Today I will be reviewing Escape from Eden, by Elisa Nader, followed by an interview.
Thanks for stopping by!
Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Merit Press
Publication Date: 8/18/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 272
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars
Rating: 4 stars
Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.
But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?
I want to quickly point out that, for those who do not like books about religion, Escape from Eden is not a religious book. Yes, it does take place in a religious cult, but the story is essentially about two teens who are desperate to escape, are faced with shocking revelations, and are faced with the ultimate choice.
I've always been a bit fascinated with cults. I know that sound weird, right? The Jonestown Massacre happened a few months after I was born, so I obviously don't remember that, but it's an event that I remember being mentioned from a young age. Then there was the Branch Davidian tragedy that was also heavily covered by media. Then take into consideration that I had the poo scared out of me when I went to a church service with a friend that felt more like the beginnings of a horror movie. With the promise of a better life to attract people into joining, cults are kind of the ultimate dystopian tale. There is no huge cataclysmic event or war to change the world and cause the shift, just the ravings and promises of a lunatic.
Escape to Eden was a heavy-topic story, but didn't read like a heavy book. This may seem confusing or contradictory, but that is the best way I could think to describe it. From the outside, the issues faced in the book, about freedom of choice, slavery, sacrifice, make Escape to Eden seem like a really heavy, draining read. The author, though, did a great job of presenting the story in a way that evenly revealed the disturbing conditions of Edenton, and the people in power, so that I was able to absorb the revelations without feeling overwhelmed.
Escape to Eden read like a movie. The author did an excellent job of describing the Edenton compound, the jungle surrounding it, the people who inhabit it. I could imagine everything so clearly. The began with Mia's thoughts of escape, wanting a life of choice. Once she meets Gabriel, then becomes part of a horrific event, the pace quickly speeds up. Revelation after revelation is thrown at Mia and Gabriel, never giving me a chance to lose interest. I liked that despite the obvious attraction between Mia and Gabriel, and that she does have thoughts about him at times, the focus is always on escape.
Escape to Eden was a truly interesting story filled with action, sorrow, and hope.
Favorite Quote:
"You know, Gabriel," Juanita said, "the word 'bridge' isn't in the Bible."
"It's not?" Gabriel asked and I couldn't help feeling he was humoring us. "And why is that?"
Juanita's face fell as she remembered one of the Reverend's sermons.
"Because," I said, reciting what I could recall. "God's people must pass through the dangerous currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them."
"Suffering and death for God's people, huh?" Gabriel peered down into the ditch. "I guess if I was going to fly my atheist flag, now would be the time." ~eARC, 44%
"You know, Gabriel," Juanita said, "the word 'bridge' isn't in the Bible."
"It's not?" Gabriel asked and I couldn't help feeling he was humoring us. "And why is that?"
Juanita's face fell as she remembered one of the Reverend's sermons.
"Because," I said, reciting what I could recall. "God's people must pass through the dangerous currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them."
"Suffering and death for God's people, huh?" Gabriel peered down into the ditch. "I guess if I was going to fly my atheist flag, now would be the time." ~eARC, 44%
"Excuse me," Gabriel said in English, raising his hand. "The Ugly American here. Do you plan on subtitling this conversation or should I go ahead and make up a story in my head? Because my version includes a hot shower, about fourteen hours of sleep, and fried chicken." ~eARC, 52%
Author Interview
What inspired you to write a story that dealt with cults?
EN: Cults are fascinating. In the seventies, people were so afraid of cults there was a special congressional session on “the Cult Phenomenon.” People thought cults were the most dangerous threat to our country. I think that’s when the mythos of traditional cults really hit the height of infamy.
I knew about the most famous cults: the Moonies, the Manson Family, and, of course, The People’s Temple — a church that created a commune in Jonestown, Guyana, South America. That cult was the inspiration for ESCAPE FROM EDEN.
I would imagine you learned many interesting facts while researching for the book. Can you tell us about one?
EN: Before the research, I was more familiar with cults that were self-destructive, (Jonestown, Order of the Solar Temple, Heaven’s Gate), but there are a number of cults that have attacked the general public: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh founded several communities in Oregon in the eighties and, allegedly, the cult poisoned hundreds with Salmonella to rig elections in the cult’s favor and Aum Shinrokyo, a cult originating in Japan, attacked Tokyo’s subway system with Sarin gas in 1995, killing twelve and injuring 5,000 (the cult has now been listed as a terrorist organization).
Did you ever suffer from writer's block while writing this book?
EN: A little. This story seemed to flow out of me fairly quickly. I made major revisions after the first draft but there wasn’t a time where I was staring at a blank screen for hours weeping silently into a glass of wine. The only way I recover from writer’s block is to write through it (which I tell myself while weeping silently into a glass of wine).
What would you say is the overall message of Escape to Eden?
EN: Ask questions, be curious, and don’t take what people tell you as fact. Think for yourself, and knowledge is better than blind acceptance.
Is there a particular book/author that has inspired you?
EN: I’ve always admired Michael Grant. His writing is so smart and gutsy. He’ll take a reader crazy, twisted places. When he agreed to blurb ESCAPE FROM EDEN I almost fainted. Then when I read his blurb, I was floored. What an incredible honor.
Laini Taylor’s voice in all her books makes me weepy with love and appreciation for the written word.
EN: A little. This story seemed to flow out of me fairly quickly. I made major revisions after the first draft but there wasn’t a time where I was staring at a blank screen for hours weeping silently into a glass of wine. The only way I recover from writer’s block is to write through it (which I tell myself while weeping silently into a glass of wine).
What would you say is the overall message of Escape to Eden?
EN: Ask questions, be curious, and don’t take what people tell you as fact. Think for yourself, and knowledge is better than blind acceptance.
Is there a particular book/author that has inspired you?
EN: I’ve always admired Michael Grant. His writing is so smart and gutsy. He’ll take a reader crazy, twisted places. When he agreed to blurb ESCAPE FROM EDEN I almost fainted. Then when I read his blurb, I was floored. What an incredible honor.
Laini Taylor’s voice in all her books makes me weepy with love and appreciation for the written word.
Can you tell us about a current or future project?
EN: I’m working on a project inspired by the wonderful eighties movie The Legend of Billie Jean. Rent it. You won’t be disappointed.
**Thanks to Elisa for stopping by**
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