What an absolutely brilliant, deep and fantastic story.
Cassie goes backpacking in New Zealand with her boyfriend Hamish before resuming her studies in law.
Whilst over there, they end up breaking up on the side of the road when Cassie tells him she suspects she's pregnant with his child. She hitches a lift to Rotorua in a van with people who are warm, caring and kind. They tell her to come back with them to their self sufficient community in Gethsemane.
So she does. And never quite gets round to leaving.
I find the psychology behind the cult mentality absolutely fascinating. How at first they come across as gentle, earth loving hippies with a lovely ideology. Then as they slowly bring Cassie into the fold and strip her of her identity, they unveil their true beliefs and intentions. By which point she's so invested and terrified of leaving that she feels she has no choice but to stay.
Yet there are many wonderful people also enslaved into this lifestyle. Aden, a truly lovely man. But I felt so conflicted as not only did he have knowledge but condoned some of the leaders behaviour.
Justin...the leader of this community. I don't want to spoil it too much but he is an enigma that I wanted to crack. Capable of such kindness and cruelty within 2 sentences.
I enjoyed every word of this book. Maybe because I've spent quite a bit of time in New Zealand that I really felt the surroundings of Gethsemane...the glass stillness of the lake, the sulphuric smell of Rotorua and the tranquility of the area was absolutely captivating. I found myself deliberately slowing my reading pace as I didn't want it to end, yet at the same time desperately wanted to know how it all turned out.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It not only focuses on the person being brainwashed into such a life, but gives you an insight into how this affects their families, and can ultimately tear them apart.
If there is one book you should read this year, it's See You In September.
Cassie goes backpacking in New Zealand with her boyfriend Hamish before resuming her studies in law.
Whilst over there, they end up breaking up on the side of the road when Cassie tells him she suspects she's pregnant with his child. She hitches a lift to Rotorua in a van with people who are warm, caring and kind. They tell her to come back with them to their self sufficient community in Gethsemane.
So she does. And never quite gets round to leaving.
I find the psychology behind the cult mentality absolutely fascinating. How at first they come across as gentle, earth loving hippies with a lovely ideology. Then as they slowly bring Cassie into the fold and strip her of her identity, they unveil their true beliefs and intentions. By which point she's so invested and terrified of leaving that she feels she has no choice but to stay.
Yet there are many wonderful people also enslaved into this lifestyle. Aden, a truly lovely man. But I felt so conflicted as not only did he have knowledge but condoned some of the leaders behaviour.
Justin...the leader of this community. I don't want to spoil it too much but he is an enigma that I wanted to crack. Capable of such kindness and cruelty within 2 sentences.
I enjoyed every word of this book. Maybe because I've spent quite a bit of time in New Zealand that I really felt the surroundings of Gethsemane...the glass stillness of the lake, the sulphuric smell of Rotorua and the tranquility of the area was absolutely captivating. I found myself deliberately slowing my reading pace as I didn't want it to end, yet at the same time desperately wanted to know how it all turned out.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It not only focuses on the person being brainwashed into such a life, but gives you an insight into how this affects their families, and can ultimately tear them apart.
If there is one book you should read this year, it's See You In September.