The Program: A Novel is a novel by Gregg Hurwitz, first published in 2004. It has since been released as an Audio CD, an Audio Cassette, and was reprinted in paperback format, in 2005.[1][2][3] Hurwitz's prior book, The Kill Clause, will soon be made into a motion-picture.[4]The Program picks up where The Kill Clause left off, following a series of books by the author involving fictional Deputy U.S. Marshal, Tim Rackley.[5][6][7]
The work is part of a series following the character Tim Rackley, a member of the United States Marshals Service, and opens with a suicide in the La Brea Tar Pits. Rackley must rescue the daughter of a Hollywood producer from a dangerous mind controlcult, by infiltrating the group.[8][9]Charismatic leader TD Betters had created his own society based on self-help tenets, and Rackley must navigate through it without getting pulled in himself.[10]
The novel describes a fictional large group awareness training called "The Program",[8] and characters also use the term Large Group Awareness Training and "LGAT" to refer to the course.[11] In the novel, the seminar leader had "married two cult models", which one of the protagonists describes as a blend of the "psychotherapeutic cult", and the "self-improvement cult".[11] The character then tells his friend that "The Program", is similar to a combination of the Sullivanians and Lifespring.[11]Werner Erhard is quoted, prior to the opening of the prologue.[11]
Reception
Back cover, The Program, 2004 ed.
Publishers Weekly characterized the work as engaging, and grounded in character and detail.[10] Lukowsky of Booklist described the work as a "gripping read."[12]The Oakland Press described the work as a thriller and a good character study.[13]Oakland Press writer Mark Terry went on to state that the author had done his homework researching for the book, and that it was a fascinating and disturbing look at cults.[13] The Chicago Sun-Times also gave a favorable review, noting that this was the author's fifth work at the age of 31.[8] The book also received favorable reviews in The Capital Times,[14]Cleveland Plain Dealer,[4] and the San Jose Mercury News.[15]
In the Audio version, AudioFile cited narrator Dylan Baker's "strong performance", stating that he differentiated between the multitude of characters in the book well, making them easy to distinguish.[16]AudioFile went on to state that Baker's narration helped the listener comprehend how cults could manipulate those ignorant of their tactics.[16]
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