Floating Up To Wherever:
A Memoir
After moving overseas with her missionary pilot husband, Joy looks at a painting of Jesus and—with culture-crossed eyes—sees a familiar detail in a different light. The faith she had been raised in, wrestled with, and followed to the other side of the world dissolves in a single moment, leaving her to navigate not only a new country but a seemingly new universe. How do you unlearn your native language for reality? How do you walk away from the ground under your feet? Woven throughout her spiritual deconstruction is a relationship that threatens to be the unraveling of her marriage. Transcending its specificity of evangelicalism, religious trauma, purity culture, and infidelity: Floating Up To Wherever is a story of finding your way after your most fundamental assumptions turn upside down.
List price: $21.95
ISBN: 978-1-964495-10-1
Joy Towers Neal
Formerly an evangelical missionary in Southeast Asia, Joy now resides in a suburb of Chicago with her husband and their son. Floating Up To Wherever is her first book.
Praise for Floating Up To Wherever
I read this book in two days. Couldn't put it down.
--Victor V. (from NetGalley)
This book kept me thinking afterwards. It's one of those books that talking about any detail will give away the whole premise of the book.
--Miaad B. (from NetGalley)
Excellent writing, very readable, and a little addictive. I was really enjoyed Joy Towers Neal's voice and perspective and her heart. The story is compellingly honest. It's a peek into the evangelical missionary practices of some organizations, but more than that, it made me think about my own beliefs, doubts, faith, and how to find ways to practice and believe that don't grate on my soul.
-- Cara A. (from NetGalley)
I enjoyed the personal narrative in Floating Up To Wherever, and appreciate Joy's candor and willingness to frankly discuss significant topics. While holding herself accountable for an emotional affair, Joy also exposes the toxic power dynamic that religious women can fall prey to.
--Janice Selbie, Registered Professional Counsellor and Best-Selling Author
Host, Divorcing Religion Podcast
The book was gripping. Joy Towers Neal holds nothing back in her own mistakes—I felt conflicted by the end. She’s a victim, a mother, and a lost soul; I loved her. I hated her. In my eyes, writing that stirs emotion and presents a blunt, honest reflection of their own personage is good writing.
I recommend this book to anyone who’s felt like the odd one out.
--Kyrie Reads