The Only Girl in the World

This review can also be found on my blog.

This was such an interesting and bizarre read that I found myself inhaling it in what amounted to essentially one sitting. Maude Julien's parents raised her to be “superhuman” and did so through “trainings” that most of us would recognize as nothing short of abuse. Just one example of many is that Maude's father would have her drink alcohol to excess whilst maintaining her composure and walking along a straight line.

I found the tone of the book quite interesting, as it borders on impassivity. Maude is writing this many years removed from the scenarios she describes and explains everything she endured quite matter-of-factly. Not only had Maude never experienced anything different – she had never even seen anything different than the life she was living. Instead of presenting the circumstances as she views them now, she is careful to present them as she viewed them then. For instance, she discusses her father's telekinesis and telepathy as straight facts rather than clarifying that it was something he merely believed he could do. I felt that this served to really put the reader into the world as she lived it instead of just describing her youth.

Can an animal teach a person about happiness? In the depth of my despair, I am fortunate to have this incredible source of joy.

The thing that struck me most about this book was Maude's relationship to the animals on their property. It was heartbreaking to see the abuse the animals endured alongside her, but also incredible that she was able to find love and comfort in some form. I was amazed at how Maude was able to truly become her own person even while so firmly held within the grasp of her parents.

I was also intrigued by Maude's later life, after she leaves her family, and wish she would have given some more depth to that period of her life, but also understood that this book serves only to describe her childhood and her eventual escape. The reader is given a bit more information in the epilogue, but I'd argue that a second book could be written about her adjustments to “normal” life as well as her journey to truly freeing her mind.

My father hammers into me that fear is the ‘indulgence of the weak'. But however hard I try, I am terrified all the time.

Overall, this was quite an interesting read. It may be a little intense for some, due to the extensive abuse portrayed, but if you think you would be able to handle the material I do recommend it.

The epilogue was the best part of the book 🤷🏻‍♀️

This was a deep look at a young girl living under the thumb of her religious fanatic father. He has seemingly inexplicable rules and lessons for her to learn, often brutally. Throughout it all, Maude discovers a deep connection to animals and slowly learns to stand up for herself and question her father's teachings.

I though this was a beautiful work, and read really easily in terms of writing style. The chapters were short and to the point. The book chronicles Maude's journey to adulthood, and at the end has a touching chapter where the author reflects on her life in adulthood and shows a remarkable sympathy for her mother.

I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in nonfiction books about cults. I was disbelieving throughout that so many adults could enter into the house of this cult and not feel anything was off about how this little girl was treated.