Alex Cooper (1) (1994–)

This was a really compelling read. Though I don't think this is Brooks's best writing, Alex and her story draw you in and don't let you go. Two days of few breaks. What hit me the hardest was realizing that Alex is younger than I am. I knew this was a recent story, but I've read a lot of memoirs and they are all by people older than me, so that was the mindset I was reading this book with. But no. She's about the age of my younger brother. This was just a couple years ago, and conversion therapy is still very much a thing in Utah.

LGBT issues are divisive within the Mormon church. Alex wrote her story mostly for kids like her who know deep down that they're not broken, but this book also has the potential to soften some hearts. There is power in listening to the stories of individuals we lump into general groups. I was impressed with the charity Alex had toward her parents' beliefs and where those beliefs came from. While I'm sure hurt and anger were and probably still are there, she doesn't blame her parents. She stresses how important it was for them to believe in a plan where everything would be alright in the end. When Alex didn't fit that plan, her parents had to find a way to make things right. Letting go of the plan you have clung to for your whole life is hard and painful, and it's easier to try to get the people you love to fit back into the plan; after all, they used to fit, they can fit again. Throughout the book Alex does an excellent job of understanding and helping the reader understand her parents' worldview. This is an important read.

Minor nitpick: I can't stand the click-bait-y subtitle.… (mais)

Interesting book, autobiography of a lesbian Mormon teenager whose parents sent her away to be "cured". Well-written, her experience is unimaginable to this straight WASP, and an indictment of so-called religious values. I know my Bible pretty well, and cannot think of an instance when this sort of thing was embraced by Jesus. -- While Alex did get out of her situation, I do wish she had done something to prevent other children from going what she went through, by testifying to prosecute the people who tortured her.… (mais)

There are so many reasons why this is such an important book and story!
I have such an emotional attachment to Alex's story being from Utah and having grown up involved in the Mormon religion. While I personally didn't face any of her circumstances I know people who have to some degree. It's so important for people to hear her story and to understand that this IS happening!
It's important too, to understand that there can be a happy ending. For anyone who may be going through feelings of doubt, shame, or suicide because they are LGBTQ, in a religious and unaccepting family, please read this book along with any other story you can get your hands on of survivors! It gets better, and that's why Alex told her story! Not only to shine a light on the abuse and torture of conversion therapy, but to also show people that it can get better!
I hope that this book makes its way into so many peoples hands! People in the LDS faith who may not quite understand LGBTQ, people struggling to accept their homosexuality, parents with homosexual children, and anyone else.
Thank you Alex for sharing your story, however hard it must have been to relive your horrible circumstances.… (mais)