Amazing Survival Story

Originally I was fascinated by the mention of Synanon on the back cover. Having grown up in the closest town to one of the cult's communes, I remember the hush of shock when we'd see the members shopping in our conservative neighborhoods. Their shaved heads (all) and oversized earrings set them apart as "other", and the uniform of denim overalls was further proof that they were a pack. Nowadays, such a get-up wouldn't even warrant a glance, but back then (the sixties), conformity was the absolute norm. Really, it's pretty funny when you realize that they were being judged on conforming, but not the way we were. That could be fleshed out into a lengthy conversation for another day, couldn't it? But cult that they were, the original good intentions of the organization unsurprisingly morphed into control of families, marriages, and children. That alone is chilling. But this book follows a family who escaped, although one cannot escape oneself. Mikel tells his raw story with fervor and compassion, and the story stays with you long after you've turned that last page. A keeper.