As a National Book Award winner I thought I'd be in for a good read. And it started that way, but it fizzled before its conclusion. It feels like the book version of kids using a low-level curse word...they get that thrill that comes with going against expectations, but there's no harm really done. I think that's how they'd feel reading this book too. ( )

Simon & Schuster’s monthly offerings of free books may be a bit difficult to read from a technical point of view, but it’s always exciting to browse their list of available titles. This month (September 2020) is marked by their selection of banned and controversial YA books. Among these, Godless stands out with its exciting premise: some teenagers start a religion of their own, worshiping the town’s water tower. Hijinks ensue.

It all starts with Justin Bock sprawled out on the ground, looking at the belly of the tallest structure in town, the ten-legged metal giant that has been generously supplying the citizens with water for as long as anyone can remember. Jason meditates on the possibility of replacing the stale phrases of the adults around him with something different and meaningful, something he will have a hand in creating. He shares his thoughts with his nerdy best friend Shin and so the religion of the Ten-Legged One is born.

It doesn’t take long for them to find acolytes and the newly founded religion soon takes up the focal position in their lives. But as the Ten-Legged One gives, so too does he take. Each kid interprets the deity in their own way, according to their needs and wants. As each worshiper comes within reach of their own religious experience, the summer turns into a time in their lives they’ll never forget.

A short, incisive read, Godless is one of those books that are excellent for instigating class discussions and challenging young minds to see things from other perspectives instead of taking them for granted. The author has included some teaching materials on his website.

The style makes it compulsively readable, and the humour is relatable. Jason’s habit of pretending he’s a comic book hero to pass the time and escape from unpleasant tasks is particularly endearing.

It’s not hard to see what makes this book controversial: our hero openly questions figures of authority and points out the inconsistencies in the religious and other teachings of said figures of authority. The adults obviously don’t like it, and neither do some adult readers, apparently.

I would have loved to see more of Shin as a character, and more of the gang’s adventures in general, but as it is, the book is definitely a great read, with a valuable message: it’s okay to be different and to question what you’re born into, and it’s okay to wander off the beaten track and find your own way. ( )

A solid short novel by a talented author who deserves more recognition. It's never going to be my favorite Hautman novel but it certainly has its moments. Manages to handle the weighty subjects of adolescence and religion without being overzealous or trite. Couldn't stand the main protagonist, however, especially in the last chapter. ( )

I read this book in a day because it was easy to read and weirdly compelling. Jason learns some about himself after inventing a fake religion and triggering his friend's mental illness. As an atheist, there were some lines I liked, for example when Jason questions why believing that a water tower is God is more silly than believing in the Catholic God. But then I also kind of like where Shin asks how you can understand something you don't believe in? I guess some stuff you just gotta "get" and I really don't get religion. I also really liked the mythos of the ocean gods that Shin wrote that began each chapter. Someone should make that into a movie. ( )

I cannot explain how much I can relate to this book, more so about the water tower incidents. To keep my self out of trouble I will not say anymore! ( )