Shannon’s memoir expresses a deep sadness that can be felt by the reader. The feeling of being used and abused by a legalistic religious system is poignant and relatable.
She painted a stark picture of how she was treated as subordinate to her husband. She was not invited and encouraged to be her full self. While I support her emancipation, I didn’t completely understand why she and her husband didn’t deconstruct together as a couple but rather seemed to do so simultaneously as individuals.
Personally, I wanted a bit more detail around Shannon’s deconstruction. I wanted to hear more of her thoughts and the topics that were most important for her as she started to untangle her spiritual beliefs from the ones she was taught in a specific and rigid church. I appreciated her patriarchal deconstruction and her learning to listen to her body and intuition.
I hope Shannon finds greater peace and purpose as she continues to heal from severe religious trauma.