What do you think?
Rate this book
Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties
In this poignant and disturbing memoir of lost innocence, coercion, survival, and healing, Dianne Lake chronicles her years with Charles Manson, revealing for the first time how she became the youngest member of his Family and offering new insights into one of the twentieth century’s most notorious criminals and life as one of his “girls”
At age fourteen Dianne Lake—with little more than a note in her pocket from her hippie parents granting her permission to leave them—became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson. Over the course of two years, the impressionable teenager endured manipulation, psychological control, and physical abuse as the harsh realities and looming darkness of Charles Manson’s true nature revealed itself. From Spahn ranch and the group acid trips, to the Beatles’ White Album and Manson’s dangerous messiah-complex, Dianne tells the riveting story of the group’s descent into madness as she lived it.
Though she never participated in any of the group’s gruesome crimes and was purposely insulated from them, Dianne was arrested with the rest of the Manson Family, and eventually learned enough to join the prosecution’s case against them. With the help of good Samaritans, including the cop who first arrested her and later adopted her, the courageous young woman eventually found redemption and grew up to lead an ordinary life.
While much has been written about Charles Manson, this riveting account from an actual Family member is a chilling portrait that recreates in vivid detail one of the most horrifying and fascinating chapters in modern American history.
Member of the Family includes 16 pages of photographs.
At age fourteen Dianne Lake—with little more than a note in her pocket from her hippie parents granting her permission to leave them—became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson. Over the course of two years, the impressionable teenager endured manipulation, psychological control, and physical abuse as the harsh realities and looming darkness of Charles Manson’s true nature revealed itself. From Spahn ranch and the group acid trips, to the Beatles’ White Album and Manson’s dangerous messiah-complex, Dianne tells the riveting story of the group’s descent into madness as she lived it.
Though she never participated in any of the group’s gruesome crimes and was purposely insulated from them, Dianne was arrested with the rest of the Manson Family, and eventually learned enough to join the prosecution’s case against them. With the help of good Samaritans, including the cop who first arrested her and later adopted her, the courageous young woman eventually found redemption and grew up to lead an ordinary life.
While much has been written about Charles Manson, this riveting account from an actual Family member is a chilling portrait that recreates in vivid detail one of the most horrifying and fascinating chapters in modern American history.
Member of the Family includes 16 pages of photographs.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2017
801 people are currently reading
9610 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews
June 2, 2020
Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties by Dianne Lake, Deborah Herman is a 2017 William Morrow publication.
Raw, brutally honest, and harrowing account of Dianne Lake’s life in the Manson Cult.
It goes without saying that this book is difficult to read. Dianne holds nothing back as she takes us through her life, explaining how she ended up with Manson and what her life was like inside his cult, living under his thumb, and how she survived.
First and foremost, don’t start labeling me as judgmental until you’ve read this book, because I’m going to call out Dianne’s parents right away. In my opinion, Dianne’s vulnerability stems from a lack of direction and accountability from her parents, who let her down in a big way. Their selfishness, lack of maturity, and complete irresponsibility, led a fourteen -year old girl directly into the path of a psychopath. As a child, she had already experienced some ghastly situations in her family, which, coupled with her parent’s behavior, made her a prime target for Manson’s con, and Dianne fell for it hook, line and sinker.
If you want an insider’s look into what took place during the years leading up to the Manson murders, this is it. You couldn’t get a more candid story than this one. Even if you know a lot about the case, the trial, and so on, Dianne’s story, no matter how knowledgeable you think are, will leave you stunned, shocked, and bereft for everyone who suffered at the hands of this monstrous lunatic.
I won’t go into details, because you want to hear Dianne tell her story, her way. But I highly recommend this book to anyone who can stomach the many difficult passages it contains, because Dianne’s story is ultimately one of triumph, even if she downplays it.
This lady was brave beyond words and she really, sincerely turned her life around. Many people come out of situations like the one Dianne found herself in and have a hard time getting themselves together, understandably.
But sometimes people really do find strength in their faith, which is what Dianne did. Not to sound too cynical, but often times when someone survives a traumatic experience, they have a short- lived dalliance with God or religion. But, for Dianne, it’s the real deal. I believe every word that came out of her mouth, and I do believe she is a real, sincere Christian lady. She endured so much and of course the demons of the past never fully went away. She still has scars and endured challenges in life, of course, and it has taken years of therapy, but I think she's been blessed with a normal, quiet life -for the most part. I think writing this book was cathartic for her and I'm glad she was brave enough to share her personal experience with us, no matter how harrowing.
When the Manson murders took place, I was nowhere near old enough to truly comprehend how chilling the crimes were. I remember seeing the news reports, and I do remember Manson and his ‘girls’, scared me to death.
As a teenager, I attempted to read ‘Helter Skelter’ but it gave me nightmares. I don’t think I ever made it to the end of that one, and I’ve tried to read it multiple times- although I think I might have screwed up my courage to try reading it again.
Just as Jeff Guinn’s book, Manson was released a slew of other books came out around that time pertaining to Manson and his commune/cult. I passed on all of those because Manson still had that eerie effect on me, even though I have read many terrifying true crime books over the years and read tons of dark crime fiction. ( I may also give Jeff Guinn's book a try someday- He did a great job with The Road to Jonestown)
So, while I saw this book had received high marks, I passed on it, and kept doing so for a while. Then I read "The Girls", by Emma Cline- mainly because I knew is fictional- which piqued my curiosity about this book. So, after seeing it continually pop up on my radar, countless times, I finally felt compelled to try it.
I now have a much better understanding of Manson’s pathos, and how he managed to have such a strong hold on the people living in his commune. He was a con man, pure evil, and without conscience.
Dianne’s story is utterly terrifying, and is truly the stuff nightmares are made of. While her personal journey is a poignant one, at the end of the day, she has proven that with her faith, her temerity, the love of her husband, and the support of her children, she is a strong, inspirational person, who can finally make peace with her past.
Overall, this is a very compelling memoir. It has MAJOR trigger passages, which should go without saying. It’s a very, very disturbing story, and very difficult and hard to comprehend on so many levels, even after all this time.
However, I still think it is worth the discomfort to see Dianne triumph over her demons.
5 stars
Raw, brutally honest, and harrowing account of Dianne Lake’s life in the Manson Cult.
It goes without saying that this book is difficult to read. Dianne holds nothing back as she takes us through her life, explaining how she ended up with Manson and what her life was like inside his cult, living under his thumb, and how she survived.
First and foremost, don’t start labeling me as judgmental until you’ve read this book, because I’m going to call out Dianne’s parents right away. In my opinion, Dianne’s vulnerability stems from a lack of direction and accountability from her parents, who let her down in a big way. Their selfishness, lack of maturity, and complete irresponsibility, led a fourteen -year old girl directly into the path of a psychopath. As a child, she had already experienced some ghastly situations in her family, which, coupled with her parent’s behavior, made her a prime target for Manson’s con, and Dianne fell for it hook, line and sinker.
If you want an insider’s look into what took place during the years leading up to the Manson murders, this is it. You couldn’t get a more candid story than this one. Even if you know a lot about the case, the trial, and so on, Dianne’s story, no matter how knowledgeable you think are, will leave you stunned, shocked, and bereft for everyone who suffered at the hands of this monstrous lunatic.
I won’t go into details, because you want to hear Dianne tell her story, her way. But I highly recommend this book to anyone who can stomach the many difficult passages it contains, because Dianne’s story is ultimately one of triumph, even if she downplays it.
This lady was brave beyond words and she really, sincerely turned her life around. Many people come out of situations like the one Dianne found herself in and have a hard time getting themselves together, understandably.
