The gripping sequel to the bestselling YA novels I am not Esther and I am Rebecca. Four years after Rebecca fled the religious community The Children of the Faith, twelve-year-old Magdalene bears the brunt of trying to protect and nurture her rebellious younger sister. Zillah isn’t at all interested in behaving as befits a daughter of a Faith family, but Magdalene knows only too well the cost of rebellion. Life becomes increasingly difficult for the two girls as the Elders tighten the Rules the children must obey. Magdalene knows it is useless to appeal to their father for help and protection. He believes fully in the integrity of the Elders. His children must obey for if they do not, they will be denied salvation.
I’m liking
It was great to continue to follow the story of the Pilgrim family and the Children of the Faith and this book also touches on how the older children are making their way in the world without their family. I liked the character development that happened – especially the growing awareness the children’s father develops as the book progresses.
There were some moments in this book that were very moving and as a parent, I found some parts unimaginable. This book continues Beale’s reflection on a very different culture than the one most of us live in and it was nice to see that things weren’t reduced to simple good and bad – it really reflected the complexities of life for these families.
Things that made me go hmmmm
The story arch in this book is very familiar and follows a similar pattern to the first two books. At times, I also continue to find Beale’s dialogue a bit overwritten.
The conclusion
I just happened to watch the latest documentary about Gloriavale as I was finishing this book and it’s impossible not to draw parallels. At the end of the book, Rachel, twin sister to Rebecca (who ran away in the second book) chooses to go back to the break away group of church members with her husband. The book reflects: “Then Rachel was walking away with her husband back to their car – back to their narrow lives.” And this is the truth of it.
Being Magdalene is published by Random House NZ and has a RRP of $19.99
