Review by StephThyng -- The Banned Book about Love

[StephThyng]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Banned Book about Love" by Scott Hughes.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Banned Book About Love, formerly titled I Love Brock Turner, by Scott Hughes is an inspirational novella that really makes you stop and think about how you are living your life. When I first heard about this story and it's original title, I was immediately drawn to the hype. I wasn't sure what Hughes was thinking in titling a novel I Love Brock Turner. Admit it, at first your thoughts are, you support a rapist!? What is wrong with this person? But at the same time, it draws you in. You want to know why he loves Brock Turner. What side of this "monster" does this author know about that I don't? It is from this standpoint that I got hooked into selecting this novella to review and am happy to say that I don't regret a thing. I gladly rate this story a 4 out of 4 stars.

This was a book originally released on Amazon with the author pledging $.10 for every download to RAINN. However, there was so much controversy over the original title and what 'might' be involved as an opinion that Amazon decided to ban this book after 1,181 copies were downloaded. The plus side is that the author was able to raise $120 or the charity prior to it being taken down.

For those of you who don't know, Brock Turner is a well-known collegiate swimmer who was pegged to be the next Michael Phelps. This was before he got excessively drunk one night and was later charged with 3 felonies: assault with intent to rape an intoxicated woman and two counts of sexually penetrating an unconscious person with a foreign object. Perhaps the biggest debate over this story, Turner was only sentenced to 6 months in jail. Readers are introduced to these facts on the first page, after that, you put yourself on trial.

Hughes depicts how people around the nation/world reacted on social media and their plans to make Turner suffer for what he did. He then goes on to explain his reasoning or his bold statement; I love Brock Turner. Hughes dives into how hate doesn't work as a means. We have two choices as human beings: (1) to act out of love and want to see the good in everyone and everything and (2) act on hate, where your impulses take over and you say or do things that you think better of later on. Specifically;Love is difficult to satiate. Hate simply seeks to destroy. Destruction is easy. Destruction is like spending money. Love is then like trying to make money.

The real turning point for me in this story is when Hughes calls out the reader and makes them realize that they can help be a part of the bigger and better picture. He builds you up with his words and makes you feel that just by reading you are beginning to better yourself. You see, this book isn't about loving a rapist. It's about loving yourself and everyone around you. Hughes does an amazing job depicting a better view of a horrible situation and changing the perception of how we think. He is a powerful writer and an inspirational person. If you've got some free time, I highly recommend downloading this quick read, you won't be let down.

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The Banned Book about Love
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