Hollywood Park: A Memoir

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This remarkable memoir chronicles Mikel Jollett's tumultuous life, beginning in one of America's most notorious cults. Born into a world of poverty, addiction, and emotional abuse, Jollett's story unfolds with fierce love and family loyalty, revealing his unique voice as a writer. He reflects on a childhood marked by the absence of parents, who appeared like ghosts, leaving him and his brother in confusion and longing. The narrative opens in a California commune that evolved into the Church of Synanon, where children were separated from their parents and raised in a cult-like environment. Jollett and his brother escaped with their mother, only to face an even more challenging life outside. His upbringing was fraught with trauma, emotional neglect, and the chaos of unstable family dynamics, including a clinically depressed mother and troubled step-fathers. Despite these hardships, Jollett persevered, ultimately attending Stanford University and discovering his voice as a writer and musician. Told through the lens of a child's limited understanding, the memoir expands as Jollett gains insight into his world. While filled with heartbreak, it ultimately portrays an unforgettable story of fierce love and resilience.