Reviewed by Anabela.m
TITLE: Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes
AUTHOR: Evan J Corbin
PUBLISHER: Atonement Book, LLC
LENGTH: 356 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2020
BLURB:
The oldest translation of a Gospel is returned to the world by a secret society long dedicated to its preservation. In it, Jesus explicitly condemns bigotry and homophobia. In a new world in which LGBTQ passengers receive preferential boarding for flights and the United States has elected its first lesbian President, Pastor Rick Harris is stalwart, closeted preacher who doggedly holds onto his increasingly unpopular convictions.
When an incendiary sermon goes too far and offends an influential family, Rick makes a painful choice to keep his job: He attends an atonement camp run by drag queens for society’s most unrepentant and terminally incurable homophobes.
Atonement Camp is immersion therapy for Pastor Harris, and it might be working. An open bar with pedicures, a devastatingly attractive roommate and an endless supply of glitter help him manage to make new friends. Soon, Rick and his cohorts learn the camp may hold its own secrets. Amid the smiling faces and scantily clad pool boys who staff the camp, a clandestine group plots to discredit the New Revelation and everything it stands for.
If Rick has the conviction to confront his own hypocrisy, he might be able to uncover the conspirators with help from his adopted flock—and find new truths within himself.
CONTENT WARNING: This novel addresses issues related to the infliction of emotional abuse by a homophobic parent who suspects his son to be a homosexual. Separately, while not the author’s intent, some readers may interpret the story’s attempt to confront issues of religious hypocrisy as an assault on religion itself. No such conclusion is intended. Lastly, the novel follows a protagonist who, at times, uses hateful slurs to refer to members of the LGBTQ community. Such language is intended to give authenticity to a self-hating, closed member of that same community. Readers may appreciate the protagonist’s growth as he embraces his sexuality and reconciles himself with his faith.
REVIEW:
This books offers the possibility to view an modern world where the gay community is suddenly in power, where homophobia isn’t acceptable. Pastor Rick Harris, though, clung to his beliefs, going against the tide and preaching against the new laws…hence his forced attendance at a redemption camp. Once there, he initially fought the sensibility treatments and thought he’d found allies against what he considered mind games. He was still convinced he’d leave the camp having the same firm convictions as when he arrived, when Rick found himself a pawn in a dangerous conspiracy while also facing his own personal life-altering revelations.
In my opinion, the author treated many serious issues mostly in a humorous way. I laughed a lot, especially thanks to “the treatments” applied at the camp. Yet, even during the funniest moments, there was always the underlying issues of openness of mind and self acceptance.
Honestly, aside from some hurtful passages, I think this was a really entertaining read. The idea for the fictional society and the new revelation were refreshing, there were a lot of colorful and interesting characters (just imagine drag queens as camp counselors), multiple POVs, a bit of spy story action and conspiracies, surprises and a hint of romance.
RATING: 
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