But sometimes people really do find strength in their faith, which is what Dianne did. Not to sound too cynical, but often times when someone survives a traumatic experience, they have a short- lived dalliance with God or religion. But, for Dianne, it’s the real deal. I believe every word that came out of her mouth, and I do believe she is a real, sincere Christian lady. She endured so much and of course the demons of the past never fully went away. She still has scars and endured challenges in life, of course, and it has taken years of therapy, but I think she's been blessed with a normal, quiet life -for the most part. I think writing this book was cathartic for her and I'm glad she was brave enough to share her personal experience with us, no matter how harrowing.
When the Manson murders took place, I was nowhere near old enough to truly comprehend how chilling the crimes were. I remember seeing the news reports, and I do remember Manson and his ‘girls’, scared me to death.
As a teenager, I attempted to read ‘Helter Skelter’ but it gave me nightmares. I don’t think I ever made it to the end of that one, and I’ve tried to read it multiple times- although I think I might have screwed up my courage to try reading it again.
Just as Jeff Guinn’s book, Manson was released a slew of other books came out around that time pertaining to Manson and his commune/cult. I passed on all of those because Manson still had that eerie effect on me, even though I have read many terrifying true crime books over the years and read tons of dark crime fiction. ( I may also give Jeff Guinn's book a try someday- He did a great job with The Road to Jonestown)
So, while I saw this book had received high marks, I passed on it, and kept doing so for a while. Then I read "The Girls", by Emma Cline- mainly because I knew is fictional- which piqued my curiosity about this book. So, after seeing it continually pop up on my radar, countless times, I finally felt compelled to try it.
I now have a much better understanding of Manson’s pathos, and how he managed to have such a strong hold on the people living in his commune. He was a con man, pure evil, and without conscience.
Dianne’s story is utterly terrifying, and is truly the stuff nightmares are made of. While her personal journey is a poignant one, at the end of the day, she has proven that with her faith, her temerity, the love of her husband, and the support of her children, she is a strong, inspirational person, who can finally make peace with her past.
Overall, this is a very compelling memoir. It has MAJOR trigger passages, which should go without saying. It’s a very, very disturbing story, and very difficult and hard to comprehend on so many levels, even after all this time.
However, I still think it is worth the discomfort to see Dianne triumph over her demons.
5 stars
March 8, 2018
At 14 I became one of Charles Manson's girls. At 17 I helped put him in prison'......
"Member of the Family - Manson, Murder and Me" is the true story of Charles Manson, one of the 20th Century's most notorious criminal figures - of life inside his cult, the group's descent into madness and the darkness that ended the sixties. Dianne Lake was the youngest and among the earliest of his recruits to what became infamously known as, the 'Family'. She did not participate in the infamous Tate-Labianca murders but witnessed the aftermath and unwittingly received each of the murderer's confessions. She eventually ended up serving as the last key witness in the trial that put each of the murderers in jail. This is her story....
I was truly interested and fascinated in Dianne's childhood and upbringing and how she became inducted into the Manson 'Family' to become one of 'Charlie's girls'. I was engrossed in her life story and found it very gripping reading. The details she went into was harrowing but very compelling and I really felt sad for her and the others involved in the notorious cult, suffering psychological control and physical abuse.
I could fully understand how she wanted to keep that life separate from her new one, she was so young and once she had given her final evidence in court to help convict Manson she just wanted to put it all behind her and start a new life, which she did until that forever feared phone call happened, "Are you Dianne Lake?" the name she hadn't used in over thirty years.
I've always been a huge fan of true crime and I loved reading this chilling portrait, I was particularly interested in the many photographs included in the book that accompanied the story. I would highly recommend "Member of the Family" to non fiction crime readers of all ages even those not overly familiar with the horrifying but fascinating Charles Manson story, it's an addictive and compelling confession that's never been told before and one I'm sure Dianne is very pleased to have finally written.
5 stars
"Member of the Family - Manson, Murder and Me" is the true story of Charles Manson, one of the 20th Century's most notorious criminal figures - of life inside his cult, the group's descent into madness and the darkness that ended the sixties. Dianne Lake was the youngest and among the earliest of his recruits to what became infamously known as, the 'Family'. She did not participate in the infamous Tate-Labianca murders but witnessed the aftermath and unwittingly received each of the murderer's confessions. She eventually ended up serving as the last key witness in the trial that put each of the murderers in jail. This is her story....
I was truly interested and fascinated in Dianne's childhood and upbringing and how she became inducted into the Manson 'Family' to become one of 'Charlie's girls'. I was engrossed in her life story and found it very gripping reading. The details she went into was harrowing but very compelling and I really felt sad for her and the others involved in the notorious cult, suffering psychological control and physical abuse.
I could fully understand how she wanted to keep that life separate from her new one, she was so young and once she had given her final evidence in court to help convict Manson she just wanted to put it all behind her and start a new life, which she did until that forever feared phone call happened, "Are you Dianne Lake?" the name she hadn't used in over thirty years.
I've always been a huge fan of true crime and I loved reading this chilling portrait, I was particularly interested in the many photographs included in the book that accompanied the story. I would highly recommend "Member of the Family" to non fiction crime readers of all ages even those not overly familiar with the horrifying but fascinating Charles Manson story, it's an addictive and compelling confession that's never been told before and one I'm sure Dianne is very pleased to have finally written.
5 stars
December 27, 2017
What a harrowing, sad and compelling read this was, Dianne Lake was the youngest member of Charles Manson’s Family and she goes into great detail revealing the three years she spent as a member of one of the most notorious cults in the world. Since she was just a child during her time with Manson this is all the more haunting to know that such a young girl experienced so many horrors at the hands of a deranged and sick individual. Even knowing it’s all true it’s hard to imagine that the events she describes actually happened, at times I forgot I wasn’t reading a fictional tale.
Unlike many books out there about Charles Manson this doesn’t focus solely on the horrific murders but instead is truly Lake’s personal story beginning in her young childhood up until she met Manson and then some bits and pieces about her adult life. As fascinated as I was by the stories she shared about the way The Family lived and obeyed Manson, the psychological aspect really gripped me. This was a teenaged girl who was not only engaging in adult activities such as group sex, drug abuse and an incredibly unstable, transient lifestyle she was also being controlled and manipulated by an older man with awful intentions and also abused her both physically, verbally and emotionally. It was truly sickening and her bravery at sharing the darkest moments of her life was impressive.
If you’re interested at all in what life is like living in a cult this is the book for you, Lake is unflinchingly honest about what she was thinking and feeling during her time in The Family and her memory of events so many years ago is seriously amazing. Since she wasn’t present during the murders they honestly don’t play a huge role in the story, but this is still a very fascinating psychological look at how one can fall prey to the manipulation of a conman.
Unlike many books out there about Charles Manson this doesn’t focus solely on the horrific murders but instead is truly Lake’s personal story beginning in her young childhood up until she met Manson and then some bits and pieces about her adult life. As fascinated as I was by the stories she shared about the way The Family lived and obeyed Manson, the psychological aspect really gripped me. This was a teenaged girl who was not only engaging in adult activities such as group sex, drug abuse and an incredibly unstable, transient lifestyle she was also being controlled and manipulated by an older man with awful intentions and also abused her both physically, verbally and emotionally. It was truly sickening and her bravery at sharing the darkest moments of her life was impressive.
If you’re interested at all in what life is like living in a cult this is the book for you, Lake is unflinchingly honest about what she was thinking and feeling during her time in The Family and her memory of events so many years ago is seriously amazing. Since she wasn’t present during the murders they honestly don’t play a huge role in the story, but this is still a very fascinating psychological look at how one can fall prey to the manipulation of a conman.
