3 out of 4 stars
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I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading A Good Boy. I was a little hesitant, worried that the book would feel extremely preachy and give the wrong messages. But I went in with as open a mind as I could, and I am so glad that I did. A Good Boy is an uplifting and powerful story with strong, modern messages that the world needs to hear.
On a journey of self-discovery and recovery, Wesley Aames finds himself in the small town of Asheville, North Carolina. As the new pastor at a dying church, Wesley must quickly adjust to his new surroundings while finding the best way to lead his church into brighter days. But everything changes when a local teenager commits suicide. The church is more divided than ever before, and Wesley has tough decisions to make. Faced with confronting his own faith, can he be the pastor this church needs and rally the people together? Or is it doomed to fail?
What struck me most about this book was how accepting it was. I felt no messages of hate or discrimination. In fact, it was quite the opposite! Andre writes from a place of love and honesty, and that shines through on every page. God, and religion in general, is not about fear. As Wesley says, "Faith in Jesus is liberating. More freedom - not more rules, and definitely not more fear. We are liberated to love completely,
totally, and passionately. And how do I know this? Because that is how Jesus loved."
Even a book with the best themes can be ruined by a failing protagonist. Luckily, that is not the case with A Good Boy. Wesley Aames is not your average preacher, and this is something other characters are quick to draw attention to! He sometimes has a beer with dinner, he swears, and his views are incredibly modern and open. He understands that religion is not about hate, and that it should never be. Wesley is an easily likable character because he walks the walk. He proves multiple times his acceptance of all people, and he believes this is how God works. Wesley has his flaws, but he is aware of them and works to improve. Not once does he act righteous. This is one of the many things that made the story so enjoyable.
A Good Boy deals with many controversial issues. Sexuality, unhealthy relationships, and suicide, to name a few. But Andre handles these with great care. He is able to tap into these emotions in an honest way without assuming too much, staying clear of generalizations. Andre has a true talent for delving into the views of many different characters from many different backgrounds. Each feels as believably real as the last, each with their own specific flair. The depth Andre puts into each of his character is nothing short of beautiful.
Many people hate religion. There are a few reasons for this. One, extremism in any form is bad. Two, many religious people are quick to condemn and judge others, while claiming to be accepting and righteous. No one likes a hypocrite, but hypocrisy is something you cannot find in this tale. A Good Boy does not once feel preachy, but it shares the message that religion can no longer be something only practiced when convenient.
Wesley says, "We should become a church that embodies the gospel as a truth. Not a truth that is
forgotten on Monday morning, nor a truth that uses fear to bludgeon people into submission but
a truth that is joyful and life-affirming. A truth that recognizes the mystery and beauty of life, a
truth that transforms this church into a family, a truth that takes our faith and molds us into a
community of its own." Give love, and love is what you shall receive. It is a fantastic message, and one incredibly important for society to hear right now.
I absolutely adored this book. And the only thing stopping me from giving this story 4 out of 4 stars is its unfortunate habit of typos. They are small, but noticeable and distracting. With a little more care during editing, these could easily have been avoided. That being said, I have no other criticisms, which is why I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. An uplifting and truthful tale that I recommend to all book lovers out there, religious or otherwise. This book gives a refreshing perspective that many can appreciate.
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A Good Boy
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