Saving Alex

When I Was Fifteen I Told My Mormon Parents I Was Gay, and That's When My Nightmare Began

By: Alex Cooper

Narrated by: Luci Christian Bell

Days after Alex Cooper told her parents she was gay, they drove Alex from their home in Southern California to Utah, where they signed over guardianship to fellow Mormons who promised to save Alex from her homosexuality.

For eight harrowing months, Alex was held captive in an unlicensed "residential treatment program" modeled on the many "therapeutic" boot camps scattered across Utah. Alex was physically and verbally abused and forced to stand facing a wall for up to 18 hours a day wearing a heavy backpack full of rocks. "God's plan does not apply to gay people," her captors told her, using faith to punish and terrorize her. With the help of a dedicated legal team in Salt Lake City, Alex would eventually escape and make legal history in Utah by winning the right to live under the law's protection as an openly gay teenager.

Saving Alex is a horrific yet uplifting story of identity, faith, courage, acceptance, and freedom that reveals what happens when religion goes too far and how a group of dedicated Americans and one young woman fought for her rights, including finding the strength and courage to be herself, and how her story has inspired countless others along the way.

©2016 Alexandra Cooper (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

good

love it still reading it but so far its great and I would recommend it

Loved this!!

I loved this book, so inspiring and eye opening! must read for everyone I know!

Awesome memoir

It was an amazing story read with emotion! I felt extremely emotional as if I were the one experiencing the pain Alex went through. I did not tell anyone my sexual orientation until I was in my 20s and as a Christian, I went through people who turned their back to me. I’m so glad I bought this audio book

Binge Worthy

Oh my gosh this book blew my mind. I was so angry with what was happening to Alex that I couldn’t stop listening. I NEEDED to know what happened. I’m very disappointed in the ending though... it’s a true story so I can’t say much but darn it!!

A message for hope and a call to action

Alex's story is an inspiration, even to a straight white cis male like myself.

Saving Alex, as a book, is a roller coaster of emotions. Desires for justice, joy at the conclusion to her ordeal, immense feelings of sadness and even tears will wash over you as you read or listen to it. This book needs to be heard by all.

Harrowing

Would you listen to Saving Alex again? Why?

This is a very harrowing story, one that "reads" like a suspense novel.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alex, for her determination and sense of self.

Which character – as performed by Luci Christian Bell – was your favorite?

Alex and her lawyer. Both great-- and real, obviously-- characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Alex's parents yelling at her to get out of the house when she came out as gay.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this. You'll find yourself speaking aloud in horror at certain moments!

Sad Story

Some people just should not procreate. It’s shocking that they sent their child to live with strangers who were not licensed, and they didn’t even do a background check on the family. I’m surprised she was allowed to go back into that toxic environment with her homophobic parents. I am glad that Alex is doing well, and I know she’s helped a lot of kids who think they are less than.

Crazy story, great reader...

Hard to believe this horrible treatment is still happening to this community! Good for her in having the courage to take a stand for herself at such a young age.

Gives Me Hope

This story about Alex Cooper’s bravery at the tender age of 15 years old breaks my heart and heals it simultaneously. This book is incredible for anyone looking to educate themselves on the reality that LGBT kids STILL face today, even in 2020 (there are STILL many “treatment” centers in the country). The narrator is great, and somehow manages to individualize character voices without it sounding goofy. 5 stars all around!

Just WOW!

i listened to this in one day. The story is well written. The narrator does an amazing job of expressing the emotions. I cried. Then I went upstate at 1:00 AM to tell my kids that I love them - especially my 15 year old daughter who has an amazing girlfriend and was never afraid to tell us that she likes girls.