Book review: Cost of Truth, by Julie Parrott

Parrott Cost of TruthParrott, Julie. Cost of Truth. Xlibris Corporation. 2014. $28.03. 228p. PB. 9781499000898.

This biography of Donna Gordon covers her dramatic transformation from joining the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Brisbane to leaving her calling and marrying her first love. She gives birth to five children before she realizes that she is a lesbian and comes out of the closet. After leaving her family behind, Gordon was diagnosed with bone cancer. The Cost of Truth details Gordon’s struggles as she battles cancer and attempts to reconcile with her family whose religious beliefs will not allow them to accept her sexual orientation.

The first-person narration in this book demonstrates that Parrott has spent much time with Gordon. The easy, conversational style and slow pace of the biography match the personal story. The story of a deeply religious person who comes out as LGBT has been told in many other venues already, and many libraries will find the price of this book to be prohibitive. This book is recommended as a purchase only for large libraries and those in Gordon’s and Parrott’s hometowns. Other libraries may find Aaron Hartzler’s Rapture Practice or Michelle Theall’s Teaching the Cat to Sit a better investment for their collection.

Jenni Frencham, Librarian
Cesar Chavez Middle School, Hayward (CA)

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