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ladylunatunes 's review for:
Daughter of Gloriavale: My Life in a Religious Cult
by Lilia Tarawa
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!