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30 Page-Turning Novels Featuring Cult Life

Cult life is one that is surrounded by so much mystery that鈥檚 not so easy to understand until you either read about it or come across someone who has been in one. These page-turning novels that feature cult life will indeed keep you turning pages till the last one because of how captivating they are. If you are a curious soul and you cannot help but just wonder exactly what goes on in the minds of cult members, then these are the best novels to try out.

1. Going Clear

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Written by Lawrence Wright, this novel delves deeper into the world of Scientology. It gives a clear-sighted revolution and is based on more than 200,000 personal interviews with both current and former Scientologists; famous and less known. With years of archival research, Lawrence Wright managed to use his very extraordinary investigative skills to uncover the inner workings of the church of Scientology, where it originated from, and all what it is all about. Recommended by Bryan Callen, this is one novel to go for if the subject matter interests you.

2. Road to Jonestown

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Published by the New York Times as a bestseller, this novel written by Jeff Guinn, George Newbern, et al., gives a very comprehensive, authoritative, and tragic story of Jim Jones, the preacher who was responsible for the Jonestown massacre (the largest murder-suicide in America history). During the 50s, a young Indianapolis preacher by the name of Jim Jones preached a blend of the gospel and Marxism, something that was unheard of and very new. His congregation was typically racially integrated and he was a much appreciated and vocal leader in the contemporary civil rights movement of American history. Eventually, he moved his church to northern California and became involved in electoral politics. It is another interesting novel that in a twisted way makes you see Jones as a human being rather than the monster he is popularly known as.

3. Beyond Belief

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Written by Jenna Miscavige Hill and Lisa Pulitzer, it tells the personal story of Jenna who was raised to obey. She was the niece of the Church of Scientology’s leader David Miscavige and she grew up being the centre of this very controversial movement and organization. When she was 21, she made a break by risking everything she ever knew and loved and left the organization without looking back. Now, she speaks about her life while there, the church, her escape, and the deep details of this religion that have been the subject of fierce debate and speculation worldwide. She unleashes the secrecy that has always shrouded the world of Scientology and gives her reader in-depth information about it all.

4. Escape

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This very dramatic novel gives a first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect and one woman鈥檚 very courageous flight to freedom together with her eight children. It tells the story of how when she was 18 years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a man 32 years older than her, Merril Jessop, who already had three wives. However, arranged marriages were an integral part of Jessop鈥檚 heritage as she was born and raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an offshoot of the radical Mormon church. It is indeed a story of escaping and finding freedom at last.

5. Troublemaker

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In this novel authored by Leah Remini and Rebecca Paley, the outspoken and bold actress proves just how much she has never been one to hold her tongue. The willingness to speak her mind and stand her ground as she rattles the occasional cage that is the church of Scientology, put things into perspective. In this novel, she gives an eye-opening insider account of her heart-wrenching association with this church.

6. Under the Banner of Heaven

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This is another novel about cults that gives a very chilling narrative and account of messianic delusions, savage violence, polygamy, and unyielding faith. Jon Krakauer does an amazing job at giving a nonfiction ordeal of things that illuminates the confounding realm of human behaviour. This is a novel that tells a story of violent faith as the author shifts his focus from the extremes of physical adventures to the other extremes of religious beliefs within one鈥檚 borders. It will leave you thinking it can鈥檛 be true but Jon has a knack for drawing things from your imagination to a reality you never thought possible.

7. Helter Skelter

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As a prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial, Vincent Bugliosi, author of this compelling novel held a unique insider鈥檚 position inside this baffling and horrifying case of the 20^th century that shook the whole of America. The cold-blooded murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers, will forever be remembered. The question one cannot help but ask is, what motivated him to commit such a mindless selection of victims and what exactly was his hold over the young women who blindly obeyed his orders, no questions asked? This novel presents a gripping story of this famous and haunting crime.

8. Breaking Free

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This one is more of a memoir of survival as the daughter of Warren Jeff, the self-proclaimed prophet of the FLDS church, takes you through the journey of the secretive life of the polygamist Mormon fundamentalist cult that was run by her family and how she managed to escape. Rachel Jeff, the author of this memoir, was born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was raised in a very strict patriarchal culture that was defined by subordinate sister wives and men who must obey at all times.

9. Stolen Innocence

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Written by Elissa Wall and Lisa Pulitzer, 鈥楽tolen Innocence鈥� gives a gripping account of the life of Elissa Wall, the courageous former member of Utah鈥檚 infamous FLDS polygamist sect. Her powerful testimony in the courtroom is what helped convict the controversial sect leader, Warren Jeff in September 2007. Her story of subjugation and survival tactics exposed the darkness at the root of the Mormon faith.