November 27, 2017
Author Dianne Lake (1953-) became the youngest member of the Manson family at 14, and she shares her incredible story in “Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside his Cult and the Darkness that Ended the Sixties” Dianne had lived an ordinary life as a wife, mother, and special education teacher—her married name had afforded her a degree of anonymity, and she had not disclosed her story publically or with her children. This would change with the call of a reporter looking for more information related to the shocking notorious Manson murders that occured in 1969.
With the 50th year anniversary of the Tate-LaBianca murders approaching, Lake wanted the truth of her story and connection to the Charles Manson Family told. Originally from Minnesota, her idealistic free spirited parents embraced the philosophy of Timothy Leary, Dianne’s story is rich in 1960’s history of the California music scene where thousands attended the free music festivals in public parks. Dianne began smoking pot with her parents as a young teen, and became greatly concerned about her unconventional directionless upbringing. In 1966, her father moved their family into a converted bread truck to live the life of freedom “dropping out” from societal rules and expectations.
In 1967, when she met Charles Manson she was enchanted by the charismatic mesmerizing leader who had attracted a “family” of adoring followers. For the first time in her young life she felt a genuine love and acceptance from Charlie and his followers, over the cool indifference and disinterest of her parents. There was little known about the influence of cult movements at the time. After the murders, Dianne was arrested at the Barker Ranch, and admitted to a psychiatric ward for her own safety. Later, she entered foster care and testified against Charles Manson in November 1970. During the trial, she felt a surge of insight about how evil and manipulative Manson actually was.
This is a remarkable one of a kind story! Lake doesn’t recount the actual crimes committed by the women she had once regarded as sisters, and avoided discussing the social and cultural impact and influence of Charles Manson and his revolting criminal conduct. Instead, the focus is on a very confused young teen, who, without a loving stable influence fell through a wide cultural crack, and was forced to find her way back to a normal life that she appreciated more than anyone could ever guess or know.
With the 50th year anniversary of the Tate-LaBianca murders approaching, Lake wanted the truth of her story and connection to the Charles Manson Family told. Originally from Minnesota, her idealistic free spirited parents embraced the philosophy of Timothy Leary, Dianne’s story is rich in 1960’s history of the California music scene where thousands attended the free music festivals in public parks. Dianne began smoking pot with her parents as a young teen, and became greatly concerned about her unconventional directionless upbringing. In 1966, her father moved their family into a converted bread truck to live the life of freedom “dropping out” from societal rules and expectations.
In 1967, when she met Charles Manson she was enchanted by the charismatic mesmerizing leader who had attracted a “family” of adoring followers. For the first time in her young life she felt a genuine love and acceptance from Charlie and his followers, over the cool indifference and disinterest of her parents. There was little known about the influence of cult movements at the time. After the murders, Dianne was arrested at the Barker Ranch, and admitted to a psychiatric ward for her own safety. Later, she entered foster care and testified against Charles Manson in November 1970. During the trial, she felt a surge of insight about how evil and manipulative Manson actually was.
This is a remarkable one of a kind story! Lake doesn’t recount the actual crimes committed by the women she had once regarded as sisters, and avoided discussing the social and cultural impact and influence of Charles Manson and his revolting criminal conduct. Instead, the focus is on a very confused young teen, who, without a loving stable influence fell through a wide cultural crack, and was forced to find her way back to a normal life that she appreciated more than anyone could ever guess or know.
August 11, 2018
First things first: MAJOR FUCKTON TRIGGER WARNING
I don't usually talk about potential triggers in books when I review, but I'm making an exception for this one. If you decide to read this, be prepared for extensive and frequent descriptions of the manipulation, sexual assault, and rape of a 14 year old. Like the level of detail was stomach turning. And as much as I enjoyed the narration in the audiobook, I wish I would have gone with a physical copy. I definitely wanted to skim sometimes.
So, would I recommend this to anyone?
If you asked me if I liked it, I'd kind of stare at you for a minute, then probably ramble something along the lines of "liking" being a word I don't think I can use, but it was good. Like with something as graphic and traumatic as The Girl Next Door, there's more distance. Here, the events are in your face. This is a "member of the family" herself telling the story, and it's true and horrible and fascinating and all kinds of things.
I thought the choice to devote a significant amount of time to her past worked well. It's about Manson and cult life, but without developing her past with her parents, LSD, and hippie culture it wouldn't have the same impact.
I can't really compare it to any other Manson nonfiction (this is my first, though I'm planning on reading Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson at some point). But I will speculate that this book has an advantage in not focusing so much on the murders.
So, what's my final verdict on Member of the Family?
The story is good, but really disturbing. Currently, I think the good aspects outweigh the drawbacks, but it's not a book I'd revisit.
I don't usually talk about potential triggers in books when I review, but I'm making an exception for this one. If you decide to read this, be prepared for extensive and frequent descriptions of the manipulation, sexual assault, and rape of a 14 year old. Like the level of detail was stomach turning. And as much as I enjoyed the narration in the audiobook, I wish I would have gone with a physical copy. I definitely wanted to skim sometimes.
So, would I recommend this to anyone?
If you asked me if I liked it, I'd kind of stare at you for a minute, then probably ramble something along the lines of "liking" being a word I don't think I can use, but it was good. Like with something as graphic and traumatic as The Girl Next Door, there's more distance. Here, the events are in your face. This is a "member of the family" herself telling the story, and it's true and horrible and fascinating and all kinds of things.
I thought the choice to devote a significant amount of time to her past worked well. It's about Manson and cult life, but without developing her past with her parents, LSD, and hippie culture it wouldn't have the same impact.
I can't really compare it to any other Manson nonfiction (this is my first, though I'm planning on reading Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson at some point). But I will speculate that this book has an advantage in not focusing so much on the murders.
So, what's my final verdict on Member of the Family?
The story is good, but really disturbing. Currently, I think the good aspects outweigh the drawbacks, but it's not a book I'd revisit.
January 8, 2023
A fascinating, real-life companion piece to Emma Cline's The Girls.
I found this a riveting read. Not just for the insight into Lake’s time spent as part of the Manson family or how a young girl – or anyone for that matter – can get sucked and manipulated into a dangerous cult. But also for its depiction of the shadow sides to the 60’s emancipatory hippie ideals, not only embodied in the obvious case of Manson, but also in Lake’s own parents who decide to ‘drop out’ and immerse themselves in the alleged freedom of hippie culture. Without a thought for the consequences for their children or the family.
The book does a great job of describing 60’s counterculture and is a fascinating and frightening inside account of life with the Manson family. As a reader you can slowly sense the darkness descend as the story gets closer to those horrid days in the summer of 1969.
I found this a riveting read. Not just for the insight into Lake’s time spent as part of the Manson family or how a young girl – or anyone for that matter – can get sucked and manipulated into a dangerous cult. But also for its depiction of the shadow sides to the 60’s emancipatory hippie ideals, not only embodied in the obvious case of Manson, but also in Lake’s own parents who decide to ‘drop out’ and immerse themselves in the alleged freedom of hippie culture. Without a thought for the consequences for their children or the family.
The book does a great job of describing 60’s counterculture and is a fascinating and frightening inside account of life with the Manson family. As a reader you can slowly sense the darkness descend as the story gets closer to those horrid days in the summer of 1969.
January 21, 2021
I picked this book up for my new series on YouTube called Reading Recs Sent by You (watch the reading vlog HERE: https://youtu.be/1MDtxwXlgAk). My friend Penny recommended this book and I was already in love with it only 78 pages in. I loved the 60s vibes and all the stories about the hippies having huge dance parties outside and taking LSD. I really enjoy that Dianne tells the whole story of her life and that the entire book isn't about her life with Charles Manson.
*lots of trigger warnings for sexual assault, child abuse, drug abuse, and more*
Dianne mentions many times how she missed when her family was "normal" living in a nice house, eating dinner together, etc. It really made me feel bad for her because her parent practically abandoned her at such a young age because they thought their commune hippie lives were more important.
