A glorious debut that T.C. Boyle calls “powerful and deeply moving” that follows two young Mormon missionaries in Brazil and their tense, peculiar friendship.Elder McLeod—outspoken, surly, a brash American—is nearing the end of his mission in Brazil. For nearly two years he has spent his days studying the Bible and the Book of Mormon, knocking on doors, teaching missionary lessons—“experimenting … lessons—“experimenting on the word.” His new partner is Elder Passos, a devout, ambitious Brazilian who found salvation and solace in the church after his mother’s early death. The two men are at first suspicious of each other, and their work together is frustrating, fruitless. That changes when a beautiful woman and her husband offer the missionaries a chance to be heard, to put all of their practice to good use, to test the mettle of their faith. But before they can bring the couple to baptism, they must confront their own long-held beliefs and doubts, and the simmering tensions at the heart of their friendship.
A novel of unsparing honesty and beauty, Elders announces Ryan McIlvain as a writer of enormous talent.
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Ryan McIlvain’s debut novel Elders is a remarkably candid and wholehearted exploration of one young man’s spiritual crisis and another’s attempt to uphold the sanctity of Christ’s teachings. As a Mormon missionary planted in Carinha, Brazil, Elder Seth McLeod struggles to overcome the vacuous degree to which his beliefs have plummeted. His …
I did not like this book. i only hope that none of our missionaries act like either one of these.
For those who are Mormons, it is not the typical missionary story. It has language and themes in it that is a little disturbing. For those who are returned missionaries, you might not want to read it as it could relate to your mission but probably not. For those not of the Mormon faith, it is interesting to learn about missionaries and what …
Interesting character study of young men on their own with such a restrictive life.
A novel about young Mormons on their mission. Well-written and engrossing. A world I didn’t know much about.
Knowing quite a bit about the LDS church, I found this to be an intersting read. Many of the thoughts I have had are confirmed.
It was so-so. I was expecting to learn more about the Mormon church, but it was really just fiction about the personalities of the 2 missionaries.
indifferent ending left me with more questions than answers.
I read it as it seemed to be a informed description of Mormon missionaries in another country. And I was curious. Of course I don’t know how accurate it was but it seemed to be a relatively honest writing as to what an experience could be.
Good characters
A discouraging look at every weakness that might occur among very dedicated young young men.
As a former Mormon I thought it might be more honest but was mostly a proselytizing effort filled with Book of Mormon sermons. Couldn’t finish it and I always finish the books I start.
Interesting information about the role morman elders play when in a mission.
It did not hold my attention; boring.
absolutely could not get into this book. I hate to give up on a book, and i gave it a serious try, but just couldnt. if nothing else, there should have been more of an introduction; who, what, when, where, why….no clue of these things before jumping into the “story” Was there ever a story???
Very well formed characters. You can understand why they do what they do. But it is still very hard to believe that they would act that way at all.