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Sofia Bauman #1
Es gibt kein Entkommen
Eine junge Frau in den Fängen einer gefährlichen Sekte – »Nervenzerreißende Spannung ist garantiert.« Aftonbladet
Auf einer nebeligen, sturmgepeitschten Insel vor der Westküste Schwedens hat sich der charismatische Franz Oswald, Anführer der Bewegung Via Terra, mit seinen Anhängern in einem herrschaftlichen Anwesen niedergelassen. Sofia Bauman ist fasziniert von dem Mann und dem geheimnisumwitterten Ort. Als er ihr einen Job anbietet, fällt es ihr leicht alles hinter sich zu lassen. Doch Oswald entpuppt sich als sadistischer Psychopath, der Sofia zu seinem Spielzeug machen will. Sie muss fliehen, aber sie ist längst in einem dunklen Netz aus Abhängigkeit, Liebe und Gewalt gefangen …
Alle Bücher der »Sekten«-Reihe:
Die Sekte – Es gibt kein Entkommen
Die Sekte – Deine Angst ist erst der Anfang
Die Sekte – Dein Albtraum nimmt kein Ende
Auf einer nebeligen, sturmgepeitschten Insel vor der Westküste Schwedens hat sich der charismatische Franz Oswald, Anführer der Bewegung Via Terra, mit seinen Anhängern in einem herrschaftlichen Anwesen niedergelassen. Sofia Bauman ist fasziniert von dem Mann und dem geheimnisumwitterten Ort. Als er ihr einen Job anbietet, fällt es ihr leicht alles hinter sich zu lassen. Doch Oswald entpuppt sich als sadistischer Psychopath, der Sofia zu seinem Spielzeug machen will. Sie muss fliehen, aber sie ist längst in einem dunklen Netz aus Abhängigkeit, Liebe und Gewalt gefangen …
Alle Bücher der »Sekten«-Reihe:
Die Sekte – Es gibt kein Entkommen
Die Sekte – Deine Angst ist erst der Anfang
Die Sekte – Dein Albtraum nimmt kein Ende
609 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2015
182 people are currently reading
2899 people want to read
About the author
Mariette Lindstein
14 books89 followersMariette Lindstein (born 1958) was raised in Halmstad on the west coast of Sweden.
From a young age she had a knack for telling stories, ghost stories first then short novels that were published in teen magazines. By the time she graduated high school she had her sights set on a career in journalism.
These dreams evaporated when she was drawn to the Church of Scientology at age 19. She was rapidly promoted to the cult’s headquarters outside Los Angeles where she wound up staying for more than 20 years and worked at the highest levels, directly under Scientology leader David Miscavige.
She managed to escape 2004 under dramatic circumstances. Conditions at the Southern California compound became so disgraceful that the staff were virtual prisoners behind an iron fence topped with razor wire and patrolled by guards.
Mariette currently lives in Sweden together with her husband Dan who has also left the church of Scientology. She works as an author and lecturer full-time. She has dedicated her life to enlightening others about the problems with cults.
It was American writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright who convinced Mariette to speak out about the abuses she experienced in Scientology. At the time Wright was working on a non-fiction book (Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the Prison of Belief) about Scientology and while interviewing Mariette the idea of writing a suspense novel in a cult setting was born. Mariette envisioned a book that would reach a broad audience and not only entertain but enlighten people about the dangers of cults, something inspired by her own experiences. First of foremost, though, Mariette wanted to write a really good thriller.
In 2013, Mariette quit her job as a pre-school teacher and devoted her energies to writing, speaking out and enlightening others about cults. She has done interviews with many morning and evening newspapers in Sweden, including Dagens Nyheter and Aftonbladet Sunday, as well as magazines such as a Filter, The Home Journal and Femina. She has also appeared on television shows “Malou after 10,” “TV 4 Morning News” and was featured in the recent Swedish Television series about cults in Sweden, “The Only True Way.”
Her debut novel Fog Island is inspired by her own experiences and was released in September 2015. It has won critical acclaim from the likes of Sweden´s best- known critic of suspense literature (Lotta Olsson, Dagens Nyheter), who called it “enthralling as the most suspenseful thriller.” Critic Jonas Danielsson in the TV-program “Go’kväll” (Good Evening) said the book is, “A page turner, the most interesting novel this fall.” The book has been on the top list of Adlibris, Sweden’s largest Internet bookstore, for several months. Fog Island is first and foremost a suspense novel, but with the ulterior purpose of warning about the dangers of sects.
Fog Island is the first book in a trilogy about cults and cult mentality, and takes the reader on a journey into a cult and almost impossible way out. The second book (Return to Fog Island was released in Swedish, Fall 2016) the lengths a group will go to harass those who leave, particularly anyone who speak out. The final installment (Children of Fog Island released Fall 2017) explores life in a cult from the viewpoint of children growing up in one.
From a young age she had a knack for telling stories, ghost stories first then short novels that were published in teen magazines. By the time she graduated high school she had her sights set on a career in journalism.
These dreams evaporated when she was drawn to the Church of Scientology at age 19. She was rapidly promoted to the cult’s headquarters outside Los Angeles where she wound up staying for more than 20 years and worked at the highest levels, directly under Scientology leader David Miscavige.
She managed to escape 2004 under dramatic circumstances. Conditions at the Southern California compound became so disgraceful that the staff were virtual prisoners behind an iron fence topped with razor wire and patrolled by guards.
Mariette currently lives in Sweden together with her husband Dan who has also left the church of Scientology. She works as an author and lecturer full-time. She has dedicated her life to enlightening others about the problems with cults.
It was American writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright who convinced Mariette to speak out about the abuses she experienced in Scientology. At the time Wright was working on a non-fiction book (Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood & the Prison of Belief) about Scientology and while interviewing Mariette the idea of writing a suspense novel in a cult setting was born. Mariette envisioned a book that would reach a broad audience and not only entertain but enlighten people about the dangers of cults, something inspired by her own experiences. First of foremost, though, Mariette wanted to write a really good thriller.
In 2013, Mariette quit her job as a pre-school teacher and devoted her energies to writing, speaking out and enlightening others about cults. She has done interviews with many morning and evening newspapers in Sweden, including Dagens Nyheter and Aftonbladet Sunday, as well as magazines such as a Filter, The Home Journal and Femina. She has also appeared on television shows “Malou after 10,” “TV 4 Morning News” and was featured in the recent Swedish Television series about cults in Sweden, “The Only True Way.”
Her debut novel Fog Island is inspired by her own experiences and was released in September 2015. It has won critical acclaim from the likes of Sweden´s best- known critic of suspense literature (Lotta Olsson, Dagens Nyheter), who called it “enthralling as the most suspenseful thriller.” Critic Jonas Danielsson in the TV-program “Go’kväll” (Good Evening) said the book is, “A page turner, the most interesting novel this fall.” The book has been on the top list of Adlibris, Sweden’s largest Internet bookstore, for several months. Fog Island is first and foremost a suspense novel, but with the ulterior purpose of warning about the dangers of sects.
Fog Island is the first book in a trilogy about cults and cult mentality, and takes the reader on a journey into a cult and almost impossible way out. The second book (Return to Fog Island was released in Swedish, Fall 2016) the lengths a group will go to harass those who leave, particularly anyone who speak out. The final installment (Children of Fog Island released Fall 2017) explores life in a cult from the viewpoint of children growing up in one.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 548 reviews
July 9, 2020
*3.5 stars *
I suppose this thriller is what we term “Scandi-Noir”, although you can imagine the events outlined happening in any location. It is claimed to be based on real events in the author's life. In which case I don't envy her.
This engaging narrative is told in the first person by Sofia, an intelligent, well-educated twenty something who has heard about the interesting goings-on at a large estate on a small island off the coast of Sweden. She and her friend Wilma attend a lecture by Franz Oswald, the head of an organisation called ViaTerra, to all outward appearances advocating a thoroughly healthy lifestyle based on vegetarian and environmental policies.
At the end of the lecture the two girls accept an invitation to attend a weekend course on the island, personally issued by Franz Oswald, who is tall, handsome and eminently desirable. They catch the ferry to the island, which is indeed foggy, and chat to the elderly ferryman, Edwin Bjork, who explains that the people on the shore don't mix much with the people on the island. He also hints at tragic events in the lives of the aristocratic family who were the original owners. The last countess had thrown herself into the sea from the Devil's Rock, the highest point on the island, after her lover had drowned. Bjork claims that her ghost has been seen on the rock by a number of local people, clad in her black hooded cape. The two girls find this laughable and make their way to the manor house. The interior is modern, with exquisite interior design, and they are greeted warmly by Oswald, who has them shown to a luxurious bedroom.
