What do you think?
Rate this book
The Word
After her parents split up, seven-year-old Lisa’s father convinces her to leave out the window in the middle of the night. After all, according to their religion, she belongs to him, and it is her duty to obey him. Ever the dutiful daughter, at least on the outside, and confused about the sinful changes in her mother (she’s cut her hair, there’s a new man around, she’s had a baby with him), Lisa complies.
She spends the next nine years on the run before the police finally catch up with her father, and she is returned to a mother who is “dead” in the eyes of their religion. But her father always had a plan for when the law came and took what was his―a plan that was set in motion the moment the police arrived at their home.
Now Lisa must make a follow the plan and go home again with the hope that she’ll see her brother and father again, or risk everything to figure out what life could be when she makes her own choices.
She spends the next nine years on the run before the police finally catch up with her father, and she is returned to a mother who is “dead” in the eyes of their religion. But her father always had a plan for when the law came and took what was his―a plan that was set in motion the moment the police arrived at their home.
Now Lisa must make a follow the plan and go home again with the hope that she’ll see her brother and father again, or risk everything to figure out what life could be when she makes her own choices.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
9 people are currently reading
3700 people want to read
About the author
Mary G. Thompson
11 books163 followersMary G. Thompson is the author of Wuftoom, which Booklist called “impressively unappetizing and absolutely unique,” and other novels for children and young adults. Her contemporary thriller Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee was a winner of the 2017 Westchester Fiction Award and a finalist for the 2018-2019 Missouri Gateway award. Her short fiction has appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Apex Magazine, and others. Mary is originally from Eugene, Oregon, where she attended the University of Oregon School of Law. She practiced law for seven years, including five years in the US Navy JAGC, and now works as a law librarian. A graduate of The New School’s Writing for Children program, she lives in Washington, DC. Find her on the web at http://marygthompson.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 18, 2024
I had high expectations going into this story, and I am disappointed.
The potential for a deep, emotional adventure was right there in the idea of the plot, but it didn't hit the mark for me. Ultimately, I appreciate the author's outlook on the experience of going through something such as being abducted by a parent afflicted with religious extremism.. and how she portrays this as a normal reality for them. Their "own little world," so to speak. In my opinion though, the book could have been better if it had been written in the third person rather than the first person perspective.
I would recommend this to people who like realistic horror. Human monsters, sociology and contorted philosophy among religions are the horrors experienced here.
The potential for a deep, emotional adventure was right there in the idea of the plot, but it didn't hit the mark for me. Ultimately, I appreciate the author's outlook on the experience of going through something such as being abducted by a parent afflicted with religious extremism.. and how she portrays this as a normal reality for them. Their "own little world," so to speak. In my opinion though, the book could have been better if it had been written in the third person rather than the first person perspective.
I would recommend this to people who like realistic horror. Human monsters, sociology and contorted philosophy among religions are the horrors experienced here.
October 19, 2024
THE WORD by Mary G Thompson tells the story of Alyssa/Lisa, kidnapped by her father into a cult that brainwashed her into believing she was owned by her father and her mother, though alive, was dead.
Though somewhat predictable, Thompson prose and development of Alyssa made for a sympathetic narrator who fought the teachings of The Word while fighting for here independence. The conflict was within Alyssa, despite having friends from America (people outside the cult) showing her a freer way of life. Her father and cult brother, both of whom controlled her, pulled Alyssa emotionally back toward The Word in an emotional crescendo where not everyone survives.
Though somewhat predictable, Thompson prose and development of Alyssa made for a sympathetic narrator who fought the teachings of The Word while fighting for here independence. The conflict was within Alyssa, despite having friends from America (people outside the cult) showing her a freer way of life. Her father and cult brother, both of whom controlled her, pulled Alyssa emotionally back toward The Word in an emotional crescendo where not everyone survives.
April 26, 2024
3 Stars
This book feels conflicted. It feels like it can't commit. What we get here is wonderful: a dip into the psychology of a girl brought up by a religious group that wants to keep her in her correct, feminine place. And that's a messy psychology right there, but... It just doesn't commit. It felt like this book kept pulling its punches, and it isn't all that long. I think there really needed to be more to it, to unspool the trauma this poor girl has gone through--to put her in a better place. And I didn't get that.
