Describe Books As The Backslider

Original Title:	The Backslider
ISBN:	1560850159 (ISBN13: 9781560850151)
Edition Language:	English

The Backslider Paperback | Pages: 368 pages

Point Based On Books The Backslider

Title	:	The Backslider
Author	:	Levi S. Peterson
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Special Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 368 pages
Published	:	November 1st 1990 by Signature Books (first published 1986)
Categories	:	Fiction. Religion. Lds. Mormonism. Christianity. Westerns

Narrative Toward Books The Backslider

Frank Windham is a Mormon cowboy -- hard-working, trying to be honest, convinced he is going to hell for incurable lust, and convinced that he deserves to. He has an ultra-pious mother, a brother who is more than just a little touched in the head, and a comfortable Lutheran girlfriend who knows she has been saved. This is a story about sin and salvation, written with raunchiness and reverence. It is an extraordinary landmark in Mormon fiction -- the first novel to consider the ubiquitous tension between religious guilt and sexual frustration.Set against the backdrop of southern Utah's canyon country, the protagonist manifests exuberance and innocence that is constrained only by strict moral education. The sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic posturing required of Frank in concealing his humanity behind a mask of forced righteousness makes for comic, painful, and moving scenarios.

For instance, he punishes himself for lapses of self-denial by fasting and tying his hands to the bedpost. He comes to see dating as an evil indulgence in sensual fantasy and his work on the ranch as a tool of avarice. His attempt to exorcise this hypocrisy and the confusion about how to atone for it result in an epiphany that restores equilibrium to the world.

Rating Based On Books The Backslider

Ratings: 4.09 From 344 Users | 76 Reviews

Evaluation Based On Books The Backslider

One of the most fiercely Mormon novels I have ever read. A brilliant invocation of an older, wilder Mormonism that I am not really conversant with. It examines the idea of guilt and grace and it has one of the most marvelous theophanies I have ever read (in fiction). However, it does not shrink from swearing or sexual content (relatively mild by modern standards, but shocking in the world of LDS literature). If you don't think that the sensitive materials will offend you, then I recommend it

Some people call this "the Great Mormon Novel." I couldn't really say if that is true because I haven't read enough Mormon novels. However, it is certainly, by a wide margin, the best Mormon novel I have ever read.

1. I laughed out loud2. I cried at the end3. It's about the place I grew up, southern utah4. The main character is familiar, believable. (Reminds me of one of my brothers)5. Takes on themes--sexuality, guilt that anyone who was brought up in an extremely religious home can relate to...6. Crazy and unforeseen plot twist--So glad this book exists and that I found it! Like the back cover says, it's very funny, and yet painful, and the kind of book you don't want to end, you just want to go on



This is one of my favorite books of al time. And I can't imagine who I'd recommend it to. It's crass, vulgar, sweet and faith promoting. I totally understand Frank Windham I've a lot of Frank in me. My favorite part is cowboy Jesus. He's the Jesus I think of. Marriane is "a hell of a girl"

I really enjoyed this book. I love that the characters were well developed and dynamic. It's interesting what ones belief in God and the nature of what deity wants can do to a person... The ending wasn't tied with a bow (which I hate, because it simply isn't the way the world works.) but it is uplifting. I would very much recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with their beliefs and living up to what they think God expects of them.

I had a hard time warming up to the main character, especially in the beginning, but that was okay, because the author rewards the reader for making it through all the set-up with some really powerful moments later in the book. While a lot of the characters were really extreme, they still rang true. Marianne, however, is the character that really makes this a great work.