I felt something uneasy in Paul, a drive to be accepted that is almost unhealthy: Paul is a latino american, but when he moved to Texas with his parents, he was the odd kid out and the only to accept him was Angie, a kid his same age who was beautiful and kind, and very religious. Angie is the good kind of religious girl, the type who really understands the concept of “love your neighbor as yourself”. In the little child Paolo, the concept to be accept was similar to the concept be like Angie, if he was like Angie he would be part of a group. And so little Paolo became Paul, and he also became a good Christian boy, every Sunday in the church, and of course he became also Angie’s boyfriend. To excel in everything was for Paul a proof that he was one of them, one of the good boy.
When he is a teenager, Paul starts to have “strange” feelings for other guys, feelings that Paul is more than able to indentify, but that he doesn’t want to acknowledge: being gay means being not perfect, it’s against the religion he was taught, it’s against the life he is expecting to have, it’s, above all, against his feelings for Angie, being gay means that he has to leave Angie, and leaving Angie is something he doesn’t want to consider, Angie represents everything little Paolo wanted.
When Manuel, an out and proud gay guy, transfer to their school, it’s not the first time Paul was questioning his sexuality. It’s not fault, or merit, of Manuel that Paul realizes he is gay, Manuel is only giving to Paul the proof that there is another way to consider the question, being gay doesn’t mean being excluded, being unhappy, being a paria. Manuel is not hiding his feelings, and moreover, he is not denying his love for Jesus Christ and God; Manuel achieved the result of accepting himself and at the same time continuing to love God and religion, only that his concept of God and religion is a concept of love and acceptance, not a concept of refusal and limitation.
Paul and Manuel’s path is not easy, and they will have a chance only since, among the majority of people who will refuse them, they will find also people who will accept them, not since those people are good or kind, but simply since those people will understand that Paul and Manuel are like any other teenager.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1416909001/?...
Paul is the perfect teenager: a beloved son, an attentive boyfriend, a good friend, he is perfect in anything he wants to achieve. But I felt something uneasy in Paul, a drive to be accepted that is almost unhealthy: Paul is a latino american, but when he moved to Texas with his parents, he was the odd kid out and the only to accept him was Angie, a kid his same age who was beautiful and kind, and very religious. Angie is the good kind of religious girl, the type who really understands the concept of “love your neighbor as yourself”. In the little child Paolo, the concept to be accept was similar to the concept be like Angie, if he was like Angie he would be part of a group. And so little Paolo became Paul, and he also became a good Christian boy, every Sunday in the church, and of course he became also Angie’s boyfriend. To excel in everything was for Paul a proof that he was one of them, one of the good boy.
When he is a teenager, Paul starts to have “strange” feelings for other guys, feelings that Paul is more than able to indentify, but that he doesn’t want to acknowledge: being gay means being not perfect, it’s against the religion he was taught, it’s against the life he is expecting to have, it’s, above all, against his feelings for Angie, being gay means that he has to leave Angie, and leaving Angie is something he doesn’t want to consider, Angie represents everything little Paolo wanted.
When Manuel, an out and proud gay guy, transfer to their school, it’s not the first time Paul was questioning his sexuality. It’s not fault, or merit, of Manuel that Paul realizes he is gay, Manuel is only giving to Paul the proof that there is another way to consider the question, being gay doesn’t mean being excluded, being unhappy, being a paria. Manuel is not hiding his feelings, and moreover, he is not denying his love for Jesus Christ and God; Manuel achieved the result of accepting himself and at the same time continuing to love God and religion, only that his concept of God and religion is a concept of love and acceptance, not a concept of refusal and limitation.
Paul and Manuel’s path is not easy, and they will have a chance only since, among the majority of people who will refuse them, they will find also people who will accept them, not since those people are good or kind, but simply since those people will understand that Paul and Manuel are like any other teenager.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1416909001/?...
February 9, 2012
There were things I loved about this book, and then things that I didn't care for (but that mostly revolved around under developed secondary characters, and pace and voice), but I decided to give the book a four star rating because at the core of it, it really made me think, as well as touch me.
