Scan barcode
kimreadz's review
4.0
As most readers of my reviews know, I usually avoid any sort of memoir. However, this one attracted my attention, as I’d know a couple of Christian Science families growing up and wanted to learn why they avoided simple cures that medical science provides, and instead let their loved ones suffer irreversible consequences.
This book didn’t really give me a full understanding of that; there are probably as many answers to that question as their are families practicing Christian Science. However, one thing I did come to understand is how belief in Christian Science could have arisen when it did. For those who haven’t read the book, basically Christian Scientists reject the belief that illness exists. Illness would be an imperfection and since God creates perfect people, we can’t have reall illness. Illness only exists in our minds and we can strengthen our minds and failth through prayer. Christian Science Practioners are kind of a Christian Science version of doctors, only instead of dispensing medicines, they dispense prayer. Though to most of us today, that probably seems like a silly idea, back when Christian Science was started in the post-Civil War era, modern medicine did not exist. There were no antibiotics. The cure rate of prayer was about equal to the cure rate of doctors of that time. So it was easy for Christian Science to gain a following. But this is 150 years later, and some people still believe. This book outlines the beliefs of one set of parents, and how far they were willing to follow that belief.
In this case, the family did not start out to be followers of Christian Science. Both parents came from families that followed more ‘mainstream’ religions. There were even medical doctors in the family. That is probably why Lucia’s parents worked so hard to cover up her mother’s ‘non-illness’. They knew the family would urge her to seek help from medical professionals. And with Lucia’s father being a Christian Science practitioner, a professional whose livelihood depended on clients believing he could help with their healing, it did not really sit well to let everyone know his wife was not recovering quickly. This secrecy created a lot of anger and resentment when Lucia was asked to keep the secret, and hostility from other family members when they found out. I’m not sure the author has come to terms with her resentment towards her father even at the end of the story. However, her journey is fascinating and I’m glad I read it. I finished this one in 2 days and it is a memoir!
This book didn’t really give me a full understanding of that; there are probably as many answers to that question as their are families practicing Christian Science. However, one thing I did come to understand is how belief in Christian Science could have arisen when it did. For those who haven’t read the book, basically Christian Scientists reject the belief that illness exists. Illness would be an imperfection and since God creates perfect people, we can’t have reall illness. Illness only exists in our minds and we can strengthen our minds and failth through prayer. Christian Science Practioners are kind of a Christian Science version of doctors, only instead of dispensing medicines, they dispense prayer. Though to most of us today, that probably seems like a silly idea, back when Christian Science was started in the post-Civil War era, modern medicine did not exist. There were no antibiotics. The cure rate of prayer was about equal to the cure rate of doctors of that time. So it was easy for Christian Science to gain a following. But this is 150 years later, and some people still believe. This book outlines the beliefs of one set of parents, and how far they were willing to follow that belief.
In this case, the family did not start out to be followers of Christian Science. Both parents came from families that followed more ‘mainstream’ religions. There were even medical doctors in the family. That is probably why Lucia’s parents worked so hard to cover up her mother’s ‘non-illness’. They knew the family would urge her to seek help from medical professionals. And with Lucia’s father being a Christian Science practitioner, a professional whose livelihood depended on clients believing he could help with their healing, it did not really sit well to let everyone know his wife was not recovering quickly. This secrecy created a lot of anger and resentment when Lucia was asked to keep the secret, and hostility from other family members when they found out. I’m not sure the author has come to terms with her resentment towards her father even at the end of the story. However, her journey is fascinating and I’m glad I read it. I finished this one in 2 days and it is a memoir!
meggenlee's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Woof, this was a tough read. A well-documented story of a family ripped apart by religious dogma.
abbeyhar103's review
4.0
This book is a great introduction to Christian Science for those who know little about it. Lucia Greenhouse's parents are more extreme in their religion than many others who practice it, but the great majority of this stuff is the norm. I couldn't put it down, but it was also incredibly emotional and hard to get through.
dalyn84's review
5.0
I found this a fascinating and heartbreaking read--I couldn't put it down. The author tells of her parents life as practicing members of Christian Science. The author and her siblings did not join the church in which they were raise. The heartbreak was how the family fracture when the mother (daughter of an MD and RN) refused traditional medical treatment until near death, instead relying on the church practitioners for healing.
krizzmiss's review against another edition
5.0
This book was well written and easy to read. Finished it in 3 days, saying up pretty late those nights not wanting to put it down. fathermothergod opened my eyes to what Christian Science is, and how terrible it really is. While every person has a right to practice their beliefs, children should not have to be forced in to this neglectful religious practice. I was torn as the author tried to decide what to so about her mother, and I respect how difficult the journey was for.
