Essie’s Evangelical Christian family is the subject of a reality television show that draws an audience of millions. Essie is also seventeen and pregnant. You just known Essie is smart and capable and compassionate enough to blow her family’s cold, carefully orchestrated world apart and man, you just want so badly for her to do it. Especially when you find out the identity of the father of her baby.
This is such a readable and intelligent book; a long lament against conservatism and hypocrisy with a compelling plot. One minor quibble is there are too many characters outside the family to keep track of: people aligned with the production of the show who aren’t intrinsic to the story, but other than that it’s quite a beautiful read. Go Essie.