Page 236: "But that's what it means to be in a cult: You lose a part of yourself to someone else or to the group, so that your entire mind no longer belongs to you. Nobody chooses to be in a cult."
I absolutely loved this book and how dark and disturbing it was. I learned so much about Charles Manson and his cult following that I didn't know before and this whole story was so dark, but very intriguing to me. I would love to watch a documentary about Charles Manson or even listen to an interview.
Hear more thoughts by watching my vlog (no spoilers): https://youtu.be/1MDtxwXlgAk
*lots of trigger warnings for sexual assault, child abuse, drug abuse, and more*
Dianne mentions many times how she missed when her family was "normal" living in a nice house, eating dinner together, etc. It really made me feel bad for her because her parent practically abandoned her at such a young age because they thought their commune hippie lives were more important.
Page 236: "But that's what it means to be in a cult: You lose a part of yourself to someone else or to the group, so that your entire mind no longer belongs to you. Nobody chooses to be in a cult."
I absolutely loved this book and how dark and disturbing it was. I learned so much about Charles Manson and his cult following that I didn't know before and this whole story was so dark, but very intriguing to me. I would love to watch a documentary about Charles Manson or even listen to an interview.
Hear more thoughts by watching my vlog (no spoilers): https://youtu.be/1MDtxwXlgAk
February 2, 2019
Whoa! Exceeds expectations, to put it mildly. I couldn't put it down, to the detriment of my real life, even though I could have googled at any time to see how it turned out.
Dianne Lake wasn't there for the murders, and was never sentenced for anything. She was a minor, 16 in 1969 at the time of the killings, and 14 (!) when she was recruited to the Family. But her story starts long before that, as these things do, with a father who dove wholeheartedly into the spiritual exploration and ethos of the 60's, apparently oblivious to the impact on his family, and a mother who was slavishly loyal and possibly without real options in the culture at the time.
Of course I'm a fan of religious cult survival tales, but I've never read about the Manson family. Other than The Girls The Girls (pfft, read this instead). Like all good survivor stories do, they carry the story through all the things that happen to a normal person that make said normal person susceptible, and how eventually, incrementally, they become someone very not normal indeed, in an extremely altered reality and unimaginable mental captivity.
And then, surfacing. The bubble bursts, not suddenly, but in slow motion, and the now very marginal person must creep and be coaxed back into sanity and wellness. In her case, to go back to high school and resume Grade 10, oh, and testify at the Manson trials.
This journey, from normal to not-at-all, and back, is the real story, no matter the backdrop. A mystery story. This is the appeal - we want to know How does a beautiful teenage girl reach a place where she's stabbing a pregnant film star dozens of times? Well, read on, because this book tells the story very well.
This girl went through some terrible years from a very young age, and more than one commune, before finding Charlie. The book is kind of non-fiction thick, but there is not a page wasted. It's one crazy thing after another, rolling forward to the well known outcome, and after that, the unknown personal outcome for Dianne. How did she make it back?
I found myself staring at her wedding pictures from the 70's, her face sincerely joyous, because it was reassuring that she survived all that and could be happy, and reasonably whole? What an accomplishment!
Serious props to Deborah Herman - excellent writing and skillful use of foreshadowing and description and tension. It makes a powerful story riveting.
Dianne Lake wasn't there for the murders, and was never sentenced for anything. She was a minor, 16 in 1969 at the time of the killings, and 14 (!) when she was recruited to the Family. But her story starts long before that, as these things do, with a father who dove wholeheartedly into the spiritual exploration and ethos of the 60's, apparently oblivious to the impact on his family, and a mother who was slavishly loyal and possibly without real options in the culture at the time.
Of course I'm a fan of religious cult survival tales, but I've never read about the Manson family. Other than The Girls The Girls (pfft, read this instead). Like all good survivor stories do, they carry the story through all the things that happen to a normal person that make said normal person susceptible, and how eventually, incrementally, they become someone very not normal indeed, in an extremely altered reality and unimaginable mental captivity.
And then, surfacing. The bubble bursts, not suddenly, but in slow motion, and the now very marginal person must creep and be coaxed back into sanity and wellness. In her case, to go back to high school and resume Grade 10, oh, and testify at the Manson trials.
This journey, from normal to not-at-all, and back, is the real story, no matter the backdrop. A mystery story. This is the appeal - we want to know How does a beautiful teenage girl reach a place where she's stabbing a pregnant film star dozens of times? Well, read on, because this book tells the story very well.
This girl went through some terrible years from a very young age, and more than one commune, before finding Charlie. The book is kind of non-fiction thick, but there is not a page wasted. It's one crazy thing after another, rolling forward to the well known outcome, and after that, the unknown personal outcome for Dianne. How did she make it back?
I found myself staring at her wedding pictures from the 70's, her face sincerely joyous, because it was reassuring that she survived all that and could be happy, and reasonably whole? What an accomplishment!
Serious props to Deborah Herman - excellent writing and skillful use of foreshadowing and description and tension. It makes a powerful story riveting.
December 9, 2017
I found this to be an incredibly involving read that kept my interest and overall really blew me away. Having read quite a few of the many books written about the murders through the years, and having collected some along the way, I've always been strangely intrigued by the whole story like many people. Written by Dianne Lake, who tells her story of joining the Manson Family as its youngest member at age 14 after becoming lonely and unhappy with her commune-living hippie like family after they "dropped out" about a year earlier and left her missing her friends and school, and a normal life.
Looking for love and feeling unwanted by her own family, she thought she'd found it with Manson and his girls, as her family had abdicated being parents to her so they could be free spirits and do their own thing while all 3 of their children mostly raised themselves. They'd already tried to offload Dianne before with just a note transferring "custody", and when Diane went off with Manson they had no real home for her to return to, living in a converted bread truck by that time in a commune where Dianne wasn't welcome. They left Dianne completely vulnerable and ready to fall under the spell of a conman such as Charles Manson and his scams, and fall for it she did .
I do feel that this is a must-read for any serious reader of the books about the Manson Family. I found it to be one of the better books telling details that were unknown before, as someone who was a member for 2 years and giving insight into why she went with Manson and stayed as long as she did and also why she testified against them later. It also has the benefit of many years to think about it to provide clarity on her life both before and after her life with the Family. Thanks for reading.
Looking for love and feeling unwanted by her own family, she thought she'd found it with Manson and his girls, as her family had abdicated being parents to her so they could be free spirits and do their own thing while all 3 of their children mostly raised themselves. They'd already tried to offload Dianne before with just a note transferring "custody", and when Diane went off with Manson they had no real home for her to return to, living in a converted bread truck by that time in a commune where Dianne wasn't welcome. They left Dianne completely vulnerable and ready to fall under the spell of a conman such as Charles Manson and his scams, and fall for it she did .
I do feel that this is a must-read for any serious reader of the books about the Manson Family. I found it to be one of the better books telling details that were unknown before, as someone who was a member for 2 years and giving insight into why she went with Manson and stayed as long as she did and also why she testified against them later. It also has the benefit of many years to think about it to provide clarity on her life both before and after her life with the Family. Thanks for reading.
May 8, 2018
This is another review that proves how “uncultured” I am, because I honestly don’t know very much about Charles Manson & the Family. This book was mostly new information for me as a result. I found it supremely interesting and can’t wait to get my hands on “Helter Skelter”.
October 27, 2017
Could not put it down!
A fascinating, troubling look at the 60's counterculture movement, and how it was perverted by a madman. Having grown up in this era, it has given me a new appreciation for my over protective parents. The author's story, while sad, is ultimately an uplifting view of the power of the human spirit and the power of God.
