I continue to be amazed by the good books I choose to buy! :) I ordered this book around Christmastime with a gift card from Barnes and Noble. It is by Elissa Wall, a woman who was once a part of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the polygamist sect in Utah, Arizona and Texas.
It is her first hand account of growing up in the sect, being forced to marry her first cousin at age 14 and finally breaking free of the sect and its leader, Warren Jeffs. It is 446 pages, small print and a small book to hold onto and read comfortably. I got through this book in under a week. I was so entranced by the way these people choose (or not choose) to live their lives. From the very moment she was told she was going to be married, she went to the Prophet (leader of the church) (Rulon and Warren Jeffs) and asked if they could put off the wedding until she was older and more responsible, of couse, they said no. In their society they are to obey the word of the Prophet and treat it like it is a direct word from God. Even if they do not like something or do not feel it is right for them, they must "keep sweet" and do as the Prophet and the Priesthood head says.
After years of being repeatedly raped and abused by her husband, Allen, she finally chose to escape her life in the sect and break free. She later married a friend that had also escaped (Lamont Barlow). At 20 years old, she decided it was time to face Warren Jeffs and save other girls from what happened to her at such a young age by testifying against him in a Utah state court. Warren Jeffs was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison.
I really enjoyed this book and the detail she is able to give is excellent. I even read the prologue to my 8th grade writing class as an example of a great narrative essay using a lot of vivid details.
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