Overall, the writing was kind of slack, nothing real special about it, but I could completely relate to the story. I went to high school in a rural area, and a very closed-minded one at that. While I was in school there were only three openly gay students, and some of us tried to start a GSA club, which was approved by administration, but other students tried to block it, citing it was against their religion. And that hurt me. Because, I'm a Christian, but I don't believe being gay is wrong; you're born that way.
I loved Manuel and how he always fought the bigotry and narrow-mindedness with actual quotes from scripture. Not very often you see in the media (books, film, or television) where a character is both gay, and Christian, because I know there are many gay Christians in this country. I was also very happy that Angie and Dakota were the head starters behind the GSA, and how open and loving they were to Manuel, as well as Paul.
I knew people in high school who were like Cliff and Elizabeth, so narrow minded when it came to the subject of homosexuality that they seemed to be missing the complete point of God and Jesus, and would never ever consider looking at scripture in a different light, other than what is actually on the paper. If you believed differently, then you were wrong. I knew a girl in school when she found out that one of our friends was gay, she started crying because she thought he was going to Hell.
There are a lot elements that I was glad were brought into the story, like the Pastor (who disgusted me) and the whole ex-gay crusade which is sadly going strong today. I loved Abuela, everything about her. And I loved that Paul's father was accepting.
There were some plot points that were kind of trite and predictable, and the writing wasn't that strong, but I couldn't but down the book. It touched me on a very personal level and I think all teenagers who are conflicted about their faith and sexuality should read this book.
Overall, the writing was kind of slack, nothing real special about it, but I could completely relate to the story. I went to high school in a rural area, and a very closed-minded one at that. While I was in school there were only three openly gay students, and some of us tried to start a GSA club, which was approved by administration, but other students tried to block it, citing it was against their religion. And that hurt me. Because, I'm a Christian, but I don't believe being gay is wrong; you're born that way.
I loved Manuel and how he always fought the bigotry and narrow-mindedness with actual quotes from scripture. Not very often you see in the media (books, film, or television) where a character is both gay, and Christian, because I know there are many gay Christians in this country. I was also very happy that Angie and Dakota were the head starters behind the GSA, and how open and loving they were to Manuel, as well as Paul.
I knew people in high school who were like Cliff and Elizabeth, so narrow minded when it came to the subject of homosexuality that they seemed to be missing the complete point of God and Jesus, and would never ever consider looking at scripture in a different light, other than what is actually on the paper. If you believed differently, then you were wrong. I knew a girl in school when she found out that one of our friends was gay, she started crying because she thought he was going to Hell.
There are a lot elements that I was glad were brought into the story, like the Pastor (who disgusted me) and the whole ex-gay crusade which is sadly going strong today. I loved Abuela, everything about her. And I loved that Paul's father was accepting.
There were some plot points that were kind of trite and predictable, and the writing wasn't that strong, but I couldn't but down the book. It touched me on a very personal level and I think all teenagers who are conflicted about their faith and sexuality should read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2015
Although I've read and enjoyed most of his books now, Alex Sanchez isn't technically a great writer. His prose is sometimes awkward and sounds like it was translated. He's over-earnest, sometimes transparently manipulative with his pat characters, and incredibly preachy and didactic. In parts, his writing can read like a social worker's case files. So why do I love his books so much?
I will read anything Sanchez writes because his books have enormous heart. They brim with emotion, hope, and goodness. Usually, he makes me start crying about halfway through, and then I must finish the rest of the book through constant trickling tears. Which can get quite blurry! He cares so much for his characters, and they act in such lovely ways, that I'm a wreck. Plus I'm oversensitive about teen gay issues anyway, given how hard it was to live through those years, so his honest, direct, supportive, sweet, and heartfelt approach turns me into a puddle every time.
The God Box was no different. He's deepened some of his characterizations, but the prose still reads just so slightly off-rhythm, and there are huge passages of researched Bible quotes about homosexuality discussed in long presentations of questions. These are obviously planted by the author relatively inorganically, and also fascinating, and would give any young LGBT teen great information to battle the hate spewed in the erroneous name of faith and religion . . . without suggesting any kind of rejection of God or faith or spirituality. So that's extremely useful and so helpful that it seems mean-spirited to carp about the storytelling. Especially when the love for the characters overwhelms you halfway through and makes you shake with sobs. Not entirely sad sobs, either! Happy weeping, in joy and recognition and understanding.
