For me, 2013 has been the year of novels about lesser known and often ridiculed Christian sects. Weird, I know. And the even odder thing is that I have really liked all of them, especially The Friday Gospels, Elders and Amity and Sorrow. Well throw Watch How We Walk by Jennifer Lovegrove onto the pile as well, because it was amazing.
The thing about Watch How We Walk is that it just get better as you read. The first chapter left me thinking it was good, but nothing too special. But as all the pieces start to fall together and the subtleties glide to the forefront it wallops you in a really great way.
The story focuses on Emily and her coming of age in a Jehovah Witness family. Her older sister is overtly rebellious and dapples in punk music. Her father clings to his religion like it is a life buoy and her mother seems uninterested in the JW life. So where does Emily fit in? The story also jumps ahead to when Emily is in her twenties. The hints at psychological trauma alluded to in her childhood become the major force in her life.
There are so many stunning scenes in the later part for the novel that I literally shut the door and told my family to leave me alone. I read the novel in less that 24 hours and loved just about every second of it. Lovegrove does a great job at exploring the complexities of life through the lens of a pre-adolescent.
Who would like this book? This book would appeal to a wide range of people, but I am going to pin point children of the eighties. It seems like all good books set in the eighties have a pretty kick-ass sound track to accompany them, and Watch How We Walk is not different. Emily’s sister is moving into punk territory and music I was not familiar with, but she also references The Cure, The Cult and The Misfits. The music beautifully accompanies the angst of fitting in, especially when you come from a conservative background. If the growing up in the punk ’80s aspect appeals to you then I beg you, you must go read Ten Thousand Saints by Eleanor Henderson. It is one of the most underrated and under-read great novels of the last five years.
52 books or bust 
I’ve been hearing bits and pieces about this one for a while now and it’s sounded interesting – this definitely makes me want to read it. I tend to love books about fringe religions.
I really recommend it. It has a nice psychological dimension as well. It might be hard to find in the US as it was published by a smaller Canadian press.
I love when I end up reading a lot on one topic. It’s just fun to immerse yourself in one thing, through non-fiction or fiction, and get a lot of different perspectives on that subject 🙂
Loved the post. But makes me think where the hell have I been in 2013 since I’ve not read ANYTHING about a religious sect! In fact last time was years ago when I read Iain Banks’ ‘Whit’! Think time to rectify as book sounds great. Will also follow up other recommendation as am indeed child of punk(saw Pistols,Clash and did the whole anarchist look – was however afraid of piercing so wore clip-on earrings from Boots!!!)
Loved the post. But makes me think where the hell have I been in 2013 since I’ve not read ANYTHING about a religious sect! In fact last time was years ago when I read Iain Banks’ ‘Whit’! Think time to rectify as book sounds great. Will also follow up other recommendation as am indeed child of punk! (Saw Pistols and Clash and did whole anarchist look thing – except was afraid of piercing so wore clip -on earrings from Boots!)
I love that you wore clip on earrings!! I highly highly highly recommend Ten THousand Saints for you!