Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Book Review - Not My Idea of Heaven by Lindsey Rosa




A memoir, recently made into a BBC documentary, Not My Idea of Heaven is an account of the authors hardships and triumphs being brought up in a very strict religious sect.  A detailed chronicle, it gives a complete view of some of the very stringent sects in the world not much of which is written about.

When she was a child, Lindsey Rosa's every moment was governed by the rules of an extreme separatist sect. It controlled what she wore and what she ate; it forbade her to listen to music, to cut her hair, to watch television, to use a computer. The Fellowship said her family was special. Why would she believe otherwise? Then, when Lindsey was seven, her elder brother was caught listening to music and the family were expelled from the sect. But Lindsey's parents knew nothing but the ways of the Fellowship, so they remained in hope that they would be accepted and continued to make the family live by the sect's strict rules—cutting themselves off from their local community. As Lindsey grew, so did her awareness of a world outside. And, feeling increasingly isolated, she struggled with her own identity. Until finally she was faced with a devastating choice: to continue to live by the rules of the religious sect or to be brutally cast out and leave the family she loved behind forever.

I must admit I have some fascination for religion. More so about the cultural beliefs making people act and become the way they do.  Although the book gives you insights on what the rules of the Fellowship were, it does not speak about the core beliefs of it. I found this a tad bit disappointing.

Unlike most other memories, this one is a lot more honest and thought provoking. A fairly good read if the different religious beliefs of people interest you.

I’m going to give this book 3/5.

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