Family by Micol Ostow

Disturbing was a word that popped into my head often while reading Family by Micol Ostow. Although it was quickly followed by another thought - what did I expect from a novel that the back of the book describes as being "loosely based on the Manson family murders of 1969"? Oh, and there's the cover that obviously let me know from the beginning that it was not going to be a happy, cheery book.

Yet, the premise intrigued me and I wanted to keep reading, holding on to the hope that Mel, the main character would realize that the "family" was not the best option for her and that she would find her way out of the cult's strong grasp.

The novel, which is told in verse, a format that I always love, shares Mel's story of a difficult childhood that led to her on a journey that eventually landed her in the middle of a cult lifestyle - a place where she finally thought she had found acceptance. Yet, some lines from the first page foreshadowed that Mel would not always feel so positive about her new "family".

The haunting verse weaves back and forth between the past and the present, circling around to give more and more details about specific events so that as readers we are able to zoom in and get a clearer sense of what is going on in Mel's world. Even though I knew Mel seemed to be having some second thoughts about the cult and its leader, I was not sure how she was going to respond, whether or not she would find the inner strength to listen to those inner voices or if the manipulation would be far too strong. Then there were times when I was thinking she was figuring it out, only to realize that she still had a strong sense of commitment to the cult.

The book is recommended for 14 and up. I think it really depends on the individual. As an adult I found it hard to read at times and I actually had to put it down since I had started it with the stressful rush of the end of the school year and it was just too much for the moment. This weekend I was able to finish it once some of the stress was relieved. People who are going to read it need to be ready mentally for a heavy, tough topic. However, once a reader feels prepared for it, I highly recommend the book and the artful way that Ostow tells the story. It also has the advantage of helping readers to understand others and to imagine what the context would be like.

*Copy provided for review purposes