In my opinion, this is a very strange, yet oddly compelling, book by Jeanette Winterson. It revolves around a character called Jeanette (not entirely sure if the book is autobiographical), a member of a very strict church who realises at a young age that she is gay. The narrative is largely about how she is ostracised and demonised by her church, yet she doesn’t understand why. It’s a heartbreaking story because Jeanette wants to hold onto her faith and remain a member of the church but the church doesn’t want her, because of who she’s fallen in love with. Inevitably at the end of the book we find she’s lost her faith and dreams of being a missionary. She says, “I miss God. I miss the company of someone utterly loyal.”

What is odd about this book is it is interspersed with stories of King Arthur and similar stories… I didn’t get why but someone wiser than me may understand!

Jeanette is a strong protagonist, sticking with her convictions and feelings while her love interests slink away. It makes me cringe how her church responds to her, yet I’m all too aware that Jeanette’s experiences are familiar to many. 

This isn’t an easy going book, but it’s creative, occasionally funny, heartbreaking, well written and thought provoking.