A fascinating, troubling look at the 60's counterculture movement, and how it was perverted by a madman. Having grown up in this era, it has given me a new appreciation for my over protective parents. The author's story, while sad, is ultimately an uplifting view of the power of the human spirit and the power of God.
June 8, 2018
Ok, at first I was skeptical. I kind of thought this would be another self-serving account of a Manson follower trying to excuse murders. But nothing could be further from the truth.
Dianne Lake was just 14 years old when she joined Charles Manson's cult... (just let that sink in for a minute). At 16, members of "The Family" went on their gruesome two-night murder spree. At 17, she found herself in a courtroom testifying against her friends, helping to put them behind bars where most of them remain.
How she ended up there was no surprise, as her mother and father would be up for the "Worst Parents Ever" award. In their own self-absorbed quest to achieve "high hippiedom", they gave their daughter pot at 13, LSD at 14, and would randomly leave her with older men and women to be used as a sex object. Or they might just leave her somewhere, assuming she'd find her way home somehow. "Home" for their family of five was a converted bread truck that allowed them to pick up and go whenever, wherever. Once, after a hearing at juvenile hall, her parents actually gave her the choice of going home, or back to "The Family". She ran straight back into the arms of Charles Manson and her "sisters". This was where she felt most at home. So forget Manson. This book is about how NOT to be parent!
I've read other books on Charles Manson and his cult, seen the documentaries. Dianne Lake's account is the most insightful, explanatory of the group. She has firsthand knowledge, and she really can dissect the appeal of Manson to his ragtag followers, and the techniques he used to maintain control over them. Unbelievably, he was the "father figure" that most of the runaway and cast off girls wanted. But he could also be quite violent with these girls- both physically and sexually. Lake accounts a vicious rape by Manson in an abandoned caravan.
The story of Charles Manson and his cult will never cease to fascinate. Right from the off, this memoir grabbed my interest. In some ways it feels wrong to say I "enjoyed" this book. I mean, this isn't fiction. It's someone's real life and real horrors. Compelling and heartbreaking, but ultimately the book was uplifting. Kudos to Ms. Lake for coming out on the other side of abuse and insanity as a normal, successful and decent human being. Not many did.
Dianne Lake was just 14 years old when she joined Charles Manson's cult... (just let that sink in for a minute). At 16, members of "The Family" went on their gruesome two-night murder spree. At 17, she found herself in a courtroom testifying against her friends, helping to put them behind bars where most of them remain.
How she ended up there was no surprise, as her mother and father would be up for the "Worst Parents Ever" award. In their own self-absorbed quest to achieve "high hippiedom", they gave their daughter pot at 13, LSD at 14, and would randomly leave her with older men and women to be used as a sex object. Or they might just leave her somewhere, assuming she'd find her way home somehow. "Home" for their family of five was a converted bread truck that allowed them to pick up and go whenever, wherever. Once, after a hearing at juvenile hall, her parents actually gave her the choice of going home, or back to "The Family". She ran straight back into the arms of Charles Manson and her "sisters". This was where she felt most at home. So forget Manson. This book is about how NOT to be parent!
I've read other books on Charles Manson and his cult, seen the documentaries. Dianne Lake's account is the most insightful, explanatory of the group. She has firsthand knowledge, and she really can dissect the appeal of Manson to his ragtag followers, and the techniques he used to maintain control over them. Unbelievably, he was the "father figure" that most of the runaway and cast off girls wanted. But he could also be quite violent with these girls- both physically and sexually. Lake accounts a vicious rape by Manson in an abandoned caravan.
The story of Charles Manson and his cult will never cease to fascinate. Right from the off, this memoir grabbed my interest. In some ways it feels wrong to say I "enjoyed" this book. I mean, this isn't fiction. It's someone's real life and real horrors. Compelling and heartbreaking, but ultimately the book was uplifting. Kudos to Ms. Lake for coming out on the other side of abuse and insanity as a normal, successful and decent human being. Not many did.
December 11, 2017
The experience is traumatic and devastating, but the writing is pedestrian ( even with the help of the co-author), the tone is very self-righteous and way too instructive and knowledgeable.
What is more, her ugly evangelical attitude is up and loud in this book because in the past she was delusional when it comes to Charlie Manson and prophesies, but now she found the right god that she KNOWS is true. She obviously knows it because there is plenty of empirical evidence, right?
I guess the brain can accept any delusions regardless after such a harsh experience, and she was in need of another one after she was freed of the chancery of the cult.
Another thing that upset me (pissed me off) is her attitude towards the book On The Road that was used as denigrating point for her parents. Do not blame the book, blame your parents for not being able to take care of you.
On the other hand, they somehow managed to take care of other children, so I would not mind hearing their story as well.
I also find it annoying that cops are righteous ( and some of them most definitely are), and hippies are not ( and some of them are not), but there was too much of a broad personal stroke in these descriptions.
Call me heartless, but I was annoyed and not sympathetic.
What is more, her ugly evangelical attitude is up and loud in this book because in the past she was delusional when it comes to Charlie Manson and prophesies, but now she found the right god that she KNOWS is true. She obviously knows it because there is plenty of empirical evidence, right?
I guess the brain can accept any delusions regardless after such a harsh experience, and she was in need of another one after she was freed of the chancery of the cult.
Another thing that upset me (pissed me off) is her attitude towards the book On The Road that was used as denigrating point for her parents. Do not blame the book, blame your parents for not being able to take care of you.
On the other hand, they somehow managed to take care of other children, so I would not mind hearing their story as well.
I also find it annoying that cops are righteous ( and some of them most definitely are), and hippies are not ( and some of them are not), but there was too much of a broad personal stroke in these descriptions.
Call me heartless, but I was annoyed and not sympathetic.
January 17, 2021
I will never stop being fascinated by Charles Manson and the things he convinced so many people of, it truly blows my mind. Getting to hear the story of a former Family member was both absolutely riveting and terrifying. I never understood how people could fall for Manson’s charms but after reading this account I can see how it could be all too easy. In Dianne’s case, it was a broken home and unstable childhood and always feeling unloved that led her to fall under Manson’s spell. And reading what came to be while she was under his spell was heartbreaking and horrifying. It wasn’t all love and sex, things were much darker and she was terribly abused mentally, physically and sexually. It was so hard to read her story, I felt my heart breaking for her over and over throughout the book. While it isn’t by any means an easy read, I do highly recommend it to fans of Helter Skelter. It gives a more up close and personal account of what went on during the Family’s reign of terror.
April 23, 2018
"But that's what it means to be in a cult: You lose a part of yourself to someone else or to a group, so that your entire mind no longer belongs to you."
Member of the Family is a fascinating & haunting read. Dianne Lake is a former Manson Girl, and she goes to very intense levels to be open with the world. I'm impressed by her honesty, and grateful that she chose to share her story.
The book is sad, and is very relatable to my teenage years. Obviously my story is not the same AT ALL, but it's very easy for me to see how Dianne ended up where she did. I felt a lot of empathy for her because I could have seen myself making similar choices to Dianne's.
This book is quite dark, and a lot of rough topics are covered - like domestic violence, sexual assault, drug use, neglectful parents, etc. If you don't want to read about these things, be aware that the book goes into pretty graphic detail. It does make sense with the topic of the book, though - I'm not saying that it's unnecessary, but it can be overwhelming at times.
The book did slow down in the last half (at least for me), but I was still interested in the story. It was a good read overall, and I'm glad to have read it. Thank you so much to William Morrow for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Member of the Family is a fascinating & haunting read. Dianne Lake is a former Manson Girl, and she goes to very intense levels to be open with the world. I'm impressed by her honesty, and grateful that she chose to share her story.
