what should have been Book 13
The Abstinence Teacher - Tom Perotta.
However, since I didn't finish it, it won't be. He is a good writer, and the story does draw one in. But I was not sufficiently engaged to buy into one more story with the theme of 'it is worthwhile to sacrifice everything and anything - including spiriitual values and commitment to others when you meet the one great love of your life'. Even if you are married to other people, have kids, have unresolved hang-ups from past life experiences, you should throw all mature behaviour out the window when you have the opportunity to have sex with the ONE. Ugh, is this really how the rest of America thinks we should live our lives? Is it really 'Christian' values to act like a grown-up, have your head together, and honor your commitments instead of or before entering into another relationship that is based, not on shared values, life experiences, common goals or interests, but some vague, psychic 'connection' and phsyical attraction? Apparently Mr,. Perrota thinks so - and his characters are sufficiently enlightened to not be held down by (what i consider) maturity in helpless resignation to that 'one' relationship.
However, since I didn't finish it, it won't be. He is a good writer, and the story does draw one in. But I was not sufficiently engaged to buy into one more story with the theme of 'it is worthwhile to sacrifice everything and anything - including spiriitual values and commitment to others when you meet the one great love of your life'. Even if you are married to other people, have kids, have unresolved hang-ups from past life experiences, you should throw all mature behaviour out the window when you have the opportunity to have sex with the ONE. Ugh, is this really how the rest of America thinks we should live our lives? Is it really 'Christian' values to act like a grown-up, have your head together, and honor your commitments instead of or before entering into another relationship that is based, not on shared values, life experiences, common goals or interests, but some vague, psychic 'connection' and phsyical attraction? Apparently Mr,. Perrota thinks so - and his characters are sufficiently enlightened to not be held down by (what i consider) maturity in helpless resignation to that 'one' relationship.