good question. It's been over a year since I read it but I felt like the portrayal of the Crossroads youth group generally positive, and religion in its pure form was generally a positive influence on the characters. But I'm not so sure anymore. As I've spent more time away from the book I think more and more the way things fracture in the second half are the important end conclusion, not the way he builds the characters up. I really hope he writes a sequel to this, even though in many ways it's a complete novel the fact that it promises a sequel makes me feel like there's more here that I'm missing, a further arc to these characters
interesting, thanks for answering! yeah i'm excited to see where he takes it too — i think you're right about the fracturing being more the point than the building up. tbh i personally found it refreshing that he portrayed the church/youth group community somewhat positively or at least neutrally, despite afaik him having no personal belief anymore, as i think people who don't believe in a faith can rarely bring themselves to believe that anyone could have a positive experience within one. (i'm speaking as someone who grew up in a similarish church and no longer believes, but was fortunate enough to not have too much negative to say about the experience).
great review! was surprised you thought “Franzen seems earnestly to believe some of the christianity in this book.” what made you think that?
good question. It's been over a year since I read it but I felt like the portrayal of the Crossroads youth group generally positive, and religion in its pure form was generally a positive influence on the characters. But I'm not so sure anymore. As I've spent more time away from the book I think more and more the way things fracture in the second half are the important end conclusion, not the way he builds the characters up. I really hope he writes a sequel to this, even though in many ways it's a complete novel the fact that it promises a sequel makes me feel like there's more here that I'm missing, a further arc to these characters
interesting, thanks for answering! yeah i'm excited to see where he takes it too — i think you're right about the fracturing being more the point than the building up. tbh i personally found it refreshing that he portrayed the church/youth group community somewhat positively or at least neutrally, despite afaik him having no personal belief anymore, as i think people who don't believe in a faith can rarely bring themselves to believe that anyone could have a positive experience within one. (i'm speaking as someone who grew up in a similarish church and no longer believes, but was fortunate enough to not have too much negative to say about the experience).