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Jan 29, 2010

Helynne rated it:

This 2009 novel from Zarahemla Books of Provo, Utah, has been the subject of much on-line reviewing and discussion because it tackles in an honest, no-holds-barred fashion the uncomfortable subject of a young man who is dealing with the full-blown trauma that comes from being both gay and Mormon. The minute he admits to himself, then to his best friend Chad Mortensen, to his mom and to his bishop (Chad’s dad) that he is gay, 15-year-old Paul Flitkin knows he has a long, difficult road ahead More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 12, 2010

Jessica rated it:

I was very hesitant to read this book when the author first asked me as it really isn't the kind of book I read a lot. I am so glad I took the chance! This was an emotional book! My heart broke for Paul so many times as he put up with hate for being gay, for being Mormon, for being both. After Paul tells his best friend, Chad, that he is gay, Chad is angry and stays away from Paul. I hurt for him whilel he tried to find his way without his best friend for a litttle while.

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0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 04, 2010

Shelah rated it:

This is my off-the-cuff, "first impressions" review for No Going Back, as opposed to the more in-depth review that I'll write once I've finished the last six books (if the Whitneys were a marathon, I'd be at the "hitting the wall" point of reading now), so this is the best I can do until the last page is turned.

As I think of what it means to be a Mormon writer, the thing I keep coming back to is writing about religion and culture in a meaningful way. Yes, of cours More...

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Apr 07, 2010

Wm rated it:

Note: this is one of the novels I read as a voter for the Whitney Awards. My rating and review may or may not be indicative of how I will cast my vote.

I actually read this novel in draft form. Here's the blurb I provided to the publisher:

William Morris, founder of the Mormon arts and culture blog A Motley Vision, figured that the time was about right for a literary treatment of LDS culture and same sex attraction, but he also had concerns about what form that would take. More...

1 comment like

Nov 08, 2009

Shauna rated it:

I thought this was a good book. I don't think I would have ever picked it to read except that I know the author, and I was anxious to read whatever he wrote. Although I found a lot of the teenage boy dialogue to be a bit choppy and affected, especially at first, I warmed up so much to the characters that I didn't mind how they talked. Langford is at his best when he is voicing the bishop--these parts of the book flow with a greater depth and poignancy. However, it is not the writing style th More...

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Jan 20, 2011

Melissa (i swim for oceans) rated it:

Paul is your everyday LDS (Mormon) teenager. He enjoys video games. He is an upstanding citizen on his way to earning his Eagle Scout badge. He works hard to be a good member of his teacher's quorum and be a good and faithful Christian. Paul is also gay. In a religious society where emphasis is placed on the value of family and carrying on the Lord's word to a wife and children, Paul must grapple with the idea that unless he changes, he can never have any of that. He must also face scrutiny, jud More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Sep 20, 2010

Angela added it

This book is way different from what I usually read. I can't rate it the same way. First, it's an LDS novel--intended for Mormon readers. It's about Paul, a Mormon 15-year-old who likes guys instead of girls. Paul is a sympathetic hero for other faithful Mormon teens who face a similar challenge.

Number two? It's not YA. I had a hard time reading it objectively because I think it should be. (Yikes!) The content is definitely YA, but along with the authentic guy voices you'd find in a go More...

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Mar 23, 2011

Alison (AlisonCanRead) rated it:

No Going Back is a brutal, raw, honest look at the difficulties faced by a gay Mormon teenager. Paul is a great kid. Quiet, obedient, a little nerdy, funny. He's the kind of kid that parents hold up as an example. He is an active member of the Mormon church. When he realizes that he's gay, he is faced with a truly horrible choice. Rightly or wrongly, you cannot be actively gay and be an upstanding member of the LDS church. Paul knows he's gay, but he also fervently believes in the tenets of the More...

