Do you think you know what a cult is? Think again. Before you point a crooked finger read this novel by Jared Nathan Garrett. He knows. He was born and grew up in a cult, a splinter off Scientology. He left when he was seventeen after a childhood of living with “upwards of twenty kids”. He had two brothers with one mother.
He said he wanted his story to be about “love, family, hope, and the power of choice – a positive story.” That must have been a challenge when none of those existed for him. Discipline and the resulting punishments were harsh, even abusive.
In his novel, the children were told they must show respect for the adults. It really meant respecting the power they held over them.
Some of the adults were labeled “beggars”. They begged in the cities under the pretense the money was for animal protection efforts. There were pets, but nothing more.
The group made the neighbors and legal community believe they were upright and honest, lovingly caring for the children, the youngest being four-year-olds. They had weekly trips to the library. The children were able to check out up to ten books. This led the outsiders to believe all was well.
Josh, the main character, always took home his quota. He became a fast reader. He was always ready for more books when he went again.
He and an older brother, Malachi, questioned the differences between what they read about families and what they lived with in the cult. They were clothed well enough and had plenty of food, but no love and affection. Adults never gave the children smiles nor hugs.
They had “home school” with teachers who often didn’t know their subject well enough to teach it. The children had extreme cleanliness and “spiritual” instructions. They were brain-washed into believing the outside world, including the government, was evil. They were not allowed to have friends outside the cult.
Atmosphere inside the very large home didn’t encourage friendships, not even among siblings. The parents weren’t called mother or father. The kids didn’t even know who both parents their were. They were being reared by the group of adults who seemed to have equal authority.
Josh and Malachi planned their escape while building a log cabin far into the wilderness. It was too far for anyone to notice the noise of their work. The adults weren’t paying attention anyway. The brothers used old and rusty tools found in a dilapidated building near the house.
Malachi got anxious and left without him. He promised to return and get Josh. It didn’t happen. Mal died in a bad drug deal.
Josh learned his oldest brother, Aaron, had known about the cabin. The first time Josh became aware of it was when Aaron showed up and surprised him. Josh was frightened. Aaron began helping him with the window Josh was trying to cut out. As they worked and cried together, they developed a relationship as brothers that was new and strange. The cabin was their secret.
Josh learned the hard way that escape required much preparation. He tried without food, water, extra clothes, everything. When he was caught, he suffered physical and mental punishment. He came to realize he had the ability to help the other children and refused to be afraid of the power-driven adults. Josh became their protector. Life changed somewhat for him as he gained independence and freedom of thought.
He finally had to decide if he should escape or stay for their benefit.
MyraSaidIt
Myra Said It 