Exmormon

by C.L. Hanson

If you're raised Mormon, you have a plan all laid out for baptism at age eight, meetings every week, scouting and the priesthood (if you're a boy), perhaps a mission and/or BYU, then temple marriage, kids of your own, and finally exaltation. But not everybody sticks to the script. Exmormon is a series of eight-and-a-half novellas about the kids of three Mormon families as they try to follow the straight-and-narrow path but occasionally strike out on their own. Their stories neither praise Mormonism nor condemn it. Growing up Mormon may or may not be a tragedy; losing your childhood belief may or may not be a failure - but either way, it's an adventure.

454 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2010

Reviews

[Majenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young people questioning the world they've always known. Cousins who hardly know each other because of the divide in their parents' beliefs. Glimpses behind the scenes at a church play and "stowing away" on one young Mormon's mission trip to France. Illustrations by the author (love how she dresses those twins!). Humor, lively dialogue, and even some spice and bite.

And a last chapter that brings the main characters from each of the "separate" stories together, that's usually good. But this last chapter elevated my rating by a full star. See if you agree.

Overall, eye-opening and enjoyable.

Thanks for reading.