The weekend passes pleasantly enough, every comfort and beautifully prepared vegetarian food being provided. At the end of it Sofia is surprised to be offered the job of Librarian. The new, superbly equipped library will be all her own responsibility. She decides to accept the job, although Wilma has some misgivings.
Alongside Sofia's story, there is a sub-plot, featuring an unidentified man and woman. The man discovers a hidden cave on the island, and persuades the woman to join him in using it as a trysting place. I found this confusing at first, until the significance of their presence is revealed.
Sofia's life at the island is enjoyable at first. The job of all the staff on the island is to service the rooms for the guests and maintain the house and gardens. They all seem happy enough with their lot. Sofia thinks Madeleine, Oswald's secretary, is jealous of the amount of attention he pays her. Gradually, though, Sofia comes to realise that Oswald is not the charming man he appears, but a power-mad fanatic who deals out horrendous punishment for breaches of discipline by any member of the staff, including having to jump from Devil's Rock into the freezing sea. They are all terrified of him. Sofia acquires a boyfriend named Benjamin, whose job is to buy stores for the manor, and who as a result of this is allowed to catch the ferry to the mainland fairly frequently. They move into a double room (this is allowed if it is a steady relationship), and Sofia is happy for a while, but this does not last as Oswald's behaviour becomes even more extreme. Sofia realises they are all prisoners on the island and no escape is possible.
This novel is deeply involving though at times I felt the reader’s credibility tested but that being said, the ending is really, really scary, the topping on a most intriguing novel.
I suppose this thriller is what we term “Scandi-Noir”, although you can imagine the events outlined happening in any location. It is claimed to be based on real events in the author's life. In which case I don't envy her.
This engaging narrative is told in the first person by Sofia, an intelligent, well-educated twenty something who has heard about the interesting goings-on at a large estate on a small island off the coast of Sweden. She and her friend Wilma attend a lecture by Franz Oswald, the head of an organisation called ViaTerra, to all outward appearances advocating a thoroughly healthy lifestyle based on vegetarian and environmental policies.
At the end of the lecture the two girls accept an invitation to attend a weekend course on the island, personally issued by Franz Oswald, who is tall, handsome and eminently desirable. They catch the ferry to the island, which is indeed foggy, and chat to the elderly ferryman, Edwin Bjork, who explains that the people on the shore don't mix much with the people on the island. He also hints at tragic events in the lives of the aristocratic family who were the original owners. The last countess had thrown herself into the sea from the Devil's Rock, the highest point on the island, after her lover had drowned. Bjork claims that her ghost has been seen on the rock by a number of local people, clad in her black hooded cape. The two girls find this laughable and make their way to the manor house. The interior is modern, with exquisite interior design, and they are greeted warmly by Oswald, who has them shown to a luxurious bedroom.
The weekend passes pleasantly enough, every comfort and beautifully prepared vegetarian food being provided. At the end of it Sofia is surprised to be offered the job of Librarian. The new, superbly equipped library will be all her own responsibility. She decides to accept the job, although Wilma has some misgivings.
Alongside Sofia's story, there is a sub-plot, featuring an unidentified man and woman. The man discovers a hidden cave on the island, and persuades the woman to join him in using it as a trysting place. I found this confusing at first, until the significance of their presence is revealed.
Sofia's life at the island is enjoyable at first. The job of all the staff on the island is to service the rooms for the guests and maintain the house and gardens. They all seem happy enough with their lot. Sofia thinks Madeleine, Oswald's secretary, is jealous of the amount of attention he pays her. Gradually, though, Sofia comes to realise that Oswald is not the charming man he appears, but a power-mad fanatic who deals out horrendous punishment for breaches of discipline by any member of the staff, including having to jump from Devil's Rock into the freezing sea. They are all terrified of him. Sofia acquires a boyfriend named Benjamin, whose job is to buy stores for the manor, and who as a result of this is allowed to catch the ferry to the mainland fairly frequently. They move into a double room (this is allowed if it is a steady relationship), and Sofia is happy for a while, but this does not last as Oswald's behaviour becomes even more extreme. Sofia realises they are all prisoners on the island and no escape is possible.
This novel is deeply involving though at times I felt the reader’s credibility tested but that being said, the ending is really, really scary, the topping on a most intriguing novel.
January 30, 2019
I am always fascinated by cults and what brings people to join them, so I was very excited to get a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
When best friends Sofia and Wilma go attend a lecture by Franz Oswald who runs a retreat on Fog Island, where their motto is “walk the way of life” Their goal is to save humanity from toxins, stress and other evils. To eat healthy foods, sleep and exercise.
Sofia and Wilma visit the Island and they are offered the job of organising and running the new library. Sofia is tempted and after completing the programme she excitedly accepts the job unbeknown to her its a cult she is entering!!
The island is notorious for famous people paying a lot of money to complete the programme and come away stress free.
At first life on the idyllic island seems perfect for Sofia there is an instant attraction to the charismatic leader Franz who seems concerned with everybody’s well being and then slowly starts to evolve into a crazy, manipulative tyrant!! Rules are changed on a daily basis and punishments are often harsh and brutal.
I really liked this tense thriller, it starts off slow but the tension soon builds up and I was soon fascinated by this whole story.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series, you definitely left me wanting more.
When best friends Sofia and Wilma go attend a lecture by Franz Oswald who runs a retreat on Fog Island, where their motto is “walk the way of life” Their goal is to save humanity from toxins, stress and other evils. To eat healthy foods, sleep and exercise.
Sofia and Wilma visit the Island and they are offered the job of organising and running the new library. Sofia is tempted and after completing the programme she excitedly accepts the job unbeknown to her its a cult she is entering!!
The island is notorious for famous people paying a lot of money to complete the programme and come away stress free.
At first life on the idyllic island seems perfect for Sofia there is an instant attraction to the charismatic leader Franz who seems concerned with everybody’s well being and then slowly starts to evolve into a crazy, manipulative tyrant!! Rules are changed on a daily basis and punishments are often harsh and brutal.
I really liked this tense thriller, it starts off slow but the tension soon builds up and I was soon fascinated by this whole story.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series, you definitely left me wanting more.
February 26, 2019
In an effort to try and stay as spoiler free as possible, it’s quite rare that I read the blurb on the back of a book.
Quite literally I’m judging these books by their covers!
The U.K. edition has emitted ‘The Cult on’ part of the title, so I was expecting a spooky story set on Fog Island.
So it wasn’t until adding this title to Goodreads that I realised it was about a modern day cult.
The story follows young recently single Sofia who has just finished university, whilst attending a lecture about a New Age movement she is mesmerising by the organisations leader Franz Oswald.
Having enjoyed her initial stay, Sofia leaps at the chance to stay longer.
But once she becomes a permanent resident, she starts to learn the sinister secrets of the island.
I’m glad that I took a chance on this novel as I really enjoyed it.
One of the rules on the island was the use of mobile phones and computers and how they can effect people, I always feel there’s a fine line between limited use and out right banning these devices.
From the organisations point of view it’s an easy way to control the residents.
I found the story to be slightly slow in places, but it was a great way to mirror the gradual way the cult can take effect.
Not quite as gripping as I’d hoped, but still a good read.
Quite literally I’m judging these books by their covers!
The U.K. edition has emitted ‘The Cult on’ part of the title, so I was expecting a spooky story set on Fog Island.
So it wasn’t until adding this title to Goodreads that I realised it was about a modern day cult.
The story follows young recently single Sofia who has just finished university, whilst attending a lecture about a New Age movement she is mesmerising by the organisations leader Franz Oswald.
Having enjoyed her initial stay, Sofia leaps at the chance to stay longer.
But once she becomes a permanent resident, she starts to learn the sinister secrets of the island.
I’m glad that I took a chance on this novel as I really enjoyed it.
One of the rules on the island was the use of mobile phones and computers and how they can effect people, I always feel there’s a fine line between limited use and out right banning these devices.
From the organisations point of view it’s an easy way to control the residents.
