•
Rating: I discovered this book, and consequently Tom Perrotta, by chance.
A small article in RollingStone called him nothing less than "an American Chekhov".
In such cases, no matter how enticing the description, it's always important to verify it for oneself.
"The Abstinence Teacher" is the third book by Tom Perrotta (1961), an American writer and screenwriter, to be released in Italy.
Published in America in 2007, it was among the best books of that year according to the New York Times, and published by E/O in 2008 here in Italy.
First of all, it's necessary to clarify a misunderstanding. Some readers, according to what I've seen online, complain that the story is unoriginal and a bit verbose, "doesn't take off".
Many reviews summarize the plot starting from the beginning: when, in response to a student who calls oral sex a disgusting practice, Ruth, the protagonist, argues that some people like it.
She is then paired with a follower of the Christian evangelical church to prepare students against the dangers of premarital sex.
From there, the story unfolds dealing with: sexual minorities, generational clash, and welfare society.
It's natural, then, that many expected a story focused on twists and ideological clashes.
But the misunderstanding lies in thinking that this tension is part of the narrative, because it's not; it is instead part of Ruth's life.
In fact, Tom Perrotta begins his fifth novel with this event, following the human and emotional evolution of the teacher Ruth and Tim, the two main protagonists.
The story concerns them, not the community.
An education teacher, she, a former drug user fan of the Grateful Dead first and the church later, he.
Against the backdrop of provincial America, which we have now learned to identify, the lack of communication between the more liberal society and the more religious one.
There are: Father Dennis of the "Tabernacle of Truth," a sect founded on data collected by Perrotta, Tim's ex-wife, his current girlfriend, Ruth's daughters, and other more or less secondary characters.
The virtues of this novel are to provide a smooth and enjoyable read, written with competence, speaking of a highly topical theme.
Here in Italy, the situation is a bit different, but what matters is not the scandalous issue but rather the parties involved: secular and religious.
Whether for the crucifix or the burqa, the confrontation/clash is always just around the corner.
And it's in this aspect that Perrotta demonstrates his abilities.
Elegantly, without contaminating the picture with his opinion, without trying to offer obvious or banal reflections, he shows us every aspect of his characters one at a time.
He never succumbs to the temptation to dismiss someone with irony: an unpleasant solution of many authors.
Perrotta succeeds in giving dignity to all his characters, making them autonomous and believable, going back and forth in their lives.
Believable in the sense that they are much more than caricatures meant for our entertainment, with them, we can engage.
At some point, we have to ask ourselves what we would have done in their place, if we like them or not, what we think of their position.
A good book in short, which doesn't provide answers but deserves to be read.
In essence, is Tom Perrotta the "American Chekhov"?
Unfortunately not, yet he deserves credit for his honesty in portraying without prejudice the cultural differences of his time and country.
A trait not common to many.
Loading comments slowly
