Tracy’s review of The Perfect Family
Seventeen-year old Jamie Davidson doesn’t think being gay should be such a big deal…until he comes out to his parents and friends. Even as Jamie celebrates no longer needing to hide his true self and looks forward to the excitement of openly dating another boy, the entire Davidson family is thrown into turmoil. Jamie’s father Mike can’t reconcile his religious beliefs with his son’s sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused. Every member of their “perfect family” must search their hearts and souls to reconnect with each other in this honest, heartwarming, and hopeful look at the redemptive power of love and family.
This is the coming out story of a teen who lives in what appears to be the perfect family but the coming out throws the family into turmoil and at times it feels like it will never get any better.
Jamie decides that it’s time to tell his parents that he’s gay. He’s known about his sexual orientation for a while but since he never met anyone he wanted to date he kept the information to himself. When he does finally meet someone that he falls for he knows it’s time. But the coming out isn’t anything like he thinks it will be. His mother is in total support of him being who he is but his father has such a hard time because of his religious beliefs. The Catholic Church believe that homosexuality is a choice not something you’re born with and though the dad loves his son he’s not sure how to handle things. The father’s priest tries to help but it seems as though the dad, Mike, gets more confused about how to handle the situation. Then when the brother, Brian, finds out he calls Jamie names and has a hard time dealing with his brother, his family, his teammates and friends at school.
The story gives us a little insight into everyone’s points of view but the mom, Maggie, seems to be the central pov of the story. Maggie’s trying to keep her family together but it’s just so hard because Jamie’s homosexuality seems to affect every single thing they do. Maggie and Mike’s marriage hits the skids and though Brian tries at times to understand his brother he has a really hard time with it.
The book, I think, really showed us some incredible insight into how rough a coming out can be on not only the person who is gay, but their family, friends and community. There is acceptance on some fronts and on others abandonment and hate. It’s a tough road and I think that Ms. Shay covered the issues so well. I especially liked how every part of Jamie’s life was touched upon. We got views from friends, school mates, teachers, counselors, extended family members – it was just very comprehensive and I loved that the story didn’t only focus on the 4 family members.
While not an easy book (emotionally) to read at times it was very good and one I’m glad I read.
Rating: 4 out of 5
You can read more from Tracy at Tracy’s Place
This book is available from Bold Stroke Books. You can buy it here 
I just bought the book and I’m really looking forward to reading it; very nice review.
I’m so glad you liked this. I think I’ve pimped it out to just about everyone I know.