The Rapture

by Claire McGlasson

Dilys is a devoted member of a terribly English cult: The Panacea Society, populated almost entirely by virtuous single ladies.

When she strikes up a friendship with Grace, a new recruit, God finally seems to be smiling upon her. The friends become closer as they wait for the Lord to return to their very own Garden of Eden, and Dilys feels she has found the right path at last.

But Dilys is wary of their leader's zealotry and suspicious of those who would seem to influence her for their own ends. As her feelings for Grace bud and bloom, the Society around her begins to crumble. Faith is supplanted by doubt as both women come to question what is true and fear what is real.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, LGBT, Literary Fiction, Audiobook, Queer

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 30, 2019

About the author

Claire is a journalist who works for ITV News Anglia and enjoys the variety of life on the road with a TV camera. Her role gives her access to high-profile interviewees, and takes her behind-the-scenes at places that she’d never ordinarily get to go. But the biggest privilege of her job is spending time with people at the very best, and very worst, times of their lives and helping them to tell their stories. She lives in Cambridgeshire with her favourite people – her husband, daughter and son.

Her first novel, THE RAPTURE, which is based on true events in an Edwardian women’s cult, was published by Faber in Spring 2019. McGlasson’s debut novel about a real-life cult, set in 1920s England, is being turned into a television series after Hillbilly Television optioned the rights.

Reviews

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) I zipped through this entertaining historical novel, which tackles one of my favourite subjects for fiction: weird cults. Even more intriguing, this particular weird cult has its basis in fact. The Panacea Society was founded in 1919 and was led by Mabel Barltrop, aka Octavia, who claimed to be the Daughter of God. Almost all the members were women; Dilys, the protagonist, was one of them. McGlasson's version of her life is heavily embroidered, but many other details are drawn from real-life accounts of the Society.

Dilys never quite feels she's able to meet Octavia's exacting standards. Members of the Society are required to observe their fellow 'believers' and report on any possible sins, transgressions or secrets. Unlike Octavia's increasingly powerful right-hand woman Emily, Dilys is often found wanting. A meeting with a stranger, Grace, offers Dilys a valuable chance to redeem herself by offering up a new recruit. However, when Grace joins the Society, the relationship between the two women heads in an unexpected direction, putting them both at risk.

The ending is rather opaque, but I nevertheless found it satisfying in light of Dilys's escalating unreliability. It's a clever way to manage the difficult task of creating a fictional story around a real person.

I received an advance review copy of The Rapture from the publisher through NetGalley.

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[Nikola · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can also read this review on my book blog.

Having read both Clare and Amanda's amazing reviews of The Rapture by Claire McGlasson I knew that this book would be for me! Luckily, I got my copy from the wonderful publisher Faber&Faber and I have to say that I loved reading it!

The Rapture is a book revolving around The Panacea Society, an English cult which existed back in the 1920s, and one particular person called Dilys who’s a member of the cult. The cult was founded by Mabel Barltrop, better known as Octavia, who was self-proclaimed as the Daughter of God. The cult consists of mostly single ladies and Dilys is the youngest member in her mid twenties. One day she meets a woman named Grace and invites her to visit The Panacea Society and find out more about it. Grace soon becomes a new recruit and begins living in the Society as help. The friendship between Dilys and Grace becomes stronger and closer as time passes and while that is going on the Society begins to change. Each person has something to hide. Dilys, once a full-blown believer, now becomes suspicious as to how the Society actually works.

I read The Rapture in two sittings – it was captivating, interesting and compelling. The story being based on truth is quite interesting as well! I loved the atmosphere in the novel, the whole unease surrounding the cult. Dilys as a character was very interesting and I found her to be well-written because her psyche matched her actions. I also liked how the author included some queer aspects into the novel making it much more interesting to me! I really loved the descriptions of Dilys’ feelings for Grace. The Rapture being a book that surrounds around a cult felt very eeire and I was at times scared for Dilys and was anticipating her next actions. The story in itself included many revelations that I liked and gasped at some of them because I was not expecting that. The author addressing Octavia as Her in the book sent shivers down my spine because you could sense that Octavia is someone who’s in charge. The ending of the book left me feeling satisfied which I appreciated although I wouldn’t have predicted it’d end like that because in my mind I had something darker as the ending. There is no particular reason why I’m giving this book four out of five stars but it didn’t feel like a five star read although it was a great and compelling one.

