Sins of the Father: The Long Shadow of a Religious Cult

by Fleur Beale

Charismatic, driven and self-righteous, Neville Cooper set up his own brand of Christian utopia on earth: a reclusive community on the West Coast of New Zealand. For the 400 inhabitants of Gloriavale, his word is law – despite his 1995 conviction for sexual abuse.

His son Phil Cooper, as headstrong as his father, had to escape. But Phil's wife Sandy was bound to the will of Neville and his brand of eternal salvation. And so began the monumental tug-of-war between father and son: a son who wanted to give his children a chance in the world.

This is a true story of power and control, of abductions and night raids, of hearts broken and those trying to mend. It's also the story of the long shadow cast by the unyielding vision of one man, and the hope and resolve of one family to restore its shattered past.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Cults, Cult Classics, Biography, Biography Memoir, Memoir

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Fleur Beale is the author of many award-winning books for children and young adults, best known for her novel I am not Esther which has been published worldwide.

Beale was one of six children of a dairy farmer Cedric Corney and of a teacher and author Estelle Corney (née Cook). She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, on the farm where her father was born. Beale grew up in the town before attending Victoria University, Wellington and Christchurch Teachers' Training College, where she met her husband. Since 1985 she has taught at Melville High School in Hamilton, Waikato and in Wellington. Beale's first stories were written for the children's radio programme Grandpa's Place. Her first book was a small reader and picture book for young children and she started to write for teenagers in 1993. Her stories often involve troubled adolescents engaged in outdoor activities.

Beale was a finalist in the Aim Children's Book Awards (junior fiction) and her 1998 novel I am not Esther was shortlisted for the senior fiction section of the 1999 New Zealand Post Children's Awards. In 1999 she was awarded the Children's Writing Fellowship at Dunedin College of Education and quit teaching to write full time. Her 2001 novel Ambushed was a finalist for the Junior Fiction section of the 2002 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. Her 2004 account of how an indigenous girl discovers how her education can save her tribal lands (My Story A New Song in the Land. The Writings of Atapo, Pahia, c.1840) received a Notable Book award in 2005 as did Walking Lightly.

Reviews

[Beaulah Pragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Sins of the Father, Fleur Beale paints an emotionally gripping and incredibly enlightening picture of the difficulty of leaving such an isolated community and the pain of leaving loved ones behind.

An excellent resource for anyone who wonders why people in cults (and other close, pressured social groups or organizations) don't 'just leave' and how they could possibly go back once they are out.

Reading this book was a very personal experience for me, as I was born in a cult modelled very much on Neville Cooper's ideals. My family left when I was seven (about the same age as Israel in this story) and it was an equally strange and harrowing experience, trying to come to terms with such a foreign and alien world outside.

I was much luckier that Phil Cooper's family in that my parents chose to leave together, keeping my brother and I in a safe and loving environment, despite the turmoil around us. But I still found myself reaching an age where I began to question what it had all been about. I couldn't understand how my parents had spent so much of their lives in a place that had caused them such misery.

Reading 'Sins of the Father' made me laugh and cry, but most of all, it helped me understand what my parents had gone through and how hard it had been for them. I have so much more respect for them, for their strength in creating such a normal life for us, and putting those twenty years behind them... just starting again.

I am incredibly grateful to Phil and Israel Cooper for having the courage to tell their story, it has made a big impact on me and I know it will help others understand as well.

I highly recommend this book for everyone. Understanding what it is really like in a cult is to understand peer pressure and manipulation at its most condensed, but everyone experiences these things in their daily life. Phil's story shows that, with courage, you can make your own choices and stand by them, no matter how hard things get.

[Jess Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I found the content of this book super interesting (having only a surface level understanding of Gloriavale and it’s origins), the actual writing didn’t really vibe with me - it was repetitive, and the book overall was so sympathetic to the “main character”, Phil, one of the sons of Gloriavale’s founder Neville Cooper. No doubt Phil had a tough life and did amazing stuff to get himself and his children out of the cult, but…look, I understand that growing up indoctrinated into strict religious gender roles would impact you a lot. But how come you can see clearly enough how much YOU hate being in a cult but not how much it sucks for Every Woman You Know? In particular sections dwell on how his father would strip Phil’s wife naked and touch her and how traumatic that was…for Phil, as well as how desperate he was to get her out of Gloriavale…so she could look after their SIX CHILDREN who he took with him with NO IDEA HOW TO LOOK AFTER and he kidnapped her like four times including to a REMOTE WATER ACCESSIBLE ONLY BACH so she had to stay with apparently no thoughts as to how she’d exchanged one prison for another? Anyway cults suck but arguably so does this man

