The Last Days

Ali Millar's The Last Days is a poignant memoir about her struggle to escape the confines of her upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness.

In The Last Days, set in 1982, Ali Millar recounts her life as a Jehovah's Witness in a small town in the Scottish Borders. The narrative unfolds within the confines of the Kingdom Hall, where the looming specter of Armageddon shapes her childhood. Ali's upbringing is steeped in the teachings of her faith, creating a world filled with vivid, often terrifying images of the Second Coming. As she navigates her formative years, the fear of impending doom and the control of her religious community weigh heavily on her young mind.

As Ali matures, she begins to grapple with the strictures of her upbringing. The once-comforting beliefs of her childhood become sources of conflict as she questions the Jehovah's Witnesses' hold over her life. This internal struggle intensifies when she marries and becomes a mother within the faith, drawing her deeper into the complexities of her beliefs. The tension between her desire for freedom and the expectations of her community creates a poignant narrative of love, doubt, and the quest for personal truth.

Ultimately, The Last Days is a powerful memoir that captures the essence of one woman's fight for autonomy against the backdrop of a controlling ideology. Ali's journey is both harrowing and inspiring, as she seeks to break free from the constraints of her past and forge her own path toward liberation and self-discovery.