I recommend this book for everyone because it's important to under these kinds of things and why they are so dangerous.
I recommend this book for everyone because it's important to under these kinds of things and why they are so dangerous.
ckausch's review
4.0
Lucia Greenhouse’s memoir is an engaging story about coming to terms with one’s parents when one does not share said parents’ integral belief system...
Lucia learns that her mother is ill. The rest of the memoir focuses on her mother’s illness, her parents' faith in Christian Science and how is affects the family. Mother and father insist that she is getting better every day, despite the growing frailty. Her mother eventually goes to stay at a Christian Science care facility and Lucia is asked not to contact her mother for fear of impeding her improvement. Eventually, Lucia and her siblings intervene and call an ambulance to take their mother to the hospital...
Lucia struggles with guilt and blame, torn between the knowledge that her parents are adults who made their own choices and the idea that as a daughter, she is responsible for the love and care of her parents as they grow older...
Ms. Greenhouse has written a book that grabs your attention. It gets in your head and one cannot help but question where religious freedom and responsibility to the ones you love intersect and separate. Every few years, a story in the news surfaces about parents who “let” their child die as they practiced the Christian Science faith rather than visit a doctor, and this memoir gives the reader a window into one person’s experience in that situation. When, if ever, is it okay to ignore the advancements of modern medicine because it goes against faith? How does it affect relationships when you disagree with loved ones on such an important life issue?...
Full review can be found at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/fathermothergod-my-journey-out-of-christian-science-by-lucia-greenhouse/
Lucia learns that her mother is ill. The rest of the memoir focuses on her mother’s illness, her parents' faith in Christian Science and how is affects the family. Mother and father insist that she is getting better every day, despite the growing frailty. Her mother eventually goes to stay at a Christian Science care facility and Lucia is asked not to contact her mother for fear of impeding her improvement. Eventually, Lucia and her siblings intervene and call an ambulance to take their mother to the hospital...
Lucia struggles with guilt and blame, torn between the knowledge that her parents are adults who made their own choices and the idea that as a daughter, she is responsible for the love and care of her parents as they grow older...
Ms. Greenhouse has written a book that grabs your attention. It gets in your head and one cannot help but question where religious freedom and responsibility to the ones you love intersect and separate. Every few years, a story in the news surfaces about parents who “let” their child die as they practiced the Christian Science faith rather than visit a doctor, and this memoir gives the reader a window into one person’s experience in that situation. When, if ever, is it okay to ignore the advancements of modern medicine because it goes against faith? How does it affect relationships when you disagree with loved ones on such an important life issue?...
Full review can be found at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/fathermothergod-my-journey-out-of-christian-science-by-lucia-greenhouse/
lizaroo71's review
2.0
i think what i felt was wrong with this book is the title is deceptive. this isn't really about greenhouse's journey out of christian science. it's really about dealing with her mother's death once she no longer subscribes to the beliefs of christian science and her parents are still ardent followers.
when greenhouse decides to "leave" the church, she just no longer goes to church and starts smoking and rebelling. that's it.
i felt the journey of the mother's illness was too drawn out and didn't offer insight as to why the parents chose to hold off medical intervention for so long. i would have liked to know more about the relationship between the siblings. greenhouse comments she hasn't seen her older sister olivia in ten years, but doesn't offer any reason why.
all in all, a bit of a disappointment.
when greenhouse decides to "leave" the church, she just no longer goes to church and starts smoking and rebelling. that's it.
i felt the journey of the mother's illness was too drawn out and didn't offer insight as to why the parents chose to hold off medical intervention for so long. i would have liked to know more about the relationship between the siblings. greenhouse comments she hasn't seen her older sister olivia in ten years, but doesn't offer any reason why.
all in all, a bit of a disappointment.
natioak's review
5.0
I'm just getting into biographies and while its not my preferred genre, I couldnt put away this book. I've heard of Christian Science from the Podcast "Oh No Ross and Carrie" where they investigated CS and I enjoyed their investigation a lot but it left me with just as many questions. In my world, the approach of "praying the pain away" does not exist at all. If you are like me, hoping to find reasons what is so alluring to this sort of thinking, you will not find it in this book. However, I admrire the strength of the author to come out of this with their own set of believes and I still think it's a good read if you want a more indepth insight of what CS means for a family. I think Christian Science is also a great example that a certain belief can harm you and the people around you more than it does any good.
Overall, I was captivated by the story and I hope the author gets to find her peace she so well deserves!
Overall, I was captivated by the story and I hope the author gets to find her peace she so well deserves!
gmd316's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This is dark!! I wish she focused more on her choices to not join the church etc but it’s raw and real