The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance

After reading so many luke-warm or negative reviews, I feel compelled to defend this book. It's not the most incredible memoir I've ever read but it was a funny, fresh perspective on twenty-something life in NYC. Many of the 1-3 star reviews seem to come from other Mormons who seem terrified that a less-than-perfect congregant will taint the world's view of their religion. In reality, I found Elna's honesty about her struggles with growing up, city life, sexuality and her beliefs refreshing.

Elna makes it clear that she is not a “typical Mormon” who married at 18 and never questioned her faith. She attends NYU, not BYU, and ends up as a sexy sushi restaurant hostess instead of a 23 year old stay-at-home mom. She tries (hilariously) to date and find love as a sober, never-been-kissed virgin in a city full of one night stands. She questions whether her faith is something that gives her life meaning or defines her as a one-dimensional character. She tries to embrace life by saying “Yes!” to everything while wondering if this makes her sometimes a bit of a liar. And all of this is what made the book so interesting and enjoyable to me.

Even as a non-religious person, I could relate to her struggle between one's internal ideal and one's external actions. I think most people wish they could behave better/more righteous/more moral/more just than they do on a typical day. Elna Baker explores that sometimes uncomfortable gray space with wit and humor, and left me with a much more modern view of Mormonism. Her struggle to create her own identity and her desire to be loved are universal. Her story is enjoyable no matter you religion, or lack thereof.

There were things I really enjoyed about the book. I liked Elna Baker's off-beat humor, and I identified with her struggles as a unique, independent, often-lonely young woman trying to find her place in life and relationships. But the relationships were too big a part of this book. It was exhausting reading story after story about her search for a boyfriend / husband. (I know that's partly because of the religion, but it still got old.)

With appearances on both This American Life and The Moth - Elna Baker's clearly in my wheelhouse. After reading this, I think I prefer her spoken word. Pulled together into a full-blown “memoir” it suffers under it's own weight. Her anecdotes get mired in the persistent narrative of striving to be pretty. It's like she's writing for Mormon Cosmo. There are some great stories here, perfect little bits that are truly fun but she's more of good in small doses sort of treat.