But, as I've said, what I did get was really good. So, you know, kind of conflicted. I'll go more into that in my full review, publishing at Gateway Reviews on May 10, 2024. Check it out when it goes live!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book feels conflicted. It feels like it can't commit. What we get here is wonderful: a dip into the psychology of a girl brought up by a religious group that wants to keep her in her correct, feminine place. And that's a messy psychology right there, but... It just doesn't commit. It felt like this book kept pulling its punches, and it isn't all that long. I think there really needed to be more to it, to unspool the trauma this poor girl has gone through--to put her in a better place. And I didn't get that.
But, as I've said, what I did get was really good. So, you know, kind of conflicted. I'll go more into that in my full review, publishing at Gateway Reviews on May 10, 2024. Check it out when it goes live!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
August 15, 2024
I never rate books but this was 5 stars.
I’ve never read a book that focuses so acutely on creating a three dimensional female main character. Sure, this book was about a religious cult, but it was so much more than that. It was about a young woman battling with two parts of herself, and trying to become her own person. It was about her discovering the agency she had over her body. It was about her learning to make decisions for herself. Even though Lisa’s story of being brainwashed by a cult isnt the typical female experience, her internal struggle is one all women can relate to.
This book was so beautiful and empowering i cried for the last 40 pages. The author did an amazing job making Lisa feel real, and by doing that, sending a message to every young woman that they are more than what other people expect of them.
I’ve never read a book that focuses so acutely on creating a three dimensional female main character. Sure, this book was about a religious cult, but it was so much more than that. It was about a young woman battling with two parts of herself, and trying to become her own person. It was about her discovering the agency she had over her body. It was about her learning to make decisions for herself. Even though Lisa’s story of being brainwashed by a cult isnt the typical female experience, her internal struggle is one all women can relate to.
This book was so beautiful and empowering i cried for the last 40 pages. The author did an amazing job making Lisa feel real, and by doing that, sending a message to every young woman that they are more than what other people expect of them.
June 4, 2024
Tw: domestic violence and cult-related brainwashing.
I knew going into this that it would be a messed up read, being about a girl stuck in a cult for most of her life, but oof, yeah, that was a messed up read. It was a compelling enough story that I blasted through the whole book in about three hours, though.
I knew going into this that it would be a messed up read, being about a girl stuck in a cult for most of her life, but oof, yeah, that was a messed up read. It was a compelling enough story that I blasted through the whole book in about three hours, though.
July 30, 2024
*review to come*
April 26, 2024
This was raw and emotional. I felt so strongly for our young protagonist, Lisa... A journey like this is so daunting.
Lisa has been on the run with her religious zealot father after she runs away with him in the night. All she has ever known from him and about the world is THE WORD... The word of God bestowed upon her father tells her to be forever dutiful, to be quiet, to be subservient. When her mother's efforts to find Lisa pay off and her father ends up in cuffs, she is now supposed to leave everything she has known and go back to her sinful mother. She will play it all off like this is okay. She is determined to make it through each day so she can finally get back to her father and brother.
The hitch, Lisa knows that there was a lot more to what really went on during her childhood, but she is so scared to open her eyes and let that scary truth in, and that broke my heart. I am drawn to things that show the really harmful side of worship. What man does in the name of a higher power that consistently is known for forgiveness and peace. This was a little different because The Word focused more on a different way of looking at the holy power. I found that both unique, and utterly terrifying because of what kind of bizarre entitlement that gives people.
This was an intense read for me as I deconstruct what religion and faith means to me. I would recommend this to anyone else who is doing the same.
Lisa has been on the run with her religious zealot father after she runs away with him in the night. All she has ever known from him and about the world is THE WORD... The word of God bestowed upon her father tells her to be forever dutiful, to be quiet, to be subservient. When her mother's efforts to find Lisa pay off and her father ends up in cuffs, she is now supposed to leave everything she has known and go back to her sinful mother. She will play it all off like this is okay. She is determined to make it through each day so she can finally get back to her father and brother.
The hitch, Lisa knows that there was a lot more to what really went on during her childhood, but she is so scared to open her eyes and let that scary truth in, and that broke my heart. I am drawn to things that show the really harmful side of worship. What man does in the name of a higher power that consistently is known for forgiveness and peace. This was a little different because The Word focused more on a different way of looking at the holy power. I found that both unique, and utterly terrifying because of what kind of bizarre entitlement that gives people.