I found the story to be slightly slow in places, but it was a great way to mirror the gradual way the cult can take effect.
Not quite as gripping as I’d hoped, but still a good read.
Read
January 12, 2020I am going to DNF. I tried.
That doesn't mean it isn't a good book or someone else will not like it. But it isn't for me.
Obviously it is about a cult..you can tell from the title..and a girl, Sofia who gets caught up in it.
But I could not get into it. I always give a book a chance but will not rate this one since I do not think I even made it to 50 pages or not much more anyway.
It is more Gothic then anything and absolutely nothing happened in the short time I read..knowing how long this book is..I did not care to go on.
If I had rated it..already a point taken off for the bee torture..that was so icky.I dislike animal tortue and senseless animal killings in books..but you all know that!
Some of the other reviewers had it right..no character development..Sofia is just suddenly obsessed with the cult leader..no build up..he is a Nutter. from the beginning..but to much of one to be interesting to read about.
And all those exercises, staring at blank sheets of paper, finding your inner self..I am sorry but..for me, it was not creepy or eerie, it was dull.
I did not know this was based on a true story until I read some of the other reviews. I salute this writer for getting out of the cult. I have known people in cults..not many but a few..so I admire the author strongly for escaping.
I feel it is not fair to rate this since I did not even read half. Recommended to fans of Gothic stories, people who want to learn about cults..but wrong book for me.
That doesn't mean it isn't a good book or someone else will not like it. But it isn't for me.
Obviously it is about a cult..you can tell from the title..and a girl, Sofia who gets caught up in it.
But I could not get into it. I always give a book a chance but will not rate this one since I do not think I even made it to 50 pages or not much more anyway.
It is more Gothic then anything and absolutely nothing happened in the short time I read..knowing how long this book is..I did not care to go on.
If I had rated it..already a point taken off for the bee torture..that was so icky.I dislike animal tortue and senseless animal killings in books..but you all know that!
Some of the other reviewers had it right..no character development..Sofia is just suddenly obsessed with the cult leader..no build up..he is a Nutter. from the beginning..but to much of one to be interesting to read about.
And all those exercises, staring at blank sheets of paper, finding your inner self..I am sorry but..for me, it was not creepy or eerie, it was dull.
I did not know this was based on a true story until I read some of the other reviews. I salute this writer for getting out of the cult. I have known people in cults..not many but a few..so I admire the author strongly for escaping.
I feel it is not fair to rate this since I did not even read half. Recommended to fans of Gothic stories, people who want to learn about cults..but wrong book for me.
April 30, 2018
The Cult on Fog Island by Mariette Lindstein is a story about Sofia who falls for the charismatic Franz who runs a retreat on Fog Island. Sophie visits the island and decides to stay and work there but has she bitten off more that she can cope with and will she be allowed to leave?
I was clear to me from the start that something wasn't right and there were creepy underlying motives with the organisers of this group.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was clear to me from the start that something wasn't right and there were creepy underlying motives with the organisers of this group.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2018
I am always intrigued by books about cults and so I was looking forward to this. Our central character is a student, called Sofia, who is at a low point when we first meet her. She has just ended a bad relationship and her ex-boyfriend, Ellis, has been writing things about her on social media and generally causing her embarrassment and humiliation. Looking for something to cheer her up, and offer some guidance, she attends a lecture by Franz Oswald, who proposes clean living (Via Terra).
At first, it all seems very positive. Franz Oswald is attractive, his message makes sense and Sofia, who attends the lecture with her friend, Wilma, is attracted to him. When he suggests they visit his group on West Fog Island, off the coast of Sweden, the two are keen. Although they are warned on the ferry, the island is beautiful, tourists swarm around the harbour and the house, where the group live, is impressive. Oswald definitely seems to give his attention to Sofia; flattering her and suggesting she return to the island to work as a librarian.
This offer of a job seems to give Sofia a chance of escape from her worries about Ellis and her confusion about what to do with her life next. However, as time goes on, the group – seemingly so innocent and positive – becomes darker and more oppressive. The rules gradually increase. There are excuses to enforce control, punishments and ulterior motives. Before long, Sofia is questioning her reasons for joining the group, wondering why she stays and, indeed, whether she can leave…
This is not an action packed novel, but I do think it is a realistic representation of how people can be dragged into such situations. Sofia does not have an eureka moment, but she is always a little wary and her disquiet gradually grows. What initially seems an escape from a bad situation, turns into a situation which is ultimately worse and the book highlights how vulnerable people are targeted. Interesting, with a good sense of atmosphere and a good setting, but do not expect a fast thriller. This is a slow, thoughtful novel, but I found it an interesting read.
Rated 3.5, rounded up to 4.0
At first, it all seems very positive. Franz Oswald is attractive, his message makes sense and Sofia, who attends the lecture with her friend, Wilma, is attracted to him. When he suggests they visit his group on West Fog Island, off the coast of Sweden, the two are keen. Although they are warned on the ferry, the island is beautiful, tourists swarm around the harbour and the house, where the group live, is impressive. Oswald definitely seems to give his attention to Sofia; flattering her and suggesting she return to the island to work as a librarian.
This offer of a job seems to give Sofia a chance of escape from her worries about Ellis and her confusion about what to do with her life next. However, as time goes on, the group – seemingly so innocent and positive – becomes darker and more oppressive. The rules gradually increase. There are excuses to enforce control, punishments and ulterior motives. Before long, Sofia is questioning her reasons for joining the group, wondering why she stays and, indeed, whether she can leave…
This is not an action packed novel, but I do think it is a realistic representation of how people can be dragged into such situations. Sofia does not have an eureka moment, but she is always a little wary and her disquiet gradually grows. What initially seems an escape from a bad situation, turns into a situation which is ultimately worse and the book highlights how vulnerable people are targeted. Interesting, with a good sense of atmosphere and a good setting, but do not expect a fast thriller. This is a slow, thoughtful novel, but I found it an interesting read.
Rated 3.5, rounded up to 4.0
December 30, 2019
This is only titled Fog Island in the UK, saw this in a nice little bookshop and this book intrigued me, not knowing much about cults apart from a few films on the subject (Martha Marcy May Marlene is well worth a watch) I was interested to see how this would turn out.
Its a fairly long book, well over 500 pages closer to the 6 mark but i whizzed through this.
Young woman Sofia has just split up with her boyfriend and her and her friend attend a lecture by a charismatic man named Franz, he proposes people join him on Fog Island for health benefits and as Sofia's going through a messy breakup she jumps at the chance.
Things start off all rosy, but things soon change, Franz mood alters somewhat, and eventually they seem to become prisoners in this camp on the secluded Fog Island, having their phones confiscated, emails monitored etc, Franz seems to have total control over everyone and resorts to vicious psychological and even physical bullying and no one seems to stop it, Sofia of course decides to try and escape the Island, will she , won't she?
This book flew past, I couldn't wait to see what would happen and I was gripped right till the end, the only negative thing I'll say about this excellent book was how people thought Franz was so charismatic in the first place, he seemed a bit pompous and arrogant from the start (but maybe that's just me 😃)but other than that a highly recommend read.
Strong 4.5 Stars (rounded up to 5).
Its a fairly long book, well over 500 pages closer to the 6 mark but i whizzed through this.
Young woman Sofia has just split up with her boyfriend and her and her friend attend a lecture by a charismatic man named Franz, he proposes people join him on Fog Island for health benefits and as Sofia's going through a messy breakup she jumps at the chance.
Things start off all rosy, but things soon change, Franz mood alters somewhat, and eventually they seem to become prisoners in this camp on the secluded Fog Island, having their phones confiscated, emails monitored etc, Franz seems to have total control over everyone and resorts to vicious psychological and even physical bullying and no one seems to stop it, Sofia of course decides to try and escape the Island, will she , won't she?
This book flew past, I couldn't wait to see what would happen and I was gripped right till the end, the only negative thing I'll say about this excellent book was how people thought Franz was so charismatic in the first place, he seemed a bit pompous and arrogant from the start (but maybe that's just me 😃)but other than that a highly recommend read.
Strong 4.5 Stars (rounded up to 5).
March 5, 2018
Not really for me this one. Too slow moving without anything really interesting, I couldn't see why the "Leader" was so charismatic even given the manipulation as he was an idiot and the main protagonist was just as stupid.
