This book blew my mind. Dowd‘s grandfather started his own apocalyptic community years ago. He told followers he would live 500 years. Fire & brimstone/Old Testament was his personal mantra. Dowd‘s father & mother were merciless to their kids. Dowd was basically abandoned and/or punished up thru her teens. How she ended up where she is now-an accomplished writer and professor is astonishing to me. That she forgave her parents is also impressive.