Part 1 Summary

The first part of this novel begins by quoting St. John 21:24 about the truth of a disciple's testimony. Beth, Josh's best friend, has not enjoyed a rant so much since they read Thoreau last semester, and now she tries to convince Josh to form a study group focused on thegospelaccordingtolarry.com, a popular website whose author is anonymous. Josh tries to listen but grows distracted since he has been in love with Beth since sixth grade. After agreeing to help her with the club, he pretends they are a couple until she waves goodbye and crosses the cafeteria to join Todd, the new jock with whom she is obsessed. The rest of the day passes the same as usual. At home that afternoon, Josh checks his email and looks at Larry's site, but when Peter, his stepfather, enters and sees the computer screen...