No Going Back Review

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Title: No Going Back
Author: Jonathan Langford
Publisher: Zarahemla Books
Published: October 5, 2009
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 312
Source: Author

A gay teenage Mormon growing up in western Oregon in 2003. His straight best friend. Their parents. A typical LDS ward, a high-school club about tolerance for gays, and a proposed anti-gay-marriage amendment to the state constitution. In NO GOING BACK, these elements combine in a coming-of-age story about faithfulness and friendship, temptation and redemption, tough choices and conflicting loyalties

Paul is your everyday LDS (Mormon) teenager. He enjoys video games. He is an upstanding citizen on his way to earning his Eagle Scout badge. He works hard to be a good member of his teacher's quorum and be a good and faithful Christian. Paul is also gay. In a religious society where emphasis is placed on the value of family and carrying on the Lord's word to a wife and children, Paul must grapple with the idea that unless he changes, he can never have any of that. He must also face scrutiny, judgment, and ridicule in a society where he consistently receives conflicting messages about whether or not who he is as a person is morally wrong.

When I was approached to read No Going back by the author, Jonathan Langford, I was struck by just how poignant this book sounded. Having lived in Salt Lake City for more than four years and developed many LDS friends, I have come to learn a lot about the culture, the belief system and the values. I, in no way, judge what the LDS believe, but I figured this would be a fascinating read, especially with an LGBT context. Langford has created a masterpiece in No Going Back. Brimming with morals but never preachy, heartwrenching but never overdone, the story of Paul is one of valor, life, and love of belief and oneself - something everyone can relate to on some level.

There are a lot of strengths in No Going Back. The prose is real and honest - a bit too gritty and brutal at times, but it works between a male teenage MC and his friends. Paul is well-rounded and tangible, and I enjoyed the level of detail when it came to showing what Paul was attempting to reconcile with in the LDS religion. Now, that's not to say that No Going Back was without his faults. I think there were a few secondary characters like Sandy, the bishop's wife, that simply didn't ring completely true for me. She felt a bit one-sided and flat. I also wish that the time period for the book was explained better. It was important when discussing Paul's decision to vote or not vote on the issue of gay marriage.

All around though, No Going Back was a powerful, moving read with a strong message of friendship, family and tolerance. Whether religious or not, I believe everyone can find a meaning in this book, and need for a few tissues, as it's a tearjerker. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to both fans of YA and adult novels, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction and LGBT story lines.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected by opinion or review of this book.

30 comments:

  1. This book sounds really good! It's not everyday that you see/hear/read about a person who's Mormon and gay (I should know, I live in Utah). Thanks for the review and happy reading:)
    -Danna
    http://friendlyreaderohyeah.blogspot.com

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  2. Yes, this sounds like an amazingly powerful story. I definitely commend the author for meshing religion and LGBT storylines. Lovely review :)

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  3. The cover doesn't call out to me, but the synopsis sure does! This sounds like a very unique and powerful book-- I've never read anything both LGBT and religious, as Tara says. Great review. :)

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  4. This book sounds like a powerful one. I love meaningful books . Great review!

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  5. Great review! I am not very fond of reading LGBT books this book does sounds great.

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  6. this sounds very interesting. It's even more interesting that it's not set in Utah. I'm LDS but have never lived in Utah so the non-Utah mromon culture is more familiar to me. Do you feel like there are a good mix of reactioms from the characters? im on the very liberal side for a mormon - definitely a minority opinion but not alone. i like seeing Mormons described as having differing opinions. Sorry for typos. Typing on my phone is hard.

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  7. Though this is probably not the book for me, it does sound really intense and the characterization (save the Bishop's wife) sounds really amazing. Beautiful review Melissa, you certainly know how to pique interest in a book when I might otherwise not even give it a second thought!