I think probably it was the story that didn't do it for me. The writing was great, especially descriptively but the rest I wasn't that fond of. The island was cool and creepy though!
Probably will do well this one I can see why it would appeal to others.
I think probably it was the story that didn't do it for me. The writing was great, especially descriptively but the rest I wasn't that fond of. The island was cool and creepy though!
Probably will do well this one I can see why it would appeal to others.
September 15, 2018
Het verhaal is tamelijk voorspelbaar, maar nog wel spannend en heftig op bepaalde momenten en stemt tot nadenken, zelfs nadat de laatste bladzijde is dichtgeslagen. Hoe is het mogelijk dat de intelligente, assertieve, pas afgestudeerde Sofia zich laat inpalmen door een gevaarlijke sekteleider en tijdens de 2 jaar die ze voor hem werkt, officieel als persoonlijke assistente, maar in
werkelijkheid als slaaf, tesamen met de andere sekteleden, de ergste vernederingen ondergaat, zowel fysisch als psychisch.
Op zich vind ik Sofia niet bepaald een aangename persoonlijkheid. Ze is egoistisch, opportunistisch, en maakt misbruik van haar machtspositie t.o.v. de andere sekteleden.
Anderzijds is ze toch wel begaan met het lot van een 14-jarig sektelid, dat nog ergere vernederingen moet doorstaan en heeft ze de moed om gevaarlijke acties te nemen om aan haar lot te ontsnappen.
Toch doet dit niets af aan mijn appreciatie voor dit verhaal.
Een tweede verhaallijn, die parallel loopt met het hoofdverhaal, geeft met mondjesmaat achtergrondinformatie prijs over de historiek en het ontstaan van de sekte.
Het verhaal vertoont toch wel enkele "minder"geloofwaardige elementen; zo is bv. in een bepaald vakantiehuis dat jaren onbewoond bleef, de electriciteit afgesloten, maar toch blijken de TV en de koelkast te werken en wordt er gekookt in de woning. Op een bepaald moment staat het Sofia overal geseind en vertoont ze zich onvermomd op publieke plaatsen, zonder door iemand herkend te worden, zelfs niet door degenen die vlakbij naar haar op zoek zijn.
De sekte is een zeer verdienstelijk debuut en ik kijk met veel interesse uit naar het vervolg dat gepland is voor februari 2018.
werkelijkheid als slaaf, tesamen met de andere sekteleden, de ergste vernederingen ondergaat, zowel fysisch als psychisch.
Op zich vind ik Sofia niet bepaald een aangename persoonlijkheid. Ze is egoistisch, opportunistisch, en maakt misbruik van haar machtspositie t.o.v. de andere sekteleden.
Anderzijds is ze toch wel begaan met het lot van een 14-jarig sektelid, dat nog ergere vernederingen moet doorstaan en heeft ze de moed om gevaarlijke acties te nemen om aan haar lot te ontsnappen.
Toch doet dit niets af aan mijn appreciatie voor dit verhaal.
Een tweede verhaallijn, die parallel loopt met het hoofdverhaal, geeft met mondjesmaat achtergrondinformatie prijs over de historiek en het ontstaan van de sekte.
Het verhaal vertoont toch wel enkele "minder"geloofwaardige elementen; zo is bv. in een bepaald vakantiehuis dat jaren onbewoond bleef, de electriciteit afgesloten, maar toch blijken de TV en de koelkast te werken en wordt er gekookt in de woning. Op een bepaald moment staat het Sofia overal geseind en vertoont ze zich onvermomd op publieke plaatsen, zonder door iemand herkend te worden, zelfs niet door degenen die vlakbij naar haar op zoek zijn.
De sekte is een zeer verdienstelijk debuut en ik kijk met veel interesse uit naar het vervolg dat gepland is voor februari 2018.
December 30, 2021
Die Anmerkung der Autorin, zum Schluss, hat mir richtig Gänsehaut bereitet. 😬
Ich brauche Nachschub. 😁
Ich brauche Nachschub. 😁
September 26, 2017
Benieuwd naar het vervolg...
November 27, 2020
I received this copy in return for an honest review courtesy of Lovereading.
Potential spoiler alert below!!!!
In all honesty, it is not my favourite book of the year. The synopsis was more exciting that this quite weighty tome which took a long time to say nothing really in particular.
It is based in part on true events, but I found the juxtaposition of what was happening on the island to the main character Sofia, and each chapter ending with a narrative from an unknown person very jarring.
The biggest problem I had was the issue of it being a book by someone who either has had it translated (that information is not on the cover sheet or publication info) or English is not their first language.
It reads very clumsily, there is a great deal of exposition and the dialogue doesn't ring true.
As well as this, I did not really care for the main character, Sofia, the 'intellectual college grad' who fell under the 'charms' of the cult leader did not come across well.
The endless descriptions of the library she was setting up and the way she behaved did not seem genuine. The lack of a strong female protagonist-they were seen as the weaker sex from day one-the lack of suspense, the lack of charisma in this 'cult leader',Oswald, and the inability of authorities to shut this island down made it a chore to read.
I was surprised to read it is the first in a trilogy until I reached the epilogue where another intelligent, educated woman is about to fall into Oswald's trap 'his gaze moves up and down her body again, setting her on fire' is an example of how pretty much most women react-without any justification he seems thoroughly reprehensible from the outset.
Lack of clear plotting, undeveloped characters and an overlong book meant I unfortunately did not enjoy it but others might well do.
I wouldn't be looking for the other 2 books n the series, apologies to the author and Lovereading, this is just my opinion.
Potential spoiler alert below!!!!
In all honesty, it is not my favourite book of the year. The synopsis was more exciting that this quite weighty tome which took a long time to say nothing really in particular.
It is based in part on true events, but I found the juxtaposition of what was happening on the island to the main character Sofia, and each chapter ending with a narrative from an unknown person very jarring.
The biggest problem I had was the issue of it being a book by someone who either has had it translated (that information is not on the cover sheet or publication info) or English is not their first language.
It reads very clumsily, there is a great deal of exposition and the dialogue doesn't ring true.
As well as this, I did not really care for the main character, Sofia, the 'intellectual college grad' who fell under the 'charms' of the cult leader did not come across well.
The endless descriptions of the library she was setting up and the way she behaved did not seem genuine. The lack of a strong female protagonist-they were seen as the weaker sex from day one-the lack of suspense, the lack of charisma in this 'cult leader',Oswald, and the inability of authorities to shut this island down made it a chore to read.
I was surprised to read it is the first in a trilogy until I reached the epilogue where another intelligent, educated woman is about to fall into Oswald's trap 'his gaze moves up and down her body again, setting her on fire' is an example of how pretty much most women react-without any justification he seems thoroughly reprehensible from the outset.
Lack of clear plotting, undeveloped characters and an overlong book meant I unfortunately did not enjoy it but others might well do.
I wouldn't be looking for the other 2 books n the series, apologies to the author and Lovereading, this is just my opinion.
October 30, 2019
"Die Sekte" habe ich sehnlichst erwartet. Zu spannend klang der Klappentext. Außerdem finde ich das Thema faszinierend.
Der Inhalt ist schnell erzählt:
Es geht um Sofia, die nach dem Studium noch nicht so recht weiß, wie es weitergehen soll. Als sie und ihre Freundin Wilma einen Vortrag von dem charmanten Franz Oswald besuchen, ist sie hin und weg von ihm und seiner Lebensweise. Dieser hat Via Terra auf einer Insel in Schweden gegründet und bietet dort Kurse an. Sofie bekommt von dem Gründer das Angebot, die Bibliothek auf dem Anwesen aufzubauen. Anfangs gefällt es ihr dort auch recht gut, doch nach und nach zeigt Franz, wer er wirklich ist und der Wahnsinn geht so richtig los... Nach den ersten Seiten hatte ich etwas Angst, dass der Thriller langweilig werden könnte. Es geht nämlich sehr langsam und unspektakulär los. Nur die kurzen Einblicke in die Vergangenheit von einer dem Leser noch unbekannten Person, hielt mich bei Laune. Spätestens nach 50 Seiten hatte mich das Buch aber. Ich konnte es nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Die Lage spitzt sich sehr langsam und fast unmerklich immer mehr zu. Dies zeigt sich lange nur durch Kleinigkeiten und in der Luft liegt eine furchtbare Stimmung, die sich nicht richtig greifen lässt. Das Setting auf der nebeligen Insel und das Anwesen tun das übrige dazu.
