Autoboyography characters5/26/2023 He has only ever identified as Mormon and struggles to imagine himself as anything (or anyone) else, especially someone whose essential identity challenges the faith that he loves. Tanner’s attraction to Sebastian is as immediate as it is problematic, because Sebastian isn’t “out,” not even to himself. Autoboyography is a coming-of-age story, but it’s not Tanner’s (which is ironic since it’s written as though by his own hand) it’s Sebastian’s, the thoroughly Mormon bishop’s son who Tanner falls in love with shortly after starting the Seminar–a creative writing class just for seniors in which Sebastian is a mentor. In this way, Tanner differs from many YA protagonists, but the narrative is by no means weakened by the fact that Tanner begins the story as a self-actualized agnostic bisexual in the midst of conservative Mormondom. Tanner Scott is a high school senior who harbors zero confusion about who he is or what he wants. This book exposes the prejudices and dogma that drive people apart when their instincts and desires are to connect, all while offering a generous and earnest exploration of loyalty to self, family, and faith when all three seem unbearably at odds. Reviewed by Rebekah Cuevas for the Association for Mormon LettersĪutoboyography affirms that love is risk, but queer love remains even riskier, especially in the profoundly religious setting of Provo, Utah.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |