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msphyl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Not for young readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
cnord's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.5
This book reminded me a lot of Priscilla Presley’s Elvis and Me. The writing styles were very similar and surprisingly these women had pretty similar experiences. Priscilla and Dianne met Elvis and Charles Manson at 14 and left their families as a teenager to follow a man who at first seemed charismatic and loving but would turn out to be abusive and controlling. Both were introduced to drugs at a young age which had a big impact on their experiences. A major theme in both books is the authors’ need for belonging and their struggle to define their identity outside of the men who would play a large role in their lives.
Personally, I found the writing style pretty pedestrian. The dialogue that was recounted seemed stilted and unnatural and it times it felt like we were having a series of events listed one after another rather than a reflection on the complex factors which brought her to the Manson Family. In my opinion the best part of the book came before Manson entered the picture, when the author was recounting her family’s path to joining the hippie movement.
Personally, I found the writing style pretty pedestrian. The dialogue that was recounted seemed stilted and unnatural and it times it felt like we were having a series of events listed one after another rather than a reflection on the complex factors which brought her to the Manson Family. In my opinion the best part of the book came before Manson entered the picture, when the author was recounting her family’s path to joining the hippie movement.
orlaithma's review against another edition
5.0
I've just finished reading Member of the Family and what a powerful read it was.
It's the heartbreaking story of Dianne Lake's time with Charles Manson and his Family. It depicts her early formative years, her neglected childhood, her lost innocence and her time spent as one of Charlie's Girls in the late 1960s.
I have obviously heard of Manson, I have seen documentaries and works of fiction depicting him but nothing has compared to this first hand telling of life in the Family.
If you are a fan if true crime (or even if you're not) you need to read this. I cannot recommend it enough
It's the heartbreaking story of Dianne Lake's time with Charles Manson and his Family. It depicts her early formative years, her neglected childhood, her lost innocence and her time spent as one of Charlie's Girls in the late 1960s.
I have obviously heard of Manson, I have seen documentaries and works of fiction depicting him but nothing has compared to this first hand telling of life in the Family.
If you are a fan if true crime (or even if you're not) you need to read this. I cannot recommend it enough