The Gift - by Scott Terry (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A haunting tale of religious extremism and the struggle for acceptance in mid-20th century America.

Butch Blackwell, raised in the insular world of Jehovah's Witnesses, grapples with his burgeoning homosexuality amidst the church's condemnation. His mother, Pansy, brings him to rural Siskiyou County, California, where he finds solace and unexpected kinship with a kindhearted rancher, Steve Bultemeyer. Butch embraces the cowboy culture, but his journey to self-discovery is fraught with prejudice and family secrets.

As Butch navigates faith, sexuality, and the complexities of small-town life, he confronts the hypocrisy of religious dogma and the courage required to live authentically. Will Butch find a path to acceptance and forge his own definition of family and faith? The Gift explores the enduring power of love, the search for belonging, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Perfect for readers seeking character-driven historical fiction with LGBTQ+ themes.

Review Quotes

"Masterful ... very highly recommended to book club discussion groups interested in LGBTQ+ lives, history, and conflicts with faith. Its captivating exploration of how a gay boy finds a path towards acceptance, family, and a form of faith that allows him freedom as he reconsiders the Witnesses and forms different relationships over the course of his life proves hard to put down." - Midwest Book Review

"A bold, uncompromising narrative recalling Dreiser and Zola and Gissing." - Vincent Virga, author of The Gaywyck Quartet and A Comfortable Corner

"[A story] of survival, self-discovery, and acceptance ... relevant today and an excellent choice for LGBTQ+ readers struggling to find their way and accept who they are." - Literary Titan Book Review