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. I'm quite fascinated with the idea of religion (as a non religious person myself), and the idea of a cult-like community living in New Zealand really intrigues me. It was definitely interesting to read about the community's beginnings through the eyes of Phil Cooper (the son of the founder), and I think it was a more accurate portrayal than that of the TV documentaries, as, though those are educational and entertaining, they show a very tame view on the negative areas of Gloriavale (i.e. Neville Cooper/Hopeful Christian and his sex offender status).

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great topical read. With Gloriavale currently in the media for all the bad things it does it was nice to get the background of it and to get an in depth look. I love to read about cults, I find them so fascinating so this was obviously gonna be a hit with me. Having read Fleur Beale's 2 fiction books about a cult I knew she would do Phil Cooper's story justice and she definitely has.
Well recommended if you want to read a true story about a cult.

[Peter Walton-Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Long Shadow of a Religious Cult" is the by-line. This refers to the influence that the Gloriavale commune (under the leadership of Neville Cooper) has on its members and particularly on the family members of Cooper himself as they have sought to separate themselves from the sect. The reach and the influence of the Cooperites is very powerful and he level of control over the people is disturbing. I am sure there are many wonderful things being done by and at Gloriavale but the disregard for human freedom and its focus on faith plus adherence to Cooper law is a concern. The story of Phil Cooper (Neville's son) and his family is beautifully written by an excellent story-teller and reeks of honesty in its narrative. Recommend.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and scary insight into the origins of the closed conservative Christian cult that lives at Gloriavale, their compound in a remote part of the South Island, New Zealand. The book delves into the ongoing traumatic effects attempts to leave have had on the children & grandchildren of the cult's leader.

I understood there had been some untoward goings-on by their leader, Neville Cooper/Hopeful Christian and that he was a convicted paedophile. I did not, however, realise he served a pathetic 18 months of a five year sentence before being returned to the community in which he offended - resuming his role as leader within a short time - and that his dodgy behaviour was not limited to those under 18. This man is not the elected leader of a sweet old-timey Christian community, he is the autocratic leader of a cult that takes away freedom of choice & disadvantages women particularly, falling back on all the usual tools of fear and control cults use to keep his flock in line. That he was allowed back in any leading capacity is disgusting.

[Raquel Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and compelling story; dull and stilted writing.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly truthful and non sensationalised view of the struggle to remove oneself and ones family from a cult. It shares the moral viewpoint of the escapee and his family and is very honest about the very real and difficult struggles to be free and to choose ones own path and the incredibly painful decisions that often felt like the wrong thing. The cults leader was the father and grandfather of the authors. It shares examples of conditional and unconditional love plus support from some tremendously caring family, friends, communities and organisations. The sum up is amazing and has principals to live by.

I highly recommend this read. It is not just about cults and religion but is about family and how we come to terms with what we have.

[Private Account · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a great work of literature. It's not even that interesting. But I loved how matter-of-factly it was written. I loved how the author didn't try too hard to manipulate the information into me feeling one way or another. As many other reviewers have noted, this is the story of a family - a mess of a family - not the story of Gloriavale. You will learn very little about Gloriavale by reading this book.

[Sas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating read (especially since I read Lilia's book not that long ago). I have always been fascinated by cults and extreme religious behavior, so I love reading true accounts of life inside them. Also Fleur Beale is amazing and one of my favourite NZ authors so it's a winning combination.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - more of a book following a linear timeline than an internal examination, but really fascinating. If you enjoy reading about cults and their real-life impact on those involved and their families.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite fascinating!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story considering the amount of information that had to come across.
A good insight into the power and control people can hand over without relising it.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ½ stars. Another interesting read about the impacts of Gloriavale. This was published in 2009, so would be keen for a more updated book.

[Fern · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was compelled to read this book after watching a television documentary on the Gloriavale community in New Zealand. I had been disturbed by what I'd seen, and was keen to gain a deeper understanding of the people living in this community, and how it came to be. Unfortunately, the book did not meet my expectations.

Although the content of "Sins of the Father" was interesting enough to hold my attention, I did not find myself connected to either the narrator or the people in the story. I couldn't stop thinking that the author was telling me, rather than showing me what it was like. Had this story been written first-hand by one of the ex-community members, rather than given to an outside source, I think the emotion and harsh realities of their life would have been more apparent. Instead it read a lot like hearsay, with some of the major events of the story almost completely glossed over.

