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Fiction books about cults?

25 replies

icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:12

Any recommendations for fiction thrillers of people who end up in cults or cult like situations? Quite specific I know..

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Thirtyrock39 · 21/08/2021 15:18

The girls by Emma Cline is based on the Manson family - it's fictional but a lot of bits are famously real

icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:31

@Thirtyrock39

The girls by Emma Cline is based on the Manson family - it's fictional but a lot of bits are famously real
Ooh thanks, I'll give that a go. Smile Is it well written?
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piglet81 · 21/08/2021 15:38

www.waterstones.com/book/after-the-fire/will-hill/9781474924153

www.waterstones.com/book/seed/lisa-heathfield/9781405275385

After the Fire by Will Hill and Seed by Emma Heathfield. Both brilliantly claustrophobic and atmospheric.

ExtremelyDisorganised · 21/08/2021 15:41

See You in September by Charity Norman.

icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:42

@piglet81

www.waterstones.com/book/after-the-fire/will-hill/9781474924153

www.waterstones.com/book/seed/lisa-heathfield/9781405275385

After the Fire by Will Hill and Seed by Emma Heathfield. Both brilliantly claustrophobic and atmospheric.

Claustrophobic and atmospheric - perfect descriptions! Can't wait to give them a read thanks Smile
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icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:44

@ExtremelyDisorganised

See You in September by Charity Norman.
Oh I like the fact that this is set in NZ! This looks great, an adventure gone wrong type book...yes perfect! Thanks
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Mybalconyiscracking · 21/08/2021 15:47

Listen to the “Cults” podcasts by Parcast on Spotify, they are free and fascinating!

SeaDreaming · 21/08/2021 15:48

Whit - Iain Banks. Its great.

icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:51

@Mybalconyiscracking

Listen to the “Cults” podcasts by Parcast on Spotify, they are free and fascinating!
Oh thanks, I will give it a go! I do struggle with podcasts in general, but get really drawn into some like Dirty John and Dr Death. Both of these are great!
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icelolly12 · 21/08/2021 15:53

@SeaDreaming

Whit - Iain Banks. Its great.
This one sounds very unique, will definitely order a copy thanks!
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Mybalconyiscracking · 21/08/2021 16:01

They do “Serial Killers” as well. Completely addictive! Blush

MinnieJackson · 21/08/2021 16:14

C l Taylor, I think it's called The Lie.
Second the girls.
Louise Henson also did one but I can't remember the name sorry!

MinnieJackson · 21/08/2021 16:15

Jenson*

SeaDreaming · 21/08/2021 18:39

Corazon by Joolz Denby stayed with me for years. Avoid if squeamish!

DarkestBeforeDawn · 21/08/2021 20:08

The 19th wife

icelolly12 · 22/08/2021 10:33

I am squeamish so will probably avoid that one but thanks for the heads up @SeaDreaming Smile

Ooh, the 19th wife sounds interesting, I love historical fiction so that sounds like I'd enjoy that one @DarkestBeforeDawn

Oh thanks @MinnieJackson, will also check out The lie!

Fab, thanks all! Some to get stuck into. If you think fo any more I'll add them to the reading list!

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PenCreed · 22/08/2021 17:21

@SeaDreaming

Whit - Iain Banks. Its great.
I love Whit!

One of my siblings, knowing the book, asked me if we'd met any Luskentyrians after we went to Luskentyre earlier this year Grin.

Standrewsschool · 22/08/2021 21:16

The Wall - John Lanchester

The Wall

Not sure if this fits your bill or not. Good book.

bentleydrummle · 23/08/2021 10:09

The 19th wife by David Ebershoff

Saucery · 23/08/2021 10:25

Little Eve, by Catriona Ward.

tripfiction · 23/08/2021 13:22

This might be a helpful link which lists some top novel set around "cults" www.tripfiction.com/five-great-books-set-in-cult-communities/

Fargoer · 23/08/2021 13:49

I came on to say 'The Girls' by Emma Cline too.
Yes, it is very well written.

PhilODox · 23/08/2021 13:51

What about something by Miriam Toews?
She writes a lot about Amish/brethren type communities and people that have escaped left them. I think she's Canadian, but lives in UK now?
She's a really good writer though.

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 31/08/2021 13:56

Laurie King’s Birth of a New Moon (UK title) / A Darker Place. laurierking.com/books/a-darker-place/overview/

clairethewitch70 · 31/08/2021 21:10

Any Plymouth Brethren / Exclusive Brethren ones. Jessie Shedden has written some true stories of her escape that are great

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