jmarchek 's review for:

The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall
2.0

This is quite a long book, but when you figure that the author really develops so many characters, Golden- the head of the polygamist family, four of his wives, and several of their 18 children, I guess it's not surprising.

Golden is at a crisis, his business isn't doing well (in fact he's building a brothel in Nevada -but telling the family it's a senior center), his family life is out of control, he avoids contact with all except his boss's wife who he's developing feelings for. There is so much loneliness and pain in this family, so by no means is it an ad for polygamy. I think it is probably an accurate description of a polygamist family (positively the author does distinguish the family and their church from mainstream mormonism). There are some laugh out loud funny moments, as well as heartbreakingly touching moments when the family comes together. It was compelling enough to keep reading, but I'm not sure I'd give it a ringing endorsement.