When Helen Zuman graduated from Harvard in 1999, she didn't go to law school. She didn't go to med school. She didn't get a job on Wall Street. She joined a cult—and one based on very unconventional sexual practices at that. And she stayed for five years.

Now she has written a memoir of those five years, Mating in Captivity, and she'll be talking to us about why she went into the cult, what it was like, why she stayed, and why she left.

Mating in Captivity will be available for purchase at the event, and a booksigning will follow the interview.

Julia Scheeres, the New York Times bestselling author of Jesus Land, writes, "This entertaining depiction of life in a cult pits the appeal of belonging against the desire for self-determination. An enlightening read."

Cost: $5 for dues-paying Harvardwood members (and their guests); $15 for all others.

Advance registratiion is REQUIRED. No tickets will be sold at the door.

IF YOU REGISTER AFTER 4 PM TODAY, BE SURE TO BRING YOUR REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION WITH YOU!

The doors will open at 6:30 pm (please do NOT arrive earlier) and the evening will begin with a wine and cheese reception.  The talk will begin promptly at 7 pm.

Helen Zuman is a tree-hugging dirt worshipper devoted to turning waste into food, and the stinky guck of experience into fertile, fragrant prose.  She holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard, and a Half-FA in memoir from Hunter College.  Raised in Brooklyn, she lives with her husband in Beacon, NY and Black Mountain, NC.

Anne Kadet will interview Helen Zuman.  Kadet writes about New York City living for the Wall Street Journal.  She's a big fan of books and strange societies and her friend Helen.  She lives in Brooklyn Heights with her dog Minnie.

Members, Register Here

Purchase tickets   $5.00 Members & Friends