The book is sad, and is very relatable to my teenage years. Obviously my story is not the same AT ALL, but it's very easy for me to see how Dianne ended up where she did. I felt a lot of empathy for her because I could have seen myself making similar choices to Dianne's.
This book is quite dark, and a lot of rough topics are covered - like domestic violence, sexual assault, drug use, neglectful parents, etc. If you don't want to read about these things, be aware that the book goes into pretty graphic detail. It does make sense with the topic of the book, though - I'm not saying that it's unnecessary, but it can be overwhelming at times.
The book did slow down in the last half (at least for me), but I was still interested in the story. It was a good read overall, and I'm glad to have read it. Thank you so much to William Morrow for sending me an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 30, 2017
The writing isn't brilliant (not that I expected it to be), but I was still moved by this first hand account of an abused and neglected young girl seeking a place to belong in a world that was eager to exploit but not nurture her. Dianne's parents "dropped out" of straight society when she was young, and they seemed to lose interest in her wellbeing at about the same time. She ended up joining the Manson Family for the camaraderie and love that she was shown by the group initially, but stayed because no one else seemed to want her around.
This is one of the few books to be written by a Family insider, and it's enlightening but alarming to see the hippie era from the point of view of a female child rather than a freewheeling male adult, as is more usual. Dianne's 60s experience is shocking and saddening- and a reminder that the dark side of the Summer of Love was very dark indeed for some.
This is one of the few books to be written by a Family insider, and it's enlightening but alarming to see the hippie era from the point of view of a female child rather than a freewheeling male adult, as is more usual. Dianne's 60s experience is shocking and saddening- and a reminder that the dark side of the Summer of Love was very dark indeed for some.
May 21, 2024
A raw and powerful rememberance of events told from the perspective of a 14 year old girl who was a part of one of the most infamous cults to date. Every single adult failed her and Manson of course took extreme advantage of her. My heart felt heavy for the lost girl that got swept up into the "family".
Would recommend.
Would recommend.
August 28, 2019
Member of the Family was not entirely what I expected, and I think in this case that was a good thing. A pretty significant portion of the book takes place before Charles Manson was ever on Dianne Lake's radar, and this makes for a pretty interesting character study in what made Lake vulnerable to be recruited into a cult. She was just 14 years old and her parents had more or less checked out. Like many who find themselves recruited into cults, Lake was feeling incredibly isolated and desperate for some sense of belonging and stability. Charlie's "family" seemed like they could provide that for her, and the prospect of being treated as an adult was also enticing to an adolescent.
Lake was not present for any of the infamous murders committed by Manson's followers, although she was in the cult at the time the crimes occurred. Consequently, the book is devoid of any graphic descriptions of the group's murder spree (something I think we can all do without.) However, the book should come with a content warning for physical and sexual abuse of a child. Lake suffered what she only later recognized as sexual abuse at the hands of older men starting from a very young age. This left her primed to be subject to Manson's influence, as that behavior had been normalized for her.
Member of the Family is a difficult read at times, but an excellent first-hand exploration of the before, during, and after of becoming entrenched in a violent cult. Lake seems to have built a normal and healthy life for herself in the aftermath, keeping out of the public eye. I definitely recommend this book to true crime readers or people who are interested in the psychology behind cults.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr
Lake was not present for any of the infamous murders committed by Manson's followers, although she was in the cult at the time the crimes occurred. Consequently, the book is devoid of any graphic descriptions of the group's murder spree (something I think we can all do without.) However, the book should come with a content warning for physical and sexual abuse of a child. Lake suffered what she only later recognized as sexual abuse at the hands of older men starting from a very young age. This left her primed to be subject to Manson's influence, as that behavior had been normalized for her.
Member of the Family is a difficult read at times, but an excellent first-hand exploration of the before, during, and after of becoming entrenched in a violent cult. Lake seems to have built a normal and healthy life for herself in the aftermath, keeping out of the public eye. I definitely recommend this book to true crime readers or people who are interested in the psychology behind cults.
You can read all of my reviews on my blog, Jenna Bookish!
Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr
June 28, 2022
4.5 stars.
This was a totally fascinating read. I loved every minute of it. I listened to the audio book which is narrated by the author herself, and I always feel that brings a great level of authenticity to the story. As for the story itself, it read like fiction at times. What this person went through, at such a young age, the mind boggles. Smoking pot, frequently taking acid, taking part in group sex - all at the tender age of 14. Wow! I don't even think I knew what those things were at that age.
Anyway, totally fascinating, gripping and upsetting in equal measure. I know that the author doesn't blame her parents, and has forgiven them, but to me, her parents have all of this to answer to. They carry the responsibility for what happened to their daughter. Just offering her a tiny slice of normality would have prevented all of this. I shake my head.
This was a totally fascinating read. I loved every minute of it. I listened to the audio book which is narrated by the author herself, and I always feel that brings a great level of authenticity to the story. As for the story itself, it read like fiction at times. What this person went through, at such a young age, the mind boggles. Smoking pot, frequently taking acid, taking part in group sex - all at the tender age of 14. Wow! I don't even think I knew what those things were at that age.
Anyway, totally fascinating, gripping and upsetting in equal measure. I know that the author doesn't blame her parents, and has forgiven them, but to me, her parents have all of this to answer to. They carry the responsibility for what happened to their daughter. Just offering her a tiny slice of normality would have prevented all of this. I shake my head.
March 22, 2018
This book ultimately felt like one overly detailed sexual encounter after another, so much so that when I was skimming the book I thought this passage was about sex: "His powerful legs pummeled me -- bump, bump, bump -- but I wouldn't let go. He never slowed down. The sand and gravel sprayed my face and went into my mouth as Starfire tried to leave me in the dust. As I was underneath his chest, his went mixing with my own, he came to a full stop."
She was actually riding a horse.
Lent to me by a woman at my local diner, Member of the Family is about a young girl, who at 14 found herself as part of the Manson Family. Dianne and her co-writer do a nice job of recounting her troubled home life in the free-wheeling 1960s for the first half of the book. Her father put his own desires to be free of society's shackles first at the expense of his family (then he changed his named to Chance omg). The second half ostensibly deals with Manson, I did learn a bit about him and his motivations, but see the above passage for why I ended up skimming the last 300 or so pages. (It was large print!)
She was actually riding a horse.
Lent to me by a woman at my local diner, Member of the Family is about a young girl, who at 14 found herself as part of the Manson Family. Dianne and her co-writer do a nice job of recounting her troubled home life in the free-wheeling 1960s for the first half of the book. Her father put his own desires to be free of society's shackles first at the expense of his family (then he changed his named to Chance omg). The second half ostensibly deals with Manson, I did learn a bit about him and his motivations, but see the above passage for why I ended up skimming the last 300 or so pages. (It was large print!)
April 1, 2018
“I’d come to the Family because I’d wanted to belong, because I was looking for a place in the world. I was gradually drawn in until I couldn’t see how lost I’d become.”
Captivating! It starts by laying the groundwork of Lake’s upbringing with drug-addled hippie parents who set her loose at age 14. Then, there’s life with Charlie and the Family. She doesn’t hold back about her participation in the cult or about helping send the guilty to prison.
Captivating! It starts by laying the groundwork of Lake’s upbringing with drug-addled hippie parents who set her loose at age 14. Then, there’s life with Charlie and the Family. She doesn’t hold back about her participation in the cult or about helping send the guilty to prison.
September 18, 2018
This was a very interesting story!! If you like true crime I'd highly recommend this book!!
January 4, 2018
I have previously read Helter Skelter, along with watching many documentaries about the Manson Family, but I have yet to read a book or watch a documentary that was written by one of the members of the Mason Family. The author has divided this book into 3 parts; the first part explains her life prior to joining the Family and how she eventually ended up the Family, the second part tells about her time, about 2 years, with the Mason Family and the third part tells about her experience escaping the Family and finally testifying against Charles Manson and other Family members during their trials.
