I received this copy from the publisher (Disney Group Book, Disney-Hyperion) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing I want to say about The Cresswell Plot is that there is no doll! It makes absolutely no difference at all except for the fact that there is a doll on the cover and no doll in the book and it irritates me- but it does make for an eye-catching cover.
The Cresswell Plot is a very interesting/intense book. It's about a secluded, very religious, slightly abusive family that believes they are the only good people left on earth, and therefore the only people who'll be allowed into heaven. All of the siblings have been paired off into the perfect couples, and they spend hours reading scriptures or "reflecting on their actions"/ begging for forgiveness. But the children start realizing that their father's opinions may not be right. They push the limits and see what God'll let them get away with. Eventually, their father decides that they must go to heaven before they do something that'll make the lose their spot. But the way to Heaven is through death.
I found the story to be very entertaining. It reminded me of Jonestown (for who knows what reason) but I did have some problems with it. I wish George had had a better part in the story. First of all, he was too young for Castella. Second, I wish he was a bigger help to Castella and her family. I was fully expecting him to help her get away and figure things out but he just ended up being the biggest JERK on the planet. Also, what kind of school would have a majority of students ok with SACRAFICING A GOAT?!?!? I can't imagine anyone at my school being ok with that. Just dissecting a frog results in horrified students.
Anyway, the story was pretty disappointing in the sense that it didn't go the way I expected it to, but it was strangely fascinating even though it's not the type of thing that I'd usually read.
The first thing I want to say about The Cresswell Plot is that there is no doll! It makes absolutely no difference at all except for the fact that there is a doll on the cover and no doll in the book and it irritates me- but it does make for an eye-catching cover.
The Cresswell Plot is a very interesting/intense book. It's about a secluded, very religious, slightly abusive family that believes they are the only good people left on earth, and therefore the only people who'll be allowed into heaven. All of the siblings have been paired off into the perfect couples, and they spend hours reading scriptures or "reflecting on their actions"/ begging for forgiveness. But the children start realizing that their father's opinions may not be right. They push the limits and see what God'll let them get away with. Eventually, their father decides that they must go to heaven before they do something that'll make the lose their spot. But the way to Heaven is through death.
I found the story to be very entertaining. It reminded me of Jonestown (for who knows what reason) but I did have some problems with it. I wish George had had a better part in the story. First of all, he was too young for Castella. Second, I wish he was a bigger help to Castella and her family. I was fully expecting him to help her get away and figure things out but he just ended up being the biggest JERK on the planet. Also, what kind of school would have a majority of students ok with SACRAFICING A GOAT?!?!? I can't imagine anyone at my school being ok with that. Just dissecting a frog results in horrified students.
Anyway, the story was pretty disappointing in the sense that it didn't go the way I expected it to, but it was strangely fascinating even though it's not the type of thing that I'd usually read.