Reviews

Man, the idea of living in a commune often appeals to me, I just wouldn’t want the bullshit misogynistic Christian fundamentalism to be baked into it.

The author does a great job of explaining the day-to-day of the cult and her shock with living life in the outside world. It was also just jarring to read about places I’m familiar with in Aotearoa!

This book mainly just makes me want to be friends with Lilia - her story fascinates me so much and I want to pick her brain.

sakisreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark inspiring medium-paced

3.5

I’d never heard of Gloriavale before I’d read this book, but I am very interested in finding out more now 😳

Based heavily in New Zealand, Lilia Tarawa outlines the difficulties she faced in being in an all-encompassing misogynistic cult. There are many trigger warnings required with this book (which I’ll list in the content warnings below).

I’d give it 3.5 out of 5 stars ✨ I really appreciate Tarawa for ensuring that her story was told 🥲

Content Warnings

xxstefaniereadsxx's review

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reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

This book is the experiences of Lilia Tarawa during her time spent in a religious cult started by her grandfather in New Zealand. I didn't realize it was about a cult in New Zealand when I bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I somehow always wind up with cults in the United States. (We have so many cults here!) This book was really emotional, as cult escapee books usually are. Some of the things she went through, I cannot imagine. I read some other reviews about this book complaining about her life in the cult not being that bad, she jumped from the fire into the frying pan, etc. People seem to not understand that being forced into a religion and forced to abide by rules that someone made up in their mind is not for everyone. People have the right to make their own choices about their likes/dislikes and what to do with their bodies. I am proud of this girl for having the courage to live her truth. I picked this book up for .75, so it was certainly well worth the price I paid for it.

marryallthepeople's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this book as a bit of voyeuristic 'not in my back yard' type of read. It's so strange to think that there is this extreme pocket of conservative religious sect on the West Coast. The abuse is awful and I like how the author didn't shy away from that, but also focused on the good parts.

I did find the writing very simple and stilted at the beginning of the novel. When recalling the community and her life at Gloriavale, the story just didn't flow as well as in later chapters. I realise it might be because she was recalling times from childhood but for me there was a big change after she left and was able to reflect. The latter part of the book was better written but felt almost rushed... And I know that most people would read this book for the cult part, it still felt like it needed a good edit to flow a bit better.

But ultimately this is a book about triumph, about female power, and about not letting your past dictate your true path. I couldn't help but feel a bit of pride for Lilia and I hope our paths cross one day so I can tell her how inspirational she is.

sophiapeony's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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