This book was disturbing, from the first chapters I was shocked that her own parents introduced her to marijuana and LCD at the age of 13 or 14. I understand that this was a different time and her parents got involved in the hippie counter culture of the time, but it was still fairly shocking to read about a father giving his young teenage daughter LCD. It was interesting to see how both her own choices and her parent's choices led her to become involved with the Family. The second part of the book is equally fascinating and disturbing as she describes the two years spent with the Manson Family and how it was from an LCD fueled commune type community to the horror by which the Manson Family is now remembered for. She also describes in detail how Charles Manson changed over those years and the abuse she and the other girls endured. The third part was also great as it talked about how she recovered once she escaped the Family, how her testimony in court helped the State of California bring down a guilty verdict and how she went on to create a pretty great life for herself.
Although Dianne was not part of the horrific crimes committed by the Family members, she was witness to them describing the events to her after the fact. She joined the group when they were still roaming around in the black painted school bus and the Spiral Staircase House then stayed with them, spending a great deal of time at both Spahn and Barker Ranches, which she describes in detail. I have always been interested in cults, I am not sure why they are so interesting to me, but I really enjoyed this book being written from a former Manson Family member, as it gave an inside to what she was thinking and why she stayed with the group, even when she knew things were starting to head in a dark direction.
This book was disturbing, from the first chapters I was shocked that her own parents introduced her to marijuana and LCD at the age of 13 or 14. I understand that this was a different time and her parents got involved in the hippie counter culture of the time, but it was still fairly shocking to read about a father giving his young teenage daughter LCD. It was interesting to see how both her own choices and her parent's choices led her to become involved with the Family. The second part of the book is equally fascinating and disturbing as she describes the two years spent with the Manson Family and how it was from an LCD fueled commune type community to the horror by which the Manson Family is now remembered for. She also describes in detail how Charles Manson changed over those years and the abuse she and the other girls endured. The third part was also great as it talked about how she recovered once she escaped the Family, how her testimony in court helped the State of California bring down a guilty verdict and how she went on to create a pretty great life for herself.
Although Dianne was not part of the horrific crimes committed by the Family members, she was witness to them describing the events to her after the fact. She joined the group when they were still roaming around in the black painted school bus and the Spiral Staircase House then stayed with them, spending a great deal of time at both Spahn and Barker Ranches, which she describes in detail. I have always been interested in cults, I am not sure why they are so interesting to me, but I really enjoyed this book being written from a former Manson Family member, as it gave an inside to what she was thinking and why she stayed with the group, even when she knew things were starting to head in a dark direction.
February 14, 2019
“Memories fade, but trauma remembers.”
Member Of The Family by Dianne Lake and Deborah Herman is a hard and disturbing look into Dianne’s life during the 60s when she was a member of Charles Manson’s infamous cult. At the age of 14 she had no idea what she was getting herself into and this book takes a vivd look at her life with the Family.
I purposely read this book after re-reading Helter Skelter and can honestly say as much information as one can gather of Manson’s control over his family, this book gives a very candid look at his twisted view on his reality and his treatment of Dianne Lake as well as other members of his cult. She takes a closer look at her childhood, it is only then the reader comes to realise that this person suffered a great deal before she even met with Manson.
Dianne does not hold back in telling how her upbringing really was and what her relationships were like with her parents and her friends. At such a young age she was exposed to a “hippie” lifestyle on the hands of her father and his need to “drop out” of society. In this aspect Dianne was familiar with living free as it were however for her these came at a high cost, she felt disconnected from her family and therefore chose to leave them for a new life with Manson’s Family. She was accepted wholeheartedly for the first time in her life. She was an important member, she was taught the philosophies of free love unbeknownst to her this was soon to change. Manson was not very tolerable of her unpredictable behaviour and so she was abused for not obeying.
The infamous murders of the Sharon Tate and the LaBianca’s are looked at as well as well as Dianne’s involvement during the trial. She speaks of how she survived this trying time and moved on from it with the help of her husband and children.
This book is a very candid and disturbing to read on many occasions because its hard to fathom her mindset as to why she stayed with Manson and tolerated the abuse, however you forget she was only 14 years old and heavily under the influence of drugs and a man who considered himself a god. Dianne speaks of the moment this illusion broke for her and how she herself saw him for the first time for who he actually was. A very insightful account of the life of a survivor. Most definitely an interesting read which I would recommend.
Member Of The Family by Dianne Lake and Deborah Herman is a hard and disturbing look into Dianne’s life during the 60s when she was a member of Charles Manson’s infamous cult. At the age of 14 she had no idea what she was getting herself into and this book takes a vivd look at her life with the Family.
I purposely read this book after re-reading Helter Skelter and can honestly say as much information as one can gather of Manson’s control over his family, this book gives a very candid look at his twisted view on his reality and his treatment of Dianne Lake as well as other members of his cult. She takes a closer look at her childhood, it is only then the reader comes to realise that this person suffered a great deal before she even met with Manson.
Dianne does not hold back in telling how her upbringing really was and what her relationships were like with her parents and her friends. At such a young age she was exposed to a “hippie” lifestyle on the hands of her father and his need to “drop out” of society. In this aspect Dianne was familiar with living free as it were however for her these came at a high cost, she felt disconnected from her family and therefore chose to leave them for a new life with Manson’s Family. She was accepted wholeheartedly for the first time in her life. She was an important member, she was taught the philosophies of free love unbeknownst to her this was soon to change. Manson was not very tolerable of her unpredictable behaviour and so she was abused for not obeying.
The infamous murders of the Sharon Tate and the LaBianca’s are looked at as well as well as Dianne’s involvement during the trial. She speaks of how she survived this trying time and moved on from it with the help of her husband and children.
This book is a very candid and disturbing to read on many occasions because its hard to fathom her mindset as to why she stayed with Manson and tolerated the abuse, however you forget she was only 14 years old and heavily under the influence of drugs and a man who considered himself a god. Dianne speaks of the moment this illusion broke for her and how she herself saw him for the first time for who he actually was. A very insightful account of the life of a survivor. Most definitely an interesting read which I would recommend.
January 22, 2021
It's hard to draw the line between what is actual facts and what is a memory that may be dramatized for the sake of the story. Dianne Lake was a 14 year old who indulged in heavy psychedelic drug usage during her time with the Manson family. It's hard to believe that she can recall with much detail, what her life was truly like. I don't have a doubt that her family life was a dysfunctional mess. But I'm not so naïve to believe that she was as unaware of some of the things that happened with her immediate family and the Manson family.
To say that this is a complete retelling of her early life and life with the Manson family, is a reach. I do think Lake has some recollection of things that had happened to her, but the rest I feel she built a story around it. I still don't see how so many people became entranced by Charles Manson, Lake did shed a little light on why a young 14 year girl with no direction would.
To say that this is a complete retelling of her early life and life with the Manson family, is a reach. I do think Lake has some recollection of things that had happened to her, but the rest I feel she built a story around it. I still don't see how so many people became entranced by Charles Manson, Lake did shed a little light on why a young 14 year girl with no direction would.
June 11, 2019
An insider’s view of the Manson family is a welcome addition to the collection of Manson books. This is well told by Dianne Lake, who was 14 when the family absorbed her. The tale is harrowing, as anyone familiar with this group of people knows, and I found it to be gripping through the very end.
January 13, 2019
Really good book. Super informative in a way that many other Manson-esq bios and memoirs are not. This really provided an eye opening account of life within the Manson family, without focusing on the sensationalism of the crimes and the circus around them. It also really stood out in detailing the rise of the counter culture happening in the 60's - of experimentation and the desire to drop.out of society, in the search for mind expansion, something 'more' and 'greater'.
