Book Review: The Gift by Scott Terry

Reviewed by John M. Murray

A moving tale about seeking acceptance and self in a late 20th century rural town

A trauma-stricken young woman turns to religion, and her young son becomes a cowboy to find his true self in The Gift. The two of them may clash, but it results in an unforgettable tale of faith, sexuality, and how different people struggle to find acceptance.

Pansy did not lead an easy life. After her mother was murdered by her father, the police sent her to an unknown uncle. She mistakes lust for love and tries to force a young man, Ace, into marriage only to have him steal half her money and vanish. 

Alone, lost, and pregnant, she turns to the only people willing to take her: the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She’s given a run-down shack to raise her son and does her best, but she falls too deep into the extreme tenets of her religion. Her son William grows up under the kind care of his neighbor who teaches him the rugged ways of cowboy culture. William soon realizes he’s gay, but the rural community teaches him to keep that side secret.

This book is simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming, especially William’s story. The rancher, Steve, embodies a healthy model of masculinity, and he teaches William not just about cowboy work but life. The unusual father-son dynamic provides a satisfying relationship of one man trying to help the next generation without forcing William into something he’s not. William tries to be his true self but grapples with society’s disdain toward him. He’s not perfect, he makes mistakes, both in romance and life, but at least he is trying.

Much of the book is about Pansy—her childhood, the early days of her life as a single mother—which is unfortunate. Since Pansy is taught the world is just about to end, she is sometimes acts a hateful woman who uses religion as an excuse for her life not going well. She was a good mother while William was a child, but as he becomes independent, she grows distant. The lengthy focus on Pansy’s life feels like it sidetracks the story of how William grew up and how those experiences shaped him.

Still, The Gift is a fascinating snapshot of two people as they try to find acceptance. Both people, limited by the social mores of the time, discover the painful limits of staying true to themselves. While the story is focused on the religious and sexuality aspects, the spotlight is on the very human need to belong.

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