The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van..., Karlene Faith
The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van..., Karlene Faith
2 Rating(s)
List: $17.50 | Sale: $12.25
Club: $8.75

The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van Houten
Life Beyond the Cult

Author: Karlene Faith

Narrator: Gabra Zackman

Unabridged: 7 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/14/2016


Synopsis

At the age off twenty-one, Leslie Van Houten was sentenced to death, along with Charles Manson and his other disciples, for the infamous murder rampage spanning two nights in August 1969. Leslie, who was present at the Rosemary and Leno LaBianca stabbings, serenely accepted her sentence, wishing only that she had better served Manson in carrying out his apocalyptic vision of "Helter Skelter." When the United States temporarily suspended its death penalty, her sentence for murder conspiracy was converted to life in prison. Today, at the age of 51, after three trials and with no parole in sight, Leslie has become a remarkable survivor of a living nightmare.

This work presents the first in-depth look at how this "girl-next-door" became one of Manson's "girls." It also tells about Karlene Faith's thirty-year friendship with Leslie, whom she met while teaching in prison. To everyone who encountered Leslie - including prison staff and television journalists - she was not the demon typically portrayed by the media, but rather a gentle, generous spirit who mourned her victims. But why didn't this intelligent young woman see the evil in the "messiah" who had sexually exploited her, preached a racist ideology, and ordered her to murder? Faith pieces together the puzzle, starting with Leslie's spiritual quest within the sixties counterculture and her immediate attraction to Manson during a chance meeting. We learn of Manson's ability to look into her mind and commiserate with her turmoil. We also see his own need to control women and how his brainwashing techniques enabled his followers to embrace him as God, giving them little choice but to obey.

Leslie's journey out of Manson's grasp is a riveting feminist and spiritual story of recovering one's self. Why this rehabilitated woman, long punished for one man's madness, has not been able to leave prison is another story Faith brings to light. Filled with accounts of political injustices, this powerful book moves the reader to rethink the meanings and limits of guilt and punishment.

About The Author

Karlene Faith is a leading Canadian writer, feminist, scholar, and human rights activist.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul

This book is from another era. My takeaways were: It's amazing how vengeful people can be. This woman was mentally and sexually abused by Charles Manson, a major psychopath and criminal, yet from the author's description, Leslie Van Houten, if she's still alive today (the book is about 15 years old)......more

This book gives an intimate look into the prison life of Manson girl, Leslie Van Houten. At the age of twenty, she participated in the Manson killings and has been in jail ever since. Karlene Faith, an advocate in the prison system knew Leslie for years and explains her transformation in prison and......more

Goodreads review by Tom

Karlene Faith's stated premise is "It would constitute justice if she [Leslie Van Houten:] were to be released. I think that would be self-evident to anyone who studies the case". After more than forty years behind bars, it is no longer redemption - or even punishment - the State of California is loo......more

Goodreads review by David

The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult by Karlene Faith (Northeastern University Press 2001) (364.1523092) (3671). This was a most interesting read about former “Manson girl” Leslie Van Houten. Written over thirty years ago, the theme of Karlene Faith’s book was that Van H......more

Goodreads review by Emily

Concept/Ideas: 5/5 Writing Style: 3.5/5 This book makes me advocate for Leslie's parole so much more now. This book really opens you up to the real Leslie Van Houten, and completely makes you realize that she is not the woman everyone in the media and society brings her out to be. Words cannot explain......more