The Rapture is a spine-chilling and fascinating book about a woman living a cult who slowly begins to find out that not everything is what it seems.

I would like to thank the publisher Faber&Faber for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions written here are my own and weren’t influenced by the fact that I got this book from the publisher.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting novel but found it too slow for myself though. Have read similar books on this society cult based in bedford

[Rebecca]

I read the first 22 pages. I would normally thrill to any book about a cult, but the writing in this one – maybe it was Dilys’s narration, I don’t know – never grabbed me. What a gorgeous book, though: corduroy-type ridging on the yellow cover, and a colorful deckle-cut dust jacket (with a jackdaw perched in an aggressively ordinary bedroom) that doesn’t quite cover the whole thing. Kudos to Faber for the design.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so many mixed feelings about this book. Initially I felt that because it was so slow and long I wouldn't find much enjoyment in continuing the story, but by the time I was halfway through I knew it would be foolish to DNF it and pass this strange and eerie world by. The writing is exceedingly beautiful, and by the end I was glad it had been such a slow burn, because slow burns always ignite into a terrifying crescendo at the finale, and that's just what happened here.
Dilys is a member of the Panacea Society - a group founded in Bedford led by a woman believing herself to be the daughter of god. If that doesn't immediately scream "CULT" at you I don't know what would. Unlike the other members of the group, Dilys has always been on the fence about being a true believer. Her brother Adrian was also a member but he managed to " escape" and moved to India to marry. She is desperate to be loved by God and willingly partakes in all the groups strange activities, but she also feels trapped by the group and their teachings, by her constricted and suffocating lifestyle which means she has to divulge any negative thoughts or any gossip to Octavia (the leader) and by her longing for freedom and normality. One day Dilys meets Grace, a young and mysterious soul who is taken in by the group as their housemaid and realises how little she really knows about the outside world. Grace awakens something inside her, and Dilys drastically takes matters into her own hands.
I genuinely had no idea this was based on a true story, it seemed utterly crazy to me how people can live this way, and even more crazy is the fact there is a museum in Bedford in the main house the Panacea Society inhabited which tells their story - I must go!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I’m obsessed with religious cults, mental illness in history, nightgown-clad lesbians, exorcisms and the 1920s, so obviously I loved it.

[Bookish Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book - I had no idea that the Panacea society was real, I was enraptured by them and their strange isolation from the outside world. I felt for Dilys, lost in a world she had no choice in, estranged from free will and *real* life. Whatever real life means. What a peculiar little world. Imagine believing that the Garden of Eden is in Bedford, and that linen soaked in water cures all ails (spiritual and physical).

It was only the ending that I felt to be a little lacklustre, even predictable and I wanted more from Grace.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rapture is a novel about a real life English religious cult and how one deeply entwined member finds something outside of what she knows. Dilys is a member of the Panacea Society, a group of mostly single women who lives across a number of houses in Bedford under the direction of their zealous leader, Octavia. When Dilys meets Grace, a new recruit to the society, it feels as if God has brought them together. As the society prepares for the moment of their salvation, and Dilys' feelings for Grace deepen, Dilys must attempt to find the truth and protect herself from the others and her own mind.

McGlasson combines real documents and people with a fictional narrative that is gripping and powerful. The world and Dilys' thoughts are immersive, and the reader into brought into the society as Grace is, seeing the message and slowly behind the veneer. Much of the tension is around Dilys' personal struggles, but also a lingering sense of what the society might do next, as Octavia's right hand woman Emily gains more power. Everything comes together in a satisfying way, but also leaving enough ambiguity as Dilys' point of view can be unreliable.

