In Shattered Dreams, Irene Spencer told the devastating story of her arduous life in a polygamous fundamentalist Mormon sect [Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times], sharing her husband with nine other women (and fifty-six children) in abject poverty and intense mental and emotional anguish.  As harrowing as the story was, it was only just the beginning.

Cult Insanity delves deeper into her story, focusing on the terrifying acts of Ervil LeBaron,, her brother-in-law and a self-proclaimed prophet who determined he had been called to set the house of God in order.

The older brother of Irene’s husband, Verlan, Ervil LeBaron had a zeal for living and teaching that was at first admired but soon took on a sinister tone.  Ervil’s ambitions quickly turned lethal when he uncovered a doctrine concerning blood atonement – the act of redeeming a sinners soul by taking his or her life.  Seeing himself as God’s Avenger, he used the role as a means to terrorize and destroy those who challenged him.

Irene quickly became enveloped in a dark cloud of fear and anguish.  Survival for herself and her ever-growing family turned into a constant flight from one desert camp to another across the harsh badlands of Baja, California.  Food was scarce and living conditions abhorrent.  Irene didn’t see her husband for months, never knowing if Ervil would make good on his vow to kill him.

I previously read Irene Spencer’s first memoir, Shattered Dreams, My Life as a Polygamist, two years ago and called it one of the best books I’d read all year.  While I would recommend that you read Shattered Dreams first, Cult Insanity can easily be read as a stand alone. Where Shattered Dreams focuses more on the intimate details of Irene’s feelings about living life as a polygamist, Cult Insanity dives deeper into the politics of the Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times and the LaBaron family.

There are a lot of people to account for in Cult Insanity and Irene jumps around a lot in her telling, making the not linear account sometimes a bit difficult to keep track of.  But the account that she gives is as the title aptly calls it, pure insanity.  Just like Shattered Dreams, I couldn’t put this book down.  Shattered Dreams felt a bit more personal to me and thus I liked it a bit more. Don’t get me wrong though, this book was just one bit as interesting and also just as appalling.

Even as I continue to read these types of memoirs, I never cease to be shocked with what kind of behavior goes on behind closed communities.  If interested in polygamy and religious extremist groups and wanting to read a personal, firsthand experience about life among the LeBaron group then Cult Insanity is the book for you.

Links of interest:  Irene Spencer website, Maw Books review of Shattered Dreams, My Life as a Polygamist,  more book blogger reviews. Other polygamist memoirs I’ve reviewed: Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall with Lisa Pulitzer, Escape by Carolyn Jessop,
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher:  Center Street. August 12, 2009.
Hardcover, 352 pages. ISBN 0446538191
Copy source: Review copy sent from the publisher at my request.
Cult Insanity is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

One.  It’s YA.  I love YA.  Need I say more?

Two.  It’s about polygamy.  Hello?  Me?  I seem to love to pick up all the books about polygamy.  For some odd strange reason, I love them all.

Three.  Carol Lynch Williams lives right here in Salt Lake City.  I love to read  my local authors.  Why am I SO lucky to live in the same valley as Shannon Hale, Sara Zarr, Brandon Mull, James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, Ann Dee Ellis, Emily Wing Smith, A.E. Cannon, J. Scott Savage, Richard Paul Evans and – wait, I could go on forever, I’ve got to stop with the names somewhere.  I told you, I’m very lucky.

Four.  That cover.  Just look at that cover.

Five.  The buzz.  The hype.  Oh my goodness, it’s getting a lot of it. I’m one of those people that if the book sounds like its one I’d enjoy anyways then the hype really does get to me.  I want to read it more!

As soon as The Chosen One arrived I had the boys down for their naps within the hour and settled myself on the couch.  When my husband came from work and I squealed that I finally got the book, he asked when I would be reading it.  But by then I was already done!  I read it in just one sitting.  And I’m pleased to say that The Chosen One lived up to all of the hype.  I had high expectations for the book and I was not disappointed.

The Chosen One will make you sad, it will make you furious, if you are a crier you will cry, and if you are easily angered  it will also make you want to bash somebody’s head in.  Even with all of that, read this book!

It is simply beautiful and courageous.  And it is a book that you will not soon forget.  It stays with you long after you have closed the last page.

