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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I wanted to write a really nice narrative review of this book because I think it was incredibly well-done, but my brain just isn't there, so we're going to go with some points.
- Smart move to make the cult in question not religious. Not only because it's important to recognize that there can be cults that are nonreligious, but that there can be "groupthink" situations that are nonreligious. Where the power dynamic of the leader is just off, or when you get a good echo chamber going around you. It is FREQUENTLY abused in religious situations, but being nonreligious does not make you immune! Humans are susceptible to this. Especially VULNERABLE humans without connections and safety nets.
- It also allows for the similarly smart move of having Fern's cult believe things that are true, or at least close to true. The concern "the Ranch" has for the environment and sustainability is totally relevant to modern society, and Fern's shock and discomfort with the trash, harsh chemicals, and synthetic everything is actually valid, even if the moral implications/guilt she feels is still harsher than it should be.
- The idea of things being mixed -- good and bad experiences, good and bad people, good and bad situations -- is a strong stated theme at the end of the book and it is VERY well supported by the story, characters, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the cult itself.
- I would also be fascinated to see how this reads for the intended audience. As an adult who has been in cultish scenarios and is familiar with real-world cults, it's very easy to see the yikes!! yikes!!! YIKES!!! of the situation early on (and root for her mother), but the writing is SO centered in Fern's POV that you can 1) see and understand why she's upset and not seeing the yikes without thinking she's stupid and 2) I think if you are less aware of the yikes yourself, you will follow who through the journey to understanding. I believe it will work really well at introducing the target audience not only to cults, but to all of the related themes that are true across life.
- Fern's mom is such a good character. Not a perfect mom, but one who is really, really trying and clearly loves her daughter dearly. It's so nice to see such strong development, ESPECIALLY when she is still antagonistic to Fern's goals for so much of the book! She also presents very well exactly the kind of person that cults prey on, something I think is really important to know and have compassion about.
- Meadowlark is also an excellent part of the narrative. We don't see her much, but she is sympathetic, and really conveys the losses that cult members must endure to escape. Also,Doctor Ben bringing her along to convince Fern to get in the car with him is PURE EVIL. Skin crawling manipulation.
- Actually, all the side characters work really well. They have compelling motivations and no matter how little you see them, you get a strong idea that they live a full life outside of Fern's narrative.
Some quibbles:
- I found the "Spirit of the Sea" wrap-up convenient (there just happens to be a path that no one has found for decades??? ) and a bit...trite. I did, however, like the final tribute.
- It's mentioned a few times that the Ranch has pretty stereotypical gender roles, and once Fern reacts with confusion to a genderfluid person, but she simultaneously seems to have no questions at all about a lesbian character? It just felt slightly inconsistent in the world-building. In general Fern seems not concerned at all about gender roles for most of the book. I would suggest just not having that be a thing at the Ranch, since it doesn't seem to add much or be that present in the "after."
- It seemed odd to me that Fernchanged her name at the end of the book. It never seemed to really have negative connotations for her, and with the whole "leave the bad and take the good" PLUS the conversation her mom had with her about respecting Fern's choice of name, it seemed like a really sudden turn for her to take. There wasn't set-up for why she would want to go back her pre-cult name. It makes sense in general for cult members to want to leave that stuff behind but it didn't make sense for her specifically.
- I have a really hard time believing there's a real-world private investigator in a tiny town that would take a job from a kid. It's just weird, man. But I am 31, so. It's important enough to the plot that I'll allow it.
--
Anyway, overall I thought this book was an excellent look at cults and the bigger themes of what you believe, and what you want to believe, and what people TELL you to believe, and sorting all that out. It also doesn't seem from the premise like it would be a super "okay just one more chapter" book but I often found myself listening to it much longer than I had intended because I was really invested in the plot and Fern's journey.
- Smart move to make the cult in question not religious. Not only because it's important to recognize that there can be cults that are nonreligious, but that there can be "groupthink" situations that are nonreligious. Where the power dynamic of the leader is just off, or when you get a good echo chamber going around you. It is FREQUENTLY abused in religious situations, but being nonreligious does not make you immune! Humans are susceptible to this. Especially VULNERABLE humans without connections and safety nets.
- It also allows for the similarly smart move of having Fern's cult believe things that are true, or at least close to true. The concern "the Ranch" has for the environment and sustainability is totally relevant to modern society, and Fern's shock and discomfort with the trash, harsh chemicals, and synthetic everything is actually valid, even if the moral implications/guilt she feels is still harsher than it should be.
- The idea of things being mixed -- good and bad experiences, good and bad people, good and bad situations -- is a strong stated theme at the end of the book and it is VERY well supported by the story, characters, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the cult itself.
- I would also be fascinated to see how this reads for the intended audience. As an adult who has been in cultish scenarios and is familiar with real-world cults, it's very easy to see the yikes!! yikes!!! YIKES!!! of the situation early on (and root for her mother), but the writing is SO centered in Fern's POV that you can 1) see and understand why she's upset and not seeing the yikes without thinking she's stupid and 2) I think if you are less aware of the yikes yourself, you will follow who through the journey to understanding. I believe it will work really well at introducing the target audience not only to cults, but to all of the related themes that are true across life.
- Fern's mom is such a good character. Not a perfect mom, but one who is really, really trying and clearly loves her daughter dearly. It's so nice to see such strong development, ESPECIALLY when she is still antagonistic to Fern's goals for so much of the book! She also presents very well exactly the kind of person that cults prey on, something I think is really important to know and have compassion about.
- Meadowlark is also an excellent part of the narrative. We don't see her much, but she is sympathetic, and really conveys the losses that cult members must endure to escape. Also,
- Actually, all the side characters work really well. They have compelling motivations and no matter how little you see them, you get a strong idea that they live a full life outside of Fern's narrative.
Some quibbles:
- I found the "Spirit of the Sea" wrap-up convenient (
- It's mentioned a few times that the Ranch has pretty stereotypical gender roles, and once Fern reacts with confusion to a genderfluid person, but she simultaneously seems to have no questions at all about a lesbian character? It just felt slightly inconsistent in the world-building. In general Fern seems not concerned at all about gender roles for most of the book. I would suggest just not having that be a thing at the Ranch, since it doesn't seem to add much or be that present in the "after."
- It seemed odd to me that Fern
- I have a really hard time believing there's a real-world private investigator in a tiny town that would take a job from a kid. It's just weird, man. But I am 31, so. It's important enough to the plot that I'll allow it.
--
Anyway, overall I thought this book was an excellent look at cults and the bigger themes of what you believe, and what you want to believe, and what people TELL you to believe, and sorting all that out. It also doesn't seem from the premise like it would be a super "okay just one more chapter" book but I often found myself listening to it much longer than I had intended because I was really invested in the plot and Fern's journey.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A believable look into how a child might react to leaving a cult, or similar community, when it's the only thing she's known.
Frankie's journey to learn about herself teaches her about how to live within new contexts and situations, and how to start to trust herself over dogma.
Frankie's journey to learn about herself teaches her about how to live within new contexts and situations, and how to start to trust herself over dogma.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes