The Abstinence Teacher

by Tom Perrotta

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Stonewood Heights is the perfect place to raise children: it has the proverbial good schools, solid values and a healthy real estate market. It’s the kind of place where parents are involved in their children’s lives–coaching sports, driving carpool, taking an interest in their development at every level. The Abstinence Teacher focuses on two divorced parents who each play key roles in the lives of other people’s children: Ruth Ramsey is the human sexuality teacher at the local high school who believes that “pleasure is good, shame is bad, and knowledge is power.” Her younger daughter’s soccer coach is Tim Mason, a former stoner and rocker whose response to hitting rock bottom was to reach out and be saved. Tim is a member of The Tabernacle, the local evangelical Christian church that wants to take its message outside the doors of its own sanctuary, and sees a useful target in Ruth Ramsey. Adversaries in a small-town culture war, Ruth and... see complete book description

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judy c says

The book had some funny set pieces, but the plot really deteriorated toward the end. Two-dimensional characters and unlikely situations. However, it was entertaining--I recommend it for the beach or a day you're not feeling well.

posted Saturday, March 29 2008

(read judy c’s review)

allyn s says

I heard this was great!

posted Tuesday, February 5 2008

jziegenm says

Jenn puts everything I was thinking into words very succinctly. I agree totally.

posted Friday, January 18 2008

(This is a response to a previous comment)

(jziegenm’s previously rated this books 3 stars, read review)

jane says

I can't wait to read this! Little Children was SO good.

posted Friday, November 9 2007

fatherofhollywood says

Perotta focuses on the small, personal motives behind life's big shake-ups. A finely wrought novel that will bring much discussion for book groups.

posted Sunday, October 21 2007