Reviews

Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs by Elissa Wall

hectaizani's review

4.0

The disturbing memoir of a young woman raised in a fundamentalist sect of the Mormon church that continues to promote and follow polygamous teachings.

While I don't have a problem with the idea of polygamy when practiced by consenting adults, I do have an issue with the idea of teenaged girls married to 83 year-old men, and with the idea of teenaged boys being removed from their homes so that they aren't in competition with their elders.

I found it very interesting how the author's family was so divided over the issue of her coming forward.

dstone31's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.25

positivewoman2013's review against another edition

5.0

Written very clearly. Love for her family runs throughout, but she had to step up and let the truth be told.

ashleyaselin's review

Wasn’t engaging enough

christina_likes_to_read's review

4.0

This was a hard subject matter to read about. But, I thought the book was well written and it kept my interest. 3.5 stars.

migimon2002's review

4.0

This is now the third book I've read regarding the FLDS culture. I was engaged in Elissa's story from start to finish. She was subjected to some extreme situations at such a young age. I am happy she was able to discover the freedom of choice - once she was able to leave the FLDS. I wish her happiness with her husband and children, and hope she can be reunited with other family members in the future. There is a lot to be learned from Elissa's internal strength & perseverance, and I highly recommend this memoir.

tlctbr's review

3.0

It's hard to believe this type of thing is going on in our country. It's a very interesting story and worth reading for content.

kaylawhite17's review

4.0

This was overall a fascinating story. I felt some of it was a little drawn out and I was ready for the book to be over when it was done. I find other religions and cultures fascinating. Especially ones that use religion to control a large group of people. I felt like the author did a good job portraying both the bad in the religion and the good. I wouldn't read it again, but it was an interesting one time read! ;)

kimball_hansen's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars. I chuckled at the part where the people from Crick were referred to as "Crickers" like Aunt Donna says.

Her mom said the husband is supposed to teach about having a baby.

I think that the reason God commanded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to stop practicing plural marriage wasn't because of the US laws and being "afraid" of them like many nay-sayers believe. It's because of the offshoot churches like the FLDS making an abomination and disgrace of it all.

I wonder how many girls felt like she did after getting married.

I don't know why she says she loves her mom so much. All that she wrote about her was negative and not loving.

I didn't know that Warren denied being the prophet and said he was deceived. [b:Breaking Free: How I Escaped My Father-Warren Jeffs-Polygamy, and the FLDS Cult|34217597|Breaking Free How I Escaped My Father-Warren Jeffs-Polygamy, and the FLDS Cult|Rachel Jeffs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498607251l/34217597._SY75_.jpg|55268473] took place after and it said he had a strong hold on the church well after he was sent to prison. I'm glad this one has details of the legal stuff. Speaking of which, I hate the kinds of lawyers that defend obvious guilty people like Warren. They should share in some of the conviction and retribution.

katietopp's review

3.0

I love a memoir about an ex-cult member. But this one didn't hit me the right way. I think it's because I have heard Wall family's story before. It was a bit longer than it needed to be.