War mir Sofia anfangs noch unsympathisch, so konnte ich doch nach und nach so richtig mit ihr mitfiebern und hatte oft Angst um sie. Irgendwann wurde die Story so spannend, dass ich regelrecht den Atem angehalten habe. "Es gibt kein Entkommen" ist der Auftakt einer #Trilogie und ich freue mich sehr auf den zweiten Band. Es sind für mich noch einige Fragen offen geblieben, vor allem was Franz Oswald betrifft und hoffe da sehr auf die Bücher, die noch folgen.
Der Inhalt ist schnell erzählt:
Es geht um Sofia, die nach dem Studium noch nicht so recht weiß, wie es weitergehen soll. Als sie und ihre Freundin Wilma einen Vortrag von dem charmanten Franz Oswald besuchen, ist sie hin und weg von ihm und seiner Lebensweise. Dieser hat Via Terra auf einer Insel in Schweden gegründet und bietet dort Kurse an. Sofie bekommt von dem Gründer das Angebot, die Bibliothek auf dem Anwesen aufzubauen. Anfangs gefällt es ihr dort auch recht gut, doch nach und nach zeigt Franz, wer er wirklich ist und der Wahnsinn geht so richtig los... Nach den ersten Seiten hatte ich etwas Angst, dass der Thriller langweilig werden könnte. Es geht nämlich sehr langsam und unspektakulär los. Nur die kurzen Einblicke in die Vergangenheit von einer dem Leser noch unbekannten Person, hielt mich bei Laune. Spätestens nach 50 Seiten hatte mich das Buch aber. Ich konnte es nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Die Lage spitzt sich sehr langsam und fast unmerklich immer mehr zu. Dies zeigt sich lange nur durch Kleinigkeiten und in der Luft liegt eine furchtbare Stimmung, die sich nicht richtig greifen lässt. Das Setting auf der nebeligen Insel und das Anwesen tun das übrige dazu.
War mir Sofia anfangs noch unsympathisch, so konnte ich doch nach und nach so richtig mit ihr mitfiebern und hatte oft Angst um sie. Irgendwann wurde die Story so spannend, dass ich regelrecht den Atem angehalten habe. "Es gibt kein Entkommen" ist der Auftakt einer #Trilogie und ich freue mich sehr auf den zweiten Band. Es sind für mich noch einige Fragen offen geblieben, vor allem was Franz Oswald betrifft und hoffe da sehr auf die Bücher, die noch folgen.
July 14, 2019
Uit. Een apart verhaal en geen standaard thriller. Een droom wordt langzaamaan een nachtmerrie. Hoe verder het verhaal vordert, hoe grimmiger de sfeer wordt. Op een gegeven moment kreeg ik echt een hekel aan Oswald. Overigens verbaasde ik me er over dat de mensen niet massaal in opstand kwamen. Waarschijnlijk waren ze te bang of te veel gebrainwasht.
Er zijn twee verhaallijnen in het boek. In het begin was nog niet duidelijk wat die twee met elkaar te maken hadden. Na een tijdje had ik een vermoeden en dat bleek te kloppen.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende deel. Al wacht ik nog met lezen. Na dit boek heb ik er wel even genoeg van. Niet omdat het een slecht verhaal is, maar de sfeer is vrij beklemmend en daarom heb ik zin op dit moment zin in een ander soort verhaal.
Er zijn twee verhaallijnen in het boek. In het begin was nog niet duidelijk wat die twee met elkaar te maken hadden. Na een tijdje had ik een vermoeden en dat bleek te kloppen.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende deel. Al wacht ik nog met lezen. Na dit boek heb ik er wel even genoeg van. Niet omdat het een slecht verhaal is, maar de sfeer is vrij beklemmend en daarom heb ik zin op dit moment zin in een ander soort verhaal.
July 20, 2019
I've read many thrillers but very few on the subject of cults so this one really appealed to me and I don't think it disappointed.
Sofia takes a job as a librarian at what seems like a new-agey mansion on a remote island after meeting owner Franz Oswald. As you'd expect things start off wonderful but slowly descend into a nightmare. I think the build up to the descent worked really well. There's great tension in the story and the 2 years Sofia is there fly by.
I think Franz could have been a bit more charismatic. I don't think the book really got that across properly and so I couldn't quite accept that people didn't leave at certain points in the story. Some minor characters were completely brainwashed by him but I didn't have enough belief in him to accept the why of that.
I'm intrigued by the fact this is classed as a Book 1 about Sofia so I'm now wondering as we don't get to see what happened to all the inhabitants of the sect if there is more to come on that or if she ends up in a whole new drama. I will though read on and find out.
Sofia takes a job as a librarian at what seems like a new-agey mansion on a remote island after meeting owner Franz Oswald. As you'd expect things start off wonderful but slowly descend into a nightmare. I think the build up to the descent worked really well. There's great tension in the story and the 2 years Sofia is there fly by.
I think Franz could have been a bit more charismatic. I don't think the book really got that across properly and so I couldn't quite accept that people didn't leave at certain points in the story. Some minor characters were completely brainwashed by him but I didn't have enough belief in him to accept the why of that.
I'm intrigued by the fact this is classed as a Book 1 about Sofia so I'm now wondering as we don't get to see what happened to all the inhabitants of the sect if there is more to come on that or if she ends up in a whole new drama. I will though read on and find out.
February 16, 2021
This book had me absolutely mesmerized right from page one. I took a course on religious cults and sects in college and ever since then I've been fascinated by stories, fiction or not, that involve cults. This book has to be one of my favourites that I've read so far. I really enjoyed how it flipped from past to present tense, showing us the two different parts of the story and then finally seeing it all come together at the end. I loved that we started RIGHT at the beginning of the cult when everything was still idyllic and happy and we followed them in their descent to madness and darkness. I did think it was a tiny bit long in some parts and could have been cut down a bit to make it more snappy. Still, it was shocking and terrifying to watch the cult evolve into what it became and the way it all came to a head was just amazing and the perfect ending!
June 4, 2018
Litteraly read the book in 9-10 hrs non stop ! Very captivating thriller definitely worth reading. Interesting writing style.
March 19, 2022
3 Sterne
Im Grunde habe ich hier bekommen, was ich erwartet habe - eine sehr rasante Locked-Room-Geschichte rund um eine undurchsichtige Sekte. Ja, aber leider ist es dadurch auch nichts, was mir im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Das ist schade. Die Protagonistin hatte leider keine Tiefe. Auch die Dynamiken, der Hintergrund der Sekte wurde kaum ausgearbeitet. Worum geht es eigentlich in der Sekte? Warum kommen die Leute, welche Leute kommen überhaupt? ich konnte es mir bis zum Ende nicht so richtig vorstellen. Und dann wurde meiner Meinung nach etwas viel Fokus auf die Backstory des Sektenführers gelegt. Es wird so darstellt, als wäre es ein unglaublich interessanter und charismatischer Charakter, den es zu ergründen gilt. Well, das habe ich an keiner Stelle so gesehen.
In jedem Fall ein unterhaltsames Buch, das sehr temporeich geschrieben ist, weshalb keine Langeweile aufkommt. Aber mit der Reihe weitermachen, kommt für mich nicht infrage.
Im Grunde habe ich hier bekommen, was ich erwartet habe - eine sehr rasante Locked-Room-Geschichte rund um eine undurchsichtige Sekte. Ja, aber leider ist es dadurch auch nichts, was mir im Gedächtnis bleiben wird. Das ist schade. Die Protagonistin hatte leider keine Tiefe. Auch die Dynamiken, der Hintergrund der Sekte wurde kaum ausgearbeitet. Worum geht es eigentlich in der Sekte? Warum kommen die Leute, welche Leute kommen überhaupt? ich konnte es mir bis zum Ende nicht so richtig vorstellen. Und dann wurde meiner Meinung nach etwas viel Fokus auf die Backstory des Sektenführers gelegt. Es wird so darstellt, als wäre es ein unglaublich interessanter und charismatischer Charakter, den es zu ergründen gilt. Well, das habe ich an keiner Stelle so gesehen.
In jedem Fall ein unterhaltsames Buch, das sehr temporeich geschrieben ist, weshalb keine Langeweile aufkommt. Aber mit der Reihe weitermachen, kommt für mich nicht infrage.
