The novel is about Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young. It follows the hostory of how the Firsts split from the Mormons in order to maintain their belief in celestial marriage, or polygamy. While the history is unfolding, aother story is being told at the same time about modern day polygamy among the Firsts in Utah. There is the mysterty over the murder of a well-know First who has 20+ wives and his 19th is arrested as a suspect. Her son, who was kicked out at a young age, comes back to Utah to help free her.
It is a really great novel and I learned a lot about Mormons, both FLDS and LDS, and how the two churches are utterly different. I suggest this book to anyone interested in history or biograpies, or just a well-written novel.
I will give this book a 4.5 because it kept my attention throughout the entire novel. If I changed anything it would be to edit out aome repetition, otherwise it is perfect!
Happy Reading! :)
My friend Mike and his wife knew some polygamist women years ago in western Montana. His wife worked with some of them at a motel and got to know them a little though they are secretive. The women all grew up in polygamous families, and they were homeschooled to avoid outside influences, so it seemed perfectly normal to them. None were legally married to their husband and the marriages were performed by polygamist minister usually when the girls were about 16. They had between two and six children and lived together in a huge house in a rural area. They all got state aid (food stamps, etc.) of one kind or another because, on paper, they were unmarried with multiple dependent children. They saw nothing wrong with taking state aid while breaking state laws because God endorsed their marriage(s). The husband bought, fixed and sold cars, did some construction work and moved from bedroom to bedroom on a schedule worked out by the wives. He also had his own room where he sometimes slept. Child care was shared and the wives sometimes worked for cash at local motels and cafes. They did not watch TV or movies or read anything besides the Book of Mormon.
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