This is a novel that takes a fascinating and little known bit of history and turns it into a moving story of finding yourself and finding love whilst fighting against all you know. The fact that a story like this is taken from historical fact and documents and happened in Bedford gives it an additional dimension, showing the reality of closed off zealotry and the line between faith and delusion.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strange and unlikely but very real Panacea Society flourished in Bedford, England in the 1920s right up to the death of its last member in 2012 and it’s now a charitable trust and museum. There’s plenty of information about it online for the curious and it’s well worth investigating. Fascinating stuff indeed. This book is a fictionalised account of a period in the Panacea Society’s history. Mabel Barltrop, aka Octavia, considered herself the daughter of God and led a community of mainly middle-class and wealthy women who were subject to her every rule and whim. The “plot” focusses on Dilys, a loyal follower and her friendship with Grace, a new recruit, and the tensions that result, leading to disarray and confusion all round. Although much of the book is firmly based on fact, which can be verified, Grace herself is a fiction and for me this was a problem. Dilys’s relationship with her is so pivotal that to discover it wasn’t real detracted, for me, from the power and interest of the novel. I also found the rather intense tone of the novel, although it reflected Dilys’s state of mind, became somewhat wearying. As a study of faith, madness, friendship and sexuality, however, the novel is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of how people can become deluded and how a manipulative leader can influence his, or in this case her, followers even into absurdity and irrationality. Overall I enjoyed the book but the fictional element didn’t sit comfortably with me, especially as it concerns the inner and very troubled world of a very real woman.

[S.E. Lynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this beautifully written story of a women's religious cult in Bedford in the 1920s knowing that much of it was true. The author did a great deal of research in situ, an experience she shares with us in her letter at the end, which I would strongly urge you to read. But even though I knew the author was weaving her fiction around fact, there were times when I could not believe what I was reading. The mundane yet extraordinary details of the day to day, the overwhelming persuasive power of the cult mentality, the fear, the dread, and the sometimes, frankly, downright silly shenanigans were, to put it bluntly, gob-smacking. Gloriously, the author somehow manages to filter the barest lacing of humour through the naive and emotionally deprived main character, Dilys, who carries the narrative effortlessly and single-handedly, putting the reader through the exquisite torture of willing her, no, practically shouting at her to get out. It is also one of the most painful love stories I have read. If romance is the love that cannot be, then McGlasson uses the love that dare not speak its name (certainly not in the twenties) to great effect. Dilys's passionate crush on her friend Grace was gripping and intense, erotic and moving. I had no idea how it would end but when it did, I realised we had always been heading there. Exquisite. Highly recommend.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very nearly a 5 star read! It was so unusual and unexpected.

Set in an unsettled Britain just after the end of WW1, this novel describes a nation trying to find its way forward. A cult springs up, The Panacea Society, made up mostly of middle-class, propertied, English women. The story is based on true events as researched by the author.

It is a truly creepy read!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I loved this slow burn except for the very end which was extremely disappointing though I do understand that the author was working within the restraints of the real history of this cult.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rapture is a really intriguing book. Not necessarily fast-paced or dynamic, but it was so interesting to learn about this cult that resided in Bedford one hundred years ago. I’d never heard of it before, so this novel was really eye-opening.

[bookish_emmxx]

4.5 ⭐️

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, though I was disappointed that it used the old 'one dies or goes mad at the end' lesbian trope.

[Emily Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many weird historical occurrences that slip out of public consciousness, and I'm always happy to see writers, historians or journalists work to keep those stories alive. The Panacea Society was a real, particularly English cult that sprung up after the war, and in The Rapture Claire McGlasson fictionalises real events with a focus on Dilys Barltrop, one of the cult's devoted members. McGlasson's writing, and a lot of the flowery analogies and metaphors she uses were enjoyable and well suited to the themes of the book. I thought the pacing could have been improved, it went between slow and rushed at times, and some of the development of character relationships could have been more fleshed out. The individual characterisation was really well done though, and I thought Dilys' internal thoughts were very well written, and showed how the real Dilys' beliefs, doubts and hopes may well have been.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing. I like the local aspect as I did when reading RuthHogan novels - it was a slow start but built well with some good depth - on balance I think they were a bunch of religious nutty jobs!!!

[Tahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely enthralling - I read it over two days. The premise of the Panacean society is very fascinating and it was very interesting to see quotes integrated from the original cult.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Lady Drinkwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the subject matter of this novel, based on the true story of the Panacea society. I mean, a group that believes the garden of Eden is in Bedford.. who knew! As it is such a very English, eccentric type of a cult I imagined it would be a rather amusing and quaint book, however it had a rather menacing tone. I do agree with one other reviewer who said she found the fictional part of the book slightly disturbing as it describes the passions and descent into a form of madness, of the founders daughter. This does not seem to have happened, and her thoughts are based on the confessions of other cult members. I became quite fascinated by the Panacea society and saw a small film of them in which the last surviving member (now dead)speaks. There were a couple of pictures of the society in the twenties, sitting in the garden and dancing around the tree. Obviously being in any sort of cult is no joke, but the pictures gave a glimpse of something gentler than that describe in the novel, which was relentlessly intense and disturbing.