February 20, 2021
,,Tu nepasirenki sektos, sekta pasirenka tave"
Ir iškart susidomiu, ypač žinant autorės žinias apie scientologiją. Nors ji teigia, kad viskas yra netiesa, jos sugalvota, bet tiesa minint gyvenimą sektoje, dar kitaip kulte. Kaip pavadinsi, taip nepagadinsi.
Kalbant apie knygą ji kitokia vien savo tema. Įtraukianti ir šokiruojanti. Sunku protu suvokti daugelį įvykių. Bet ar mane nustebino? Ne. Tikrai ne. Tikėjausi daugelio vingių, nes apie sektas nemažai girdėjau ir skaičiau.
Tačiau pati knyga man patiko perskaičiau vienu prisėdimu. Makabriški žaidimai protu.. Žiaurūs kankinimai.. Visko čia daug ir viskas susidėlioja, persipina, kad vietomis norėjau giliau įkvėpti ir užsimerkti. Ne iš baimės.. Net nežinau kaip apibūdinti savo emocijas, jų būta daug. Ir įvairių.
Ar įmanoma pabėgti iš kulto, kuris tave apraizgo lyg vijoklis?
Rekomenduoju, kuriems įdomu kiek kitokios istorijos 💯🔥🙏
Ir iškart susidomiu, ypač žinant autorės žinias apie scientologiją. Nors ji teigia, kad viskas yra netiesa, jos sugalvota, bet tiesa minint gyvenimą sektoje, dar kitaip kulte. Kaip pavadinsi, taip nepagadinsi.
Kalbant apie knygą ji kitokia vien savo tema. Įtraukianti ir šokiruojanti. Sunku protu suvokti daugelį įvykių. Bet ar mane nustebino? Ne. Tikrai ne. Tikėjausi daugelio vingių, nes apie sektas nemažai girdėjau ir skaičiau.
Tačiau pati knyga man patiko perskaičiau vienu prisėdimu. Makabriški žaidimai protu.. Žiaurūs kankinimai.. Visko čia daug ir viskas susidėlioja, persipina, kad vietomis norėjau giliau įkvėpti ir užsimerkti. Ne iš baimės.. Net nežinau kaip apibūdinti savo emocijas, jų būta daug. Ir įvairių.
Ar įmanoma pabėgti iš kulto, kuris tave apraizgo lyg vijoklis?
Rekomenduoju, kuriems įdomu kiek kitokios istorijos 💯🔥🙏
May 29, 2018
I am new to Mariette's writing, I did realize this was a trilogy??! interesting, now I am curious what will be in the next 2 books??? will I being in the USA be able to find them when they come out??! ... on a recently trip to Canada ...I sadly ran out of books (OH MY GOODNESS, beth say it is not so??!) ... I had read gosh 3 books and needed another, when I have free time or getting ready for bed or whatever, I love reading, it is my thing, u do yours and life will be great!! ... the hubby & I ran to Walmart for a few items ... foods and such ... and I got 3 books ... let me tell ya ... I feel for Canada buyers of books ... it is amazing how more $$$ pricey books are in Canada ... wow wee. no kidding ... i see that it was a 40% CDN cover price on the sticker on the front. What happened ... I had already picked up 2 other ...which were 2 for $15 bucks (remember that is Canada doe not USA. just saying.) and the hubby said why not that book? I saw the cover ... immediately fell head over heels ... no kidding it is awesome. such a great cover. but maybe this book is not for sale yet in the USA? 'cause I don't see it listed on AMAZON USA? weird. I gotta do some research on Mariette ... maybe she is Canadian too? anywho ... i am not that in the know about cults and all that ... I have read past pieces or info. on ones that have been most popular or should I say well know in the history of it all. So I took it with a grain of salt and just read it like I knew nothing .... at times it was odd or out there .... but I think the point of most books is to use the authors' creative thoughts or ideas. This is beyond creative. well done. There is also a sticker from Lisa Hall ... guess I will have to see who she is too? another author or? "I love it... terrifying." ... not saying I would put it into the terrifying category or anything but it was definitely out there ... at times hard to read ... or not happy. curious why there was no trigger warning ... that seems to be the thing this day and age. I have no so called trigger issues that I know of ... but some might ... if u have issues with reading about attempted suicide, or cult issues, cult life, being brainwashed or pulled into that life style, or bullying or suchness like that, you might wish to read something more light hearted. It was extremely mysterious, which I truly enjoy and I love stepping out of my normal everyday kind of read to trying something new. This was truly something like that indeed. I might only be able to review this on the Canadian Amazon site? curious. Do you ever read a book and end up with more ?'s. This is one of those books ... I would love to chat with Mariette and ask those questions ... I love a book that makes you think or wonder??! I'll keep ya posted. Hope to review it on the USA site soon. Check it out!! ( ;
October 20, 2018
Haunting, disturbing, and infuriating. I was going to only rate this 4 stars because as a translation some of the writing is a bit stilted and the misery of being in the cult seemed to go on forever, but a full day after I've finished and I can't stop thinking about this book which bumps it up to a 5 star read. It's almost an unbelievable story that somehow seems a bit familiar. Reading the author's biography I see that she was a member of Scientology for 20 years. I knew I had heard of members being forced to clean hundreds of toilets with toothbrushes as a punishment from somewhere before and this Scientology connection sheds a light on everything. While the story seems so over the top and bizarre I suspect that it is all based on experience which is absolutely terrifying and appalling.
I recognized a lot of real life cult leaders in the Fog Island Cult leader, Franz. Whenever someone disobeys him he calls it "treason" and complains that everyone else just loafs around and no one works as hard as he does when in reality he does nothing of use and expects everyone else to work like slaves for him. This rhetoric sounds so familiar, no names mentioned (rhymes with dump.) Franz is completely abusive, batsh*t crazy and intrinsically evil yet everyone in the cult worships him and blindly follows his every order.
The Cult on Fog Island spends a lot of time wallowing in misery and illustrating just how brainwashed the members become. There are a few scenes of total adrenaline and nail biting action and I could not stop reading near the end. This is a crazy, scary story and its real life connections and parallels make this much more frightening than any ghost or ghoul.
I recognized a lot of real life cult leaders in the Fog Island Cult leader, Franz. Whenever someone disobeys him he calls it "treason" and complains that everyone else just loafs around and no one works as hard as he does when in reality he does nothing of use and expects everyone else to work like slaves for him. This rhetoric sounds so familiar, no names mentioned (rhymes with dump.) Franz is completely abusive, batsh*t crazy and intrinsically evil yet everyone in the cult worships him and blindly follows his every order.
The Cult on Fog Island spends a lot of time wallowing in misery and illustrating just how brainwashed the members become. There are a few scenes of total adrenaline and nail biting action and I could not stop reading near the end. This is a crazy, scary story and its real life connections and parallels make this much more frightening than any ghost or ghoul.
September 7, 2019
From the very beginning, I found it hard to be drawn into this story of a young woman’s absorption into a cult, becoming in thrall to a supposedly charismatic leader, becoming a prisoner without really knowing how. I never understood what was so wonderful about the leader, how he magnetised people to the extent that they were enchanted by this man they would hang on his every word, obey every command and allow themselves to be effectively enslaved because the writing isn’t strong enough to convince or carry the tale. From the very start, the execution seemed clumsy — whether because this is a poor translation, or because the original text isn’t very good, I don’t know, but no one speaks in a naturalistic way; it has ‘not in its original language’ stamped all over it. The weird, schoolgirlish behaviour of the protagonist, and her massive, juvenile crush on the cult leader got on my nerves from the very beginning. I never believed in the cult leader’s charisma, and Sofia, the protagonist, seemed a very silly character indeed. I never warmed to her, I found her annoyingly childish. The novel is based on the author’s own experiences: she spent 25 years in just such a cult, so I have to assume she knows what she’s writing about. There’s clearly a great story at the heart of this book, but it really needed someone with a better sense of language, place and character to tell it.
October 7, 2016
Sämsta boken jag läst på läääänge (hur stod jag ut i 550 sidor???)