But let’s begin with the first page, shall we?  The first line,

“If I was going to kill the prophet,” I say, not even keeping my voice low, “I’d do it in Africa.”

What a fantastic first line.  That first line says so much about the book.  What prophet?  If there is a prophet, there must be some type of community, followers, or group.  And why does she want to kill him?  Who is he?  What has he done to her to warrant such an expression?  And Africa?  Well, that just sounds exotic.  Especially, looking back on it because we later discover that Kyra has never even really left her small, closed community.  Africa might as well be shooting for the moon.

Simply stated The Chosen One is about thirteen year old Kyra who has grown up in a isolated and closed polygamous community.  Her loving father whom she adores has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, not including the two that are on the way.

Kyra is relatively happy, believes in her faith but is not without her curiosities.  One of her biggest kept secrets is the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels that makes a stop especially for her just down the road.  Hidden up in a tree she escapes into the world of The Bridge of Terabithia and Harry Potter. The prophet made them burn all their books years earlier, stating that books like Dr. Suess’s Hop on Pop and Fox in Socks are the devils words and would get them sent straight to hell.

Her other secret is Joshua, also in the community, whom she secretly meets during the night.  They aren’t supposed to be friends.  They have no right to choose each other.  Never are they to have relationships before marriage and when that time comes only the prophet himself can choose whom they will marry.  But being with him makes her feel so good.  How can it be so bad?

Kyra is holding these secrets when the Prophet announces that she has been chosen to marry.  At the age of thirteen she is expected to marry her SIXTY-THREE year old UNCLE!  Her parents don’t like it either but have no power to change it and go forth with making the wedding plans.  As the wedding day looms closer and Joshua runs away, Kyra is stuck.  Does she abandon the family that she loves and the only way of life that she knows or does she submit to her families and the prophets will and live a life of ugliness, violence, and greed?

I’ve read a fair amount of books about polygamy and it never ceases to amaze me what goes on in these closed communities.  On the surface, it appears to be about the true happiness of families and their unwavering faith in their God.  But underneath it’s dark and ugly.  The violence against women and their expectations to “keep sweet” is infuriating.

The Chosen One is simply riveting.  The more I think about it, the more I like it.  You won’t be able to put it down.

I was able to meet Carol Lynch Williams and hear her do a reading at the Provo Children’s Book Festival a couple of weeks ago (my post about LAST years festival)  The following video is one of the most gut wrenching passages in the book and it was a pleasure to hear Carol read it.  I apologize for some of the cuts, my camera only videos for three minutes at a time which didn’t make it fun when it cut at the important parts.

Carol was very gracious and I was excited to be able to meet her.  Even my little boy got into the action.

Don’t we look so nice and snuggly?!

Giveaway!  Carol signed an ARC just for you!  Surely, after my review your dying to get your hands on the book aren’t you?  And a signed one at that?!

If you’d like to enter to win a signed copy of The Chosen One you will receive one entry by answering this question (no answer, no entry):  do you think that polygamy should be legal?  Why or why not?  If you think hard about it, it’s not as easy as an answer as you might think.

An additional entry each if you subscribe either by RSS or email to this blog, tweet this giveaway post, post about the giveaway on your blog, or stumble this post.  Five additional entries if you are already subscribed to my blog.  My way of saying thank you.  Open worldwide and I’ll close the giveaway on Monday, June 1st.

Links of interest: Cynsations interview with Carol and Becky’s interview with Carol.
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction, polygamy.
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Griffin.  May 12, 2009.
Hardcover, 224 pages. ISBN 0312555113
The Chosen One is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Stephenie Meyer

• “shannon hale” + “stephenie meyer” + “friends”
• is stephenie meyer pregnant
• what ward is stephanie meyer in
• stephanie meyer’s maiden name
• stephenie meyer what laptop does she use
• does stephanie meyer have any books about witches
• does stephenie meyer write adult fiction?
• does stephanie meyers have hobbies
• is stephenie meyer pregnant again?
• how many people in this world think stephenie meyer should die
• how to get ahold of stephenie meyer
• stephenie meyer plural wife
• stephenie meyer olympus high school
• stephenie meyers familys names
• how did stephenie meyers get into books
• stephenie meyer awful
• stephenie meyer book twisted
• what does stephenie meyer’s family think of her books
• are stephenie meyer and shannon hale friends
• after stephenie meyer was born what was the next most important thing that happened to her
• how on earth did stephanie meyer get published?
• what is stephenie meyers middle name
• what would stephanie meyer consider a good book
• who is the oldest of stephenie meyers sibling
• is stephenie meyer a bad example to youth
• stephanie meyer family history
• stephenie meyers favorite foods

Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse

• you know you’re addicted to twilight when. . .(funny)
• i think twilight by stephenie meyer should be up for the newberry awards because…
• have you read twilight natasha?
• have you ever sat down and wondered if there were any vampires in your town? well neither did bella. the twilight saga, a book of many series and a movie that brings it all to life. bella a young teenager who moved to her father (charlie) house in forks, wash
• i believe there is an edward cullen
• a joke containing something from the stephanie meyer books twilight,new moon,eclipse,or breaking dawn
• did stephenie meyer originally name one of her characters claire?
• do you think they’re will be a sixth twilight book
• help! i’m finished with the twilight books, now what should i read?
• a girl to tell me about twilight
• best twilight scenes ever!
• you know you read too much twilight when
• bella punched jacob..lol
• i don’t understand why bella goes in to hysterics new moon
• is it possible to read online the part in eclipse where bella punches jacob
• why stephanie meyer picked the book covers
• i’ll stay up till twilight, to see the new moon and if i’m lucky i’ll see the eclipse at breaking dawn and the whole time i’m sitting with you under the midnight sun
• what does the apple, the lily, the red ribbon, and the chess piece mean on the covers of the twilight saga
• what kind of message does the author want the reader to get out of twilight
• what kind of love feels bella to jacob? stephenie meyer’s answer
• are twilight books to big for a second grader
• how does the voturi family in twilight look
• is black shadow a book coming out by stephenie meyers
• is there a book by stephenie meyer called edwards side of the stor
• i am depressed i finished twilight
• where can i buy twilight books in cambodia
• who who is you’r twilight soul mate
• you know you are addicted to twilight when you are dissapointed that your husband does not sparkle in the sun

Breaking Dawn

• who finished reading breaking dawn
• breaking dawn blonde jokes
• does edward really leave bella for jane? breaking dawn
• has stephenie meyer realized we hate breaking down yet
• does bella’s baby grow up or stay little forever from breaking dawn
• does bella die in the last stephanie meyer book
• does alice leave in breaking dawn
• edward and bella have a lot of sex in breaking dawn
• finished breaking dawn now what
• how many times does renesmee call edward daddy in breaking dawn
• how many people have returned their breaking dawn books
• how to calm your self after reading breaking dawn
• is breaking dawn appropriate for children to read
• did edward die in breaking dawn?
• bella gives or*l s*x in breaking dawn?
• should i let my teenager read breaking dawn
• what to wear to the breaking dawn party
• can kids read breaking dawn?
• does bella choose jacob in breaking dawn?
• edward eats bella’s uterus
• in breaking dawn, what did bella crave to eat on the island
• why does edward break furniture eat pillows breaking dawn
• an actual real copy of breaking dawn to read
• can nessie and jake reproduce after breaking dawn
• every word of breaking dawn the book
• i’m confused on jacob’s book in breaking dawn
• was bella really pregnant in breaking dawn
• bella and edward concieving nessie video
• bella feeds edward wedding cake in breaking dawn’
• breaking dawn typed out
• breaking dawn when they first have sex
• can somebody tell me what happened in stephenie meyer’s breaking dawn?
• what kind of wedding cake is in the breaking dawn book?
• is breaking dawn adult themed than the other twilight books
• i finished breaking dawn now what?
• blonde joke rosalie hadnt heard in breaking dawn
• copy and paste entire first chapter of breaking dawn?
• how many times did edward and bella have sex in breaking dawn
• if bella became pregnant by venom then why did she not become a vampire
• i just want the cover of breaking dawn not the book
• what are some websites that will let you read breaking dawn for free
• in breaking dawn who told the volturi on renesme and jacob
• lack of father daughter relationship in breaking dawn
• an 11 sentence paragraph explaining breaking dawns theme
• anymore books after breaking dawn?
• are all the breaking dawn books sold with the chess peice on cover?
• breaking dawn missing honeymoon parts fan fiction
• breaking dawn retold for children
• breaking dawn when does edward listen to the baby’s thoughts
• breaking dawn what are those chess pieces supposed to be?
• did bella have contractions when she was pregnant in breaking dawn?
• does anyone else think that bella is obsessed with sex in breaking dawn
• does breaking dawn the fourth book in the twilight movie have that much “sex?”
• does stephenie meyers want breaking dawn to be a movie
• dose jacob black die in breaking dawn
• how is stephenie meyers breaking dawn relevant to today’s society?
• i just finished breaking dawn, i’m sad
• i lost my favorite book, breaking dawn
• if edward is like ice then how do he and bella have sex in breaking dawn
• in breaking dawn do bella and edward get to keep their daughter in the 4th book
• it’s so sad when you finish breaking dawn
• what is the plot in breaking dawn
• translating breaking dawn stephenie meyer portuguese to english
• what kind of car do we find out edward gave bella at the beginning of breaking dawn and what special quality does it have?
• edwards reaction towards bella giving birth
• what did bella swan wear as a farewell gesture. exact words
• what was edwards reaction when bella told him she was pregnant

