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What Members Thought
Julia Scheeres' writing sucked me full force into this memoir of religious hypocrisy, abuse, racism, and the idea that family is not about blood connections. Julia's parents are extremely religious and when Julia is four, they adopt a young black boy, David. Julia and David grow up together, closer than many brothers and sisters, yet issues of race and family tug at their bond. In small town Indiana, David's race marks him as different and as a target for abuse and this just doesn't happen in th
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Jesus Land is a memoir about the cruelty of organized religion and the saving power of a loving relationship. Julia Scheeres is raised in a very strict religious household in Indiana and after adolescent rebellions she is shipped off to a Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic where she rejoins her brother David. It is Julia's close bond with David that helps her survive the brutal, dehumanizing treatment she receives at the school. What distinguishes Julia's story from being yet anot
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Really such a heartbreaking memoir, but compelling. (Aren't they all?) I had a hard time putting it down. Julia Scheeres tells the story of growing up in a strict Calvinist family in rural Indiana in the 70's and 80's with her adopted brothers, who are black. The kids navigate racism, abuse, a stint in reform school in the Dominican Republic, and worst of all, parents who don't seem to love them. It's really the story of Julia's relationship with her brother David; they only survive by sticking
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recommended by Liddy.
Aug 16, 2008
Polly-Alida
marked it as to-read
Dec 31, 2012
Caitlin H
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Jan 19, 2013
Jen Horan
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Sep 19, 2016
Maya
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Jul 14, 2018
Kate
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Sep 23, 2020
Denise Cormaney
marked it as to-read
