Holy Candy: Why I Joined A Cult And Married A Stranger

by Yolande Brener

What is the purpose of life? Is there a spiritual world? Does true love exist? If there is a God, why does he allow innocents to suffer? The desire to find answers to these questions-passed to her on a business card-led Yolande Brener to enter a bizarre, 15-year odyssey in a cult that would climax in her participation in one of the largest mass marriages in history. In HOLY CANDY, Yolande Brener pulls back the curtain on the church's doings - but this is far from a simple black and white expose. Spooky, riveting, and utterly believable, this beautifully written memoir will keep you reading well into the night.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cult Classics, Cults

342 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 2014

Reviews

[Danielle Imara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating insight into the clandestine world of a widely publicised cult The Unification Church- known as The Moonies. The descriptions of Brener's joining the cult are so sensitively written, and so vivid that it's easy to relate to the dramatic choices she made. It's such a great insight, and it's beautifully written in a sophisticated yet comprehensive literary style. It's completely gripping as well. Loved it.

[John Carneson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yolande Brener's memoir, Holy Candy, makes ian excellent read.

She is consistently honest  and sincere about her beliefs and feelings. Her doubts about the church and teachings of Mr and Mrs Moon were always and she lays the contradictions and maipulations bare with a irony and humour that hits harder than sensationalism. Her commitment to helping others and transforming her life is what kept her from leaving in spite  of her acute awareness that she was being exploited. This tension holds your attention to the end.

Secondly, the book is exceptionally well written and this has been acknowledged by several established authors. Few writers can capture a character or situation with the accuracy and efficiency of Ms Brener.  Her metaphors are always fresh and illuminating  and full of humour. However, it is the passages that deal with the two people for whom she has the deepest feeling that takes her writing to another level.  These are her brother and her former  lover, who she was separated from for years. The prose becomes poetic as that of writers such as Ben Okri and is both beautiful and disturbing. I would like to get hold of her poetry.

This is not just another memoir and it deserves readers and possibly the attention of a suitable producer of films.

[Danielle Imara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book answered a lot of questions for me about the hows and whys of being in a cult. Brener's skilled and sensitive description of how she left an exciting and successful life to hand over the reins to The Unification Church (or The Moonies as they were known) is a gripping and fascinating read from start to finish. She describes the process of joining the cult and getting married in a 3000 couple ceremony in terms that actually make it understandable. She's a beautifully poetic writer as well as having a great story to tell. A great read, and a fascinating insight.