Midnight Sun

• who the hell stole midnight sun from stephenie meyer?
• did stephenie meyers leak midnight sun
• did stephanie meyer say anything about midnight sun on ellen?
• what does on hold indefinitely mean
• i can’t read midnight sun please copy it and paste it
• what do u do if it wont let you go to the website to read midnight sun?
• did stephanie meyer change her mind and decide to write midnight sun after all?
• why posting stephenie meyer midnight sun was illegal

Twilight the Movie

• does anyone think the wire work looks fake in twilight the movie?
• does anyone have pics of edward and bella’s sex scene?
• did stephanie meyer copy catherine hardwicke
• i want to watch twilight now so let me watch the whole movies
• i want to watch twilight but im not 15
• how many miles is twilight the movie
• how did they make edwards skin sparkle in the movie
• i want to watch the movie twilight but without having to do anything
• song in the background of the first thirty seconds of the twilight dvd penolpe sneak peek
• girl anxious to watch the trailer to “twilight”
• did you like the twilight movie?
• what was the type of cactus in the movie twilight?
• which of the actors did stephenie meyer personally request to receive a role?
• did stephanie meyer play a cameo roll in twilight
• what book bella bought in twilight movie?
• how much did stephanie meyers make with the movies
• twilight behind the scenes where kristen dipped her finger on rob’s ear
• catherine hardwicke twilight did she do a good job?
• boat scene wasn’t in the twilight book

The Host

• stephenie meyer is also “almost done” writing a sequel to the host, entitled the soul. if she were to continue the series, the third book would be called the seeker.
• am i the only one that didn’t like “host” by stephanie meyer
• how can i ask stephenie meyer if she is making the soul
• how long will it be until a sequel to the host by stephenie meyer comes out?
• how long is the host by stephenie meyer
• cast who as wanderer if the host became a movie stephenie meyer
• in between what book did stephenie myers write host?
• in stephenie meyer’ book the host how do the aliens die
• in the host by stephenie meyer, did wanda get put into a baby’s body?
• im confused(chapter 1) the host by stephenie meyer? who is telling the story
• i hated the host stephanie meyer
• is there anyone who didn’t like the host by stephanie meyer?
• 10 strong words to describe the host by stephanie meyer
• anyone read “the host” by stephanie meyer does it have a happy ending
• party ideas for “the host” by stephenie meyers
• polygamy host meyer
• don’t like the name wanda the host
• how does stephenie meyer make a reference to the office?

General

• best stephanie meyer book blog
• why has walmart stopped carrying the twilight saga by stephenie meyer
• does anyone know of links where stephenie meyer talks about hate mail?
• how to draw stephenie meyer signature
• how much do stephenie meyer’s books cost
• if you like stephenie meyers who should i read next
• lds feel about twilight
• what effects do twilight merchandise have on teeenagers?

How Do You Spell It Again?

• steohenie meyer breaking dawn first chapter
• shannon meyers/ midnight sun
• stephenie meyere
• stephine meyer tour
• stephienie meyers new book
• stephanie meyer

Which one had you in hysterics?

