Two books

[_harmony]

Has anyone read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff? It's a novel that intertwines 2 stories, one told by the rebellious wife of Brigham Young, the other by a present-day young man whose mother, a 19th wife, is suspected of murder (or at least, that's what the blurb under the ad says).

The other is called Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. A searing memoir, Elissa Wall recalls life in a polygamist community, her abuse marriage at 14, and how her courageous tstimony sent fundamentalist "prophet" Warren Jeffs to prison (again, that's what the blurb says.)

Has anyone read either of them?

[_Daniel Peterson]

Has anyone read either of them?

No, and I have no intention of doing so, but they're both really quite bad. And, while the first one is well-written, the second is extremely boring. And neither makes much sense.

I'll be available for comment on these books and their authors for the next two months.

[_cksalmon]

Has anyone read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff? It's a novel that intertwines 2 stories, one told by the rebellious wife of Brigham Young, the other by a present-day young man whose mother, a 19th wife, is suspected of murder (or at least, that's what the blurb under the ad says).

The other is called Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. A searing memoir, Elissa Wall recalls life in a polygamist community, her abuse marriage at 14, and how her courageous tstimony sent fundamentalist "prophet" Warren Jeffs to prison (again, that's what the blurb says.)

Has anyone read either of them?

I just bought Stolen Innocence. Thanks for the tip.

cks

[_cinepro]

Has anyone read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff? It's a novel that intertwines 2 stories, one told by the rebellious wife of Brigham Young, the other by a present-day young man whose mother, a 19th wife, is suspected of murder (or at least, that's what the blurb under the ad says).

The other is called Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. A searing memoir, Elissa Wall recalls life in a polygamist community, her abuse marriage at 14, and how her courageous tstimony sent fundamentalist "prophet" Warren Jeffs to prison (again, that's what the blurb says.)

Has anyone read either of them?

My wife has recently read several books by ex-FLDS women, and she is just now finishing up "Stolen Innocence". If you're interested in an insider perspective of the FLDS, you would probably enjoy it. It's not exactly "The Great Gatsby" or anything, but interesting enough. And those FLDS are cray-zee.

I read a few pages, and they were actually taught that their prophet, Rulon Jeffs, would live to be 300, and be "renewed" from his old age to father more children with his young wives. They had baby cribs ready, and would just sew more baby clothes the older he got. They were shocked when he actually died.

[_beastie]

I just finished The 19th wife. It was pretty good - not great, but pretty good. I agree with the reviewers who stated that the parts lifted from Ann Eliza's book, interspersed with historical fiction, was actually more interesting than the modern part. I also suspect you'd have to have some Mormon interest to enjoy it. But I rarely read fiction, so it was a nice, entertaining break.

I flipped through Stolen Innocence in the bookstore, but when with 19th wife instead. I'd already read another book written by a woman brought up in a mormon-offshoot polygamous book, (Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk: Growing up in Polygamy) and didn't think Stolen Innocence would add much to that. I do think people should read at least one book written by female survivors of these fundie polyg groups.

[_Alter Idem]

Has anyone read The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff? It's a novel that intertwines 2 stories, one told by the rebellious wife of Brigham Young, the other by a present-day young man whose mother, a 19th wife, is suspected of murder (or at least, that's what the blurb under the ad says).

The other is called Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. A searing memoir, Elissa Wall recalls life in a polygamist community, her abuse marriage at 14, and how her courageous tstimony sent fundamentalist "prophet" Warren Jeffs to prison (again, that's what the blurb says.)

Has anyone read either of them?

I've seen the "19th wife", but have not read it, nor do I plan to. If you like novels, then it might be an interesting read, but I rarely read them.

I have not read Elissa Wall's "Stolen Innocence" yet. I wasn't going to because I figured, with leaving the sect at 19 she might not have much to tell about it, but I decided, what the heck, I'll read it.

Actually, I'm reading another book called "Stolen Innocence" by Mary Ann Broberg that I would recommend. (My sister put a library hold on it thinking it was the Elissa Wall book and got this one. It looked interesting and so she read it, then passed it on to me.) It's an intriguing true story about a girl who was abducted by a family friend in 1974--they were all LDS--and it's pretty unbelievable what this family went through at the hands of a this other member they loved and trusted. Harmony, I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it. It is a fast read and a book that is hard to put down!

Also, I would recommend to other books on women in polygamy--Carolyn Jessop's "Escape" and Irene Spencer's story "Shattered Dreams". These were both excellent. If you aren't familiar with Irene Spencer, she was married to Verlan LeBaron and she has an incredible life story. I suspect you are familiar with Carolyn Jessop.

There is another book I plan to get and read--"His Favorite Wife". It was written by another of Verlan LeBaron's wives.

[_Alter Idem]

I'd already read another book written by a woman brought up in a mormon-offshoot polygamous book, (Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk: Growing up in Polygamy)

This is another very good book on the subject--I'd recommend it as well. Personally, I find reading stories from the perspective of different branches of polygamy interesting also.

I am about half-way through "When men become Gods" about Warren Jeffs. Unfortunately, it isn't that compelling a read. The writer was not careful and his editor let mistakes get through. When I see mistakes, I start to question other things the author says.

Some of it has been interesting--especially reading about Warren's takeover of the church and his unreasonable demands he's made on his followers. They are really a very different church than they were, even eight years ago!