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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Lilia is a wonderful storyteller, and her voice is very strong. I have watched her tell part of this story at TedX and wanted to learn more. I wish she had also narrated the audio book as I felt the reading didn't quite have the charm I felt after watching Lilia live.
fast-paced
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Never written a Goodreads review before, but this book deserves more reviews so here I am! This is such an uplifting and empowering read, and I'm so glad I bought it.
I discovered Gloriavale by having the documentary series recommended via Reddit (the one that's on Amazon Prime). I found it fascinating but found it rather odd that they didn't explore any criticisms of the group, just mentioned dissenters in passing. I did some more reading online and discovered this book and felt that it would be important to explore the perspective of someone who left the group after seeing the (very complimentary) documentary.
Tarawa was born into the group and was a member until her teens, and she starts out by describing the things she experienced, much of which is horrific. She describes having any independence or leadership ability stamped out by the group's beliefs that women must be subservient, the frequent physical abuse doled out by teachers, and the awful treatment of dissenters (at any level). It's pretty infuriating to read how people are treated in Gloriavale! But Tarawa also describes the good times at the church; family and friends she loved deeply and still misses, elaborate events put on for the children.
Gradually, Tarawa and her family withdrew from the church, eventually leaving it officially. This was the highlight of the book. Tarawa does an incredible job describing how she grappled with the things she was taught and how she empowered herself and learned to think on her own and be happy with her true self. It's super satisfying to see her get more and more freedom and inner peace and gives a very helpful insight into what the world is like for people that leave oppressive environments.
Ms. Tarawa, thank you so much for sharing your story, and I hope you and your family are doing well!
I discovered Gloriavale by having the documentary series recommended via Reddit (the one that's on Amazon Prime). I found it fascinating but found it rather odd that they didn't explore any criticisms of the group, just mentioned dissenters in passing. I did some more reading online and discovered this book and felt that it would be important to explore the perspective of someone who left the group after seeing the (very complimentary) documentary.
Tarawa was born into the group and was a member until her teens, and she starts out by describing the things she experienced, much of which is horrific. She describes having any independence or leadership ability stamped out by the group's beliefs that women must be subservient, the frequent physical abuse doled out by teachers, and the awful treatment of dissenters (at any level). It's pretty infuriating to read how people are treated in Gloriavale! But Tarawa also describes the good times at the church; family and friends she loved deeply and still misses, elaborate events put on for the children.
Gradually, Tarawa and her family withdrew from the church, eventually leaving it officially. This was the highlight of the book. Tarawa does an incredible job describing how she grappled with the things she was taught and how she empowered herself and learned to think on her own and be happy with her true self. It's super satisfying to see her get more and more freedom and inner peace and gives a very helpful insight into what the world is like for people that leave oppressive environments.
Ms. Tarawa, thank you so much for sharing your story, and I hope you and your family are doing well!
dark
informative
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
An easy read, albeit light on some details.
Picked this one up as a bookclub read and am glad I finally got around to it.
Strength to Lilia, you've done a brave thing.
For those who want more details about the early days of Gloriavale, I recommend Sins of the Father, by Fleur Beale (who assisted Lilia in the writing of this memoir)
Picked this one up as a bookclub read and am glad I finally got around to it.
Strength to Lilia, you've done a brave thing.
For those who want more details about the early days of Gloriavale, I recommend Sins of the Father, by Fleur Beale (who assisted Lilia in the writing of this memoir)