Shunned

How I Lost My Religion and Found Myself

By: Linda A. Curtis

Narrated by: Emily Ellet

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Linda Curtis was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and is an unquestioning true believer who has knocked on doors from the time she was nine years old. Like other Witnesses, she has been discouraged from pursuing a career, higher education, or even voting, and her friendships are limited to the Witness community.  

Then one day, at age 33, she knocks on a door - and a coworker she deeply respects answers the door. To their mutual consternation she launches into her usual spiel, but this time, for the first time ever, the message sounds hollow. In the months that follow, Curtis tries hard to overcome the doubts that spring from that doorstep encounter, knowing they could upend her "safe" existence. But ultimately, unable to reconcile her incredulity, she leaves her religion and divorces her Witness husband - a choice for which she is shunned by the entire community, including all members of her immediate family.  

Shunned follows Linda as she steps into a world she was taught to fear and discovers what is possible when we stay true to our hearts, even when it means disappointing those we love.

©2018 Linda Curtis (P)2020 Tantor

Great book

This author pretty much depict the (disfellowshipped) role of so many of us - ex Jehovah’s Witness. I admired her determination to be free, as I didn’t the exact same thing. Never ever will I go back to the Jw organization. I have come to terms that my mother will never accept me, just like Linda’s mother. It gave me courage knowing that I am not the only one who experienced being shunned, but now happy and free!!

Not what I expected, but...

I really liked the story. I was really trying to research the religion and how they are treated if they leave. Just not what I expected.

The Story of Self Awakening

Several times in the first 5 or so chapters I almost stopped listening to the story out of frustration and anger toward the author. She seemed heartless and cold to her confused, loving, clueless husband. Then somewhere along the way I finally *heard the point from my reality - she understood that in order to (continue) “believing” and living her assigned life from birth, she MUST forego all questioning, curiosity, emotional growth and her very human and innate quest for truth. It was a Sophie’s Choice of living in a self imposed/made prison or the crushing loss of the family ties that nourished and sustained her from birth. My anger and frustration dissolved and I was left with profound sadness. I’m glad to have listened to her story and shared a small portion of her life.

(On a personal note - I wonder if she has another story to tell. Fiction maybe? - she has a wonderful sense of style that could translate nicely into a light hearted novel perhaps)

Very relatable if you grew up “in the truth” and left

I too, was born and raised as a JW. At 38 I left for the same reasons. It was really reassuring to hear her story and how she thrived after making such a difficult decision. If you’re not familiar with the teachings of the Witnesses, this book is completely accurate in its description of their beliefs and community. Thank you for being brave and telling your story,

Very scripted story

This story seemed a little long and drawn out with one point to tell. That is that the Jehovah Witnesses were wrong in their beliefs and the author was right. The author came across as a I’m right and the rest of the world is wrong type of person. It was informative as to some Jehovah Witnesses practices and beliefs and that was interesting. When the book did things like mention the lgbtq community it gave the feel of being part of the “woke” movement. That should have been left out of the book.
It had no relevance to the story.

Very informative

is excellent information as a previous Jehovah witness I went through all the same feelings are the same
I am so happy and proud that you were able to get out of this situation

Self Absorbed Memoir

This is a story about a person raised in faith who chooses another path. Her change of path is directly related to her feelings of the moment and her belief that she can be the author of her own salvation. She even says this in the book. If you are Christian, this book will sadden you as she moves farther and farther away from Jesus to the point where she says she likes what He says about love, but she embraces Buddha and Ghandi in the same way as the Son of God and sees no difference between them. The book does give some detail about Jehovah’s Witnesses, but mostly this is a book written by an author who is trying to justify her own life choices. To the buyer beware.

Wow.... Mind blown

I am an ex jehovah's witness and I can honestly say that when I left ... my family treated me the same way... but I left to early compared to Linda ... and I am still a dependent on mom so nothing horrible as what happened to Linda happened to me...
Thank you for this great book... I am happy to hear this

Loved it!

Loved hearing first hand from an ex JW. I think we forget about them and the pain those feel when they leave.

I must read if you love someone that has once been in this organization!

Wow Linda, you hit so close to home. It was refreshing to hear someone tell our story with love and not hate! wow Linda, you hit so close to home. It was refreshing to hear someone tell our story with love and not hate! I left the organization nearly 10 years ago. It was cathartic to listen to the story that is so close to my own. Linda shared the ache and the thought from the other point of you that a lot of witnesses do not understand it’s sad they believe the more they leave you alone and don’t talk to you the more you would want to come back. But so true that’s what they do. Thank you Linda for sharing this story with the world. But so true that’s what they do. Thank you Linda for sharing this story with the world. putting a light so to speak on something so dark so maybe our loved ones that we choose to find in this world can’t understand it’s just a little bit more. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Truly enjoyed and emotionally invested in this journey, thank you for sharing.

Beautifully written and beautifully read. Hard to hear in places and had my emotions from the get go.

Informative and moving.

While starting slowly this book was certainly worth listening to. Great to see things from different perspectives and learn about the courage of others. A very moving, honest portrayal of leaving a religion and the consequences. Well written with just the right amount of detail.

Fantastic

Had me on a roller-coaster of emotions. Made me think of my own JW family and my emotions.

Amazingly written

Moving story- well narrated!

A beautifully told account of a women’s life following leaving the JW cult. A biographic story told without bitterness even though her family betrayed her. Really well narrated.