This was an intense read for me as I deconstruct what religion and faith means to me. I would recommend this to anyone else who is doing the same.
May 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Word by Mary G. Thompson. All opinions are my own.
Our main character Lisa was kidnapped by her father and grew up in a cult after her parents' divorce. She was taken when only seven years old. The story picks up when she is older, and we get many flashbacks between how she ended up in the current timeline of the story. Lisa has lived her life adhering to many rules and restrictions living the "Truth" of Citizens of The Word. Her father is strict, rigid, and abusive. Pretty soon in the story you learn that she is found and returned to her mother. Being home is not as easy as one might think. Lisa tetters back and forth (for nearly the entire book) between what she has been taught all her life and if those things are actually true and should she continue living that life. The plot thickens toward the end of the book with a twist some might not see coming. The Word will be available on May 21 of this year. Happy Reading!
Our main character Lisa was kidnapped by her father and grew up in a cult after her parents' divorce. She was taken when only seven years old. The story picks up when she is older, and we get many flashbacks between how she ended up in the current timeline of the story. Lisa has lived her life adhering to many rules and restrictions living the "Truth" of Citizens of The Word. Her father is strict, rigid, and abusive. Pretty soon in the story you learn that she is found and returned to her mother. Being home is not as easy as one might think. Lisa tetters back and forth (for nearly the entire book) between what she has been taught all her life and if those things are actually true and should she continue living that life. The plot thickens toward the end of the book with a twist some might not see coming. The Word will be available on May 21 of this year. Happy Reading!
June 12, 2024
I'm always drawn to a book about a cult so I snatched this up from NetGalley right away. I was on edge throughout because I wanted Lisa to fit back in with her mom and family, but it was obvious there was something more in the works. And even though I wanted her to get back to "American" life, I could feel for her loyalty to the religion and the comfort it seemed to bring her, aside from all the really bad parts of the cult! It seems so obvious to us - people who have never been brainwashed by a religious cult - that her life before she was rescued was awful, but that's kind of the point of control and brainwashing, right? Thompson did a good job letting us see Lisa's thought process and how torn she was throughout as she tries to figure out what her life will be from here on out.
June 30, 2024
This book is in a similar vein as The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams and The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, two of my favorite books, so it caught my eye on the library shelf. After my own deconstruction of religion, books like The Word super resonate with me and I thought this was a compelling story that captured the struggle of deciding what to believe. I enjoyed the flow of the story, weaving the 'now' with her perspective at different ages. This wasn't a super fast-paced thriller, but it was still chilling and interesting. I definitely recommend it.
July 9, 2024
I picked this up on a whim because i’ve been in a bit of a slump and was hoping for a quick easy standalone to get me out of it, and i’m happy to report that’s exactly what this book did!
I’m always so drawn to things that expose the harmful and dangerous side of religion, usually leading me to nonfiction books. Despite this one being fiction, the author did a really good job representing the psychological aspects of being raised in a cult and then trying to unlearn everything you were taught. I really sympathized for Lisa and felt so attached to her by the end of the story.
Definitely recommend this read!
I’m always so drawn to things that expose the harmful and dangerous side of religion, usually leading me to nonfiction books. Despite this one being fiction, the author did a really good job representing the psychological aspects of being raised in a cult and then trying to unlearn everything you were taught. I really sympathized for Lisa and felt so attached to her by the end of the story.
Definitely recommend this read!
August 12, 2024
This was definitely an eye-opener about how cults work and the hold they have over people who you would think could process information critically. I am not dismissing the 16 year old main character as this is how she was raised. However it amazed me how so many adults were unable to see the illogic in their beliefs and remained steadfast in those beliefs. I really think Lisa's father used this beliefs as a reinforcement for his behavior. I wonder how much he really believed in the cult or did he just use it for a rationalization for his cruelty?
May 23, 2024
3.5/5 stars.
I’m conflicted about this one. On one hand, I find cult books to be incredibly fascinating, but on the other hand this book didn’t delve deeply enough into the psychology of how teenagers would handle the situation. I found the writing to be stiff and lacked emotional depth that I was expecting.
However, it was a quick read and sucked me in immediately. I wanted more from this: more background, everything happened so suddenly that it felt jarring at times.
