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Boy Erased

A Memoir

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Boy Erased

Written by: Garrard Conley
Narrated by: Michael Crouch
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“This brave and bracing memoir is an urgent reminder that America remains a place where queer people have to fight for their lives… Equal parts sympathy and rage, Boy Erased is a necessary, beautiful book.” —Garth Greenwell

“Every sentence of the story will stir your soul” —O Magazine

The New York Times bestselling memoir about a young man’s traumatizing experiences in gay conversion therapy, and his journey to overcome shame and embrace his queer identity in the midst of deep-rooted bigotry. The inspiration for the film starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Lucas Hedges, directed by Joel Edgerton.

The son of a Baptist pastor and deeply embedded in church life in small town Arkansas, as a young man Garrard Conley was terrified and conflicted about his sexuality.

When Garrard was a nineteen-year-old college student, he was outed to his parents, and was forced to make a life-changing decision: either agree to attend a church-supported conversion therapy program that promised to “cure” him of homosexuality; or risk losing family, friends, and the God he had prayed to every day of his life. Through an institutionalized Twelve-Step Program heavy on Bible study, he was supposed to emerge heterosexual, ex-gay, cleansed of impure urges and stronger in his faith in God for his brush with sin. Instead, even when faced with a harrowing and brutal journey, Garrard found the strength and understanding to break out in search of his true self and forgiveness.

By confronting his buried past and the burden of a life lived in shadow, Garrard traces the complex relationships among family, faith, and community. At times heart-breaking, at times triumphant, this memoir is a testament to love that survives despite all odds. Art & Literature Authors Biographies & Memoirs LGBTQIA2S+ Creators Memoir
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As a mother of a transgender adult, I could not imagine not loving him for who he is.

I loved how open and honest he was about what happened to him.

These so called conversion therapy groups IMO do more harm then good, and children/ young adults/adults have died because they're told it's sinful.
This group was literally trying to pray away what they thought was wrong.

I hope his happy and loving a fulfilling life

Thought provoking .

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Very interesting to compare with the screenplay. It is a very moving story in both versions.

Great Companion to Seeing the Movie

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Everyone should read this book. It illustrates the struggles of homosexuality whether you’re gay or not. I was not aware of the trauma the anti gay groups caused during their treatment. Binged this whole book in one evening lol

Would recommend

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I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book. Perhaps a shocking and dramatic account of the horrors of conversion therapy. The story line, however, was far less sensational than that. The writing was absolutely stunning and the author was honest and forthcoming which left me feeling completely depressed that this type of thing still happens, even today.

Beautifully written but the story was a bit slow.

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This story moved me in ways I didn’t expect. As a queer person this story touched me and brought me a rollercoaster of emotion. Anyone regardless of sexuality should read this and feel the life radiating off these pages. Read and understand. Allow the story into your soul. #Audible1

Boy Understood

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