Without Merit — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
'Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.'
The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, the once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother's former nurse, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect.
Then there's Merit.
Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn't earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. Then she meets Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her - until she discovers that he's completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines, when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.
Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she's never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves.
Poignant and powerful, Without Merit explores the layers of lies that tie a family together and the power of love and truth.
Praise for Without Merit
'Emotionally wrenching and utterly original, Without Merit's characters stayed with me long after I finished.' Sara Shepard, New York Times Bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars
'Hoover does an excellent job of revealing the subtle differences between healthy teenage rebellion and clinical depression... This quirky, complex, and frustrating heroine will win hearts and challenge assumptions about family dysfunction and mental illness in a life-affirming story that redefines what's normal.' Kirkus (starred review)
'Hoover joins the ranks of such luminaries as Jennifer Weiner and Jojo Moyes, with a dash of Gillian Flynn.' Library Journal (starred review)
Frequently asked questions
Is Without Merit appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses themes of domestic abuse and mental health, including discussions of suicide and the impact of trauma on relationships. These elements indicate a portrayal of violence, though the specifics of violent acts are not detailed in the search results. No genuinely frightening content or themes that would cause fear or distress are identified in the search results. The focus is on family dynamics and personal struggles rather than horror elements.
Does Without Merit have violence?
The book addresses themes of domestic abuse and mental health, including discussions of suicide and the impact of trauma on relationships. These elements indicate a portrayal of violence, though the specifics of violent acts are not detailed in the search results.
Does Without Merit have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content or themes that would cause fear or distress are identified in the search results. The focus is on family dynamics and personal struggles rather than horror elements.
Does Without Merit have religious themes?
The narrative explores themes related to faith and forgiveness through the context of a family living in a repurposed church, referred to as the Church of the Holy Flame. The protagonist's relationship with religion is complex and includes elements of skepticism and critique.
Does Without Merit have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the search results. The focus is primarily on personal and familial issues rather than race-related content.
Does Without Merit have profanity?
No explicit profanity is mentioned in the search results, indicating that the book does not contain strong language.
Does Without Merit have sexual identity?
The book contains discussions of sexual orientations and sexual situations, including a character's struggle with their sexuality and references to sexual acts. There are also critiques regarding the portrayal of sexuality, suggesting a moralistic view on virginity.
Does Without Merit have gender roles?
The narrative touches on themes of gender roles and identity, particularly through the protagonist's experiences and family dynamics. However, the portrayal has been critiqued for lacking diversity and primarily focusing on white female perspectives.
Does Without Merit have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features characters who identify as bisexual and gay, with discussions around their sexual orientations. However, there are also critiques regarding the portrayal of these identities, including allegations of homophobia and biphobia in the narrative, which complicates the representation.
