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Summary: Excellent Book
Review: I was amazed at how real this book is. I was born and raised in a destructive cult and fortunately was able to leave when I was only 18 years old. If you are looking for a true look at "what it's like" read this book. Thank you Deborah for sharing your frightful experience. What a strong person you are to open up the past and re-live those moments.
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Summary: My first nonfiction book and it was really really good
Review: I was too young to experience the Jonestown stuff but when my friend read Seductive Poison for class and did an oral book report on the author I thought OOOHH that sounds really interesting. The book's great because its really exciting and intense. I read "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and this one is way more suspenseful. I've also learned something really important in the process that true stories can be good reading too.
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Summary: An amazing story of survival and endurance
Review: It started innocently enough, a teenager meeting a powerful San Franciscan minister, while searching for meaning in her rebellious life. Seven years later and not a day too soon! Layton would have to escape from Jonestown, fearing for her mothers well being who, saddly was too sick with cancer to accompany her daughter in the daring escape. This novel-like memoir is terrific and deeply moving and proof that those who take the extra step, survive. I was struck by the opening quote from Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, which starts the book: "We who have come back by the aid of many lucky chances or miracles--whatever one may choose to call them--we know: the best of us did not return." Layton's honesty is endearing and wonderfully fresh. BRAVO!
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Summary: many stolen lives
Review: I loved this book. Thank God Layton had the brains to run and the courage to speak out. Why does the world dismiss its whistle blowers?
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Summary: Beautifully crafted story of loss and redemption
Review: Despite its subject matter, "Seductive Poison" is not a book written for cult buffs and larded with new age jargon. It is a compelling story filled with colorful characters. Layton manages to recreate the tension, the hope and with heart pounding authenticity the desperation of her and her mother's predicament. Layton builds urgency as well as compassion for the people caught in this all-to-good dream turned nightmare. The outcome, of course, is no surprise-However, that Layton lived, escaped and was able, twenty years later, to tell this story for the sake of her daughter is more than commendable, it is courageous. Layton has written a book that will continue to resonate in my heart soul and mind for years and years to come.
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Summary: Like the Bible- this story has the power to protect us
Review: I purchased Seductive Poison after listening to the author speak at the home of a long time devoted community activist. One expects to be offended or put off by the subject of mass suicide by weak minded followers. However I found myself mesmerized and endeared to the innocence and naïveté of the woman who stood there and told us of her life. Having finished the book, I must say, it has shown me that you sure can't know a thing by its wrapping. Deborah Layton was young and idealistic when she joined People's Temple and I now understand how all the members were lured and tricked by the finest sorcerer of them all. Jim Jones was able to convince many a politician he was legitimate. How else could he have become the Director of the Human Rights Commission? Lord knows none of us would have been able to tell THEN what we know perfectly well NOW with 20/20 hindsight. I think Deborah has given a part of her soul to explain what happened. And the least folks like me who are blissfully ignorant and often arrogantly opinionated can do is take a second look at something that still desperately needs to be understood. I want to apologize first for dismissing the subject as unnecessary and then recommend Seductive Poison as a story every parent and grandparent should read, then should pass along to their children and grandchildren. Like bible stories, this one has the power to teach us over and over again.
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Summary: WHOA--what a read
Review: Wow I'm mesmerized. A Big story told by a powerfully courageous little woman. At eighteen the author met Rev. Jim Jones and joined his band of off beat seemingly good meaninged street angels. But what Layton later finds is that all is a fascade and her Godly cloacked minster is really a psychopath. I was unable to breath through half the book it's so jam packed with action. WOW! How she survived is mind blowing. Great, great, full throttle story. Thank the Lord she lived to tell. There were some amazingly close calls. I'm impressed and I hope to read more of her work.
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Summary: Wildly entertaining
Review: I am embarassed to admit that this tragic episode in our history was totally enthralling to read about in this wonderful memoir from a survivor of Jonestown. Layton's ability to build dramatic tension is incredible. Written by a less talented writer Seducitve Poison would simply be a historical commentary. The author writes with such haunting imagery that the reader is gently drawn into her darkly cloaked world where secrets and shadows cloud her vision until the adreniline racing end. I was unable to put it down!
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Summary: Lessons Learned
Review: In the epilogue to Seductive Poison, Deborah Layton says, "If there is any lesson to be learned it is that an ideal can never be brought about by fear, abuse, and the threat of retribution...If I, as a young woman, had had someone explain to me what cults are and how indoctrination works, my story might not have been the same." This book is a primer in recognizing the warning signs of cult-like behavior in ourselves and our loved ones, and should be read by everyone to help keep perspective as we strive to lead well-intentioned, meaningful lives. Seductive Poison is a compelling story that is told with the intensity of a well-written thriller. If only it were just that and not a true account of the deception that was experienced in The People's Temple.
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Summary: Fantastic
Review: I liked very much. It has received good comments in Elle Magazine and because Isabel Allende made a positive quote about how good the book is I decided to buy it. I am so sorry the author had such a hard experience and thank her for taking her time to write us about it. I think many can learn not to do this if we read about these things. It is very heart pounding in the end and I loved all about it.
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