Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Requist's memoir has strong religious underpinnings, and her retrospective storytelling examines how the church has influenced her life—in positive and negative ways. She openly questions conventional religious beliefs while reflecting on her own spirituality throughout.

Prose: The prose leans toward the didactic, and Requist's style is steeped in religious writing, with a powerful emphasis on faith-based lessons.

Originality: Requist explores the impact religion has had on her personally as well as how it influenced her family.  Her strong faith-based opinions form the foundation of the memoir, though she does take time in places to analyze her beliefs from a more open standpoint. 

Character/Execution: Characterization stays fairly rigid throughout the memoir, but Requist reveals moments of pain that make her more vulnerable and relatable.  

Date Submitted: January 29, 2023