Book Review - The Abstinence Teacher

Author Tom Perrotta. Released 10/16/07. 358 pages.

I always cringe when I hear about a creative work about Christianity written by a non-Christian, and on top of that I don't care much for modern fiction. Tom Perrotta, the author of the books on which the films Election and Little Children are based, has done both with The Abstinence Teacher. Given how much I enjoyed both Election (B+) and Little Children (A-) and the subject matter of the book, this seemed like a good exception to my 'recent fiction rule.'

The book's central character is Ruth Ramsay, a divorced mother of two that is the health teacher at the Stonewood Heights High School. She is a lonely and pathetic liberal that revels in teaching the kids in her classes all about condoms and traditional liberal sex-ed teachings. Her world is turned upside down when the Stonewood Heights community and school board is influenced heavily by the new evangelical christian church known as the Tabernacle. Ruth is forced to begin teaching abstinence to her students. She is a dogged and aggressive atheist, starting a fight with her young daughter's soccer team when their coach, Tim Mason, engages them in a prayer.

Tim is the other main character. He is a divorced father of one, a recent Christian that is also a recovering addict. He attends the Tabernacle and credits Jesus with his ability to stay clean. When Tim and Ruth meet, there is an immediate chemistry, but neither one admits it, and, given their different feelings on religion, it is almost a moot point.

The book explores their interactions and the loneliness of their lives. There are multiple other characters used to various effect. Ruth's character is the most pathetic; she is bound and determined to teach kids about sex, yet she herself has only had bad experiences from it. She chastises her children when they want to go to church, and fights against anyone trying to bring religion up to her. Tim is an earnest but unsympathetic character; he has lost everything because of his addictions, but at least he knows it.

The depiction of the Christians in the book is not as bad as I thought it would be. They are portayed as tolerant, happy and genuinely caring. The only false note is the story of Pastor Dennis' conversion, which is sensational and not believable.

Perrotta's writing style is descriptive, but not flowery, with lots of pop culture and topical references. It feels very authentic and his grasp of morally ambiguous suburban life is unparalleled, if you add Election and Little Children into the mix. I am not sure this will be easily adapted for a movie version, but it will be, as it is already in development. The book is very good, but depressing.