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Nov 07, 2009

Teri rated it:

No Going Back by Jonathan Langford

For his debut novel, Jonathan has hit a homerun with this heartfelt, compassionately honest coming-of-age story of a fifteen year old's struggle with same-sex attraction. When Paul Ficklin realizes he's gay,he does come out to his best friend Chad Mortenson, whose been his best friend for many years. At first, Chad is livid and stays away from Paul.

When Paul tells his mom, he gets the love and support he needs, but when he is dragged More...

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Oct 25, 2010

Andrea rated it:

The Little Bookworm
As a whole, I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting story and one I have never read before. I really don't know much about the Mormon church so I was hoping to learn a little about it. I think I did. I definitely learned how they feel about homosexuality. Apparently it is ok to be "same sex attracted" as long as you never act on those feelings. Interesting. The main character, Paul, figures out he is gay in the eight grade and finally tells his best fr More...

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Nov 30, 2010

melissa1lbr rated it:

This was a really interesting book for me. I was a bit uncomfortable before I picked it up, but I was impressed with the skill Langford brought the story to life. He was able to be compassionate as well as realistic in his portrayal of differing LDS views on gays. This book shows the very real struggle that a gay Mormon boy could experience, especially the feeling of being torn in many directions. It is brave, and unique, and very well done. I was distracted a few times by the other stories More...

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Dec 29, 2010

Heather rated it:

This novel was sent to me by the author to read and review back in October. At the time I had some other books I'd promised to review and then spent November doing NaNo. I have a huge pile of TBR, but my promises come first so I picked this one up and started to read it. Then I put it down. It didn't interest me. There were no faeries, it wasn't a fantasy. It was reality and I wasn't sure I could handle the subject matter right then. My mother is a million miles away in Florida and all of More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 23, 2011

Becky rated it:

In this teen novel, we find Paul Flitkin trying to be honest about who he is and what he believes. Having grown up LDS (Mormon), he knew that coming out and trying to deal with his sexual identity was going to be hard enough without adding the conflict he felt from his religion. All he ever really wanted to do was attend BYU and have a family, but it suddenly all seemed to conflict.

I really thought that this novel dealt with a lot of issues that I hadn't seen tackled in a story b More...

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Nov 30, 2010

Jami rated it:

Paul is a devoted Mormon. He loves his church and what they stand for. There is only one problem with this. Paul is gay. This is a big problem in the Mormon church. I really loved Paul's character. I love that he was a science fiction geek who was obsessed with the show, firefly. He was a sincere guy that always stayed true to himself. My heart broke for him so many times while reading this story. Paul had to go through so much. He had hate coming at him from all sides. Not only did he find hims More...

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Mar 08, 2010

Mary Etta rated it:

Nan recommended.

A quote from the publisher's post she received:
"7. No Going Back presents a fair and balanced view of different ways
of viewing same-sex attraction, while still presenting clearly the LDS
Church’s position on this issue. As one reader reported, “Langford’s
novel is, as a blurb on the back states, a ‘thoroughly orthodox’
Mormon novel in that the main characters remain loyal to orthodox
Mormon doctrine, but he places them in a worl More...

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Jan 28, 2010

Jesse rated it:

This book does a great job of depicting a real life situation that many young men in the LDS church have to deal with. I was given this book by my mother-in-law because Paul (the Mormon dealing with same-gender attraction) has a best friend named Chad (a straight LDS member) who reminded her of me. My best friend since 3rd grade has dealed with the same struggles as Paul.

After getting halfway through the book, I was thinking this was a 3 star book. Upon completion, I feel like it des More...

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Mar 07, 2011

Kris rated it:

Another book I went into expecting to despise. It's actually not bad. I hated the language - it's pretty atrocious, especially for an LDS author.

I loved Sandy's character. I loved her feelings about motherhood because hello, that is how I feel every single day. Go Sandy. Rock on.