10. The Girls

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This is another captivating and page-turning novel that you cannot put down. It is set in Northern California during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, there lives a lonely and thoughtful teenager named Evie Boyd. She sees a group of girls in the park and is outrightly mesmerized by their freedom, their careless dress, and that dangerous aura of abandonment that they seem to take for granted. Soon Evie is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its leader. The adventurous story creates a clear picture of how easy it is to sink and find yourself in a cult.

11. Prophet鈥檚 Prey

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Sam Brower, the author of this novel, was the private investigator who cracked open the case that led to the arrest of the psychopathic, Warren Jeff. This page-turning and horrifying story tells the ordeals of a rogue sect that used sex, money, and power disguising it as religion to further a madman鈥檚 vision. Despite the detailed coverage in the media and the lengthy trial of this case, the full story of what really happened has remained to be largely untold. However, Sam comes close to telling it all in this harrowing novel, He was the private investigator who devoted his life to learning and understanding the cult.

12. The Witness Wore Red

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Written by Rebecca Musser and M. Bridget Cook, Rebecca grew up in fear and concealing her family鈥檚 polygamous lifestyle from the dangerous world. She was after all taught that the world was a very dangerous place to be. While covered from head to toe in strict and very modest clothing, she received education at Alta Academy, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ school headed by Warren Jeffs. She always sought to be an obedient priesthood girl and when in her teen years, she was made the 19^th wife of her people鈥檚 prophet. After being sickened by the abuse she suffered for years, she escaped the cult and went on to rebuild her life.

13. Inside Scientology

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Created in 1954 by pulp science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard, it has been claimed that this religion is the world鈥檚 fast-growing religion, with very huge financial holdings and millions of members. Celebrities who are believers continue to keep their profile high and teams of volunteer ministers have been known to offer aid at disaster sites like Haiti and the World Trade Centre. On the other hand, however, Scientology is also a very closed faith that harasses journalists and others through intimidation. They鈥檝e been known to even infiltrate high levels of government just so that they can further their agenda. Find out much more about this bizarre religion in this fascinating novel.

14. A Thousand Lives

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According to The York Times Book Review, this novel is 鈥淎 gripping account of how decent people can be taken in by a charismatic and crazed tyrant.鈥� It tells the story of the infamous Jim Jones, who was so charismatic that he convinced a whole congregation to commit suicide. He had idealistic beliefs that quickly filled his pews with an audience that was eager to hear and practice his sermons on social justice. After moving his church to Northern California, he became a major player in this area鈥檚 politics. In this page-turning novel, you get to interact and learn more about this character that shocked the world.

15. Seductive Poison

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Written by Deborah Layton, 鈥楽eductive Poison,鈥� tells the ordeals of a high-level member of the Peoples Temple and Jonestown survivor. This story goes deeper into giving an ordeal of how one woman was seduced by one of the most notorious cults and how she found her way back to reality. In the world, we have seen all kinds of cult tragedies, but none has been so dramatic and tragic like the Jonestown massacre of 1978.

16. The Scared Lies of Minnow Bly

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In this novel, we get to interact with a seventeen-year-old Minnow whose everything has been taken away from her by the Kevinian cult. She spent 12 years of her life a slave and when she decided to rebel they took away her hands. Their prophet gets murdered and their camp is set aflame. Obviously, Minnow knows something about it but she鈥檚 not talking. The drama and plot twists will for sure keep you glued.

17. The Sound of Gravel

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Authored by Ruth Wariner, this is one piece of literary work that gives a riveting and deeply affecting true story of one girl who is coming of age in a polygamist family. Wariner was the 39^th daughter of her father鈥檚 42 children and having grown up on a farm in rural Mexico, authorities would turn a blind eye to the practice of her community. She lives in a shack of a house without indoor plumbing or electricity and at church, they are taught that God will punish the wicked by destroying the world. That women can only ascend to heaven if they enter polygamous marriages and give birth to as many children as possible.

18. Raven

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This novel presents the seminal history of Jim Jones and the murderous act that took place in Jonestown in 1978. Authored by Tim Reiterman and John Jacobs, 鈥楻aven鈥� is a PEN award-winning book that explores the ideals gone wrong, the intrigue, and the realities behind this cult movement that moved all the way to the jungle of South America.

