What are the common themes in books about church cult fiction?

One well - known 'church cult' fiction book is 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. It presents a dystopian society with a religious - based totalitarian regime that has cult - like elements. The story follows the life of Offred, a handmaid in this oppressive world, and it's a thought - provoking exploration of power, gender, and religious extremism.

Another theme is the power of friendship. In many of these stories, the teens rely on their friends to help them escape. They support each other, share information, and give each other the courage to break free. For instance, in 'The Group's Escape', the main character's friends are crucial in planning their getaway from the cult.

One such book could be 'The Stepford Wives'. It has elements that can be related to cult - like behavior within a community that has a certain'stepford' image which is almost like a false facade of a perfect community, much like how cults present an idyllic front. Another is 'A Clockwork Orange' where the youth gangs and the extreme 'treatment' methods can be seen as a form of control similar to what cults do.

The mystery aspect. In a church cult fiction book, there are often secrets within the religious group. For example, in 'The Da Vinci Code', the mystery of the Holy Grail and the secrets the Church has been hiding for centuries make it really engaging. Readers love to uncover the hidden truths along with the characters.

Some of the top cult fiction books could include 'Nineteen Eighty - Four' by George Orwell. It's a classic that presents a dystopian future with totalitarian control. Another might be 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley, which also explores a disturbing future society. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger is often considered cult as well, with its relatable yet troubled teenage protagonist.

Another top cult fiction book is 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. It's a pioneer in the cyberpunk genre. The book's vision of a future dominated by technology, artificial intelligence, and the underworld of hackers and corporate espionage has inspired many other works in the genre and has a dedicated following.

One cult book in fiction is 'Fight Club' by Chuck Palahniuk. It has a unique and subversive take on modern consumer culture and masculinity. The unreliable narrator and the unexpected twists in the plot have made it a cult favorite.

Love and lust is also a prevalent theme. There is often a blurring of the lines between true love and pure physical attraction. In 'The Great Gatsby', Daisy and Gatsby's relationship seems to be a mix of both. Gatsby is in love with the idea of Daisy from his past, and there is a strong element of lust in their connection as well.

Morality is another big theme. The act of cloning raises many moral questions, like whether it is right to create human - like clones. In 'The House of the Scorpion', we see the moral implications of using clones for various purposes, such as labor and organ donation.

Often, there's the theme of identity. The books might be linked to a person's identity or the identity of an unknown author. In 'The Thirteenth Tale', the mystery of the author's true identity is a central part of the story. Also, the theme of the past haunting the present is common. Old books can bring to light long - forgotten events or wrongdoings that need to be resolved in the present day, like in 'The Shadow of the Wind' where the past events related to the book keep surfacing.