I picked up this book at a recent library book sale because I find the whole plural marriage concept to be fascinating. Most adults (and a lot of teens), have heard of the compounds in Utah and Texas, compounds that harbor a secretive community that forces young girls to marry much older men. I wanted to see how an author would take this topic on from a teen's perspective. Hrdlitschka focuses on this emotionally charged topic by focusing on the narratives of three teenage girls. Their stories are intertwined and each girl alternates telling their own story.
I must say that I like how Hrdlitschka focused on girls from both inside and outside the community. By using the story of Taviana, a former teenage prostitute, we see how someone from the outside would behave in a closed community. I also thought that is was an interesting twist that this story is based in Canada instead of the US. When I picked up the book, I assumed it would take place in the US. So often we hear of polygamy in the US, that we forget that it takes place in Canada as well.
I found myself getting attached to Celeste and Taviana, although at the beginning the girls' voices all blended together. There are slow periods in the book, but for the most part the story flowed pretty smoothly. Overall I really enjoyed this book , but I did have a few problems with it. I have already mentioned that at times it was hard to differentiate the girls' voices (they were all very similar). I also found some inaccuracies about the religion of the girls versus reports I have read and seen on TV. I would not take this as an accurate account of what life is like for these girls in compounds; it is however a thought provoking look at what directions we decide for our lives to take and which ones we do not take.
I would recommend this book to high schoolers who have an interest in lives that are different from the norm. It would also appeal more to girls than to boys. Overall, I would give this book 4/5 stars and suggest it as a quick and easy read.
Read the rest of my review at www.bourgette.com
I must say that I like how Hrdlitschka focused on girls from both inside and outside the community. By using the story of Taviana, a former teenage prostitute, we see how someone from the outside would behave in a closed community. I also thought that is was an interesting twist that this story is based in Canada instead of the US. When I picked up the book, I assumed it would take place in the US. So often we hear of polygamy in the US, that we forget that it takes place in Canada as well.
I found myself getting attached to Celeste and Taviana, although at the beginning the girls' voices all blended together. There are slow periods in the book, but for the most part the story flowed pretty smoothly. Overall I really enjoyed this book , but I did have a few problems with it. I have already mentioned that at times it was hard to differentiate the girls' voices (they were all very similar). I also found some inaccuracies about the religion of the girls versus reports I have read and seen on TV. I would not take this as an accurate account of what life is like for these girls in compounds; it is however a thought provoking look at what directions we decide for our lives to take and which ones we do not take.
I would recommend this book to high schoolers who have an interest in lives that are different from the norm. It would also appeal more to girls than to boys. Overall, I would give this book 4/5 stars and suggest it as a quick and easy read.
Read the rest of my review at www.bourgette.com
Good book - some horrifying scenes. I was surprised at the level of violence in a YA book.
There is one scene in particular involving a baby that continues to bother me greatly. I had read in other places the fundementalist Mormon practice of dunking babies to teach them not to cry. However I've never read such a graphic description of the process.
There is one scene in particular involving a baby that continues to bother me greatly. I had read in other places the fundementalist Mormon practice of dunking babies to teach them not to cry. However I've never read such a graphic description of the process.
Reviewed by LadyJay for TeensReadToo.com
In the isolated community of Unity, Celeste and her family live simple, yet structured lives. They are members of the Movement, a religious sect created by a man called the Prophet.
In this community, polygamy is widely accepted, strict obedience is expected of all women and children, and young girls are married off to men who are much older than they are.
Celeste wishes to be pure of heart, but cannot help asking questions about the world outside of Unity. She also wonders what it would be like to marry for love instead of obligation. Celeste knows that to be a good daughter, she must welcome the Prophet's decisions with open arms, but her growing curiosity won't allow that to happen.
Celeste does not wish to bring shame upon her family, but her actions will hurt them more than she intends.
I enjoyed this novel because the subject matter is timely, almost as if it were ripped from the headlines of a national newspaper. I also felt that having three different points of view was an excellent idea. Nanette, Celeste's sister, and Taviana, a new disciple of the Movement, discuss their feelings and beliefs within the community while Celeste carries the narrative. These three women have very different experiences within Unity, and yet, they are undoubtedly connected.
SISTER WIFE is an interesting look at a polygamous community and how it affects the children within those religious sects.
In the isolated community of Unity, Celeste and her family live simple, yet structured lives. They are members of the Movement, a religious sect created by a man called the Prophet.
In this community, polygamy is widely accepted, strict obedience is expected of all women and children, and young girls are married off to men who are much older than they are.
Celeste wishes to be pure of heart, but cannot help asking questions about the world outside of Unity. She also wonders what it would be like to marry for love instead of obligation. Celeste knows that to be a good daughter, she must welcome the Prophet's decisions with open arms, but her growing curiosity won't allow that to happen.
Celeste does not wish to bring shame upon her family, but her actions will hurt them more than she intends.
I enjoyed this novel because the subject matter is timely, almost as if it were ripped from the headlines of a national newspaper. I also felt that having three different points of view was an excellent idea. Nanette, Celeste's sister, and Taviana, a new disciple of the Movement, discuss their feelings and beliefs within the community while Celeste carries the narrative. These three women have very different experiences within Unity, and yet, they are undoubtedly connected.
SISTER WIFE is an interesting look at a polygamous community and how it affects the children within those religious sects.
