Kimm H. (alfalpharetta) reviewed on 8/19/2009 + 15 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

This is a well-written narrative about one woman's experience in a LDS fundamentalist polygamous cult. The thing I really liked about this book is that it is simply a retelling of what happened. There is little editorializing by the author as she tells her story. She relates her experiences as they unfolded in her life, describing how she thought/felt about them at the time, not how she thinks/feels about them now. This was very refreshing. It was if I experienced a condensed version of her life right along with her.

The book describes the author's long journey from embracing polygamy, as well as all her LDS-splinter-church's teachings, to fleeing both her church and her husband of 8 years, whom she married at the tender age of 15. It also unveils the inner workings of polygamous families, and the enormous emotional, relational, and financial strains these families endure, as well as the dysfunctional coping mechanisms they are encouraged to use in order to carry on with the polygamous lifestyle. It also exposes the level of self-deceit and rationalization required to maintain participation in a "plural" family.

Highly recommended. Also a pleasure to read.

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