Rapture Practice by Aaron Hartzler (review)

In this heartfelt memoir, Hartzler writes of a childhood where he adores his pretty, loving mother and his handsome, intelligent father. Their strict rules about no TV, no movies and no secular music make sense to him because he believes what they believe—that not only do they need to be ready at every moment for Christ's return, but also that they have to be strong witnesses to the unsaved people around them. As he gets older, however, he drifts from their rules, listening to rock 'n' roll, attending movies, drinking, and rounding second base with girls, and he begins to question his family's beliefs. Through all his doubts, Aaron clings to the knowledge that his parents love him, and he loves them. In his head, he asks all of the questions that have long plagued people of faith, but he knows that these are things he can't discuss with his parents, so he puts on a show for them as repentant, obliging son. This title will speak volumes to adolescents pursuing their own path through faith and doubt, though they will definitely come down on Aaron's side, as his parents' rules and responses will raise the same ire in readers as they do in Aaron. Aaron's steadfast insistence that his parents discipline him because they love him will just barely be enough to exonerate his father's strictness in readers' eyes, and there are textual moments when a tiny edge of snark leaks through his defense of their lifestyle. While his lack of open exploration of his sexual orientation is a little more questionable, young Aaron's inability to understand that he is gay is absolutely credible in the context he establishes. The very subtle acknowledgement that even questioning his sexuality would be a bridge too far for both him and his parents at that point in his life will need to be enough; perhaps a sequel will take his compelling story forward through what must have been a truly difficult coming out.