Dinner For Vampires - Bethany Joy Lenz

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz was a really engaging read for me. Lenz’s memoir recounts her innocent introduction into a religious group that soon morphs into a cult. When things creep up on a victim in this way, with small daily things that fly under the radar, it can be difficult to realize that the big picture of things added up isn't a healthy and supportive one anymore, and this is precisely the dynamic that Lenz lays out in her memoir.

She describes many of the things that make cults into the treacherous communities they become, beginning with a unique and much needed love from a tight-knit community, made up from members who similarly lack this in their own journeys. A love that is touted unconditional and all-encompassing but soon becomes a very conditionally meted out reward, to be replaced by ever arbitrary punishments when the expectations of the cult leadership aren't fulfilled.

In Lenz’s story, some of the hallmark signs include the psychological isolation from her family and financial abuse as she hands over the reins of her bank accounts, and with them her hard earned cash from acting in a multi-year hit TV show.

I guess what makes her story a little different is that the community seems to grow into a cult under her watchful eye, and maybe it is precisely that which makes it so hard to pinpoint the damaging dynamic at the start or at any defined point in time.

I also found it interesting to read this story from the standpoint of a female professional who leaves the cult for long periods on set at a time. Presumably, this is tolerated because of the large cash flow it brings into the hands of the leader, although not without significant impingements on Lenz’s freedoms even on set, across the country. It does make me wonder if the role of other celebrity cult members (read: Tom Cruise) functions along a similar dynamic.

Overall, this book is wonderfully written, raw and honest, eye opening, and a page turner. I wish I could quote some of the author's witty writing, though I need to hold off since I only read an advance copy. We can learn so much from Lenz’s journey, as these exploitative tactics replicate themselves over and over not only in cults, but also in abusive relationships, unhealthy workplaces, and more, only to lure us in via an unmet need inside us that is worth risking ourselves for.

In gratitude to the author for telling her story, likely a difficult endeavor, and to Simon & Schuster for the Advance Reader's Copy, obtained via Netgalley.