The Missionary

“If you have ever thought of superheroes, souls, or sex . . . this book is for you.” —Jon Scieszka, bestselling author and inaugural US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature “Reminiscent of the writings of Tobias Wolf, this coming-of-age memoir within the Mormon church, with its particular teachings and endless rules, showcases Hudson’s fine storytelling and impeccable timing for comedy. Readers will be moved by minimalistic prose that is both lyrical and precise, in addition to memorable characterizations that delight, entertain, and evoke authentic feeling.The true test of a successful memoir is whether it reads and turns pages like a novel. In The Missionary, Greg Hudson delivers a beguiling personal account, crafting a poignant history of his faith, the irreconcilable tensions from his religious upbringing, and finally, a stirring delivery of his own metamorphosis and spiritual reckoning. Hudson has masterfully captured the candid joys and frustrations imposed by guilt, shame, adolescence, memory, sin, and morality. An extraordinary and witty debut.” —Lindsay Wong, bestselling author ofThe Woo-Woo and Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies “As a reader of a determinedly irreligious bent, I admit to hesitating before opening The Missionary, which I knew to be written by a door-knocking disciple of Joseph Smith. But as the chapters flew past, as I delighted at the candor, warmth, humor, and humility of Greg Hudson's recollections, I came to the final page feeling terribly glad to have read something so outside my comfort zone.” —Craig Davidson, bestselling author of Cataract City and Precious Cargo “The Missionary is a revelation—a perspective on our culture that no one knew we needed; that of the brave gleaming door-knockers trying to save us from ourselves. And Elder Hudson is the perfect dichotomous guide: a super-smart, very funny kid who’s been taught how to think, trained how to act, and yet somehow finds a way to narrate his mission with brilliant, blazing honesty. And then—in ultimately failing as a Mormon, and telling his true story, Hudson succeeds at so much more: he becomes a great writer—one who renders a path towards our very best selves.” —Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall, bestselling author of Hung Over “As a fellow former youth evangelist, I felt The Missionary in my bones. Many of us are expected to embody spiritual perfection while being guided by leaders more invested in appearances than in our well-being. It’s no wonder Greg Hudson turned to comic‑book heroes for a better model of world‑building. With wit, clarity, and tenderness, he reconstructs that search in this beautiful memoir. Readers of all stripes will recognize themselves in Hudson's story, in the tongue-in-cheek way he navigates life's many paradoxes. Hands down, he’s one of the funniest voices in the religious coming‑of‑age genre.” —David Allen Cox, author of I Felt the End Before it Came.