I love this book. When books resonate with your life, and bring about what you aim to accomplish for yourself, how can you not love the book? I doubt my life is a facsimile of Anne's but, the ever reflecting on choices you make, the constant endeavor that you're living your life right through your choices will always be on your mind. And, when a book reflects that, there's a kind of cathartic validation. I recommend reading this book while taking a 14-hour flight somewhere or somewhere where you won't be bothered. I was glued to the pages.
A Darker Place tells the story of Anne Waverly, a university professor who specializes in religious studies and cults. Her expertise is doubly sought due to her past experiences as a former cult member. Anne is a cerebral character who often has reflective and at times conflicting discussions with herself to get a job done. When Anne takes on an investigative job, she embodies a different persona, perhaps accentuated by the job's clandestine nature. Throughout the book, Anne Waverly wears her Ana Wakefield hat and is sent to Arizona to investigate the Change Community that was started by four individuals named Steven Change, Thomas Mallory, Jonas Seraph, and Samantha Dooley. On her mission, she meets characters that help her navigate through the Change Community, particularly two children to whom she develops a maternal instinct and probably awakens memories of her own family. It's a redemption story, for Anne seems the need to participate in this investigation due to her dark past as a former cult member with her family. She seems driven by the death of her family and somehow creates a secondary family with the two children she meets within the Change Community.
This story has expanded my understanding of cults. When you hear the term, it's safe to assume that a large number of people recall the events of the Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, the sarin gas attack in a subway by the Aum Shinrikyo, and the Manson Family to say the least. Even when you look up the word "cult" in any dictionary, it paints an ominous picture and something to be avoided. Yet, people are still drawn to them and their enigmatic leaders. People continue to participate in them, despite the negative press. I am a religious convert. When I converted, I remember bringing home an accessory, essential to the practice. My roommate at the time asked me what is it that I was holding. I said humorously, "I've joined a cult." In my mind, I simply changed religious practice. But reading up on some of these organizations, they all stemmed from or placed on their foundations, concepts from well-known religious practices. In some cases, members of my previous religion disagreed with some of the outreach groups within the same practice and labeled them a cult. So, I'm caught questioning myself. How close or far am I, participating in a cult?
People who enjoy a great mystery would enjoy this book. The investigative lingo isn't too complicated, yet smart. I am uncertain as to how strong the theme of spiritual community plays, but for anyone who feels the need to tap into or renew their spirituality, maybe their sense of spiritual community might take a liking to this book. The story does not touch on the use of a specific faith. It does take reference to quite a few. But, when one sees community as a source of spiritual fulfillment, I see how readers of that kind will enjoy this story if not appreciate an understanding. It's not often that I gravitate toward the main character as my favorite, but Anne Waverly is. She is smart resourceful, and independent, even sexy to a degree. Despite feeling insecure about the outcome of her investigation, she tackles the problems head-on with a kind of confidence.
Like most fiction I've enjoyed, the narrative was compelling. The story went on like a cop show on TV. The story has a mix of wholesome events that connect you with the characters. Then there were chapters filled with action and suspense. Laurie R. King has a simple yet descriptive way of putting you into the vivid locales. Whether it be Arizona's cola and dry deserts or feeling the solemnity of the meditation room, you were in this investigation with Anne. You can feel the sweat beads drip off of Anne's face as she escapes being caught for snooping. If Laurie R. King's goal was to rewrite the meaning of cult she certainly has. If not rewrite it, then certainly expand upon what is already a narrowed judgment call written in dictionaries. In chapter 28, the character Jonas Seraph says,
"Why do they love the word cult? Jonas was saying irritably. They use it as a term of opprobrium, certainly of derision. Did you know that 'cult' is from the Latin cultus, from the verb incolere, meaning to inhabit or care for a place? And that is related to the Greek kyklos, wheel, which in turn is linked to the Sanskrit chakra? You do know what chakra is? He demanded, stopping on the stairs to peer down at her...He grunted and continued. "Cultivate, culture, they're all the same, though I would say in this country we're more a cultigen than a cultivar. You don't have the faintest idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
In the end, I've rooted for Anne throughout her investigating adventure and journey of implied self-redemption. Everything I read leading to the final outcome was both a relief and exhilarating. To end this review, I did want to mention. Due to when this was published, some things don't often apply today from when they were mentioned. Things like video rental cards and payphones are quite a rarity in this day and age.
Click on BIO to learn more about Laurie R. King.
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