The Family: the shocking true story of a notorious cult
Paperback – November 14, 2017
Description
“Harrowing but humane. An extraordinary story, impeccably researched.” ― Martin McKenzie-Murray “Immaculately researched…This important book looks at how (and asks why) these abuses happened, defying the cult’s motto: “unseen, unheard, unknown”.” ― Readings “It's a remarkable [story]: hair-raising, unfathomable and deeply disturbing.” ― Irish Independent “A powerful work of investigative journalism…pieced together in exacting detail” ― Reading Matters “[A] compelling account of one of Australia’s most notorious cults…The authors trace the extraordinary life of a woman who operated “at the edges of human belief”.” ― The Saturday Age “Everyone loves a good cult story. And they don't come much better. This is the gripping story behind one of the strangest, most fascinating episodes in Australian history.” ― GQ Chris Johnston is a senior writer for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald , based in Melbourne.Rosie Jones is an award-winning writer, director, and editor. Her most recent feature documentary The Family , premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2016.
Features & Highlights
- A powerful work of investigative journalism about a notorious cult based in Melbourne, Australia, that captured world-wide headlines.
- The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne, captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Starting in Melbourne, Australia, their tentacles spread to Britain, Upstate New York, and Hawaii.
- Hamilton-Byrne, who told some followers she was Jesus Christ returned in disguise, was glamorous and charismatic―and dangerous. She stole children through adoption scams and imprisoned them, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings and raising them as her own. In 1987, police swooped on The Family’s lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne’s future master race, recounting terrible stories of near-starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt. After an extensive search, the FBI captured her in the Catskills, and helped bring her to trial.
- How did such a notorious group come to flourish? How did Anne maintain a hold over her followers?
- The Family
- tells the strange and shocking story of one of the most bizarre cults in modern history.
