This book is without question one of the best memoirs I've ever read for a number of reasons aside from the author's obvious writing talent. First, Rebekah Mallory tackles a topic that is tough and uncomfortable for just about everyone out there: the intersection of cults and faith. Whatever your religious bent (or lack thereof), the intricate inner workings of the Jehovah's Witness community will not only open your eyes to their particular flavor of mind-control, but leaves you unable to ignore the similarities to other organized religions. Regardless of what you believe, you should believe it by choice and Rebekah's story illuminates how we can be manipulated into doing what others want us to while believing we're making the choices for ourselves.
The author also holds nothing back. Nothing. But she does this in a way not often seen. I've read memoirs where it's obvious the author is keeping some things behind the curtain, maybe due to privacy concerns for others or out of shame, but you can feel that lack, that thinness to the rounding out of the person when they do so. I've also read memoirs where the authors bare all, but it's done in an aggressive and abrasive "in your face" kind of manner, where it's apparent they haven't worked through what they're sharing and feel the need to throw on a coat of armor and declare war on the reader with their revelations. This book, however, is different. She shares everything; she doesn't try to sugarcoat or skim over the painful and ugly parts, but she's also not flinging it in your face in the most offensive way she can. She's honest - brutally honest - and yet gentle at the same time, showcasing a beautiful humanity as we follow along with her on her journey of self-discovery.
Which leads me to the third quality of this book that sets it apart from so many others; she doesn't shy away from how hard that journey is. She doesn't dwell on the fact that she's in a better place now after spending time on how bad things were at one point, skimming over the messy, twisty, nearly soul-crushing path between those two points. As a survivor of childhood trauma, I know how important it is to see that middle bit, to know how difficult it is even once you know what you have to do, to see people have so many setbacks along the way. I think it's easier for folks to sweep the light past that part of their stories pretty quickly because it's hard not to feel embarrassed when we screw up. But everyone does screw up and pretending otherwise is dishonest in its own way; in this manner, Rebekah's book is as honest as it gets.
Lastly, her book is relatable. I have never been a Jehovah's Witness and I've never known someone personally who relied on sign language to communicate, but I related to her story anyway because it is the story of a girl and a young woman who has not been provided with the tools she needs to love herself or to make sound decisions. It is the story of someone who was abused without realizing it while it was happening, someone who is drawn to the humanity in people no matter their flaws - seeing them as whole people and not just a positive or negative subset of their personality. It is the story of someone who was unimaginably brave and strong in the way strength and bravery are in real life - messy, painful, full of self-doubt and regret, but driven forward by gritty determination.
Her story, her willingness to be vulnerable and share all of it with the world, her insistence on being true to herself, is truly awe-inspiring and can teach something to every one of us.
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Reviews with images
Incredibly Moving
Let me start by saying that I am not a reader. It normally takes me MONTHS to get through a book. But Train Gone.. I started it on Tuesday, and I just finished it— it is now Sunday of the same week. Needless to say, this book is incredible. Not only did I learn SO MUCH about the deaf community, CODAs, and the JW society, but I also saw a part of me in Rebekah that I didn’t think I would. Reading this memoir was therapeutic and powerful, and I cannot wait to read more books by this incredibly talented author! Anyone who can get me to be glued to a book instead of YouTube is seriously talented.
Top reviews from other countries
Aaron LeBlanc
Like raw & vulnerable? Read THIS!!!
Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2021