Links of interest found on this blog:  Twilight Movie News – Director, Catherine Hardwicke and Summit Entertainment “Part Ways”, Tell Me  Your Thoughts About the Twilight Movie and Win the Books!, Another Twilight Trailer, Stephenie Meyer on Ellen Show Tomorrow, Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun Put On Hold After Illegal Copy Distribution,  Twilight & Harry Potter Both Change Movie Release Dates, Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer Book Review, The Host by Stephenie Meyer Book Review, Breaking Dawn Book Cover Released, The New Twilight Movie Trailer, The First Completed Scene of Twlight Released, Thoughts on Attending Stephenie Meyer’s Book Signing, and the Twilight Movie Trailer.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Sister Wife is told in alternating viewpoints of three girls who live in a conservative religious group so far removed from mainstream society that they’ve never even seen a TV or a cell phone.  Known as The Movement, this group practices polygamy – the belief that it is only through plural marriage that one can reach heaven.  Those who live this lifestyle are married young, at the age of fifteen to much older men and only to those whom the prophet matches.

Celeste is about to turn fifteen, the day that she is assigned in marriage to a much older man, a man whom the prophet designates.  She always thought that marriage is what she wanted but she’s started to talk to another boy in the community (strictly forbidden).  She’s discovered that she likes the way she feels around him and starts to wonder what it would be like to marry a boy her own age rather than an older man.  Plus, he’s questioning his place in the community, a place that often doesn’t accept  young boys.

Nanette, Celeste’s younger sister, on the other hand loves everything about The Movement and is jealous that Celeste will be married off before her.  Especially, when she knows that she’s more worthy to become a wife than her sister.  There’s nothing that she wants more than to be married and have her own baby and even gets excited when one of the older men with many wives already begins to take notice of her.  I think she’s only like thirteen, so definitely creepy to be flirting with a forty year old.

The third girl is Taviana, Celeste’s best friend and newest family member.  Taviana is the link to the outside world.  “Saved” by The Movement when she found herself in unfortunate circumstances when she was living on the streets, she has adapted to their traditions and way of live.  She feels safe and protected.  But when Celeste’s doubts begin to become apparent, Taviana is blamed for being a bad influence.

I thought Sister Wife was really interesting and overall I liked it.  I do think that it was very simple, almost as though Hrdlitschka wasn’t brave enough to take the story up another notch.  I guess I would have liked to see something deeper happen.  But what that is, I honestly couldn’t tell you.  It needs that little extra “umph.”  Sister Wife is also very much “ripped from the headlines” and even states so on the cover.  But I didn’t mind, because let’s tell the truth here, isn’t polygamy fascinating?  I’d pick up another book on it right now if I had one in the house (which reminds me that I have to find where this one went missing before it’s due – that would be awesome.).

Sister Wife is a great look at what keeps us loyal to our families, our faith, and our traditions and leads me to ask myself which character would I be if I was raised in such a community.  Recommended, especially for teens taking on the subject for the first time.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

And I apologize for the canned description from the publisher.  I’ve been sitting on this review for a month because I was so intimidated by trying to describe it, so I finally just gave up.

In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah, sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced her to marry her first cousin at age fourteen. This harrowing and vivid account proved to be the most compelling evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of this closed community and the lengths to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect’s women.

Now, in this courageous memoir, Elissa Wall tells the incredible and inspirational story of how she emerged from the confines of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and helped bring one of America’s most notorious criminals to justice. Offering a child’s perspective on life in the FLDS, Wall discusses her tumultuous youth, explaining how her family’s turbulent past intersected with her strong will and identified her as a girl who needed to be controlled through marriage. Detailing how Warren Jeffs’s influence over the church twisted its already rigid beliefs in dangerous new directions, Wall portrays the inescapable mind-set and unrelenting pressure that forced her to wed despite her repeated protests that she was too young.

Once she was married, Wall’s childhood shattered as she was obligated to follow Jeffs’s directives and submit to her husband in “mind, body, and soul.” With little money and no knowledge of the outside world, she was trapped and forced to endure the pain and abuse of her loveless relationship, which eventually pushed her to spend nights sleeping in her truck rather than face the tormentor in her bed.

Yet even in those bleak times, she retained a sliver of hope that one day she would find a way out, and one snowy night that came in the form of a rugged stranger named Lamont Barlow. Their chance encounter set in motion a friendship and eventual romance that gave her the strength she needed to break free from her past and sever the chains of the church.