[Guy Portman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dilys Barltrop is a member of ‘The Panacea Society’; a cult based in Bedford, England. Its leader, Octavia, considers herself to be the daughter of God. She claims that the end time is drawing near, and that the Lord is set to return to their Garden of Eden. The domineering matriarch is obsessed with self-confession and etiquette. Few things rile her more than noisy eating.

All is not well in this rule-ridden environment. The society is at risk of fragmenting, as doubts begin to surface and pressures mount from the outside world. In these uncertain times, a follower is gaining power through nefarious means.

The arrival of a new member sees Dilys’s existence improve as the pair become close friends. Will the relationship culminate in our protagonist escaping the clutches of the cult, or is her destiny to remain enslaved there?

Set in the 1920s, The Rapture is loosely based on the real life ‘Panacea Society’, which followed the beliefs of Joanna Southcott, a self-proclaimed nineteenth century prophetess. Its moving and at times suspenseful content, effective use of internal monologue and mental health theme appealed to this reader, who was drawn to the paradoxical Dilys; her character a compelling combination of idealist and cynic.

[Rhianna Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mixed feelings - I think if half stars were an option I’d have gone for 3.5. The concept behind the book, the details of the religious cult and the history of the Panacea society is really interesting and something I’ve never read before which I liked. The first half was amazing and compelling but it definitely lost momentum throughout the second half. I liked the inclusion of the queer characters and events and how that element clashed so viciously against the beliefs of the almost puritanical Christian cult. I don’t know - I think the idea behind it all was so unique and full of potential and that it just didn’t quite come to fruition.

[AdiTurbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story based on real-life events I didn't hear about til reading this book. Well researched and written, I think some of the side plotlines were not really necessary, but the main one was fascinating and the characters were unique and had emotional depth. I am always interested in reading about cults and their believers, as I like to understand the emotional process that puts people on such paths, both on the leader's and believers' sides. This novel gave some good answers to the question of how innocence and good intentions can be exploited by power-hungry bullies, bringing much harm to all involved.

[Joelle Tamraz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. All the ingredients for a dramatic and compelling cult story are there: unsusual characters, stunning pot elements, beautiful writing. Yet…

The first half of the book is very slow, and I struggled to get hooked into the narrative. Despite the beautiful prose, it wasn’t until I was three quarters of the way through that I became deeply invested enough to keep turning the pages. Exposing the family dynamics earlier, choosing a different entry point into the story, and establishing the emotions stakes quickly would have helped.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden sapphic longing sign me the fuck UP

[Natasha Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The book follows the story of Dilys, a young member of the Panacea Society in the 1920s. The Panacea Society was a real cult who, among other things, believed that the Garden of Eden was in Bedford, England. While the main plot of the novel is fictional, the author's note explains that the vast majority of characters are directly based on real people who were faithful followers of cult leader, and self-proclaimed Daughter of God, Octavia.

The book starts quite slowly, but once we are introduced to potential new member Grace the plot picks up. The world building is really excellent and McGlasson brilliantly captures both the time period and setting in suburban Bedford. This is a very English story!

A positive aspect of the story is that it features multiple queer characters, which is fairly unusual in historical fiction. However, not all of their stories end happily and some events related to those characters could be quite triggering. Having said that, I do think that McGlasson does an excellent job of capturing those first-love feelings and that was probably my favourite aspect of the book. There are also depictions of various aspects of mental illness that might be triggering for some readers. I do think these parts are well written though, and are both sympathetic and thoughtful in what they bring to the story.

Whilst the story was overall engaging I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying and very rushed. I think this book would have benefitted greatly from an epilogue, particularly given its routes in reality. I'm also slightly uneasy about the use of real people's sealed confessions as a basis for the story. Honestly I'm not sure if I can properly articulate this but the mix of fact and fiction left an odd taste in my mouth.

Overall an engaging and intriguing tale, that lead me to discover more about an unusual part of British religious history.

Originally posted on @tashreadit

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rapture by Claire McGlasson

4 STARS

Thank you to Faber & Faber for an advanced eARC of this book.

