After years in the bizarre bubble of the COG/TFI, I've spent 16 years in adjustment and learning, always with the question looming larger in my mind, "Why?" In the hopes that my search for answers may help others on similar journeys, I have created this blog.
For my most recent posts, please follow me on Medium at Mary Mahoney.
After five years of writing, editing, and reflection, my story is finished. Both Kindle and paperback versions are available. The link is on the top-right side of the blog page. It is not a happy story, but it does have a happy ending.
Congratulations!!Your book was easy to find on Amazon; planning to write a review. Hoping it will make it into paperback -- for posterity! You can only imagine the help you have given me in the effort in my life to rise above, to progress. And you are the only one who's been able to reach down & bring closure to adolescent experiences with the CoG that have tainted my whole life. Sending love
Following is my Amazon review. (A tad redundant if compared to my comments on this blog, tho'): "Meticulous prose that brilliantly creates scenes and evokes emotion. Written in a back-and-forth style of writing that flows between life's events, and causes & effects deduced with keen hindsight, and relevant, current and clearly-applicable psychological & neurological research.
My own adolescent brush with the Children of God, which has tainted the last four decades, has much less power than it had before reading this book. I too am "always studying" to rise above a swamp of despondency.
This account of the historical setting of the mid-60s with its mental & emotional upheaval mirrors my own very well, and is what I want remembered about my formative years. My efforts to relearn and rewire I want to highlight by contrast with the author's own, as well
Really looking forward to buying this engaging chronicle in a printed paperback for each of my children."
Thank you for your kind words. I am gratified that anything I have written could have been a help to you. As you may have seen, I edited the post above to include that the paperback version of my book is available. Thank you for the review you left on amazon. Wishing you peace and happiness.
Thank you so much for writing your book. I stumbled upon it and was astounded at some of the similarities of experience with my 34 years of an abusive marriage. It's awful to think of decades "wasted" and unwonted affects on children (3 of my 5 have PTSD.)
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Life in a cult is very much like being in an abusive relationship. The best we can do is learn from our mistakes, apologize to those we've harmed, and make the most of the years we have left on this earth. Wishing you and your children peace.
Congratulations!!Your book was easy to find on Amazon; planning to write a review. Hoping it will make it into paperback -- for posterity! You can only imagine the help you have given me in the effort in my life to rise above, to progress. And you are the only one who's been able to reach down & bring closure to adolescent experiences with the CoG that have tainted my whole life. Sending love
ReplyDeleteFollowing is my Amazon review. (A tad redundant if compared to my comments on this blog, tho'):
ReplyDelete"Meticulous prose that brilliantly creates scenes and evokes emotion. Written in a back-and-forth style of writing that flows between life's events, and causes & effects deduced with keen hindsight, and relevant, current and clearly-applicable psychological & neurological research.
My own adolescent brush with the Children of God, which has tainted the last four decades, has much less power than it had before reading this book. I too am "always studying" to rise above a swamp of despondency.
This account of the historical setting of the mid-60s with its mental & emotional upheaval mirrors my own very well, and is what I want remembered about my formative years. My efforts to relearn and rewire I want to highlight by contrast with the author's own, as well
Really looking forward to buying this engaging chronicle in a printed paperback for each of my children."
Thank you for your kind words. I am gratified that anything I have written could have been a help to you.
ReplyDeleteAs you may have seen, I edited the post above to include that the paperback version of my book is available. Thank you for the review you left on amazon.
Wishing you peace and happiness.
Thank you so much for writing your book. I stumbled upon it and was astounded at some of the similarities of experience with my 34 years of an abusive marriage. It's awful to think of decades "wasted" and unwonted affects on children (3 of my 5 have PTSD.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment. Life in a cult is very much like being in an abusive relationship. The best we can do is learn from our mistakes, apologize to those we've harmed, and make the most of the years we have left on this earth. Wishing you and your children peace.
Delete