Family by Micol Ostow

From the flap:

I have always been broken.

I could have.

Died.

And maybe it would have been better if I had.

It is a day like any other when seventeen-year-old Melinda Jensen hits the road for San Francisco, leaving behind her fractured home life and a constant assault on her self-esteem.  Henry is the handsome, charismatic man who comes upon her, collapsed on a park bench, and offers love, a bright new consciousness, and – best of all – a family.  One that will embrace her and give her love.  Because family is what Mel has never really had.  And this new family, Henry’s family, shares everything.  They share the chores, their bodies, and their beliefs.  And if Mel truly wants to belong, she will share in everything they do.  No matter what the family does, or how far they go.

From me:

Ok, so I can't say that I was in love with this book.  It was not an easy read for me.  So, because I'm not in the habit of giving bad reviews I have come up with a few reasons for feelings about Family. 

Reason Number One: I think because it's written in poetry (which I normally love), which is not in chronological order.  This can make it confusing.  Creative and fitting for the story, but confusing.

Reason Number Two: The subject matter is crazy.  Literally - crazy.  Mel, the MC, becomes involved in 1960s cult life in order to escape an awful home life.  And that's not the crazy part.  This cult seems to be very similar to Manson's cult.  'Nuff said?

Those are the only reasons I could come up with.  It's an interesting read; it really is.  I can appreciate the originality in both the format and in content. However, it definitely does not make it into any of my "top" lists. 

Has anyone read this and enjoyed it?  If so, why am I wrong?