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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.
daylilies13's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
jkn303's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the modern story line but I felt the segments from the historical work got kind of tedious. Glad I read it, probably wouldn't read it again.
heatherg213's review against another edition
4.0
OK, I'll admit it-I have a morbid fascination with the idea of Mormon polygamy. It's not quite risen to the point that I am watching Sister Wives on TLC, but it's close. I've decided it's similar to the reason rubberneckers slow down at an accident scene, or people rush out to see the results of some natural disaster. Somehow you just get sucked into the horror and drama of it all. I also have a strange fascination with Mormonism in general. As an atheist most religious belief stretches the bounds of my reason, but Mormonism in particular (along with Scientology) surprise me. Most faith traditions at least have thousands of years of cultural weight behind them. I have a hard time seeing how Mormonism started, however, given that it was only founded in the mid-1800s. I mean, if Joseph Smith were a "prophet" today, and claimed that he spoke with the angel Moroni and that he found golden plates with the words of God on them, but then lost them again, the psychiatric community would call him schizophrenic. I don't mean to sound disrespectful-I feel strongly that everyone has the right to their own religious beliefs. I'm just making an observation.
At any rate, after reading a book about the founding of Mormonism, I've wanted to read more about the early history of the church. In his novel, The 19th Wife, David Ebershoff uses the real-life story of Ann Eliza Young, one of Brigham Young's many wives, as the frame for his modern day tale of polygamous cults and murder. The books goes back and forth between "historical" documents written by Ann Eliza and her father, and the story of Jordan Scott, a young man excommunicated from a Mormon offshoot, the Firsts. The Firsts are a polygamous cult, headed by a man called the Prophet. The Firsts believe that the Mormon church was wrong to abolish the practice of "celestial marraige", as polygamy was called. They have dedicated themselves to continuing what they see as God's true wish in their desert town of Mesadale. Jordan's mother, the 19th wife of one of the elders, is accused of killing him in a fit of jealousy. After swearing he would never return to Mesadale, he agrees to visit his mother in jail, and becomes convinced she did not commit the crime. Working with his mother's lawyer and some other ex-Firsts, he investigates what really happened.
Ebershoff obviously did a lot of research in preparation of writing The 19th Wife. Ann Eliza Young was a real person, and she did write a memoir of her time as a Mormon. While Ebershoff is clear that the book is a fictional account, there is a lot of factual information. I read several parts of the books with my laptop close by, so that I could check the factual nature of the story. The Firsts are surely modeled after the Fundamentalist Church of Later-Day Saints, the polygamist cult headed by the notorious Warren Jeffs. Jordan's character and the other former Firsters in the book describe many of the conditions that The FLDS has been accused of. Aside from the many wives of the men, there were accusations of welfare fraud, child abuse, child sexual abuse, rape, and the forcible marriage of underage girls to much older men. While there are those that argue that plural marriage is a religious practice that should be respected when entered into by consenting adults, I think that we've seen enough evidence in a variety of cultures that in reality plural marriage mostly serves to concentrate power in the males of the group, and leave the women very little control over their lives.
At any rate, after reading a book about the founding of Mormonism, I've wanted to read more about the early history of the church. In his novel, The 19th Wife, David Ebershoff uses the real-life story of Ann Eliza Young, one of Brigham Young's many wives, as the frame for his modern day tale of polygamous cults and murder. The books goes back and forth between "historical" documents written by Ann Eliza and her father, and the story of Jordan Scott, a young man excommunicated from a Mormon offshoot, the Firsts. The Firsts are a polygamous cult, headed by a man called the Prophet. The Firsts believe that the Mormon church was wrong to abolish the practice of "celestial marraige", as polygamy was called. They have dedicated themselves to continuing what they see as God's true wish in their desert town of Mesadale. Jordan's mother, the 19th wife of one of the elders, is accused of killing him in a fit of jealousy. After swearing he would never return to Mesadale, he agrees to visit his mother in jail, and becomes convinced she did not commit the crime. Working with his mother's lawyer and some other ex-Firsts, he investigates what really happened.
