Jinger Duggar Vuolo starred with her siblings on the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On.

Synopsis

Duggar Vuolo documents her  journey of coming to a new understanding of her religion and the teachings found in the bible, decidedly away from the version of her religion that she was taught as a child. 

“My path involved tracing the threads of true christianity away from the false version taught by one man – the leader of a strict, conservative version of Christianity that greatly influenced my life.” 

To do this she systematically goes through her life, the lessons she was taught  and compares them with her current understanding of her faith.

Where Does the Book’s Title Come From

The title of the book ‘Becoming Free Indeed’ has an interesting origin. It was initially inspired by a blogging forum called ‘Free Jinger’, which was named after Jinger’s perceived desire to break free from her family’s rural hometown in Arkansas. However, within the pages of the book, Jinger redefines what freedom truly means to her, and how it stems from a deep understanding of the Bible and the word of God.  Ultimately, the book’s title reflects the author’s own quest for true freedom, both in her personal life and her spiritual journey.

Most Surprising Revelation

Despite growing up in a big family Jinger would experience social anxiety when interacting with acquaintances she didn’t not know. Even when talking to a church parishioner. Dugger Vuolo points to the origin of this as not having my friends outside of her immediate family growing up. 

Is it worth your time?

“Becoming Free Indeed” is a departure from the typical celebrity tell-all memoir. Instead of focusing on scandalous revelations, Dugger Vuolo takes a more introspective approach, reflecting on her spiritual and philosophical journey rather than simply chronicling her major life moments.

One of the most poignant discussions in the book centers around Jinger’s evolving views on women’s roles in society and the church. Growing up a member of a conservative Christian family, Jinger once believed that a woman’s identity was primarily defined by her roles as wife and mother. However, through her own spiritual journey, she came to understand that women’s identity is ultimately found in Jesus. 

It is here that the reader gets to hear a hint of personal slander as the author, perhaps,  speaks to her unmarried sister Janna, and other unmarried women, who may still linger with the belief that

 “While they waited for marriage, they could not start a career or even go to school because women were supposed to care for the home.”

Overall, ‘Becoming Free Indeed’ is a quiet and reflective book that offers a glimpse into Jinger Duggar Vuolo’s developing belief system, without revealing too much. While it may not be the scandalous tell-all that some fans were hoping for, it is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work that has the potential to help others on their own journeys towards spiritual and personal growth and reconcile their desire to have faith with the beliefs they were taught growing up.

Photo Credit: Thomas Nelson