So read Alex Sanchez. Read The God Box. It's an important, beautiful book.
I will read anything Sanchez writes because his books have enormous heart. They brim with emotion, hope, and goodness. Usually, he makes me start crying about halfway through, and then I must finish the rest of the book through constant trickling tears. Which can get quite blurry! He cares so much for his characters, and they act in such lovely ways, that I'm a wreck. Plus I'm oversensitive about teen gay issues anyway, given how hard it was to live through those years, so his honest, direct, supportive, sweet, and heartfelt approach turns me into a puddle every time.
The God Box was no different. He's deepened some of his characterizations, but the prose still reads just so slightly off-rhythm, and there are huge passages of researched Bible quotes about homosexuality discussed in long presentations of questions. These are obviously planted by the author relatively inorganically, and also fascinating, and would give any young LGBT teen great information to battle the hate spewed in the erroneous name of faith and religion . . . without suggesting any kind of rejection of God or faith or spirituality. So that's extremely useful and so helpful that it seems mean-spirited to carp about the storytelling. Especially when the love for the characters overwhelms you halfway through and makes you shake with sobs. Not entirely sad sobs, either! Happy weeping, in joy and recognition and understanding.
So read Alex Sanchez. Read The God Box. It's an important, beautiful book.
May 30, 2015
4.5 stars
Paul and Angie have been dating since they were in middle school; they wholeheartedly love each other, dating regularly, kissing, talking on phone and having fun just like normal couples. However, something is weird about Paul; he feels like Angie isn't sexually attracted to him at all. Anyway, Paul is Christian, reading and quoting lines in the Bible and joining a club discussing Christianity. He strongly believes that homosexuality is a sin. In the start of his school year, a new student, Samuel, registered in his school and joined lunch table with him and his friends. During the talk, Samuel announces that he's gay. This makes Paul shock and feel uncomfortable about being with Samuel. As the story develops, we can see that Paul's religious perspective starts being adjusted, but he has to face many obstacles awaiting for him.
This is the last book of Alex Sanchez's that I've read. Honestly speaking, if it wasn't for Alex Sanchez being the author of this book, I perhaps wouldn't pick it up and read at the first place. I spent my afternoon finishing reading this book in awe. Well, I'm an atheist, so homosexuality isn't a concerned matter for me. Why are people sent to hell just because they love somebody? That's completely absurd. Love isn't about gander, it's about two soul uniting and being pleased with each other. On the 4/5 throught the the book, I was going to give it only 4 stars, but when I finished reading the last part, I couldn't stop myself from giving it 0.5 stars more. This book is highly recommended, especially for Christians. :)
Paul and Angie have been dating since they were in middle school; they wholeheartedly love each other, dating regularly, kissing, talking on phone and having fun just like normal couples. However, something is weird about Paul; he feels like Angie isn't sexually attracted to him at all. Anyway, Paul is Christian, reading and quoting lines in the Bible and joining a club discussing Christianity. He strongly believes that homosexuality is a sin. In the start of his school year, a new student, Samuel, registered in his school and joined lunch table with him and his friends. During the talk, Samuel announces that he's gay. This makes Paul shock and feel uncomfortable about being with Samuel. As the story develops, we can see that Paul's religious perspective starts being adjusted, but he has to face many obstacles awaiting for him.
This is the last book of Alex Sanchez's that I've read. Honestly speaking, if it wasn't for Alex Sanchez being the author of this book, I perhaps wouldn't pick it up and read at the first place. I spent my afternoon finishing reading this book in awe. Well, I'm an atheist, so homosexuality isn't a concerned matter for me. Why are people sent to hell just because they love somebody? That's completely absurd. Love isn't about gander, it's about two soul uniting and being pleased with each other. On the 4/5 throught the the book, I was going to give it only 4 stars, but when I finished reading the last part, I couldn't stop myself from giving it 0.5 stars more. This book is highly recommended, especially for Christians. :)
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