Ebershoff obviously did a lot of research in preparation of writing The 19th Wife. Ann Eliza Young was a real person, and she did write a memoir of her time as a Mormon. While Ebershoff is clear that the book is a fictional account, there is a lot of factual information. I read several parts of the books with my laptop close by, so that I could check the factual nature of the story. The Firsts are surely modeled after the Fundamentalist Church of Later-Day Saints, the polygamist cult headed by the notorious Warren Jeffs. Jordan's character and the other former Firsters in the book describe many of the conditions that The FLDS has been accused of. Aside from the many wives of the men, there were accusations of welfare fraud, child abuse, child sexual abuse, rape, and the forcible marriage of underage girls to much older men. While there are those that argue that plural marriage is a religious practice that should be respected when entered into by consenting adults, I think that we've seen enough evidence in a variety of cultures that in reality plural marriage mostly serves to concentrate power in the males of the group, and leave the women very little control over their lives.
annecarts's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting read. I must admit to knowing very little about the Mormons and although this is of course a fiction, the historical events were new to me.
I found the historical fiction of Ann Eliza's story much more gripping than the modern story, which I didn't feel very invested in - I don't think the fictional characters were as well drawn as the historical ones. I expect the modern story was there to make the point that polygamy still exists though.
As with all good historical fiction it's got me interested in the background and I've added Ann Eliza's memoir to my to read list.
I found the historical fiction of Ann Eliza's story much more gripping than the modern story, which I didn't feel very invested in - I don't think the fictional characters were as well drawn as the historical ones. I expect the modern story was there to make the point that polygamy still exists though.
As with all good historical fiction it's got me interested in the background and I've added Ann Eliza's memoir to my to read list.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
The last book I felt this strongly about was Jonathan Franzen's "The Corrections". Although very different books, they share a broadness of scope and an astonishing deftness to the writing. This is a novel of the highest quality.
"The 19th Wife" tells two stories; that of Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young's "19th wife", who leaves her husband and campaigns to abolish polygamy and that of Jordan Scott, who is expelled from a polygamous sect but who returns when his mother is arrested for the murder of his father.
A sprawling historical narrative and a modern day mystery novel should not comfortably mesh together, but the transitions are natural and flow so beautifully that they fit organically together.
This is going to be a huge bestseller and will certainly put David Ebershoff's name on the map. He deserves all the kudos and awards his book will certainly accumulate.
Also, Elektra rocks!
"The 19th Wife" tells two stories; that of Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young's "19th wife", who leaves her husband and campaigns to abolish polygamy and that of Jordan Scott, who is expelled from a polygamous sect but who returns when his mother is arrested for the murder of his father.
A sprawling historical narrative and a modern day mystery novel should not comfortably mesh together, but the transitions are natural and flow so beautifully that they fit organically together.
This is going to be a huge bestseller and will certainly put David Ebershoff's name on the map. He deserves all the kudos and awards his book will certainly accumulate.
Also, Elektra rocks!
bekahnowak's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was really interesting, but I'm still unsure if it was all fiction, part fiction, or what.
Regardless, it was fascinating yet incredibly creepy. I started dreaming about polygamy. Creepy.
Regardless, it was fascinating yet incredibly creepy. I started dreaming about polygamy. Creepy.
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
"The 19th Wife" is a fictional account of both Ann Eliza Young, 19th wife of Mormon prophet Brigham Young, and the protagonist, Jordan Scott, a "lost boy" of a fundamentalist sect of Latter Day Saints. The story revolves around Jordan's search for the truth after his mother is accused of murdering her husband, to whom she is but one of perhaps two dozen wives living in a polygamous subculture. Woven throughout Jordan's story are diaries, news articles, and various other historical documents (fictional, of course) pertaining to Ann Eliza's upbringing in the 1800's, tracing the history of early Mormonism and culminating in her marriage to and divorce from Brigham Young. The modern and historical stories are both fascinating, although the alternating structure of the books makes it difficult to fully become involved in and follow either story. "The 19th Wife" is intriguing and certainly kept my attention; however, I would recommend the non-fiction "Under the Banner of Heaven" over "The 19th Wife" for anyone looking for a book that covers Mormon history and modern day fundamentalism. Reading "The 19th Wife" after "Under the Banner..." felt a little redundant to me.
2011merp's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0