Speaking In Tongues

Tom Tilley's childhood seemed ordinary, but behind church doors, a strict set of rules included a looming ultimatum: if he didn't speak in tongues, he'd go to hell and be outcast from his close-knit, devout community. He questioned the teachings of the church and heard about his parents' adventurous lives before they found God, leading him to speak up and take his family to breaking point. Speaking in Tongues is a powerful coming-of-age story about questioning the life created for you and building your true self.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: ABC Books

From the outside, Tom Tilley's childhood seemed ordinary. The first son of a pastor, he grew up in a beautiful country town where life revolved around football, his loving family, and their Pentecostal faith. But behind church doors, a strictly enforced set of rules included a looming ultimatum: if Tom didn't speak in tongues, he'd go to hell and be outcast from his close-knit, devout community.

The older Tom became, the more he questioned the teachings of the church, especially around speaking in tongues. And the more he heard about his parents' adventurous lives before they found God, the more he wanted the freedom to make those mistakes that the church forbade. Eventually, after years of suppressing his doubts in silence, Tom spoke up. Having the courage to do so came at a huge personal cost, leading to a decision that would take his family to breaking point. What happened next is surprising, and Tom's journey to independence will inspire readers to ask what's true in their own lives and who they really are.

Told with empathy and searing honesty, Speaking in Tongues is a powerful coming-of-age story about questioning the life created for you and building your true self, one recycled brick at a time.

Weight: 383g
Dimension: 234 x 154 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780733341021