The Meaning of Matthew

My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed

By: Judy Shepard

Narrated by: Judy Shepard

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist. 

Today, the name Matthew Shepard is synonymous with gay rights, but before his grisly murder in 1998, Matthew was simply Judy Shepard's son. For the first time in book form, Judy Shepard speaks about her loss, sharing memories of Matthew, their life as a typical American family, and the pivotal event in the small college town that changed everything.

The Meaning of Matthew follows the Shepard family in the days immediately after the crime, when Judy and her husband traveled to see their incapacitated son, kept alive by life support machines; how the Shepards learned of the incredible response from strangers all across America who held candlelit vigils and memorial services for their child; and finally, how they struggled to navigate the legal system as Matthew's murderers were on trial. Heart-wrenchingly honest, Judy Shepard confides with readers about how she handled the crippling loss of her child, why she became a gay rights activist, and the challenges and rewards of raising a gay child in America today.

The Meaning of Matthew not only captures the historical significance and complicated civil rights issues surrounding one young man's life and death, but it also chronicles one ordinary woman's struggle to cope with the unthinkable.

©2009 Judy Shepard (P)2009 Penguin

Critic Reviews

“This book is beautiful: heartbreaking, honest, and written with a lovely open voice that makes the familiar story of the Shepard family's loss all the more devastating.” (Newsweek)

“The courage of Judy Shepard is unfathomable...but her message prevails: Tolerance and love must always overcome hatred.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“[This] towers over the majority of books written about high-profile issues and events...Judy Shepard is one woman telling one story - which she does with eloquence and heart.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Heart breaking story

Would you listen to The Meaning of Matthew again? Why?

I would listen to this book again and again. I found this story very sad, but the only way to change past mistakes is to find where we went wrong.

What other book might you compare The Meaning of Matthew to and why?

sadly to many.

What three words best describe Judy Shepard’s voice?

dry

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

there is a movie about this story already. After reading the book its not the same as the movie. The movies are hardly ever same as the book.

Heartbreaking

I would recommend this books to anyone that would like to hear their story as it happened through the eyes and ears of those who love Matthew

Thank you

Wonderfully executed. Heart wrenching true story told by a mother about a family who lost their son in a hate crime. I read this for a Diversity Equity and Inclusion book club at a technical college I work at. there is so much intense content to discuss. I am grateful to the family for sharing their story.

Good listen!!

Its a sad story and for his mom n dad to deal with it and stay strong, bless them!!

Thought Provoking

As a mother to three grown adults. I found myself torn between the horrific and sad story of Mathew. Not putting blame on the author or her husband however, it was a struggle to reconcile the fact that they were too absent in his life for my liking. After listening to the book twice in hopes to be able to listen without my judgement of the parents absenteeism in his life did not subside the second time around. I highly recommend this book to all.

A compassionate take of a parent's pain

Judy Shepard walks us through the lead-up, the tragedy and the acceptance of an unbelievably painful point in time. We learn about the people, their actions, consequences and more as we relive details of life before, during and after one of the worst tragedies in the LGBT community. Compelling and whatever the equivalent could be in Audible-land for "page turning"!

I cried

I started it on my bus rides to a semester final then finished it in the library after. Cried on the bus. Judy truly did a great job giving me information and emotion that paired with it.

Empowering

This is not so much a review of the book and story of Mathew. As I feel to review this as a "Typical" book does not do justice for the purpose and reason behind the publication of Mathews' story. But to hope that whom ever takes the time to read or listen to this account may walk away with a little more Exceptance, Compassion and Understanding. First and foremost to help Erase Hate. Thank you Shepard family for sharing your life and son Mathew with the world. Thank You Matthew for being just who you were. Not by your choices but by a greater power those things are put in place to make this a more tolerant place to live. Thank You!

Sad read...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Meaning of Matthew to be better than the print version?

Yes.

Which scene was your favorite?

None

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Matthew's death

Any additional comments?

I remember the day Matthew was murdered and was devastated that someone could be murdered just because of hate.

I love this book...

Such a beautiful yet heart-rending story and one that I can never forget. His life was so important to all of us.