I read this book a couple of months ago, and we have decided to read it as the November selection for my book club. Instead of a review, I have blocked out each scene in the novel. This will help with the discussion of the book, and also, the book has been optioned for film, and I want to see how faithful the final cut is to the novel. Tom Perrotta is the screen writer for the project.
Ruth really does 'abstain' from sex in her personal life.
Teaching the 'virginal lies' is what makes Ruth feel dirty at the end of her teaching day, Not Dirty Sex
Randall makes a joke to Ruth about Mary Kay Latourneau
"Pleasure is Good, Shame is Bad, and Knowledge is Power,
Ruth's reaction to JoAnn, the Virginity Consultant (Very sexy abstinence Try to be cool Denial can be wonderful) They are doing this in good faith. However, so many of their leaders were revealed to be unethical hypocrits. Came back stronger.
Ruth falls under its spell for a moment, "wondering how she'd ever been so weak as to let herself be duped into thinking it might be pleasant or even necessary to allow herself to be touched or loved by another human being." Perrotta knows just how to zero in on the priggish absolutism of the abstinence movement.
The scene at soccer saturday when Ruth drags Maggie away from the prayer circle is probably fueled by her reaction to all the half truths and lies that she has been forced to tell her students.
Innocuous remark 'Some people like it' The Oral Sex Lady
Perrotta's treatment of Born Agains
but much of this isn't any more barbed than Garrison Keillor on the Lutherans in Lake Wobegon.
2004 The Cultural War is defined not so much by the failed conflict in Iraq, but on American's fear of Gay Marriage
American evangelical community is all about sexual morality, little or nothing about caring for the poor. But, the younger evangelicals are not as hung up about sexual matters as their 'born again' parents.
Principle/Joann meeting with Ruth
Assembly Meeting
First sexual experience with Paul Caruso
-Prom limo
Soccer Game Saturday
Allison's new family
Carrie's intro 24 yrs old
Deann Phelan
Pastor Dennis's threat
Cultural gap between Tim and Carrie
-Not a virgin, 8 or 9 guys in two months
Dennis's Back-story
-Best Buy Freakout (old man with bible)
Tim's Church Band THE PRAISE TEAM
-Bill/Jill Band-mate in Death Metal outfit; Jill dies Gillian is daughter
Prayer at Game Saturday "You Stood Up For Jesus"
Troy-gay speaker p. 189
-Scot D'Alerio Tim's gay friend in college
"That's when you realize what an asshole you were".
Pastor Dennis's encounter with Jay
-Jena Jameson
NO SUCH THING AS SAFE SEX
The Skip and Heather sex show
Robin LeFebure snitch to Planned Parenthood
"36% failure rate of condoms"
Maggie confronts Ruth about Soccer Saturday and learns that Eliza 'loves Jesus'.
Ruth meets Dr. Jamal
-FANATICS ARE FANATICS
-Hussein
Other parents don't want to get involved
Ruth composes letter of protest and finds Tim's prayer not technically in violation
Ruth meets with Tim at her house Coffee 'Heloise Tips'
Rips up complaint letter- Paul Calls!
Tim stops at bar and flees
Tim at work co-workers tattoos LONENERGY
George Dykstra's meeting with Tim for lunch nothing accomplished
Poker invitation
Pastor Dennis's "Spiritual Gut-Check"
-He has a very militant attitude toward the spiritual 'tactics' 'war' 'fight' 'warrior'
Tim comes back to Ruth's house with Maggie's sweatshirt, and she is ready for a date with Paul
Soccer downpour, and Coach John's 'Hosanna moment' Party In The Puddles
ABSTINENCE REFRESHER like staying after school-detention. Attempt to guilt trip
adults
SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS THAT I REGRET
-This section was mixed with Ruth's date with Paul, and she leaves He has
lost over a hundred pounds.
CJ's wish She's a lesbian and wishes that she had abstained that one heterosexual encounter
Trisha cheats with her best friend's fiance
Guy in group is censored Talks about 'age differences in girls'
Ruth "I wish that I had taken more chances my sex life"
Maggie and Eliza go to church
-Ruth meets the Parks "I'll be fine"
Two Tims Honest/Liar
Ruth decides to re-send the letter
SUNDAY MORNING SLAP "Misunderstood that you were an honest person"
Time describes The Puddle Prayer Group
-Abby NO Maggie YES
Need absolute standards Santa for adults Hitler=Gandi
Randall calls about the breakup
POKER GAME HIGHLIGHTS
beers and pot gets a loan contact, then keys JESUS on to Billy's car
Randall visits Ruth about the breakup, and ignores her life
Tim calls Ruth high in front of her house "Go home to your wife"
Tim and Carrie fight "If you loved me, it wouldn't seem like such a chore"
Ruth is reassigned as remedial math instructor
THE FAITH KEEPERS RALLY Tim and Jay
Ruth has dinner with Randall and Gregory to celebrate wedding Randall popped the question
---Write your greatest fear "That I'm Not Part of This Anymore"
Jay describes his born again experience IT WASN'T JESUS, IT WAS JUST ME HOPING FOR SOMETHING BETTER
Tim goes back to Ruths and stays the night downstairs
Pastor Dennis shows up in the morning, won't leave
"STAY AS LONG AS YOU LIKE"
STONEWOOD HEIGHTS
Ruth Ramsey (daughters; Maggie(soccer) Eliza(older than Maggie/awkward)
Randall/Gregory (gay couple; Randall is teacher with Ruth
Jo Ann Marlow (Virginity Counselor) VIRGIN CONSULTANT
Pastor Dennis THE TABERNACLE OF THE GOSPEL TRUTH
Frank (Ruth's ex)
Tim Mason (coach and member of the church)
Abby (his daughter)
Allison (his wife)
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