Lake shares stories of her young life and events within the 60's, when LSD and the expanded consciousness it was said to offer, started to become all the rage (hello - hippy counter culture.)
It details the lack of a stable family unit (stemming from her father's need to feel free, drop out and be nomad after some previous failed attempts.) during these times. Abuses she suffered and her confusion and need to fit in somewhere - all of which resulted in her meeting with Charles Manson and the original family.
( A line I loved that I felt was so relatable in the 'Ahhh' of life- ' It amazed me how Charlie and the girls had been circling my orbit, long before I had met them.'
I really enjoyed her style of writing. First person & very intimate with no holds barred over watering down her thoughts and experiences. It's clear she is a very intelligent woman who owns her life and experiences, and has had a lot of therapy, as she is able to tell her story with a clear and unbiased look back.
On the whole 'Manson Family' information note. There was so much here I found interesting. Like who the original members where when Dianne joined. Who else joined them and at what point in their travels - and how. (These guys moved around A LOT!)
(For eg: Linda who drove the car both crime nights had only been with them a month. Tex who committed the murders, was not with them from the start - but joined them when they were already at Spahn ranch. It was also interesting to hear about Susan 'Sadie' Atkins - after I had read her old 1970s (and very hard to find) autobiography, and watched many interviews with her - that she was very direct, mean at times, a huge show off etc and that Dianne thinks Susan was actually responsible for the murder of Sharon Tate and her unborn child (not Tex who was done for that one) due to something she had said out in the desert at Barker Ranch one night.
Hmm interesting. )
I also found it so much more informative regarding Charlie himself - than alot of the sensationalized accounts of Charlie out there. How he spoke, acted, manipulated, how and when his religious ideals started to heighten and taking a more sinister turn. How the 'white album' really came into play for the family - from a look inside. ... Basically.... How the Charles Manson and the Family we all know of today - became so 'far out whack man!' - from the view point of a woman who was there from an early point on.
Really good book. Recommend if you're interested in memoirs, the Manson topic, 60's hippy/counter culture , true crime/cults.
Lake shares stories of her young life and events within the 60's, when LSD and the expanded consciousness it was said to offer, started to become all the rage (hello - hippy counter culture.)
It details the lack of a stable family unit (stemming from her father's need to feel free, drop out and be nomad after some previous failed attempts.) during these times. Abuses she suffered and her confusion and need to fit in somewhere - all of which resulted in her meeting with Charles Manson and the original family.
( A line I loved that I felt was so relatable in the 'Ahhh' of life- ' It amazed me how Charlie and the girls had been circling my orbit, long before I had met them.'
I really enjoyed her style of writing. First person & very intimate with no holds barred over watering down her thoughts and experiences. It's clear she is a very intelligent woman who owns her life and experiences, and has had a lot of therapy, as she is able to tell her story with a clear and unbiased look back.
On the whole 'Manson Family' information note. There was so much here I found interesting. Like who the original members where when Dianne joined. Who else joined them and at what point in their travels - and how. (These guys moved around A LOT!)
(For eg: Linda who drove the car both crime nights had only been with them a month. Tex who committed the murders, was not with them from the start - but joined them when they were already at Spahn ranch. It was also interesting to hear about Susan 'Sadie' Atkins - after I had read her old 1970s (and very hard to find) autobiography, and watched many interviews with her - that she was very direct, mean at times, a huge show off etc and that Dianne thinks Susan was actually responsible for the murder of Sharon Tate and her unborn child (not Tex who was done for that one) due to something she had said out in the desert at Barker Ranch one night.
Hmm interesting. )
I also found it so much more informative regarding Charlie himself - than alot of the sensationalized accounts of Charlie out there. How he spoke, acted, manipulated, how and when his religious ideals started to heighten and taking a more sinister turn. How the 'white album' really came into play for the family - from a look inside. ... Basically.... How the Charles Manson and the Family we all know of today - became so 'far out whack man!' - from the view point of a woman who was there from an early point on.
Really good book. Recommend if you're interested in memoirs, the Manson topic, 60's hippy/counter culture , true crime/cults.
September 21, 2019
5 Stars—I think this might be the end of my true crime obsession for a little while. People really are horrible and stupid. Ok, let me go back to the beginning. I decided to listen to this audiobook narrated by Dianne Lake herself. I have read Helter Skelter several times and I wanted to learn more about the family itself and the people in it. This book gave great info in a far more personal way. It’s easy to look in from the outside and criticize and judge, but when you get a glimpse of the realities, that definitely changes. It’s also an interesting view into hippy culture. The 60s were a vey different time and the things that people got away with then would seriously ruin their lives if they tried it today. Who lets their 14 year old daughter just up and go to a completely different city with someone she just met?? I mean Lake’s parents literally pushed her at Charlie Manson even tho they knew something was off about him. I put my head down on the steering wheel and just tried to breathe out my frustration. I also learned a lot more about Charlie and his manipulative ways. Of course those girls followed him and loved him unconditionally. He gave them what no one else in the world did, love and acceptance. And he played them like a Hawaiian on a ukulele! I could go on and on about this book, but I’ll just encourage everyone to read it! Very informative and disturbing!
October 29, 2017
Excellent book--a happy ending for a Manson victim
Dianne Lake was 14 when she joined Charles Manson's Family. She was there because her mixed up parents decided they didn't have to take care of her anymore. That's why I say she's a victim.
You want to reach through the book and shake her mom and dad until their teeth rattle. What in hell were they thinking?!
But ultimately she's a victor. She got mental health help, testified against the murdering Charlie and his Family. She got an education, married happily, had kids, and created her own--real--family.
Her feelings and adult analysis of how Charlie manipulated people are really interesting. As she looks back, she connects the dots. What she just accepted as Charlie's fiats back then, she now realizes were part of his plan for control and success. The specifics of how he got the Family and outsiders to do his bidding is fascinating.
The book is well written and talks about aspects of Manson and his crew that other books don't cover. Whether you're interested in Manson, true crime, or biographies of people who successfully overcome the odds, it's a great read.
Dianne Lake was 14 when she joined Charles Manson's Family. She was there because her mixed up parents decided they didn't have to take care of her anymore. That's why I say she's a victim.
You want to reach through the book and shake her mom and dad until their teeth rattle. What in hell were they thinking?!
But ultimately she's a victor. She got mental health help, testified against the murdering Charlie and his Family. She got an education, married happily, had kids, and created her own--real--family.
Her feelings and adult analysis of how Charlie manipulated people are really interesting. As she looks back, she connects the dots. What she just accepted as Charlie's fiats back then, she now realizes were part of his plan for control and success. The specifics of how he got the Family and outsiders to do his bidding is fascinating.
The book is well written and talks about aspects of Manson and his crew that other books don't cover. Whether you're interested in Manson, true crime, or biographies of people who successfully overcome the odds, it's a great read.
November 22, 2021
Dianne Lake was the youngest member of the Manson Family. In this book she narrates the story of her childhood - how she came to fall under Charles Manson's influence, and how she managed to emerge from under it.
This is a fascinating read; its not often you get the chance to learn about the Mason family from such an intimate standpoint. I liked that the author starts from her childhood, because it allows us to understand how she came to the point that she was susceptible to Manson in the first place. I also didn't mind that she glossed past the murders - she was not involved in them after all, and this book feels more like a confessional than a deliberate attempt at writing true crime.
This is a fascinating read; its not often you get the chance to learn about the Mason family from such an intimate standpoint. I liked that the author starts from her childhood, because it allows us to understand how she came to the point that she was susceptible to Manson in the first place. I also didn't mind that she glossed past the murders - she was not involved in them after all, and this book feels more like a confessional than a deliberate attempt at writing true crime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 861 reviews