Comments on: Which LDS novel would you give a Nonmember

By: Virtual Oases, April 13 « The Exponent

Virtual Oases, April 13 « The Exponent — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:55:06 +0000

[...] Which LDS novel would you give to a non-member? [...]

By: Maddison

Maddison — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:02:28 +0000

I love all the suggestions for books on this post because I want to read them!!
I’ve not read many LDS books beyond the Scriptures (I’m a fairly new convert) so I really can’t comment on that aspect. But just to add something, a lovely Sister from Church lent me The Fire of the Covenant and I LOVE it! It’s not contemporary but I like period pieces. And it’s not a story of why one should be Mormon, but rather just a story of faith through trials and tribulations, part fiction, mostly fact. Even in moments of my own struggling faith, I’ve still picked this book up and just enjoyed it for what it is. So, if your passenger wants a look into the Church’s early days, I say they might like The Fire of the Covenant.

By: FoxyJ

FoxyJ — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:29:38 +0000

I was going to suggest Angel of the Danube as well, but I’m still not sure if I loved it that much because I served a European mission too or if it is that good. I need to reread it. I also liked Bennion’s story collection, but my main problem with both his books (and many other LDS books) is that they are just as much about the Utah experience as the Mormon experience. My experience growing up as a Mormon is nothing like what he describes in his books, especially the issues with sexuality. They’re still great books, but somewhat narrow in the way that Chaim Potok’s book are great but narrow in focus to a specific sort of Jewish Experience. I don’t think it’s possible to write just one book that will capture what it’s like to be a Mormon because there are 13 million of us and we’re all different.

By: Shelah

Shelah — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:11:26 +0000

The Giant Joshua and The Backslider, although not typical modern LDS experiences, have been the two LDS novels enriched my understanding the variety of experiences within our culture. The list here makes me feel like I need to read a lot more!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:59:43 +0000

Bound on Earth, definitely. Also John Bennion’s short story collection, Breeding Leah. Angel of the Danube is good, too. I would add Fine Old High Priests and Neal Chandler’s Benediction. But Bound on Earth is head and shoulders above the rest of these, I think, because it is so intimate with the character’s thoughts and LDS world-view (a wide variety of characters, not just missionaries) and the characters themselves are so much IN the church, not fringe-y or whiney.

By: c jane

c jane — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:06:11 +0000

Ditto mas John Bennion.

By: Justine

Justine — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:14:34 +0000

John Bennion for sure. I also agree with Sharlee, though, I loved Bound on Earth. It would be an easy choice to share that.

By: c jane

c jane — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:28:08 +0000

Had I read The Backslider as a non Mormon I would’ve begged to be baptized. That book is like home to me.

By: Wm Morris

Wm Morris — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:54:32 +0000

I was going to recommend Falling Toward Heaven, but FoxyJ beat me to it. Not only would it be fairly comprehensible, but the non-LDS character provides an entry into (and both critique of and search for understanding of) Mormonism as both a religion and a culture.

By: Sharlee

Sharlee — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:56:11 +0000

Great question, Chris! While The Backslider (Levi Peterson), Salvador (Margaret Young), and The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint (Brady Udall) are all terrific books, I don't think any of them accurately represent "the modern Mormon experience." Yeah, Card got the Mormon stuff right in The Lost Boys, but the supernatural elements in the novel would probably stop me from offering it as a window into our culture. Honestly, I think I would give him (my hypothetical literary seatmate) a copy of Angela Hallstrom's Bound on Earth. Good, deep, intimate, human? Absolutely! And beautifully written, to boot.