September 17, 2017
PIONNEN
Interessante thriller, mits je nieuwsgierig bent naar het reilen en zeilen binnen een sekte. Mariette Lindstein raakt er niet over uitgepraat en heeft als ervaringsdeskundige - twintig jaar Scientologybeweging - recht van spreken. Voor buitenstaanders lijkt het zo eenvoudig: je sluit je vrijwillig bij een sekte aan en als het tegenvalt vertrek je. Lindstein maakt duidelijk dat het zo niet werkt. (In diverse tv-items en artikelen over sektes zie en lees je dat eveneens, maar dit boek is zodanig concreet dat het raakt. Het helpt dat het door een insider geschreven is en niet door een willekeurige observant of journalist.) Wat begint als een selecte groep wereldverbeteraars met een ideaalbeeld voor ogen, ontaardt in superioriteit versus het ondergaan van vernederingen. Dat de sekte op een eiland gevestigd is maakt een eventueel vertrek extra gecompliceerd.
De sekte is deel 1 van de ViaTerra-trilogie. 'ViaTerra: wij bewandelen de wegen der aarde' luidt de leus. Sekteleider Franz Oswald heeft de wind eronder. Typerend voor Oswalds insteek en karakter is dit fragment uit zijn gedachtegoed:
"Andere mensen zijn slechts pionnen. Ze kunnen verschillende rollen vervullen en soms problemen veroorzaken, maar jij bent degene die de hoofdrol heeft en je hebt altijd een keuze: om de pionnen te gebruiken of weg te leggen."
Inderdaad, pionnen. Pionnen waar Oswald mee doet wat hij wil. Is een sektelid opstandig, of maakt hij/zij een fout, dan is een buitenproportionele straf het gevolg. Aan compromissen doet Oswald niet.
In De sekte volgen we Sofia Bauman. Hoe komt een intelligente vrouw als zij ertoe zich bij ViaTerra aan te sluiten, hoe weet ze zich te handhaven en zou het haar lukken aan de sekte te ontsnappen? De proloog belooft niet veel goeds ...
We volgen ook de gedachten en wederwaardigheden van Fredrik. Wie is hij, waar gaat dit heen?
Lindstein is er uitstekend in geslaagd een onheilspellende sfeer te tekenen in De sekte, toch wordt het verhaal niet echt spannend (o.a. vanwege vermoeden van afloop). Sommige personages zou je een schop onder hun kont willen geven, maar goed, zo werkt dat dus niet binnen een sekte. Er moet gehoorzaamd worden en gewerkt en gewerkt en gewerkt. Oscar doet huiveren, wat een ... vul maar in. De Fredrikverhaallijn wordt algauw voorspelbaar, maar blijft boeiend genoeg om met aandacht én afgrijzen te lezen.
Het einde, tja. Kennelijk is dat niet het einde, want er volgen nog twee delen. De sekte - Herrijzenis, ViaTerra #2, verschijnt 20 februari 2018. Wat heeft Lindstein nog méér te vertellen? Of wordt het meer van hetzelfde? We gaan het zien.
[spanning 3, plot 4, schrijfstijl 4, leesplezier 5, originaliteit 4, psychologie 4]
Interessante thriller, mits je nieuwsgierig bent naar het reilen en zeilen binnen een sekte. Mariette Lindstein raakt er niet over uitgepraat en heeft als ervaringsdeskundige - twintig jaar Scientologybeweging - recht van spreken. Voor buitenstaanders lijkt het zo eenvoudig: je sluit je vrijwillig bij een sekte aan en als het tegenvalt vertrek je. Lindstein maakt duidelijk dat het zo niet werkt. (In diverse tv-items en artikelen over sektes zie en lees je dat eveneens, maar dit boek is zodanig concreet dat het raakt. Het helpt dat het door een insider geschreven is en niet door een willekeurige observant of journalist.) Wat begint als een selecte groep wereldverbeteraars met een ideaalbeeld voor ogen, ontaardt in superioriteit versus het ondergaan van vernederingen. Dat de sekte op een eiland gevestigd is maakt een eventueel vertrek extra gecompliceerd.
De sekte is deel 1 van de ViaTerra-trilogie. 'ViaTerra: wij bewandelen de wegen der aarde' luidt de leus. Sekteleider Franz Oswald heeft de wind eronder. Typerend voor Oswalds insteek en karakter is dit fragment uit zijn gedachtegoed:
"Andere mensen zijn slechts pionnen. Ze kunnen verschillende rollen vervullen en soms problemen veroorzaken, maar jij bent degene die de hoofdrol heeft en je hebt altijd een keuze: om de pionnen te gebruiken of weg te leggen."
Inderdaad, pionnen. Pionnen waar Oswald mee doet wat hij wil. Is een sektelid opstandig, of maakt hij/zij een fout, dan is een buitenproportionele straf het gevolg. Aan compromissen doet Oswald niet.
In De sekte volgen we Sofia Bauman. Hoe komt een intelligente vrouw als zij ertoe zich bij ViaTerra aan te sluiten, hoe weet ze zich te handhaven en zou het haar lukken aan de sekte te ontsnappen? De proloog belooft niet veel goeds ...
We volgen ook de gedachten en wederwaardigheden van Fredrik. Wie is hij, waar gaat dit heen?
Lindstein is er uitstekend in geslaagd een onheilspellende sfeer te tekenen in De sekte, toch wordt het verhaal niet echt spannend (o.a. vanwege vermoeden van afloop). Sommige personages zou je een schop onder hun kont willen geven, maar goed, zo werkt dat dus niet binnen een sekte. Er moet gehoorzaamd worden en gewerkt en gewerkt en gewerkt. Oscar doet huiveren, wat een ... vul maar in. De Fredrikverhaallijn wordt algauw voorspelbaar, maar blijft boeiend genoeg om met aandacht én afgrijzen te lezen.
Het einde, tja. Kennelijk is dat niet het einde, want er volgen nog twee delen. De sekte - Herrijzenis, ViaTerra #2, verschijnt 20 februari 2018. Wat heeft Lindstein nog méér te vertellen? Of wordt het meer van hetzelfde? We gaan het zien.
[spanning 3, plot 4, schrijfstijl 4, leesplezier 5, originaliteit 4, psychologie 4]
June 28, 2018
Erg teleurgesteld door dit boek. Het enige mooie eraan is het omslag. Dat ziet er uitnodigend en mysterieus uit, maar het boek zelf is dat geenszins. Omdat de auteur zelf jaren in een sekte heeft geleefd, had ik hoge verwachtingen: nu krijgen we echt een mooi inkijkje in het leven in een sekte. Maar het boek mist alle diepgang die het interessant zou hebben gemaakt. De manipulatietactieken om nieuwe leden in te palmen en een rad voor ogen te draaien, blijven sterk onderbelicht. Wel ligt er veel nadruk op het tirannieke gedrag van de leider en de uitbuiting van de leden. Zonder het voortraject te beschrijven waarbij de leden tot in het diepst van hun wezen worden verbonden aan de sekte, is het onverklaarbaar dat zij zich deze behandeling laten welgevallen. Zonder al door en door gehersenspoeld te zijn, zouden ze al lang en breed zijn weggelopen of in opstand gekomen. Ik vraag me zelfs af of de schrijfster door haar intensieve eigen ervaring zelf niet blind is geworden voor die praktijken en het daarom zo karig naar voren laat komen. De gedragingen van de hoofdpersoon komen me soms ook wat onnatuurlijk voor. Zo gebeurt het meermaals dat tegen overstaan van Sofia de organisatie expliciet een sekte wordt genoemd, zonder dat zij daarop triggert. Juist iemand die volledig opgaat in een sekte zou zich aangevallen moeten voelen en stellen dat het absoluut geen sekte is. Dat buitenstaanders dat zeggen, bevestigt dan juist de waarschuwingen die ze vooraf vanuit de organisatie krijgen: andere mensen begrijpen het niet en willen je weglokken van wat goed voor je is, etc etc. Maar in dit boek reageert Sofia pas bij de vierde of vijfde insinuatie een keer en is haar reactie volledig gespeend van enige emotie. Ze lijkt totaal niet gekwetst of beledigd. Toen ik op een kwart van dit boek was en al drie flinke plotgaten was tegengekomen, zonk de moed mij al in de schoenen. Toch doorgezet, maar na iets over de helft heb ik er alsnog de brui aan gegeven. Het kabbelt maar door en door. Het blijft zeer oppervlakkig en er is ook geen spanning, dus niets boeit voldoende om verder te willen lezen. Door in de titel en de teaser op het omslag al weg te geven waar het over gaat, is op dat vlak al niets meer te ontdekken. En de openingsscène geeft zo mogelijk nog meer weg. Het is van meet af aan volkomen duidelijk en voorspelbaar waar het heengaat, dus ik hoef de tweede helft eigenlijk niet eens te lezen om te kunnen invullen wat daar zal gebeuren. Jammer, het leek zo veelbelovend.
