I received a proof copy of fathermothergod through a Goodreads giveaway. While Lucia's story is compelling and the book is very well written I struggled with the subtitle. Mrs. Greenhouse describes in her book a relationship with both her parents and her faith that was contemptuous from seemingly a very young age. I would say that this is more of a story about re-negotiating relationships with her parents than her faith. While her relationship with her parents is steadfast but complicated (and truthfully whose isn't) her connections to the Christian Science faith traditions are wish-washy. To say that this book educates or informs one of the inner-side of a mostly private but hardly cult-like denomination is a bit of a stretch. I was also annoyed at the the repeated apologies for what is without a doubt her individual perspective - of course it is! Stop apologizing and tell us the story.

Overall I really enjoyed the fathermothergod and have already passed the book on to a friend. I encourage future readers to expect less of the faith narrative. I got immense fulfillment from the story of a growing woman who is constantly examining, reconsidering, and reshaping the loving and dynamic relationship with her family and think many others will as well. ( )

I've been on a book bender lately. Three books in three weeks about women leaving the religion of their childhoods. This one hits especially close to home, as I grew up (and left) the same religion as the author. She tells her family's story with a range of raw emotions. Watching the death of a parent is never easy. Watching them make choices that endanger their lives - and by extension your own, as their child - is nearly impossible. ( )

This book is a great introduction to Christian Science for those who know little about it. Lucia Greenhouse's parents are more extreme in their religion than many others who practice it, but the great majority of this stuff is the norm. I couldn't put it down, but it was also incredibly emotional and hard to get through. ( )

UPDATE: This book was wonderfully written, honest, gripping and painful at times. My interest in it was sparked by the fact that my husband's aunt and his maternal grandfather were Christian Scientists. Another relative of his, though identifying himself as a Chrisian, shares some of the same bizarre beliefs about illness - that it only exists in the spiritual realm and can only be rid of through prayer. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in what it is like to grow up in different religions.




I brought this book home from the library the other day, set it on the kitchen table and it disappeared. My son was reading it.. then my daughter grabbed it.. When I finally got to open the book myself (!) I knew why they'd grabbed it from me. Right from the 1st page, the author draws you into her life. Fascinating memoir, though painful to read at times.... Very well written true story. Will update more later... ( )

Wow. This book is moving, engrossing and aggravating all at once. Let me say first that I am always astounded by people of unshakable faith, although I don't necessarily understand it, possibly because I don't share it. Christian Science falls in the category of stuff I just don't get. While there are CS who do dabble in modern medicine - glasses, crutches, etc. - Greenhouse's family is not one of these. Without giving anything away, I felt alternatively horrified and sympathetic for Greenhouse and her plight. How do you save someone who clearly doesn't want your help? And too, at the end, did her mother change her mind? The question remains ambiguous. ( )