The Contraption
by Barton Allen Stewart
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Pub Date 25 Mar 2024 | Archive Date 29 Jun 2024
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Description
The wedding was weeks away for two young lovers, who had counted themselves lucky to have found one another. Then, it was over, as one of them abruptly disappeared. Audrey was not abducted. Not exactly. She was not taken against her will. Rather, her will itself had been taken. Coerced and controlled. Deceived and derailed. Matthias cannot walk away from the catastrophe, though he has nothing to go on, and is in the dark beyond all personal darkness he has ever known . . .
The Contraption is a novel that deals with the challenges faced by a woman who has been recruited into a dangerous, coercive religious cult. Her fiancé is left not knowing even where she is. Her name has been changed and she has been relocated to another state. The cult, Church of the Mountain of Radiance, is an all-controlling psychological prison.
Audrey was lured in initially through the deceptive tactics, self-hypnosis and guided imagery rituals brought to her by a team of recruiters. One step leads to another, as her mind becomes totally occupied by the propaganda, bizarre rituals, arcane rules, and thought-stopping practices of the group. A new personality emerges, an artificial "cult self" to go with her new name. Unfortunately, even strong-willed, intelligent people can be susceptible to such an operation. Matthias launches a struggling effort to find her, aided by certain family members and some cult researchers they meet along the way. Matt leads the search, and says he "just wants to talk to her." But his great hope is to snap her out of whatever this is, and resume the life they had before this most abrupt, heart-rending separation.
The author, Barton A. Stewart is a long time student of the cult phenomenon, and The Contraption will be among the most realistic fictional depictions of the kinds of things that can happen in cases like this. Avoiding the sensationalism of so many novels on this subject, Stewart offers a look into another world, which unfortunately exists in the here and now.
First and foremost, this is a story of lovers separated in the cruelest of ways, and the all-out effort to restore that love. The title comes from a cult researcher's analogy of mind control as a "faulty, buggy, man-made machine, inserted by deception into a healthy psyche." Mind control is the ultimate pitfall. And mind control is - The Contraption.
A portion of the proceeds of the first edition of The Contraption will benefit ICSA, the International Cultic Studies Association, the nation’s oldest organization for educating the public on psychological abuse.
Advance Praise
"The Contraption is a page turner! The action kicks off on page one and each subsequent page carries the reader through a misadventure while providing a critical understanding of why and how cults entrap intelligent and thoughtful people. Bart Stewart's fictional tale demonstrates his astute insight into coercive control while entertaining - it's a skill that I like to call edu-tainment. Bravo! I've got my fingers crossed for the The Contraption, the movie!
- Esther Ruth Friedman, Expressive Arts Therapist, LMHC.
Author, The Gentle Souls Revolution
Cult Recovery, #IGOTOUT
The Contraption is a literary novel that pays homage to life, death, and transformation ...
Barton Allen Stewart crafts a story that tackles issues of redemption, healing, and change, injecting an additional layer of existential questioning into the experiences of characters who one day find their lives at a crossroads.
Libraries and readers seeking stories that take spiritual revelation and revolution a step further into intriguing territory will find The Contraption worthy of not just individual reading, but the pursuit of many different themes in book club discussion groups interested in stories of revelation and shifting beliefs and relationships.
- Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer
The Midwest Book Review
“The Contraption takes you into the darker realms of religion gone bad, and the goal of freeing a cult victim who does not believe that she has been duped by an intricate web of mind-controlling influences. Barton Stewart delivers a suspense-filled story about a person’s maddening change in identity, and the dangerous efforts to help them realize their authentic self again. The ending may surprise you.”
- Joseph Szimhart, Cult Information Specialist, and Intervention Consultant
Stewart has created a cult world both unique and terrifyingly familiar. The story pulled me in as Audrey was lured deeper into Mountain of Radiance. The Contraption's got what Paul Sheldon in Misery called ""The gotta."" As in, I gotta know: Is this woman going to make it out. And in what state?
- Paul Jensen
Serving on the Board of Antidote
""The Contraption"" by Barton Allen Stewart is a gripping adventure that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Sergeant Matthias Pleasant embarks on a perilous quest to rescue his fiancée, Audrey Crane, from a deadly cult, showcasing his unwavering determination and resilience. The narrative is engaging from the start, blending intense action with moments of humor and depth. The characters are well-developed, particularly Matthias and Audrey, whose strength and resolve are truly inspiring. The story is well-paced, culminating in a thrilling climax with surprising twists. Impeccably edited, this book is a must-read for fans of suspense, thrillers, and action-packed adventures. I highly recommend it and rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
- Kauser Sajjad, OnlineBookClub
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780978581725 |
| PRICE | US$7.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 291 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
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