Going Astray

by Christine Moore

At what precise moment does a curch become a cult? ... When Laura and Malcolm's everyday church joins a much larger American one, it all seems for the best. But their lives are turned upside down when the church community they move into becomes more and more cult-like in its behaviour. And when her toddler's life is risked by the church leaders, Laura knows she has to escape. Already, though, the community has become a prison, and she becomes more and more frantic in the struggle against her husband's and son's disinterest in leaving, her growing attraction to another man, and her confusion about basic Christian gifts of the Spirit. Finally Laura acts, but her breathtaking struggle to escape tears apart the family as this story of betrayal builds to a terrifying climax. ... Endorsements for "Going Astray": "This book is unlike anything else on the market at the moment - a page-turner. Issues of healing, gifts of the Spirit, faithfulness in marriage, and discipleship are dealt with in a thoughtful but challenging way as they emerge through the story, amid some delightful and humorous scenes. Get it and enjoy it!" - Rob and Marion White, Mainstream Network Ministries, www.mainstream-uk.com; co-founder and Chairman of Hope for Justice, www.hopeforjustice.org.uk ... "The author has so clearly depicted the horror of moving to a place where Christians would hope to find sanctuary, peace and love, but finding instead a prison." -Sue Gibbons, writer and TV producer

314 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tonia Parronchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will make you really think about your beliefs and look deeply inside yourselves.
Laura is so worried about her baby daughter Mel's hip problems, operations and long stays in hospital, that she cannot really focus on anything else, not even her families imminent move to a religious commune. At Jayfield's Corner, an old house specially renovated for the families of the New Wave of the Spirit Church Worldwide, Laura gradually begins to question and doubt her new way of life and the motivation of the other church members.
The book is well-written and had me worried about its outcome, as I hoped that Laura would manage to find the strength to rebel against the cult and escape.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit I wanted to slap the main character at first, but the way she found strength within herself when her family was threatened was excellent. Overall, I liked the honesty in this book. Not an easy topic and Moore writes well, with a bravery to say what many of us have thought at times, especially looking at the marital relationship. Food for thought and a good read.