Four years have passed since Rebecca ran away. The community simmers with tension and rumours of an approaching split, and life has become terrifying for Rebecca's remaining siblings as Elder Stephen seizes any chance to take revenge on them. Twelve-year-old Magdalene lives in fear that her strong-willed little sister, Zillah, will be his next target.
The girls have run out of people who can protect them. To Zillah their path is clear but Magdalene is torn. How can she cause more hurt and shame for her parents? But, equally, how can she face a life with no freedom to be herself?
And another question scares her most of all. Without the elders' suffocating rules that tell her how to live, who would Magdalene be?
I was excited to see this book arrive at Paraparaumu Library as I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed, Fleur Beale's previous novels about the Children of the Faith. Being Magdalene is just as gripping and thought provoking as the previous stories. Of all the Pilgrim children Magdalene is the one most torn between the decision to stay or leave. She is struggling to cope psychologically in the strict religious community but will removing the structures and rules she has grown up with be the answer to her problems? Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Carolyn
No comments:
Post a Comment