The Threefold Cord - James Alan Anderson

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Résumé :
Despite an indifferent father and a mother who develops a serious mood disorder, young twins Kevin and Robert, and their younger brother Jonah, experience an idyllic early life in rural Manitoba during the 1950s while in the loving care of their grandparents. However, that life comes to an abrupt end after their father converts to the esoteric beliefs of the Radio Church of God, a radical fundamentalist sect that preaches strict discipline in preparation for an anticipated end time worldwide cataclysm. Forced to move back home to live with their parents, the boys are victimized by their father's extreme religious fanaticism, which for the twins, includes indoctrination sessions, beatings, and confinement in a basement coal cellar. Rather than giving in to their father's brutality and brainwashing efforts, the twins remain strong and find clever ways to survive their circumstances and even thrive within them. Determined to be their younger brother's keeper, the twins and Jonah form an unbreakable bond - a proverbial threefold cord. It is a bond of mutual support for one another that enables them to better cope with their father's abusive and controlling behaviour. Although fictional, The Threefold Cord explores many of the real-life beliefs and practices of the Radio Church of God and deftly examines the grey area between a cult and a religion, between discipline and abuse, and asks what it takes for a person to decide where those lines should be drawn.

Biographie:
James Anderson began writing fiction to bring to light the effects of cults after he and his wife had their own experience with an exploitative church. In addition to Breaking Point, he has written three previous books about Jonah and the twins: The Threefold Cord, Rebirth, and House of Refuge. The fifth book in the series, Menace From the Past, will be published at a later date. A retired professional engineer, who was involved in telecommunications for over thirty years, James is also an electronics hobbyist and holds an amateur radio license. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing, and especially cycling on his mountain bike. He lives with his wife Julie, with whom he will soon celebrate his fortieth anniversary, in Winnipeg Manitoba....

Sommaire:
Despite an indifferent father and a mother who develops a serious mood disorder, young twins Kevin and Robert, and their younger brother Jonah, experience an idyllic early life in rural Manitoba during the 1950s while in the loving care of their grandparents. However, that life comes to an abrupt end after their father converts to the esoteric beliefs of the Radio Church of God, a radical fundamentalist sect that preaches strict discipline in preparation for an anticipated end time worldwide cataclysm. Forced to move back home to live with their parents, the boys are victimized by their father's extreme religious fanaticism, which for the twins, includes indoctrination sessions, beatings, and confinement in a basement coal cellar. Rather than giving in to their father's brutality and brainwashing efforts, the twins remain strong and find clever ways to survive their circumstances and even thrive within them. Determined to be their younger brother's keeper, the twins and Jonah form an unbreakable bond - a proverbial threefold cord. It is a bond of mutual support for one another that enables them to better cope with their father's abusive and controlling behaviour. Although fictional, The Threefold Cord explores many of the real-life beliefs and practices of the Radio Church of God and deftly examines the grey area between a cult and a religion, between discipline and abuse, and asks what it takes for a person to decide where those lines should be drawn....