No Going Back is worth a read, but be aware that the teenager-ness gets a little obnoxious and yeah the language drove me crazy. Technically only a few swear words, but lots of "fag"

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Nov 16, 2009

Brook rated it:

This book was very interesting and a little eye opening. I appreciated that the author describes persecution from every angle. It is a sad fact that LDS people are as guilty of persecution as anyone. In this case, I believe the author does a good job of separating tolerance of behavior and tolerance of weakness. He makes his statement loud and clear.

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Apr 17, 2011

Hayley rated it:

This book was very touching. I am not a member of the LDS church so I can't relate to that aspect of Paul's struggle, but I did relate to alot of other aspects Paul faced being same-sex attracted. Deciding to come out. Deciding to accept that part of yourself. Finding others you could relate to. Etc. I found myself crying along with him during the story. Definitely a tear-jerker.

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Feb 11, 2010

Cathy rated it:

I read this on recommendation from a friend. It was about a gay Mormon teenager and his obstacles to honor his religion and yet come out about his same sex orientation. It was difficult to read, I really felt sorry for him and his struggles. I think this problem is out there, but most of the young adults that find themselves in this situation would just go with there feelings and not try to stay true to their religion.

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Dec 27, 2009

Karen rated it:

I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with same-gender attraction. It is an honest, realistic look at how one young man deals with his homosexuality. It will amaze and surprise you. A great read. For my complete review see my blog at karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com

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Oct 03, 2010

Vicki rated it:

WOW, this is the most important book that I have read in a long time, because of the potential of impact it could have! Jonathan has made a statement that feels right, about what makes a person and the trials we all face in life. The crux of the matter is, do we believe in the teachings of the Church, or do we not. If we believe fully in the revealed gospel, than who we are, is an eternal son or daughter of God. How we act in this life should be based on that, because our soul wants to go back More...

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Sep 18, 2010

Britt, Book Habitue rated it:

*Technically not a Utah author, but STRONG ties to Utah and it's LDS fiction, so I'm connecting it.

Found this to be an absolutely brilliant portrayal. Could have used a little tightening up, but the character development was really great. Full review on my blog Monday.

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 26, 2011

Sarah rated it:

A good portrayal of the tension between being Mormon and gay.

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Mar 23, 2011

Suey rated it:

This is an interesting, hopeful take on a young Mormon boy who is also dealing with being gay. It's heart wrenching, but surprisingly positive.

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May 13, 2011

Rod rated it:

I found myself reflecting on Paul's struggles. About being gay and trying to be faithful. About trying to adhere to a faith while at the same time having members of that faith turn on you. I liked the book for what it evaluates. I was somewhat disappointed that so much is unresolved at the end of the book, but then I realized that the ending is appropriate since the Mormon church remains conflicted about the whole issue. I would like to see another novel continuing Paul's story.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 29, 2010

Sheila rated it:

This novel is eye opening and tells the story of a young, gay LDS boy. Many ideas about persecution, acceptance and tolerance are brought to the forefront. Also, it makes an LDS reader, as I am, think about my own thoughts and feelings concerning those of other religions and gays and how they are treated. The message of loving all people is expressed throughout the book and reminders about not being judgmental. Jonathan Langford did a wonderful job with his first, published novel.

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Oct 31, 2010

Kim rated it:

Really interesting. The language was a little edgy at times, though not extreme. It's not a comfortable read but I'm so glad that I did read it. This is an important topic these days. I recommend it but with a disclaimer that the language and sexual content (there is some and though not overly descriptive, it can be uncomfortable) will not be tolerable for some.

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Jan 09, 2010

Betsy rated it:

Interesting read about a gay mormon teenager and the issues he faces because he decides to live as a faithful member of the church. I thought the characterization throughout the novel was skillful. On a more superfluous issue, I found the bad name choices for the teenagers annoying. (Janice? Do you know any teenagers named Janice?)

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Mar 08, 2010

Heather rated it:

A well-done story about a teenage boy who struggles to reconcile his sexual-orientation with his faith.

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