But though she was out of the FLDS, Wall would still have to face Jeffs—this time in court. In Stolen Innocence, she delves into the difficult months on the outside that led her to come forward against him, working with prosecutors on one of the biggest criminal cases in Utah’s history, so that other girls still inside the church might be spared her cruel fate.

More than a tale of survival and freedom, Stolen Innocence is the story of one heroic woman who stood up for what was right and reclaimed her life.

I could not believe this book!  I had to keep reminding myself that Elissa is just 21 years old.  Right now!  She gives us a very up close and personal look at the world of Warren Jeffs.  How messed up this guy is.  And I would use the term brainwashed for those within the community.

What I was really surprised by was how innocent Elissa was when she was forced to marry.  I was given the impression from the other two books I’ve read that sex was often talked about amongst the wives in the household.  But yet Elissa had no idea.  She didn’t know how babies were made.  She did not know anatomy.  She was told that boys were snakes to be avoided at all costs and then the next minute to submit fully to her new husband.  She was very confused when he tried to have marital relations with her.  After being repeatedly raped, she went to Warren Jeffs to ask for a divorce.  He continually sent her back.

Once she was able to leave she worked with authorities to bring Warren Jeffs to justice.  I was amazed with the behind the scenes view that she brought to such a high profile case.  Man, oh man.  Just read this book.  It was fascinating.  I can’t believe the things that people live through.  Many of their free will and others who desperately want out but can’t.

Video of Elissa Wall:

Highly recommended.

But this is what made the discussion unforgettable.  I’ve been wanting to post these photos for a couple of weeks now but time has gotten the best of me this month. Keep in mind, we met the week of Halloween and when I opened up the door, I was greeted with this:

And then the doorbell rings again and this time it’s this!

That hair!!!  Both went shopping so they could specifically dress up for book club. We were all laughing so hard, and the longer they sat there, as we discussed polygamy, the stranger it got. Seriously, they looked the part.  Of course, by dressing up we had no intention to belittle those currently choosing to live the polygamist lifestyle, but it made for a really fun book club night. And Rebecca is even pregnant!

Do you belong to a book club? What’s the funnest thing that you have done?

David Ebershoff has graciously given us many of his thoughts before and while preparing this interview I tried to steer away from questions that have already been asked.  Terri at Reading, Writing, and Retirement has an excellent guest post from David where he talks about his research process, fact checking and fictionalization.  Random House hosts a great interview about The 19th Wife, he also answers readers questions on Library Thing.  Also listen to David on NPR.

Now for the interview!

Maw Books:  First things first:  Deb Savidhoffer??  I loved it!  Hmm . . .  I wonder.

David Ebershoff: Obviously that’s an anagram of David Ebershoff.  In the novel, she’s an LDS Church archivist.  In fact she’s a very minor character, but she plays a role in bringing forth documents and narrative threads about the past.  I guess after four years of writing this novel I felt a connection to the role of an archivist.  So I made up Deb Savidhoffer one night when I was having a little fun.

Maw Books:  I can only imagine how many documents you had to go through.  Prior to beginning your research for The 19th Wife what was your familiarity with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as radical polygamous sects??  Or in other words, what was the learning curve like for you?

David Ebershoff: The learning curve was very steep.  I grew up in California and so I had some general understanding of the significant role the LDS Church and its members have played in the history of the American West.  But I knew little about the theology, the Church’s early leaders, and very little about the history of polygamy, and so I needed to learn all of that, plus so much more.  At one point I almost gave up.  I thought to myself, some people have spent lives studying these people and these issues, how will I ever know what I need to know?  But I kept working and at some point I felt comfortable enough to begin writing.

Maw Books:  Is it difficult to write objectively or do you find yourself inserting some of your own beliefs when you wrote The 19th Wife?

David Ebershoff: One of the most enjoyable parts of writing THE 19TH WIFE were the many, many different narrators.  Several people get to speak in this book, each talking about polygamy from a different point of view.  For example, Ann Eliza Young of course narrates part of the story, but Brigham Young narrates a section as well.  They disagree on many matters, most especially polygamy, and in the novel each gets to state her or his case.  Novels are not meant to be objective.  Novels are meant to accurately represent the points of view of characters who, to the reader, feel overwhelmingly real and truthful.

