Shunned

Linda Curtis was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and is an unquestioning true believer who has knocked on doors from the time she was nine years old. Like other Witnesses, she has been discouraged from pursuing a career, higher education, or even voting, and her friendships are limited to the Witness community.

Then one day, at age thirty-three, she knocks on a door — and a coworker she deeply respects answers the door. To their mutual consternation she launches into her usual spiel, but this time, for the first time ever, the message sounds hollow. In the months that follow, Curtis tries hard to overcome the doubts that spring from that doorstep encounter, knowing they could upend her "safe" existence. But ultimately, unable to reconcile her incredulity, she leaves her religion and divorces her Witness husband — a choice for which she is shunned by the entire community, including all members of her immediate family.

Shunned follows Linda as she steps into a world she was taught to fear and discovers what is possible when we stay true to our hearts, even when it means disappointing those we love.

My Review

I know a little bit about Jehovah's Witness. My mom had a friend who was one. Yet, as I am a Protestant, the religion of a Jehovah's Witness is different from my faith. However, this does not mean that I judge others that don't share the same faith. My parents are also Protestant but this was not always the case. My dad was raised Catholic and when he met my mom, she was not Catholic. My dad left that faith and was the first to become Protestant. He was distanced from his family for a while. One I know a little bit about Jehovah's Witness. My mom had a friend who was one. Yet, as I am a Protestant, the religion of a Jehovah's Witness is different from my faith. However, this does not mean that I judge others that don't share the same faith. My parents are also Protestant but this was not always the case. My dad was raised Catholic and when he met my mom, she was not Catholic. My dad left that faith and was the first to become Protestant. He was distanced from his family for a while. One of his other brothers is now a Protestant too and everything talks. So, I can imagine what Linda went through when she decided to leave behind the life of a Jehovah's Witness. I thought that Linda did show courage to leave behind the faith that she knew for a new life. It is sad that her family kind of disowned her because of her choice. However, it seems that Linda is so much happy with her new life. It was like she broke through the bubble she was in to find the sunshine. While, I did enjoy this book, I find myself having some trouble connecting with Linda.