I would recommend "Sins of the Father" to anybody who is interested in the people of Gloriavale. Without prior knowledge of this community, however, I would suggest you give it a miss.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both a story of tragedy and a story of overcoming a massive bad start. It's the true story of the son of the leader of a New Zealand cult (which I believe is still in existence). As a grown man with 5 or was it 6 children, he decides to get out, rather sadly his wife is so indoctrinated she stays. This is the story both of how he got his children out and how they learned to deal with life in the outside world. (The cult imposed everything from a uniform for both men and women to basically not being able to leave the cult grounds) I liked this book because it was guts and all, they were honest about life on the inside and how tough life on the outside was too - there was no happily ever after after they got out.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sins of the Father, authored by New Zealand writer Fleur Beale in collaboration with Phil Cooper, son of Gloriavale’s founder, Neville Cooper, delves into the biblical notion that 'sins of the father' can cast long shadows over generations. Drawing from his own experiences, Phil recounts his journey toward healing and the steps he took to reunite with his estranged family.

This book offers intimate insights into the lives of individuals in Gloriavale, born into secrecy and strict control, yet excommunicated for daring to think differently. Written from Phil's perspective, this book ultimately converges on themes of resilience, truth, and hope.

[SB · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read as I had some prior knowledge of the existence of this community but didn't know details. This book provided them and was easy to read although I found the writing style a little strange, it was kind of half factual details being listed about someone and half engaging storytelling from inside that person's experience. It did well at showing just how impossible a situation people can be in when choosing to leave, and how indoctrination can be so effective at holding people in.
The background to the community was much worse than I had realised.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and hopeful. The story of a man who took his kids and left behind the religious community where he had been raised by his father, the founder of the community; leaving his wife, despite repeated attempts to get her to make a life with them outside the community. An unfinished story of inspiring courage, simply and effectively told.

[Suzan]

I was looking for the nitty gritty of the cooperrites. I live in the district and the cooperrites are quite the topic of conversation. I was slightly dissappointed that the down and dirty of this cult was merely skimmed over and it was more the plight of an escaped family and their ordeals overcoming the sect and making a life for themselves.

[Zippster G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story albeit the writing was extremely simple and at times slightly annoying. Upon further reflection, I believe that a more complicated writing style would of overshadowed the story. I would like to believe that the author kept it simple so the reader was able to fully grasp the seriousness of the story of this remarkable family.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a vague feeling that i have read this book before, but it must have been a while ago (or it was another book by someone else similarly involved in the Cooperite sect), because there were some moments that were absolutely jaw-dropping in their appalingness.
Yikes.

2022 Re-Read: Something about this didn't gel with me this time.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Great inside to Gloriavale Christian community and the mind of someone in a cult under a person like a dictator. Extremely interesting especially about traits passed on through family (neville to Phil)

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read - I hadn't really heard about this whole Gloriavale business, but after having just read Fleur Beale's YA fiction book "I Am Not Esther", the similarities made me want to read this. It's even more fascinating because it's true.

[Zoe Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this stuff goes on in NZ! It's an amazing story of one man giving his children the right to freedom of choice. It's amazing how precious that is when you look at the set up of this and no doubt many similar cults and how they prey on the week minded.

[Balletbabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing...... but very good:)

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating story, but this is one of the most badly written books I have ever read, hence my low rating.

[Fiona Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, so interesting!

[Sarah Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a fascination with Gloriavale. I think it comes from an inability to understand how such a thing could even happen. This lack of comprehension starts with me not being raised with any sort of religion. It just creates too many steps for my brain to jump.

But I live in the South Island of New Zealand, very close to the cult’s birthplace. I see the women with their children all at Christchurch’s playground in their distinctive hats and hoods. I want to understand how this horrible man could be elevated to such a position of power. But I just can’t. This story is interesting and very brave and at least tries to help people understand how hard it is to leave such a place once you’re in. But how did we let (yes, we, as a country) let this brainwashing happen in the first place?

My fascination extends to the legality of it all. Allowing a registered child molester back into the bosom of the community does not seem right. People leaving the community without two dollars to rub together doesn’t seem right. I picked this up after the death of Prayer Ready. That seemed fundamentally wrong. So why hasn’t it been stopped?