19. Survivor

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From the author of the popular novel, 鈥楩ight Club,鈥� this incisive second novel gives a mesmerizing and hilarious vision of cult and post-cult life. The story revolves around Tender Branson, the last surviving member of a cult known as 鈥楥reedish Death.鈥� This cult dictates his life story into the flight recorder of Flight 2039, cruising on autopilot at 39,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. He is alone in the airplane that will crash shortly. The novel unfolds the tales of Branson鈥檚 journey from an obedient Creedish child follower to this adventurous pilot on the verge of death.

20. The Kingdom of the Cults

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This is a reference work on major cultic systems over a period of forty years. This book has given a detailed encounter on counter-cult ministries and evangelistic movements that have been there and will continue to be, for years to come. Among the cults and religions discussed are Jehova鈥檚 Witnesses, Mormonism, New Age Cults, the Unification Church, Baha’i Faith, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, among many others.

21. The Triumph of Injustice

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Even after becoming wealthy, the rich still see their taxes collapse to levels so bad. The last time it was this bad was in the 1920s. The working-class Americans meanwhile are asked to pay more and this novel presents a forensic investigation into this dramatic transformation. It has been written by Emmanuel Saez, and Gabriel Zucman, two economists who revolutionized the study of inequality.

22. The Chosen One

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Authored by Carol Lynch Williams, 鈥楾he Chosen One,鈥� tells the story of a 13-year-old Kyra, a teenager who has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that his father is polygamous with three wives and 21 children. She however often visits the library to read forbidden books and constantly meets up with Joshua, the boy she desperately hopes to choose and keep for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. So as much as she doesn鈥檛 question the polygamous situation, she very much understands what鈥檚 going on. When the prophet (her father) insists she marry her 60-year-old uncle who already has six wives, she must find a way of getting her freedom.

23. Member of the Family

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In this memoir, we get to interact with the themes of innocence, coercion, survival, and healing. Diana Lake gives an account of her years with Charles Manson and reveals how she became the youngest member of his family. She offers insights into this 21^st century’s most notorious criminal cults.

24. Not Without My Sister

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Written by Celeste Jones, this novel tells the true story of three girls who were violated and betrayed by those they trusted most. It is a bestselling book that gives devastating and heart-wrenching accounts of three sisters torn apart, abused, and even exploited at the hands of a community that mercilessly robbed them of their childhood. It tells the story of three innocent lives, separate but entwined with the experience of horrific ordeals, unrelenting loyalty, and unforgettable courage.

25. The Handmaid鈥檚 Tale

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This novel is so great and well-written that it was adapted into a TV show. Written by Margaret Atwood, it is set in the future and describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead. It is now a monotheocratic society that has reacted to social unrest and sharply declining birthrate. It explores the themes of sexual abuse, control, and exploitation especially of those rendered weak and helpless. According to the New York Times, Before The Testaments, there was The Handmaid鈥檚 Tale: an instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from 鈥渢he patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction鈥�

26. After the Fire

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Authored by Will Hill, in this page-turning novel we get to meet a woman who has lived her whole life behind a fence. She was never allowed to leave the property, never allowed to talk to strangers or even speak her mind. The master, Father John, controlled everything and he liked rules. Disobeying him would prove to have to deal with terrible consequences. However, outside there is hope and different truths. So what happens after the fire? Find out in this creatively written book.

27. Combating Cult Mind Control

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Shortly known as CCMC, this book takes you to another realm and reality. It helps you as the reader protect and regain your sanity, freedom and health. It also helps you protect others form the use of mind control techniques as you read about stories of people who fell under the seduction of cults and other forms of influences but were still able to break free. It gives new information on the sophisticated ways social media uses mind control techniques and it also gives updates on the types of organizations that typically use mind control.

28. Waco

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Authored by David Thibodeau, this one is more of a survivor story and a critically acclaimed first-person account of the siege by a Branch Davidian survivor.  After the FBI staged a deadly raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, David Thibodeau lived to tell the tale and in this heart-wrenching story, we get to interact with the ordeals of that day.

29. Station Eleven

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Another heart-wrenching story of a Hollywood star, his would-be saviour, and a nomadic group roaming around the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region. They risk everything for art and humanity. Written by Emily St. John Mandel and Vincent Chong, this is one novel you will have a hard time putting down.

30. Lost Boy

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This novel is authored by Brent W. Jeffs, nephew of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the FLDS. He gives his account of the experiences he had while in that cult and the reader gets to have a one-on-one interaction with what it truly meant to be associated with that movement.

All these books have done a great job at depicting what exactly cult life looks like. Apart from being entertaining enough to keep you glued to them, they are also quite educative.