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laura_corsi's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Living right next to the polygamous sect this book was discussing, I found it to be a strange experience to see my every day surroundings in a whole new light. Plus, the book accurately portrays the tortured state of people who once believed and their guilt/obsession around their former community. Very good!
erikajay's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, this was an interesting read!
I didn’t realize until after I finished the book though, that Jordan’s whole story was fictional. I thought it was more of a historical fiction telling of the events, so when I went to research the event and found nothing, I was disappointed. But I still found his whole storyline intriguing and I did like the mystery aspect of it.
I also liked the contrast with Eliza Young’s story. I think that added a lot to the book.
I definitely recommend this book to those interested in polygamist books.
I didn’t realize until after I finished the book though, that Jordan’s whole story was fictional. I thought it was more of a historical fiction telling of the events, so when I went to research the event and found nothing, I was disappointed. But I still found his whole storyline intriguing and I did like the mystery aspect of it.
I also liked the contrast with Eliza Young’s story. I think that added a lot to the book.
I definitely recommend this book to those interested in polygamist books.
jrmarr's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a bit disappointing. I enjoyed parts of it, and the subject matter was interesting, but it was just far too repetitive and long-winded in parts. I found myself skimming over passages, and the ending felt just a bit to neat. Not a bad yarn, but not a keeper of a book.
aeprice38's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
home_again's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Two gripping plots intertwine in this novel, one set in modern times and the other set in the 1800's during the height of Brigham Young's reign in Utah. Both address the troubling topic of polygamy and the shocking horrors that so frequently accompany its practice.
Jordan is a young gay man who has built a life for himself after being kicked out of a fundamentalist Mormon community when he was 14. Jordan's mom, BeckyLyn, dropped him off on the side of the road at 2 am after he was seen holding his step-sister's hand. Now his mom is accused of murdering his dad and he feels compelled to visit her, never doubting that she had every reason to kill his dad. BeckyLyn was her husband's 19th wife.
Ann Eliza was born into a polygamous family that had faithfully followed the Mormon prophet Brigham Young across the plains to establish communities in the Rocky Mountains. The community fervently adheres to strict values but often finds its members engaged in shocking improprieties, not the least of which is the ongoing practice of polygamy. Ann Eliza is a true historical figure, known because she eventually married Brigham Young and then divorced him, an unthinkable act at that time in the Utah territory.
The plot remained interesting, getting tense near the end as Jordan looks into the circumstances leading up to his father's death and Ann Eliza faces the consequences of raising her powerful husband's ire. At times, the narrative ran a little dry as (actual or invented?) the historical documents were interwoven into the story, though for the most part the story moved along nicely.
It's a bit hard to tell which of the historical facts are real or invented as part of the story. The narrative paints a dark picture of early Utah, an image that was not unknown by contemporaries of the time. How much was exaggerated is a topic of debate, though there is ample evidence of many unsavory acts committed in those days.
You are unlikely to come away from reading this book feeling charitable toward polygamous communities. Sadly, there are polygamous communities which escaped members report are as riddled with the horrifying practices described in the book. The book, however, represents the extreme end of polygamist living and many polygamist communities live in much more peaceful circumstances.
I greatly enjoyed the book and think it deserves a solid 4 stars. The author clearly did his homework and created a believable narrative that includes many historical facts.
Jordan is a young gay man who has built a life for himself after being kicked out of a fundamentalist Mormon community when he was 14. Jordan's mom, BeckyLyn, dropped him off on the side of the road at 2 am after he was seen holding his step-sister's hand. Now his mom is accused of murdering his dad and he feels compelled to visit her, never doubting that she had every reason to kill his dad. BeckyLyn was her husband's 19th wife.
Ann Eliza was born into a polygamous family that had faithfully followed the Mormon prophet Brigham Young across the plains to establish communities in the Rocky Mountains. The community fervently adheres to strict values but often finds its members engaged in shocking improprieties, not the least of which is the ongoing practice of polygamy. Ann Eliza is a true historical figure, known because she eventually married Brigham Young and then divorced him, an unthinkable act at that time in the Utah territory.
The plot remained interesting, getting tense near the end as Jordan looks into the circumstances leading up to his father's death and Ann Eliza faces the consequences of raising her powerful husband's ire. At times, the narrative ran a little dry as (actual or invented?) the historical documents were interwoven into the story, though for the most part the story moved along nicely.
It's a bit hard to tell which of the historical facts are real or invented as part of the story. The narrative paints a dark picture of early Utah, an image that was not unknown by contemporaries of the time. How much was exaggerated is a topic of debate, though there is ample evidence of many unsavory acts committed in those days.
You are unlikely to come away from reading this book feeling charitable toward polygamous communities. Sadly, there are polygamous communities which escaped members report are as riddled with the horrifying practices described in the book. The book, however, represents the extreme end of polygamist living and many polygamist communities live in much more peaceful circumstances.
I greatly enjoyed the book and think it deserves a solid 4 stars. The author clearly did his homework and created a believable narrative that includes many historical facts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Rape, Blood, Homophobia, and Sexual violence
marlisphillips's review against another edition
2.0
It dragged on way too long. A lot of Mormon history included in it which was interesting. I never really knew how Mormonism got started. From the perspective of this book, I'm not sure how it has lasted. It sounds like an awful religion for women.
katievgood's review against another edition
2.0
This story was satisfactory. It might be deserving of three stars if it wasn't so drawn-out. The book was too mundane for it to be so long.
dphillips's review against another edition
4.0
An intriguing read with an ending I never saw coming.
ashleyhoss820's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lawrierl's review against another edition
4.0
very interesting look into early Latter-Day Saints by way of a fictionalized novel.