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aubtobobtolob's review against another edition
4.0
Oof we always knew Brother Brigham was a narcissist who made himself the king of The west and then Utah. But this book shows next level hypocrisy. He's a disgusting person.
sony08's review against another edition
5.0
10/10 for this icredible book. I have only read one book this month and I am so glad it was this one.
Brilliant picture of old and new religious groups practising polygamy and what effect it leaves on all members of the family. Thrown in is a history of the start of Latter Day Saints with their first Prophet Joseph Smith and how polygamy came about.
Such an interesting book - I am still thinking about it.
Brilliant picture of old and new religious groups practising polygamy and what effect it leaves on all members of the family. Thrown in is a history of the start of Latter Day Saints with their first Prophet Joseph Smith and how polygamy came about.
Such an interesting book - I am still thinking about it.
kingarooski's review against another edition
3.0
There is enough in this book for two books. I would have loved following Ann Eliza's story alone. The other half of the book, set in modern times is less interesting and the ending falls a bit flat.
efinke4's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. It gave a good history of the LDS church, and helped me to understand why polygamy is still occurring today. I recommend it to anyone who is willing to contemplate the human side of religion, and the power of faith.
shirlee2024's review against another edition
3.0
In my early life, I was raised in the LDS church, so I was interested to read this book. The church history was well-presented, but there was more of it than I really needed. It was the story of modern-day polygamy that I found more compelling. Overall, it was a good read and an innovative and well-written novel, but maybe a little longer than it needed to be.
jeslyncat's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite book about polygamy or the FLDS, it is certainly accurate and heartwrenching.
sparrowlight's review against another edition
I was very excited to start reading this book as polygamy, Mormonism, and murder sounded like a thrilling combination. Unfortunately, I was disturbed to discover an utter lack of writing ability, an over-reliance on profanity-laden, wooden dialogue; a truly heinous inability to utilize multiple voices (Ebershoff's imitation of an "academic thesis" made me cringe with proxy embarrassment and cry with pain); and the complete lack of any distinction between fact and fiction. This book is a pile of shite and is not worth the read.
smkrupski's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/day-612-the-19th-wife/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/day-612-the-19th-wife/
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
I think I was expecting a slightly prurient historical fiction out of this - something robust with a pioneering spirit but tinged with an aura of sexual misconduct. Something intriguing but ultimately forgettable. This was much, much better than I was expecting. The structure is fascinating and, initially, baffling, weaving together two primary layers of story with many other threads to create a tapestry that is poignant and breathtaking. One layer is ostensibly the narrative of Ann Eliza, 19th century wife of Mormon leader Brigham Young, and it provides the deep, contemplative historical drama, and also the sense of scope, of the weightiness of history. She narrates the early history of the Mormon church, drawing on her own mother's experiences as one of the early converts, and brings that part of the story a great deal of clarity and respect, despite some of its more obviously sketchy elements. The second layer is one set in the modern day, narrated by a young adult 'lost boy' who is drawn back into the world of polygamy and fundamentalism that he left behind when his father is killed, and his mother is blamed for the murder. His search for answers is more detective than action movie, and his insightful, rough personality is fascinating and makes a compelling contrast to Ann Eliza's more polished-sounding narrative. Intertwined with these stories are any number of original poems, 'articles,' interviews, etc, all fictional, all contributing unique fragments of information or atmosphere to help support the illusion that this is a story that is being carried down through history. Though much of the framework is true, the story itself is a fiction. But it's fiction with a deeper soul than simple entertainment: although it isn't true, it posits questions and reveals the workings of the human heart and mind in a way that rings with truth. I loved it.