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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Sad and shocking in a lot of the same ways as these cult memoirs usually are, but this one lacked something I can't put my finger on. It was certainly upsetting, certainly horrific. Maybe I wanted more about the religion? In any case, it's serviceable.
This is such an incredible story. It was gut wrenching and incredibly frustrating multiple times but it’s unfortunately a story that’s all too common. Until we start listening to victims of abuse, I’m afraid these stories aren’t going to stop.
Whew. This was a tough story to listen to, expertly written, hard to put down. Hard to believe, too, but man...what a life Ruth and her family lived/survived (well, most of them, anyway). Highly recommend. Not the polygamy part, or the sexual abuse part, or the self denial and degradation of her mom and many of the other women in that “colony,” but yeah. Highly recommend.
I loved this memoir. I was equal parts fascinated and horrified by Ruth’s life on the colony and all that she endured. What a remarkable story - I highly recommend it.
I deeply hope that Ruth spends time doing nothing but eating BonBons with her feet propped up nowadays because my GOD she deserves it. There are enough traumatizing events in this book for several lifetimes. What a survivor.
This book provides an incredible and also heartbreaking look into what it is like to grow up in a polygamist community. I find this topic to be absolutely fascinating, and Ruth's personal story, told with honesty and openness, is well-written, filled in with tiny heartbreaking details and was a book I couldn't seem to put down.
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
emotional
sad
slow-paced
This book left me in an absolute puddle of tears. Beautiful and heartbreaking. I’ve never felt so enraged reading a book, rage on behalf of everything that Ruth went through, rage at her mother’s actions, rage at her monster of a stepfather, and rage at the community and beliefs that allowed everything to occur the way it did.
I can’t say that I understand the grace she must have to be able to forgive her mother, but I still sobbed at her feelings of loss in the end. I hope she is now living the life of her dreams.
I can’t say that I understand the grace she must have to be able to forgive her mother, but I still sobbed at her feelings of loss in the end. I hope she is now living the life of her dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Ruth's story was one that I quite honestly wish I never read. It was filled with abuse, negligence and tragedy. While I deeply admire her bravery in sharing it, I don't recommend this to anyone...