Claire McGLasson introduces us to the Panacea Society - a religion for well-mannered ladies who believe in Octavia, the Daughter of Christ. Octavia is, to all intent and purpose, a cult leader. She rules with an iron-fist and an intolerance to anyone who doesn't obey the rules. Our main protagonist however, is Dilys, who is younger than most members of the Panacea Society. One day, she stumbles upon another young lady, Grace, who is interested in joining this secretive society.

McGlasson makes DIlys a believable yet flawed narrator. Her honesty and naivety mix together with the tell-tale signs of a woman trying to learn who she is amongst a very strict set of rules and structures. Her friendship with Grace is filled with both joy and sorrow. The supporting set of characters are lively and real in their own right. Emily, the right-hand woman to Octavia; Peter, the barely-there man who obeys Octavia's whim amongst others who propel the narrative forward.

The story line itself is quite slow for the first 3/4 of the book (hence the 4 stars rather than 5). The author has obviously taken time and care to make sure the details are correct and builds a rich picture of the world these characters inhabits. However, the downside to this is, the reader is left wondering where the story is going. I wondered if there was a plot at all or was it just an in-depth look at these characters and their lives, a snapshot if you will. However, bear with the book as the final quarter is an intensely interesting ride. It is difficult to say too much without giving away the plot suffice to say you are left wondering who to believe.

That being said, there are moments that are darker and give the reader an inkling that all is not as it should be. There are several points in the book where characters ulterior motives are revealed and the hidden messages in previous chapters suddenly become clear.

Overall, I'm thoroughly glad I was able to read this as McGlasson blends reality and fiction together extraordinarily well. She is able to paint a rich and varied world in which the reader is able to immerse themselves. Alongside a believable, if naive, narrator and a slow-burning but ultimately satisfying plot, The Rapture is definitely one for the to-read list.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

 1. Describe the book in 3 words.
Power Manipulation Fear

2. What was most memorable for you? Memorable can mean good or bad (Might be a character, scene, theme, quote.)
The way innocence can be so easily manipulated by fear.
The power held over Innocent people when they are sheltered from “normal” outside influence.
The arrogance of a few to exert false power over a crowd whilst indulging in sins.
There’s always a willing replacement for an ailing / failing leader.
The ability to skew words and events to fit the desired narrative.

3. How did the book compare to others you’ve read in this genre?
Different from the perspective that the “cult” events were unfolding as you read. Other books have been told via small windows of the past being retold.
The cult agenda though, remains the same:
Rule through Fear, power and guilt, demanding you constantly monitor and dob on others, whilst living in a cloistered, carefully controlled environment and maintaining the presence of being “the normal”

[Claire Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the concept of this book; a religious cult led by a woman, containing mostly single women - what’s not to love!

I enjoyed the key characters - The determined, strict, secretive leader Octavia; and quiet, submissive Dilys and her mysterious bond with the Panacea society.

Whilst the reviews and background of this story got me quite excited, I really struggled with the pace of this book, feeling at times like I had to motivate myself to pick it up. Don't get me wrong, I would still read it and enjoyed delving into the themes (fear, manipulation, feminism, religion, neglect) but it was a bit slow and I found myself waiting for the ah-ha moment (which really never came.)

This book has been described as a ‘literary equivalent of a docudrama.’ It’s a creepy, tense read, with lots of interesting throwbacks to a society based on fact and data, with a little fiction thrown in for good measure! 2.5 stars, rounded to 3!

[Ceyrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about the Panacea Society, a cult that was founded in 1919 and was led by Mabel Barltrop, known as Octavia, she believed she was the Daughter of God. Almost all of the members were women and they believed the Garden of Eden was in Bedford, England. Partly fictional and part made up of facts, this story follows Dilys, the protagonist, who was a member. One day, she meets grave and invites her to visit The Garden. Grace soon becomes a new recruit and a friendship develops between them and as time passes it grows into something more. A lot of the tension is around Dilys and her personal struggle, her belief in the message, but there is a strong lingering sense of what the society might do next as Octavias right hand woman gains more power. It was an intriguing read and I loved the idea about the cult of women, but I think I wanted more, or I was expecting more especially towards the end.

‘I close my eyes and imagine we’re already at sea; imagine that every jolt and turn of the van is a wave buffeting a swaying ship. I imagine that it is lulling me to sleep. When I wake up we’ll be there. Grace will be waiting.’