Thinking Straight

by Robin Reardon

Book Overview

16-year-old Taylor Adams comes out of the closet to his parents and gets sent to Straight To God, an institution devoted to deprogramming' troubled teenagers and ridding them of their vices - whether it's drugs, violence, or, in Taylor's case, other boys. Taylor has no problem with being gay and he has already reconciled his love for God with his love for his boyfriend Will. The camp is like a prison where piety acts as a mask for cruelty and the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758219288
• ISBN13: 9780758219282
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book

Just last night I finished Robin Reardon's "Thinking Straight," a most involving story falling under the Young Adult category, though I would recommend it only for teens in the upper age range, due to strong language and sexual situations. The story is told from the viewpoint of Taylor, a teen who is sent to an institution to be "de-gayed" after he comes out to his parents. I was particularly interested in this story, because I've heard some truly horrendous reports detailing the methods used by these "ex-gay" ministries, and was curious as to how such a programme would be depicted in a work of fiction. The daily routine of the programme which Taylor is forced to join sounds very much like what I've seen and read about these groups in the past, so it seems that the author really did do her research. The storyline was quite interesting, and it really did make me think about the many viewpoints out there (both religious and secular) which deal with what it means to be gay. There are a lot of shades of grey in this book; the situations discussed are not broadly drawn in black and white. In fact, in the end I did not completely agree with everything the author had to say about faith and homosexuality, but I did feel like I had learned a lot. And I had grown to care about the characters quite a bit as I read. If there is a drawback to this book, it occurs in the last few chapters, in which the storyline veers wildly into melodrama. Now, what takes place certainly is within the realm of possibility---and surely does make for exciting reading! However, the book up to that point was very realistic and low-key in tone, so the sudden shift was a bit disconcerting. Also, I would say that one aspect of the plot, at the very end, seemed to me to be rather unlikely; however, I can't go into that without providing major spoilers. Still, overall I would classify these as minor problems that did not greatly decrease my overall opinion of the book as a whole. I liked this one, and highly recommend it with certain qualifications. Those being, the reader should be aware that the book contains a few rather frank scenes with sexual content. And, the reader should probably have a natural interest in theology; a LOT of this book is all about theology! (I found all the discussions on the topic to be extremely interesting, but I realise that some people may have the exact opposite reaction.) The book certainly did draw me in, completely, on an emotional level; these people seemed completely real to me.

Inspirational

I highly recommend this novel to both gay and straight teenagers and their parents. I also feel it is important reading for those who care about their health and welfare, especially members of faith communities and the medical profession. The beginning of the story was extremely difficult and I could only read it small doses. The attempts by the staff of the fictional "Straight to God" institution to destroy a person's very being is incredibly horrifying. And to do this in the name of God or Jesus seems absolutely unbelievable. Taylor is an incredible young man supported by the love of another young man. Fortunately the staff of this bizarre institution is not monolithic; not all of the them are truly evil persons. The "inmates" develop their own ways of dealing with those in authority. I am not sure I would have had the maturity to survive as the characters mange to do. I found the ending realistic and satisfying. "Thinking straight" is a book to inspire. It demonstrates that each of us can survive and grow and even succeed if we have faith in ourselves.

An excellent book! Couldn't put it down!

Robin Reardon has written an extraordinary second book. I read her first book, A Secret Edge, and found that one to be excellent. Thinking Straight is even better. The characters are so well-developed that they seem to spring from the page. The book contains humor, drama, and suspense enough to keep one reading on. Reardon spins her plot with the expertise of a well-established writer like Maugham or McMurtry. I had a hard time putting this book down. It is an excellent subject for any teen (or anyone for that matter) coming to terms with their faith in God and homosexuality. Reardon has certainly become one of the truly good writers of today. I can't wait for her next book.

Thinking Straight: Powerful and Compassionate

Robin Reardon has done a wonderful job presenting the story of Taylor a gay teenager whose parents send him to Straight to God to un-confuse his sexuality. The plot line is complex enough to keep your attention throughout, but with a theme that is unmistakable: the only thing wrong with being gay is how others perceive it. The characters are well developed and it was easy to put myself into their shoes. Like a good mystery (or real life), the characters motivations are unclear throughout. The biggest takeaway for me was that one can have a healthy gay and Christian identity simultaneously. Reardon does a nice job interweaving scripture and progressive Christian thought while also presenting more traditional Christian views. While the protaganist, Taylor, definitely favored the progressive view, I felt Reardon fairly presented the qualms and quandries of traditional Christians. This is one text that is not to be missed.

Reardon Has Taken on a Hugely Important Subject

Robin Reardon has taken on a hugely important subject in her new book, Thinking Straight. Taylor Adams, a teen who starts out the book with his head pretty well in place, has parents who think differently about their son's well adjusted outlook on life. As the story begins they have sent him to Straight To God, a program that prides itself on fixing teens' problems, including getting young men and women to overcome homosexuality. Despite his circumstances and justifiable anger, Taylor has faith in who is he and believes that being gay is okay with God. Reardon knows her Bible and uses it well. Full of drama, great dialog and well developed characters, Thinking Straight is a book I couldn't put down. Beckie Weinheimer Author of Converting Kate