Synopsis of Godless: Pete Hautman

Godless. 1-4169-0816-1. Pete Hautman. 2004. National Book Award. Ages 13-17. Middle-class. Contemporary realistic fiction.

After getting punched in the face by bully Henry Stagg, 15-year-old Jason Bock decides to start his own religion. His inspiration? The town water tower, which he renames the Ten-Legged One. Jason has struggled with his own faith in the Church of the Good Shepherd, and openly admits that to Reverend Allan Anderson (who he calls “Just Al”) and everyone else at the Teen Power Outreach meetings at the church. Sick of being told what to believe, Jason names his own religion the Church of the Ten-Legged God (CTG), its followers being Chutengodians. He is the Founder and Head Kahuna; his best friend, Shin, is the First Keeper of the Sacred Text; his “ordinary” friend Dan Grant is the First Acolyte Exaltus; town sweetheart but tough girl Magda Price is the High Priestess; and without asking the other members, Jason inducts bully Henry Stagg as the High Priest because Henry shows him how to climb the water tower. The group creates religious laws to abide by and guidelines to follow, but ultimately want to climb the water tower to hold service. Shin freezes going up and runs home, but the other members not only climb the water tower, they swim inside of it. The night ends with a contaminated water supply and Henry having to go to the hospital for falling off the top of the water tower onto the railing below. Shin has a nervous breakdown, Magda and Henry become close, and Jason becomes an outcast, only clinging to his religion for peace of mind. The story depicts how difficult religion can make things, especially when you doubt your beliefs. Jason questions his openly, and learns valuable lessons along the way.

Godless is an interesting book to read in school, because it discusses religion very openly. I’m not sure this book would be allowed in many public schools unless the curriculum involved students not being allowed to discuss their own religious experiences. That said, I think it could be an interesting historical study for how religion has been formed/created throughout history.