The Gospel According to Larry

The Gospel According to Larry introduces Josh Swenson, a 17-year-old idealist who creates a website under the pseudonym 'Larry' to share his anti-consumerism philosophy. The site unexpectedly goes viral, attracting national attention and even the interest of U2's Bono, leading to a massive 'Larryfest.' As Josh's secret identity is exposed, he grapples with the loss of his anonymity, the superficiality of media attention, and profound depression stemming from his mother's death and the pressures of fame. This culminates in a deeply unsettling plot point where Josh plans and executes a faked suicide to escape his situation. The book explores themes of identity, fame, consumerism, and mental health, offering a nuanced look at the challenges of idealism in the digital age. It is suitable for mature middle-grade readers (ages 10-12) and young adults, but parents should be prepared to discuss the sensitive themes of depression and faked suicide.

Seventeen-year-old Josh, a loner-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world, tries to maintain his secret identity as the author of a web site that is receiving national attention.