baronessekat | 2019 reading challenge: An "own voices" book

Boy Erased (Movie Tie-In): A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

rating is closer to a 3.75

For me, I read to feel. Be it joy, contentment, escapism, awareness.... something. Hands down this book made me feel... ANGRY. RAGE. Just lots of primal, visceral emotions.

Garred grew up in a deeply religious Christian family in the deep south. Which would have been ok if it were not for the fact that he knew he was different. He dated a girl because it was expected, but it still felt wrong. He liked boys instead.

When he went away to college an experience caused him to wonder if there was something wrong with him, and when word got back to his family, he agreed to go into "therapy". Conversion or ex-gay therapy.

I found myself seething in anger on his behalf. Rage at people, situations, unhealthy and non-productive thinkings.

This is a book that I am glad I listened to at 1.25 speed as I needed to get through it quickly because I could not let those feelings sit too long within me. I'm glad I listened to it but I can also guarantee that I will NEVER read it again. And whether or not I see the movie based on it is iffy.

View all my reviews