Maw Books:  Excellent points.  You’ve talked extensively about the difference between fact and fiction.  As a novelist, what do you think the author “owes” his reader and the subject matter, if anything?

David Ebershoff: I believe the author owes the reader many things.  To name just a few: a good story; authentic characters; original ideas; fresh language; and some kind of moral vision.  When fiction turns to history, the author owes the reader some sort of acknowledgment of how he or she has used history to inform the story.  One of the ideas in THE 19TH WIFE is about how we write and create history: the book asks questions about the “truthfulness” of history, the “reliability” of documents and eyewitnesses, the “objectivity” of historians.

Maw Books:  You’ve also talked extensively about the research involved in writing The 19th Wife.  What part of the research was really great to get into and what was the hardest?

David Ebershoff: I loved my time in Nauvoo, Illinois.  In the late 1830s and early 1840s, the LDS Church thrived there.  Joseph and his followers built up the city quickly and successfully.  And then, in 1844, Joseph was assassinated in nearby Carthage.  Within a few short years the Mormons abandoned Nauvoo for the Salt Lake Valley, leaving behind everything they had built, including their new temple.  It’s an incredibly moving chapter in American history.  Today much of historic Nauvoo has been rebuilt as a sort of living museum (I think of it as a sort of Mormon colonial Williamsburg).  Many of the old stores and houses are open to visitors and the guides wear 19th century costumes and tell stories about the people who lived and worked there.  For my purposes, this fed my imagination and helped me envision a number of scenes in the book

The hardest part was preparing to write the section narrated by Brigham Young.  I kept saying to myself, who are you to dare to channel the voice of Brigham Young?  But I realized what I wanted to know most about Brigham – and what I assumed the reader would want to know most – is what he thought about polygamy when he was alone with himself.  What was in his heart when he wasn’t orating or writing sermons or publishing declarations or penning letters he knew would be widely read?  What did he think when he was alone?  And so I wrote what I thought he might think based on my reading of his letters, sermons, and other documents.

Maw Books:  I’ve also visited Nauvoo, it’s a beautiful town.  I was in high school at the time.  I’d love to go back again.  Have you received any type of response either from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its offshoot polygamists groups in regards to the publication of The 19th Wife?

David Ebershoff: I have not received any official response from the LDS Church. THE 19TH WIFE is a novel after all.  It reminds me of what the White House said recently when asked about AMERICAN WIFE by Curtis Sittenfeld (a wonderful, compassionate novel about a First Lady similar to Laura Bush): “We do not comment on fictional characters.”

I have received many, many emails from Mormons, all but one of them positive and supportive. I haven’t heard anything from the FLDS leaders, nor do I expect to.

Maw Books:  If you were to say that you received a response from the FLDS I think I would have been blown away! I’m glad to see that your response has been mostly postive.  Who is your favorite character in The 19th Wife and why?

David Ebershoff: That’s very hard to say because I feel close to each character for different reasons.  They feel quite real to me as if I have met them and know them personally.  It always sounds loopy when writers say things like that, but it’s true.  Jordan, Johnny, and Tom, for example, feel as real to me as many of the people I actually know.  I have a special affection for Kelly Dee, the graduate student from BYU.  Sometimes I feel as if I interviewed Kelly Dee while writing this book . . . . but of course I didn’t – she’s an invented character!  Over the course of writing the novel I grew surprisingly fond of Brigham, although I personally disagree with many of the things he said.

Maw Books:  If you could give a new author any advice about writing and publishing a book, particularly a historical fiction novel, what would it be?

Find a good story and tell it well.

Maw Books:  Short and sweet.  Would you share a bit of your back story?  How did you become involved as an editor for Random House and also publish three novels?  Has books always been a love of yours?

David Ebershoff: Yes, I’ve always loved to read.  When I was in my teens I started writing fiction, which was really only a matter of channeling my somewhat dangerous inclination to make things up.  As an adult I needed a job and after floundering for a few years after college with little direction I applied for a summer internship at Random House.  Even today it shocks me that I got that job.  But I did and I never left.

Maw Books:  What’s on your nightstand right now?  Anything amazing this year that you would highly recommend?

