The God Box (review)

Paul hoped that his senior year would be calm, successful, and full of God and friends. Instead, things are almost immediately thrown off track with the arrival of Manuel, a gay Christian whom Paul finds both irresistible and abhorrent. All of Paul's hidden sexual feelings about boys come unbidden to the surface, sending him down a path to self-discovery that includes a meeting with an ex-gay organization, a painful breakup with his best friend and girlfriend (who suspected this for years), and, ultimately, a first stab at true love with a boy who makes him feel alive and, surprisingly, closer to God than ever. Paul's torturous journey evokes strong sympathy: he is clearly a young man whose fear of disappointing others and losing his faith have driven him away from his own heart for years. Unfortunately, Manuel is little more than an idealized martyr, available to quote the perfect scriptures, endlessly patient in his gentle pursuit of Paul, and even brave and forgiving in the face of a cruel and life-threatening beating. In addition, the strong focus on religious exploration and discussion overshadows all, resulting in a powerful message book that will likely comfort gay teens struggling with religion but may disappoint readers who are simply seeking a love story. However, Sanchez fans may still see enough of his humor and warmth to balance out the goal-oriented writing.