In this real-life account authors Kristina, Celeste, and Juliana share their experience in the “Family International,” a religious cult. They describe the horrors they faced and the strength it took to overcome them. These sisters all share a common yet separate experience; they were separated from their biological parents at a young age and did not reconnect until adulthood. The beginning of their story focuses on how the cult began and gives a general background on their leader. Mo, also known as “Grandpa,” developed this cult based on religious views that quickly morphed into proverbial actions. Women are treated as objects and used to satisfy men’s pleasures. From an early age girls are set to go on “dates” and participate in sexual actions that they are told prophesize the teachings of God and convey God’s love. Girls are raped and treated with the utmost disrespect. Throughout the novel the authors highlight how they often remained confused not knowing what to think of the situations they were in. When they verbalized any of their uneasiness, they were immediately punished and forced to suppress their own thoughts and feelings. The cult members often receive letters from their leader telling them to engage in sexual acts to prove their love and commitment to God. The community is exclusive and kept separate from the outside world. The cult instills fear of the outside world in the children. They are told that they do not have God’s protection in the outside world and that the devil will capture their souls if they leave the cult. As the girls grow older, they continue to have uneasy feelings regarding the cult and eventually escape. This book highlights the accounts of their life while living in the cult, during the escape process, and after finally being freed.
Overall I felt that this book was very well written and that its authors deserve the utmost respect for sharing their story. It was very hard to digest given the gruesome content. I found myself constantly left with a feeling of disgust after reading the horrendous things these girls went through. However, I think it is important that they share the evils they were exposed to in hope to raise awareness. This is a true story and there are cults out there like this, and I think this book does an amazing job of conveying that message; it’s important to educate people in order to put an end to these cults.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interested in cults or the oppression of women in different societies. This book is definitely for an older age group given the detailed and gruesome content. I would recommend this book for anyone over sixteen who is looking for a compelling and empowering story of three girls overcoming the struggles of the society they were born into.
Jones, Celeste, Kristina Jones, and Juliana Buhring. Not without My Sister. London: HarperElement, 2008. Print.
Overall I felt that this book was very well written and that its authors deserve the utmost respect for sharing their story. It was very hard to digest given the gruesome content. I found myself constantly left with a feeling of disgust after reading the horrendous things these girls went through. However, I think it is important that they share the evils they were exposed to in hope to raise awareness. This is a true story and there are cults out there like this, and I think this book does an amazing job of conveying that message; it’s important to educate people in order to put an end to these cults.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interested in cults or the oppression of women in different societies. This book is definitely for an older age group given the detailed and gruesome content. I would recommend this book for anyone over sixteen who is looking for a compelling and empowering story of three girls overcoming the struggles of the society they were born into.
Jones, Celeste, Kristina Jones, and Juliana Buhring. Not without My Sister. London:
HarperElement, 2008. Print.