January 17, 2021
Labai nuvylė, nes iš aprašymo tikėjausi stipraus ir šiurpoko trilerio.
Visų pirma, beveik visi įvykiai stokojo logikos. Grupė darbuotojų atkeliavę dirbti į salą ir dvarą, kuriame įsikūrusi organizacija pamažu tampa vieno žmogaus kaliniais. Ir čia reikia paklausti - kodėl? Keliasdešimt sveikų vyrų ir moterų nuolankiai vykdo jo nurodymus, šoka nuo uolų į vandenį, klaupiasi, leidžia tikrinti savo laiškus, priima bet kokias bausmes. Kodėl? Ar jie bijo? Hm. Na, nepastebėjau, kad Osvaldas - lyderis, būtų turėjęs galios kažką įbauginti. Pradžioje jis nei muša, nei žudo, nei apskritai kelia kokį šiurpą. Dauguma darbuotojų gali bet kada išvykti (bet patys sugrįžta, logikos vėl nulis), kai kurie turi slaptus telefonus (bet policijai juk neapsimoka skambinti), kompiuterį (veikėja slepia jį, nes rašo laiškus tėvams, bet informuoti kažką daugiau juk neapsimoka).
Ir taip toliau, ir taip toliau... Bukumo viršūnė. Į dvarą atvyksta pailsėti garsenybės, žurnalistai. Darbuotojai gali prašyti pagalbos. Ar prašo? Jokiu būdu.
Vietoj to ir toliau lankstosi prieš lyderį, kuris mėto ant jų maistą (nes neskanus), uždaro į rūsius (primenu jų keliasdešimt, jis vienas), priekabiauja prie nepilnametės merginos (motina absoliučiai nieko nedaro) ir sugalvoja vis naujus įstatymus. Nusiunčia už bausmę mėžti mėšlą (du žmonės mėnesiais dirba ir nesugalvoja ką čia padarius, nes "reikia laukti").
Kai nebėra ką rašyti įpinama senos giminės istorija, sukuriami vienadieniai veikėjai, kurie paskui pranyksta taip ir nepalikę jokio pėdsako istorijoje.
Knyga siaubingai neįtikinama. Apstulbau, kad dar sugebėjo kažką laimėti. Koks čia įkalinimas, kai vienas iš sektos nuolat plaukia į žemyną ir gali bet kada informuoti kitus žmones, ieškoti pagalbos? Visi veikėjai nuolat turi tokių progų, o pats gyvenimas kulte anaiptol nešiurpinantis. Čia niekas nežudo, neaukoja, nekankina, apskritai nieko nedaro. Ruošiasi svečių atvykimui, prižiūri gyvulius, skaito knygas, šokinėja aplink lyderį.
Nuobodu. Visai nešiurpu. Visai netrileriška. Knygos aprašymas šimtą kartų geresnis už patį kūrinį.
Visų pirma, beveik visi įvykiai stokojo logikos. Grupė darbuotojų atkeliavę dirbti į salą ir dvarą, kuriame įsikūrusi organizacija pamažu tampa vieno žmogaus kaliniais. Ir čia reikia paklausti - kodėl? Keliasdešimt sveikų vyrų ir moterų nuolankiai vykdo jo nurodymus, šoka nuo uolų į vandenį, klaupiasi, leidžia tikrinti savo laiškus, priima bet kokias bausmes. Kodėl? Ar jie bijo? Hm. Na, nepastebėjau, kad Osvaldas - lyderis, būtų turėjęs galios kažką įbauginti. Pradžioje jis nei muša, nei žudo, nei apskritai kelia kokį šiurpą. Dauguma darbuotojų gali bet kada išvykti (bet patys sugrįžta, logikos vėl nulis), kai kurie turi slaptus telefonus (bet policijai juk neapsimoka skambinti), kompiuterį (veikėja slepia jį, nes rašo laiškus tėvams, bet informuoti kažką daugiau juk neapsimoka).
Ir taip toliau, ir taip toliau... Bukumo viršūnė. Į dvarą atvyksta pailsėti garsenybės, žurnalistai. Darbuotojai gali prašyti pagalbos. Ar prašo? Jokiu būdu.
Vietoj to ir toliau lankstosi prieš lyderį, kuris mėto ant jų maistą (nes neskanus), uždaro į rūsius (primenu jų keliasdešimt, jis vienas), priekabiauja prie nepilnametės merginos (motina absoliučiai nieko nedaro) ir sugalvoja vis naujus įstatymus. Nusiunčia už bausmę mėžti mėšlą (du žmonės mėnesiais dirba ir nesugalvoja ką čia padarius, nes "reikia laukti").
Kai nebėra ką rašyti įpinama senos giminės istorija, sukuriami vienadieniai veikėjai, kurie paskui pranyksta taip ir nepalikę jokio pėdsako istorijoje.
Knyga siaubingai neįtikinama. Apstulbau, kad dar sugebėjo kažką laimėti. Koks čia įkalinimas, kai vienas iš sektos nuolat plaukia į žemyną ir gali bet kada informuoti kitus žmones, ieškoti pagalbos? Visi veikėjai nuolat turi tokių progų, o pats gyvenimas kulte anaiptol nešiurpinantis. Čia niekas nežudo, neaukoja, nekankina, apskritai nieko nedaro. Ruošiasi svečių atvykimui, prižiūri gyvulius, skaito knygas, šokinėja aplink lyderį.
Nuobodu. Visai nešiurpu. Visai netrileriška. Knygos aprašymas šimtą kartų geresnis už patį kūrinį.
October 22, 2017
Op een klein eiland aan de Zweedse kust heeft zich een New Age-beweging gesetteld. Hun charismatische leider, Franz Oswald, ontwikkelde de doctrine ViaTerra, die een onweerstaanbare aantrekkingskracht heeft op beroemdheden en vooraanstaande politici. Sofia Bauman, net afgestudeerd aan de universiteit, raakt gefascineerd door de leer van ViaTerra. Ze is gecharmeerd van Oswald en accepteert de baan die hij haar aanbiedt. Wanneer de idyllische zomer ten einde loopt en een ondoordringbare mist het eiland opslokt, vraagt Sofia zich af of ViaTerra wel zo’n nobele beweging is als ze aanvankelijk dacht. Er lijkt echter geen weg terug naar haar oude leven. Want niemand kon ViaTerra ooit verlaten.
Dis is blijkbaar het eerste boek van een trilogie, uit ervaring weet ik dat het eerste boek altijd het beste is dus ik ben benieuwd wat de auteur nog voor ons in petto heeft in de vervolgboeken. Veel spanning is er niet in het verhaal want het is tenslotte een beeld dat terug gegeven wordt van het leven in een sekte, hoe gemakkelijk je erin komt, hoe mooi het er in het begin aan toe gaat maar hoe vlug het in een nachtmerrie kan veranderen, en hoe moeilijk het is om aan de sekteleider te ontsnappen.
Dis is blijkbaar het eerste boek van een trilogie, uit ervaring weet ik dat het eerste boek altijd het beste is dus ik ben benieuwd wat de auteur nog voor ons in petto heeft in de vervolgboeken. Veel spanning is er niet in het verhaal want het is tenslotte een beeld dat terug gegeven wordt van het leven in een sekte, hoe gemakkelijk je erin komt, hoe mooi het er in het begin aan toe gaat maar hoe vlug het in een nachtmerrie kan veranderen, en hoe moeilijk het is om aan de sekteleider te ontsnappen.
June 19, 2024
Tinkama knyga besidomintiems sektomis ir noritiems daugiau apie jas sužinoti sklandžiu, fikcionalizuotu pasakojimu. Su daug detalių atvaizduojama, kaip nepastebimai iš užuovėjos sekta tampa kalėjimu (beje, paremta tikromis autorės patirtimis), BET jei tikitės būtent trilerio, vietomis gali būti nuobodoka, kaip man ir buvo. Buvo "trilerinis subplotas", bet labai tiesmukas ir be didžiulių posūkių, tebūnie trys žvaigždės.
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