Review: May be spoilers?
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 15, 2013
Very deep and thought-provoking.  There were many aspects of this book that I found down right disturbing.  Not because of the content or subject matter, but the pain the MC's both experienced, for different reasons and in different ways.  One had the unconditional support of their parents, the other could have taken advantage of help but ...couldn't.  The pain Derek must have experienced prior to the book to cause him to indulge in his behaviour originally, must have been really something.  I felt for him to the very depths of my soul.Negotiating the Christian doctrine and trying to understand and do what is right, was done very tastefully without being blasphemous, if I may use this term.  Taylor's parents handled this with so much intelligence, love and care.  Even his "prefect" family had issues which thankfully seemed to have been resolved.I felt sorry for AllisonWas it Divine intervention that Taylor got to meet Daniel's brother and partner?  Both unknowingly?  And that the second meeting was after he was armed with certain truths?  One of the main issues I think, was that a child is raised with certain beliefs etc, bestowed by their parents, but at a certain time, usually adolescence, they must take what they've learned, modify it depending on their experiences and then live it, and most likely passing it on to their kids for them to do the same.  This is what Taylor was faced with.  And I liked that he did not turn away from God, unlike what is done in other books.  His valid question of why would He create something and hate it?  Best argument there is for the differences in all of us!I wanted to wrap my arms around Derek but he probably wouldn't have accepted or appreciated it.  I really liked the ending of the book.  No "I'll love you forever" and walk off into the sunset.  This was not that kind of book.  The end was appropriate.  These 'things' cannot be fixed overnight.There was so much deep feeling in every page of this book that it's not hard to wonder if there was some personal experience involved.A few typos, grammar, children running into hospital rooms where parent is taking care of patient: so would NOT happen in the real world - invasion of privacy?  HIPPA?  Consent by parent over the phone to release for a while a child in psychiatric ward?  But I understand creative license to help the story along.  But it doesn't take anything away from the story.This could be a hard novel for someone to read, but totally worth it.