by Jeanette Winterson
Oranges are not the Only Fruit is a autobiographical novel by Jeanette Winterson. A short, beautifully written story about the struggle the protagonist faces while growing up in an evangelical family, coming to terms with her homosexuality and then trying to reconcile her strange family and her sexuality.
Winterson is such a talented writer that the book is both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. The mother is irritatingly obnoxious and yet endearing at the same time.
Oranges is perfect prose and the perfect length. If it had been longer it would have been too much of a good thing. It's a great introduction to Winterson's work.