Books Favorited by Lauren Wilson Centered Around Cults
In the captivating world of literature, cults have long been a source of fascination and intrigue. This is particularly true in the works of author Lauren Wilson, whose debut novel, "The Goldens", delves into the dark depths of modern influencer culture and classic cult tropes. For readers seeking more stories that delve into the complexities of cults, Wilson has shared her favourite recommendations.
First on the list is "The Girls" by Emma Cline, a novel that draws inspiration from the Manson family murders. The story follows a teenage girl drawn into a cult commune, exploring themes of obsession and dark influence.
Another compelling read is "Spoilt Creatures" by Amy Twigg. This book tells the story of a woman who joins a female-led commune with cult-like power dynamics and tension around freedom and control. It's a heady, summery read filled with female rage, power dynamics, and cult vibes.
"Station Eleven" by Emily St John Mandel is a novel that examines art and humanity through the lenses of a flu pandemic and the lives of survivors twenty years later. The story features a doomsday cult (or post-doomsday cult) led by a mysterious character called the Prophet.
If you're interested in a novel that explores family and cult dynamics, "The Project" by Courtney Summers is worth a read. In this YA thriller, a journalist named Lo is determined to track down her older sister who joined a group called The Unity Project after their parents' death and expose it as a sinister cult.
For those seeking a novel about survival and inner strength, "After The Fire" by Will Hill might be just what you need. This novel focuses on a seventeen-year-old girl named Moonbeam living in a remote desert commune as part of a cult, and her struggle to face the truth after a catastrophic fire.
"The Secret History" by Donna Tartt is a novel about a group of wealthy, eccentric, and gloriously pretentious Ancient Greek classmates and their enigmatic teacher, Julian, who lead the protagonist, Richard, into hedonism, betrayal, and murder.
Lastly, "Bunny" by Mona Awad combines magical realism and horror with dark academia. The story follows a university student named Samantha Heather Mackey who gets drawn into a clique of pretentious rich girls who call each other 'Bunny' and have an unusual hobby.
These recommendations come from Wilson herself, as she highlighted them as her favourite cult-themed books, making them particularly relevant for readers who enjoyed "The Goldens". The novels listed here provide a range of cult portrayals from historical inspirations to modern social phenomena, with compelling psychological depth and dark atmospheres similar to Lauren Wilson’s debut. Happy reading!
In the realm of literature that delves into the complexities of cults, "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt and "Bunny" by Mona Awad are excellent choices. "The Secret History" presents a group of wealthy, eccentric, and pretentious Ancient Greek classmates and their enigmatic teacher, leading to hedonism, betrayal, and murder, while "Bunny" combines magical realism and horror with dark academia, as a university student gets drawn into a clique of pretentious rich girls.
