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labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
I've read quite a few books about growing up in a religious cult. I remember being very (very very) young and reading a book about a girl who grew up in a Satanic cult. Being a good and proper Catholic school girl, I was horrified. (Leading one to wonder, how did I get my hands on that book in the first place?)
There is nothing like reading books about extremist cults to make me rethink my unhappiness about growing up brainwashed by Catholicism. Let's face it, I had it REALLY EASY.
Natacha's story is beyond horrifying. This is one of those stories where you don't want to keep reading, you don't want to know what future horrors lay in store, but you can't stop because it is so engrossing. I was really not looking forward to her final escape from The Family, because I knew how hard it was going to be for her to adapt to the outside world.
Depression is a common theme in any book about escaping from an extreme religion (or religion, in general). Her story isn't unique in that aspect, but that makes it no less heart breaking. Jumping into bad relationships, putting up with the same kind of abuse she was raised thinking was acceptable. Trying to survive in a strange place, with people who could never know, and would never understand, her story.
I had heard vaguely of this cult, but I had no idea they were still operating, and that is perhaps the most shocking thing of the whole book. One would hope that in the modern age, the rules and criminal activities have slacked off, but knowing the same woman is in charge, it's enough to make your heart stop for a moment.
I don't know if I could recommend this book, because it is so heart wrenching. But it's a really good read if you can handle it.
There is nothing like reading books about extremist cults to make me rethink my unhappiness about growing up brainwashed by Catholicism. Let's face it, I had it REALLY EASY.
Natacha's story is beyond horrifying. This is one of those stories where you don't want to keep reading, you don't want to know what future horrors lay in store, but you can't stop because it is so engrossing. I was really not looking forward to her final escape from The Family, because I knew how hard it was going to be for her to adapt to the outside world.
Depression is a common theme in any book about escaping from an extreme religion (or religion, in general). Her story isn't unique in that aspect, but that makes it no less heart breaking. Jumping into bad relationships, putting up with the same kind of abuse she was raised thinking was acceptable. Trying to survive in a strange place, with people who could never know, and would never understand, her story.
I had heard vaguely of this cult, but I had no idea they were still operating, and that is perhaps the most shocking thing of the whole book. One would hope that in the modern age, the rules and criminal activities have slacked off, but knowing the same woman is in charge, it's enough to make your heart stop for a moment.
I don't know if I could recommend this book, because it is so heart wrenching. But it's a really good read if you can handle it.
micahhortonhallett's review against another edition
3.0
Trauma in book form. If you are a victim of childhood abuse and/or have lived through an apocalyptic sect this will resonate.
mycreativedreamsco's review against another edition
5.0
WOW!!!
This book really opened my eyes to things around me and in the world things that you thought you only read in stories or heard about in history.
I recommend this read. It really opened my eyes to how things are for other people and how impressionable we can be.
I'll most likely read this again in the future.
This book really opened my eyes to things around me and in the world things that you thought you only read in stories or heard about in history.
I recommend this read. It really opened my eyes to how things are for other people and how impressionable we can be.
I'll most likely read this again in the future.
wellingtonestatelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad I read this book but I'm not sure I'll be able to use the right words to express how it made me feel. It's difficult to think about how these atrocious acts were being committed against children on the other side of the world, but in the same world where I was growing up. I felt the author was able to clearly convey her and siblings'/friends' emotions, having to deal with selfish, perhaps brain-washed adults, and being totally at their mercy. She painted a real picture of what it was like, for her, growing up in a "religious" cult. I'm glad that she and most of her family were able to escape the cult's clutches eventually, but sorry that they have not been able to truly realize full and happy, carefree lives. I didn't get the sense that Natacha has had any true redemption from her past. It still seems to have her in its clutches to some extent. She only referred to counseling in the last pages of the book, and didn't go into any details about how extensive it has been. She expressed that counselors couldn't really help a lot because they could not truly empathize with her background. I know the cult's name was originally "Children of God" but I hope that the victims in her family have been able to sort out the differences between this false god worshiped by the cult from The One True God and know that He is loving and does care for them. I think in these types of cases (speaking from some personal experience) it is only God who can truly empathize and heal someone completely from an abusive past. I hope she will continue to heal and am glad she was able to write this book so that we can learn from her experiences.
honniker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.75
This was another heartbreaking story of a girl who grew up in The Children of God. Out of all my readings about many different cults, I would say The Children of God is probably one of the most destructive. It is insane to me how much damage it did to the second generation, the children who were born into it and that just keeps getting confirmed the more I read about it. I appreciate Natacha's willingness to open up and tell her story so the rest of us know the horrors and perhaps are able to keep it from happening again.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Inside view of what it's like growing up in the Children of God cult. C.O.G. was very popular in the late 60's, 70's. Children were objects to abuse and sadly a large number (over 40) of ex C.O.G children have committed suicide as a result of the abuse.
cdvalentine's review against another edition
4.0
Natacha Tormey was born and raised in the Children of God cult. She recounts the physical, psychological, spiritual, and sexual abuse she endured and how she extracted herself from this cult's control. It wasn't easy leaving a life where everything was decided for her and stepping into freedom and all the responsibilities that come with it. Natacha Tormey does it anyways, despite fear and anxiety and her parents' disapproval.
Let's talk about her parents for a moment. I don't understand how they didn't know this environment was toxic for their children. I don't understand how anyone could see The Story of Davidito and think, "Yeah, this is perfectly normal. I can trust these people with my children." I just don't understand. Natacha Tormey is very forgiving and compassionate with her parents, which is more than I could be. Natacha Tormey - and so many like her - never had a choice in being a part of a cult. Her parents put her in harm's way again and again, and claimed it was for God and love. Child abuse is the antithesis of God and love. Let's be honest, they did it not for God but for the approval of the cult. How do your priorities get so screwed up?
Let's talk about her parents for a moment. I don't understand how they didn't know this environment was toxic for their children. I don't understand how anyone could see The Story of Davidito and think, "Yeah, this is perfectly normal. I can trust these people with my children." I just don't understand. Natacha Tormey is very forgiving and compassionate with her parents, which is more than I could be. Natacha Tormey - and so many like her - never had a choice in being a part of a cult. Her parents put her in harm's way again and again, and claimed it was for God and love. Child abuse is the antithesis of God and love. Let's be honest, they did it not for God but for the approval of the cult. How do your priorities get so screwed up?
willowtree7's review against another edition
5.0
This book gave an in depth look into life in a cult as a child. It's chilling to think such things went on all around the world, and children faced so much abuse. It never even crossed my mind what life outside the cult would be like after growing up in one. How much struggle one would face trying to understand a world they were raised to fear, and not learning anything on how to fit in. It was very real and full of raw emotion, and I thoroughly enjoyed the connection I felt reading this book.