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  8. Jenny-

    I felt the same way about reading the book when I was approached by the author, but I'm so glad I read it. Melissa's review says it so much better than mine, but it was so worth it to have read it! To read what Paul goes through and how he has people that stand up for him, people that you'd think wouldn't was so wonderful! And it brought some understanding to me of such a strong faith in religion seeing as I don't have that. And she's right, have the tissues ready. The author leaves nothing undone, but the cruelty Paul suffers and bears is unbelievable, but so is the love.

    Melissa as always, so eloquently put and such a great review.

    Heather

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  9. Okay it sounds even better now! :D thanks for the review!

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  10. Fantastic review! No Going Back sounds like a poignant and gripping book. It isn't something I would normally pick up, but you've piqued my interest :o)

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  11. It is not something I would pick up either but it must be a good book if you gave it 4.5/5. I simply know too little about LDS or gay culture in the US to appreciate it to the full.

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  12. Melissa,

    Thanks for being willing to take a chance on reading No Going Back. I'm glad it connected for you! Thanks as well for being willing to post such a positive review.

    Because No Going Back was published by a small regional literary press (with a small advertising budget), and because it's on such an unusual topic, we've had a hard time publicizing the book. Reviews like yours are almost the only way people are likely to find out about the book.

    That being the case, I'd like to offer a free electronic review copy to any of the rest of you who have blogs where you post book reviews, if you think No Going Back might interest you. (For that matter, the book is available for sale as an ebook for only $2 -- definitely the way to go if you read ebooks, which I don't yet, but I know a lot of people do.) We can also make print review copies available, but on a more limited basis given the costs involved.

    If you think this might interest you, please email me at jonathan AT langfordwriter DOT com. And thanks to all of you for your interest in promoting good reading!

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  13. I haven't heard of this one before, but it definitely sounds like a worthy read. Wonderful review, Melissa!

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  14. This looks really interesting to read in light of all that's been going on these days. Thanks for the great review!

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  15. Wow, this sounds really good. I initially liked the premise of it when you mentioned it in your last IMM and now having read your complete review, I think I would really enjoy this one. Even if I rarely read contemps.

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  16. Ever since you featured this book on your IMM, I have been looking forward to your review. I'm so happy to read that the book turned out to be good.

    I love powerful, moving reads, so I will add this one to the TBR. Thanks Melissa.

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  17. This sounds like a good read! Thanks for posting the review! I'm going to go and check into the book some more!

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  18. Great review!
    Sometimes book do need to be dark and gritty, not faves of mine. But if there is a point to it then yes

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  19. Hmm... interesting concept of both the LDS and LGBT pairing. Something you don't see. Great review. So glad you enjoyed the book. It does sound like a emotional and moving read.

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  20. I see you are reading REVOLUTION! I JUST bought it, like, five minutes ago haha I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

    No Going Back looks and sounds really interesting. Great Review!

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  21. This one sounds very different to anything I've ever read, and a powerful and moving read. Really great, insightful review, Melissa!

    Revolution is amazing, by the way. I hope you love it!

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  22. I've never heard of this one before, and while I don't really read many, if not any, books about LDS teens, this one has certainly caught my eye now because of your fablous review. It's sounds amazing and meaningful, so I can't wait to pick up a copy.

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  23. This one sounds really good, Melissa! Very powerful, and poignant. I'll definitely be checking it out! :D Thank you for your review! :D

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  24. Love your review. This book sounds powerful and very emotional. Definitely adding this to my wishlist :)

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  25. I wouldn't normally have picked up a book like this but it sounds like a really great novel from your review. I'll be adding it to my wishlist!

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  26. Wow this sounds intense! I’ve always been fascinated with the LDS church and the inner workings of their religion. The Polygamy, gold plates everything is just so different from what I believe. Thanks for the insightful feedback.

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  27. This sounds so intense! Sounds like there is a great message here. Great review, Melissa!

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  28. Now this sounds like a YA novel that I would enjoy :)
    Thanks so much for the great review Melissa...

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  29. I love books with a powerful message of friendship and family. Thanks for the great review!

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