Lorren! I could kiss your face for articulating so intelligently and resonantly what I felt about this story. I wrote the novel I think you’re looking for—Yesteryear in reverse, and minus the psychosis, because religious conditioning can feel like such without the extremity of a full-blown delusion. My character leaves tradwifery and breaks from her conditioning to build a life she chooses for the first time. It also offers what I wish I got more of from SLOMW: a zoom-in on one character and the nuances of faith transition. Thank you for this review!
Wow! What a thorough review. This was excellently written! I haven’t read Yesteryear yet, though I’ve read much of the online discourse around it. You’ve convinced me to pick it up and dissect it myself, Lorren. Thanks for the prompting :)
Thanks for reading, Trinity! It’s a dark story, but I could see the commentary on how we perform on social media etc as particularly interesting for you with your work on attention and phone use. If you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I finished the book yesterday. I think another reason why it would make sense for Natalie to be Mormon is because of the ending and how her life turns out (not giving spoilers) mirrors endings of Mormon women who have been in the public eye.
And the perfectionism of the Utah Mormon culture, that so much of it demands appearances for belonging.
Lorren! I could kiss your face for articulating so intelligently and resonantly what I felt about this story. I wrote the novel I think you’re looking for—Yesteryear in reverse, and minus the psychosis, because religious conditioning can feel like such without the extremity of a full-blown delusion. My character leaves tradwifery and breaks from her conditioning to build a life she chooses for the first time. It also offers what I wish I got more of from SLOMW: a zoom-in on one character and the nuances of faith transition. Thank you for this review!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! (Also, I hopped on Instagram to find you and I already follow you 😂) Is your book available yet?
I have some agents reading it right now. Cross your fingers for me!
Wow! What a thorough review. This was excellently written! I haven’t read Yesteryear yet, though I’ve read much of the online discourse around it. You’ve convinced me to pick it up and dissect it myself, Lorren. Thanks for the prompting :)
Thanks for reading, Trinity! It’s a dark story, but I could see the commentary on how we perform on social media etc as particularly interesting for you with your work on attention and phone use. If you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I finished the book yesterday. I think another reason why it would make sense for Natalie to be Mormon is because of the ending and how her life turns out (not giving spoilers) mirrors endings of Mormon women who have been in the public eye.
And the perfectionism of the Utah Mormon culture, that so much of it demands appearances for belonging.
Yes, I think it would have been a bigger risk but also a bigger payoff by naming the thing.
Alas, another disappointing portrayal of Mormon women, but maybe it is at least a step up from Secret Wives.
This rocked. 👏👏
❤️❤️❤️