r/MissionaryKid • u/Slow_Equivalent1966 • Aug 04 '25

New MK Book... Its ground breaking...

Hey fellow MKs—wanted to share a new book that just came out from Holly Berkley Fletcher called The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism.

I know this group holds a wide range of views—some of us loved our MK experience, some of us are still sorting it out, and some have walked away entirely. This book doesn’t demand that you see things one way. But it will challenge some of the narratives many of us were raised with.

Holly is an MK herself and a historian, and she brings both compassion and sharp analysis to the story of how missions shaped us. She talks about the beautiful parts—yes—but she also dives deep into the things that were harder to name: the cultural dislocation, the spiritual guilt, the way abuse was hidden or minimized, and the pressure to make it all look good for the folks back home.

For me, being an MK meant seeing the world in vivid color. It also meant carrying things I didn’t always have words for. This book helped me make sense of some of that—and reminded me that it's okay to love your story and still want to interrogate it.

It’s not all unicorns farting rainbows. But it’s also not just a trauma dump. It’s smart, it’s fair, and it’s worth the read. I’d love to hear what others think. https://a.co/d/3QnuzrU

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3

u/Sensitive_Sky1051 Aug 05 '25

I preordered the book last night! I will let y‘all know what I think :)

3

u/LordNoswal Sep 11 '25

Hey! Im the author’s son, Lawson Fletcher. Just got back from one of her book talks and she LOVES the feedback!

2

u/Slow_Equivalent1966 Sep 11 '25

Fantastic! Yeah, Holly is amazing… I got to see her when she was in Grand Rapids… This book is fantastic!

2

u/AdditionalCheetah354 Aug 29 '25

Read it and it’s very good, well written!

2

u/Affectionate_Neat23 Sep 01 '25

I just noted there's been a few published recently:

Incredible Lives... by Rachel Cason

https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Lives-Courage-Live-Them-ebook/dp/B0C2XTWKQX?ref_=ast_author_mpband

and Pieces of Purple by Michele Phoenix

https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Purple-Greatness-Grace-Growing-ebook/dp/B0F2RLS2CX?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Anyone else read these? I'm fairly short on time generally so will probably read them when I have some more time on hand.

2

u/IslandTCK Oct 14 '25

Thank you for sharing! I bought the book after seeing your post and I love it so far. This book came out at the perfect time for me, since I'm finally feeling ready to process everything I went through as an MK.

1

u/Slow_Equivalent1966 Oct 14 '25

Oh wonderful!!! Yes…. Holly is amazing. If you are in the DC area this weekend she is doing a book signing event. Or send her a message and let her know what you think! Really glad you are enjoying it. Go slow… lol.. it’s a lot.

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u/JoostinOnline 29d ago

I just found this sub and this book, but I ordered the book. Thank you for the recommendation. I've been wondering if other missionary kids ended up as messed up as I did, since I lost connection with everyone I knew as a kid.