Uncultured

A Memoir

By: Daniella Mestyanek Young

Narrated by: Daniella Mestyanek Young

"It’s a dark story that forced me to think more expansively about what constitutes a cult." —The New York Times' Ernesto Londoño

"Although this is Mestyanek Young’s first time narrating, listeners will appreciate hearing this deeply personal story told by the author herself. Share with fans of Tara Westover’s Educated and Deborah Feldman’s Unorthodox. Memoir readers will want to check this one out." —Library Journal

"A painful and propulsive memoir delivered in the honest tones of a woman who didn’t always think she’d live to tell her story." —The New York Times

This program is read by the author.

In the vein of Educated and The Glass Castle, Daniella Mestyanek Young's Uncultured is more than a memoir about an exceptional upbringing, but about a woman who, no matter the lack of tools given to her, is determined to overcome.

Behind the tall, foreboding gates of a commune in Brazil, Daniella Mestyanek Young was raised in the religious cult The Children of God, also known as The Family, as the daughter of high-ranking members. Her great-grandmother donated land for one of The Family’s first communes in Texas. Her mother, at thirteen, was forced to marry the leader and served as his secretary for many years. Beholden to The Family’s strict rules, Daniella suffers physical, emotional, and sexual abuse—masked as godly discipline and divine love—and is forbidden from getting a traditional education.

At fifteen years old, fed up with The Family and determined to build a better and freer life for herself, Daniella escapes to Texas. There, she bravely enrolls herself in high school and excels, later graduating as valedictorian of her college class, then electing to join the military to begin a career as an intelligence officer, where she believes she will finally belong.

But she soon learns that her new world—surrounded by men on the sands of Afghanistan—looks remarkably similar to the one she desperately tried to leave behind.

Told in a beautiful, propulsive voice and with clear-eyed honesty, Uncultured explores the dangers unleashed when harmful group mentality goes unrecognized, and is emblematic of the many ways women have to contort themselves to survive.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2022 Daniella Mestyanek Young (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A tremendous story of grit and determination." —Julia Scheeres, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Land

"Mestyanek Young searingly captures the fear and intensity that were her constant companions in the Children of God, and she draws smart parallels between the dogmatic 'indoctrination' she encountered in both the cult and the Army . . . Readers won’t be able to put down this harrowing and enthralling memoir." —Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Daniella Mestyanek Young’s searing memoir elegantly and intricately intertwines the worlds of religious cult and military, brilliantly displaying their similarities in a way that is as undeniable as it is disturbing. It is a brutal, necessary look at the inherent ways institutions attempt to confine women to limiting roles. Ultimately, it’s a story of resilience and Mestyanek Young’s ability to place one boot in front of the other in the face of the unimaginable." —Ryan Leigh Dostie, author of Formation and US Army veteran

Incredible, emotional journey of truth about lives lived

Daniella as a human, and as a writer, is incredible. She shares the experiences and wisdoms of someone who has lived a thousand lifetimes. From international cult upbringings, through military cult(ure) that is prevalent across many organizations, to what it means to be a woman in the world - Daniella takes the reader on an unparalleled journey of discovery that, I would venture to say, most all of us (men, women, other) can relate to. She shines light on what “otherness” feels like in her own perspective, and what society should really be asking about how to treat each other. This is a memoir about relationships, about the cultures and fabrics that both bind us together and tear us apart, but most importantly it’s about that piece within each of us that we will recognize in her account that is so artfully written with context and verbal imagery.
I could not recommend more than I am here that you read, and thoroughly reflect on, this incredible journey of literature and life.

Thought provoking

I truly enjoyed this book. It will make you rethink everything you’ve ever been a part of to really dig deep into the intentions of the leaders and members. Highly recommend it!

Oh my goodness-Such Courage

What a life changing experience for the reader, my view of life will never be the same.

Land of the truly brave

This was a difficult memoir to read/listen to - due to the nature of the abuses that happened to her. But if someone is brave enough to share their story in the hopes of helping others avoid/get out of a similar situation, someone needs to bear witness. I truly admire her bravery and resilience.

Very intimate account of a woman who has experienced a lot.

This is a deeply personal book. I felt like I was sitting right next to the girl as she grew up and right next to the woman as she navigated a war zone. It was emotional and I am so glad she shared her experiences.

very empowering

I highly recommend this book for any female who wants to know they aren't alone in the daily struggle of existing in male spaces.

I loved this book

I found it really incredible to listen to a story with so much humanity in it. She somehow found a way to hold abusive individuals and systems completely accountable without loosing empathy for those already inside of them or longing for the promises they make (but rarely keep).

Listening to her story from her voice was really impactful, too.

Couldn’t recommend more!

Excellent

This was an excellent story of cult survivorship and perseverance. Impressively written and performed. I look forward to seeing what else Mrs. Young does with her unique attitude , education and upbringing

Eye opening

Thoroughly enjoyed the book, although it was difficult to hear the monstrous acts and imagine the suffering. But the Army cult was eye opening and inspired me to recognize cult behavior.

Wow! The growth and experiences she went through!

Daniella’s story is incredible. She’s been through so much in her life and to learn where she ended up is inspiring. The amount of detail she goes into about her experiences makes you feel like you’re right there with her. Love this book!