I’m conflicted about this one. On one hand, I find cult books to be incredibly fascinating, but on the other hand this book didn’t delve deeply enough into the psychology of how teenagers would handle the situation. I found the writing to be stiff and lacked emotional depth that I was expecting.
However, it was a quick read and sucked me in immediately. I wanted more from this: more background, everything happened so suddenly that it felt jarring at times.
June 20, 2024
For some reason I am always fascinated by the subject matter of religious cults, and people who are adjusting to life after leaving them, etc. This book was no exception, I enjoyed trying to get into the mind of someone who had been brainwashed into very outlandish ways of thinking. I didn't really love the back and forth of the timeline, as it jumped around a little too much for my preference, but I did like the plot itself and most of the characters.
September 18, 2024
For some reason I find cult stories completely fascinating, and this one was no exception. I loved getting into the (brainwashed) mind of Lisa/Alyssa, and journeying along with her on her road of conflict. She was so conflicted at times, and had to learn that “both things can be true”. She had to really figure out who she was and what she wanted… and that that is not always clear cut in life especially given her circumstances.
July 9, 2024
YA thriller.
1st person POV.
Unfurling, jumpy timeline.
Decent characters (I esp loved Liam and Tree), good pacing. Quick read.
This lil book did a really good job showing the inner turmoil of a brainwashed kid and how hard it is to deconstruct what we've been taught as children.
TW: there's a cult, abuse, trauma responses, murder.
No spoilers here, so that's all I can say 😁
1st person POV.
Unfurling, jumpy timeline.
Decent characters (I esp loved Liam and Tree), good pacing. Quick read.
This lil book did a really good job showing the inner turmoil of a brainwashed kid and how hard it is to deconstruct what we've been taught as children.
TW: there's a cult, abuse, trauma responses, murder.
No spoilers here, so that's all I can say 😁
September 9, 2024
Interesting YA book about a girl kidnapped by her father when her mom leaves a cult and gets custody of her. She gets found and returned to her mom, but the brainwashing of the last nine years messes her up.
October 11, 2024
dnf @ 31%
I’m all for a religious trauma book and I figured this one could really deliver on that. But I got 92 pages into this thing and nothing has happened. The relevant content to page ratio probably could be condensed into 20 pages.
This cover though: 😍
I’m all for a religious trauma book and I figured this one could really deliver on that. But I got 92 pages into this thing and nothing has happened. The relevant content to page ratio probably could be condensed into 20 pages.
This cover though: 😍
November 14, 2024
I love that Thompson takes pains to offer nuance in Lisa’s situation and psychology. The good/evil trope is subtly deconstructed in a way that feels true and honest in its complexity. Highly recommended!
May 13, 2025
Good Coming of Age & Cult Mix
This story was a quick read, but the main character felt well developed and round. I was shocked, on the edge of my seat, and even mildly surprised by a few of the events in this book. Give it a read.
This story was a quick read, but the main character felt well developed and round. I was shocked, on the edge of my seat, and even mildly surprised by a few of the events in this book. Give it a read.
May 19, 2024
Great book about a girl who is rescued from a cult but doesn't necessarily think she wants to be rescued. Mixes an exciting premise with a coming-of-age experience perfect for YA.
May 21, 2024
RTC
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy to review!
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy to review!
June 23, 2024
I think my expectations for this were just a little too high. It was...okay. I think I wanted more crazy cult stuff than what we got, but I liked Lisa's voice.
Read
July 13, 2024DNF at 2%
The writing style ☹️
The writing style ☹️
July 15, 2024
3.5 stars
Read
August 23, 2024DNF at 92 pages
September 21, 2024
This book won’t be for everybody. You are living inside the head of a conflicted teenager. The timeline is all over the place. But the insight into someone living in worlds essentially is definitely worth the read.
September 25, 2024
I liked the flow and the voice, and the structure mixing several timelines. I found the spoiler at the end a bit over the top, in terms of my sympathy with the character.
October 29, 2024
Would prob say 3.5 stars, it was entertaining but some parts were a little repetitive. The switches in timeline were a little confusing at some points. It was an interesting book though.
March 10, 2025
3.8-- really enjoyed besides some ragging on homeschooling and some of the religious stuff. But well written, and kept me flipping pages all night!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews