Paradise Undone - A Novel Of Jonestown

Annie Dawid

Summary

Paradise Undone, A Novel of Jonestown is a part real, part imagined retelling of the tragic events that led to the USA's biggest single loss of civilian life in the twentieth century.

On November 18th 1978, nine hundred and nine people died in the Guyanese jungle. Published on the 45th anniversary, Annie Dawid's compelling story of Jonestown explores the tragedy through the voices of four protagonists - Marceline Baldwin Jones and three other members of Peoples Temple. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Annie Dawid blends fact and fiction, using real and composite characters to tell a story about the horrific mass murder/suicide that took place in the Guyanese jungle, all because of one man with a God complex.

Available since: 11/18/2023.

Print length: 324 pages.

1 Comments

Book of the Week 02/16/2024

The Jonestown mass murder-suicide has gone down in US history as the massacre with most civilian deaths in the 20th century. Cult leader Jim Jones established the People’s Temple, an agricultural project aiming to overcome economic, racial and social differences.

In contrast to typical documentaries that focus predominantly on Jim Jones, Dawid takes a unique approach by shifting the spotlight to four individuals within the cult. These characters, a blend of real and fictional figures, provide a nuanced perspective from the inside of this tragic chapter in American history. Rather than reducing cult members to mere lunatics blindly following a charismatic yet delusional leader, Dawid grants them individual narratives, thus humanizing their experiences.

Another great achievement of PARADISE UNDONE lies in its exploration of the enduring impact of Jones on the lives of those who managed to escape the forced mass suicide. Furthermore, the novel skillfully places the massacre within a contemporary context of society’s enduring fascination with cults and the allure of death as a perceived pathway to ultimate redemption. Dawid’s work not only memorializes the tragic events but also prompts reflection on the broader themes of human vulnerability and the enduring allure of extreme ideologies.

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About the author

Annie Dawid

Annie Dawid has published five books, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and essays. She teaches at the University of Denver, University College master’s program in creative writing online...

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