Firsthand Experience

In Doug Thayer's novel Will Wonders Never Cease, we are brought back through time and into the thought processes of a young adolescent teen. This is rife with all the characteristics of a teen, from not really knowing who you are or what you want to do, to being curious about girls and your own body.


Specifically in this novel, you are thrown into Mormon culture in a way which most outside of Mormonism has not had a chance to experience. The main character, Kyle, is immersed in it. And this brings up a series of challenges and choices. 


How will he act? Will he believe everything that is said? Doug Thayer effectively brings the reader through 
Kyle's thoughts and the reasons behind his choices and beliefs.

Photo from: berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

The reason why this novel is important is because of the honesty that is put into Doug Thayer's perception of Kyle. Kyle is able to critique the culture he is immersed in through a humorous way that is not condescending or overtly negative. 

This is unique because it shows the thoughts and feelings of a person in the Mormon culture itself. 


In other words, the experiences of Kyle could be considered first hand and possibly a much better example of what Mormonism is than someone living outside of the religion trying to critique what they have not lived themselves.