David Ebershoff: Not on my nightstand right now but a few new novels I loved this year:

AMERICAN WIFE by Curtis Sittenfeld
BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN by Charles Bock (I edited this book)
THE STORY OF FORGETTING by Stefan Merrill Block (ditto)
IN THE LAND OF NO RIGHT ANGLES by Daphne Beal (I love love love this book)

Maw Books:  I just looked at IN THE LAND OF NO RIGHT ANGLES by Daphne Beal and it looks fabulous!  I always ask each author I interview to share with us a favorite recipe that either appears in the book or is a family favorite?  Would you care to share one for our readers?

David Ebershoff: It’s called take-out and requires only two ingredients: a menu and a phone.

Maw Books:  David, you are my kind of guy!!  I’ve never been to New York City, but one of the only reasons I want to go is because of the variety of food.  What are your plans now?  What can we expect to see from you in the future?

David Ebershoff: I’ve just begun a novel about tennis.  That’s all I can say.

Maw Books:  The suspense!  Thanks David for stopping by!

Visit David Ebershoff’s website, as well as the many links listed at the beginning of the post.

The second thread is that of Jordan, who grew up in a polygamous sect called the Firsts on the Utah/Arizona border.  As a teenager, he  was kicked out and became a “lost boy.”  Now gay and living in California, he finds out that his mother, also a 19th wife, has been arrested for murdering his father.  He returns to the community that he hates to find out exactly what happened and if his mom really is guilty.

The 19th Wife is told through various viewpoints and many different types of forms: Ann Eliza’s memoir, Brigham Young’s journal, letters, historical documents, email, and even Wikipedia articles.  Personally, I’m not so sure that this was a format that worked for me.  I liked the alternating viewpoints but was unsure of why a master’s thesis’, message boards, and Wikipedia articles enhanced the reading of the book.  It felt a bit forced. Personally, I guess I would have preferred the story to unfold more naturally and could have also done without some of the subplots.  But overall, the sum of the parts made a impressive whole.

The 19th Wife was a straightforward read, but one that was beautiful (albeit the vulgar language) in the telling.  David Ebershoff is a talented writer with a gift for story-telling.  I know that countless hours, days, weeks, and months went into research and that writing about religion and polygamy is a huge undertaking.  I applaud his subject matter as it gives a great insight into the the type of faith and belief that people must have to enter into a polygamous relationship.  Yet, he illustrates quite well how detrimental those relationships are emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

I also know that for many readers The 19th Wife may very well be their first introduction into either polygamy, the LDS church or both.  I was asked by another blogger, what the LDS church currently thought about Ann Eliza and whether or not she and her father were portrayed accurately in the book, to which I replied, I have no idea!  The 19th Wife is my first introduction into Ann Eliza, and although I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I’d never heard of her.  I don’t think I could name any of Brigham Young’s wives.  It was just as difficult for me, as I’m sure it is for others not of the LDS faith, to figure out what was fact and what was fiction.  And to tell you the truth this makes me nervous.

First and foremost, what I believe people need to realize when reading The 19th Wife is that it is not an authoritative biography of either the people portrayed or the events depicted.  It is a work of fiction and I think it would be well for people to remember that.  I’m sure I’ve been guilty while reading other historical books and taking everything at face value.  David Ebershoff included an author’s note at the end of the book that states:

This is a work of fiction.  It is not meant to be read as a stand-in for a biography of Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young, or any of the other historical figures who appear in it.  Even so, it’s human nature to wonder if a historical novel is inspired by real people and real events, and if so to what degree, and thus I feel an obligation to the reader to begin to answer that question.

Anyone attempting to write about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even a sliver of it, will immediately encounter the difficult task of accuracy.  That is because on nearly every issue in the Church’s past, and in regard to every person who has played a part in the Church’s often remarkable life, there are at least two, and typically more, combative opinions on what each side sincerely calls “the truth.”

. . . Is The 19th Wife based on real people and real events?  Yes.  Have I invented much of it?  Yes, for that is what novelists do.

I found myself with mixed feelings while reading The 19th Wife.  One, the story was fascinating and engaging.  But two, the characters whom I love and regard such as Brigham Young and Joseph Smith were completely unrecognizable to me.  I didn’t know these people.  I had a hard time wrapping my head around the way their personalities and beliefs were portrayed.  I had to keep reminding myself, just as David Ebershoff states, there are two sides to every story.  This is another side.

Having said that it is my hope that nobody will pick up The 19th Wife and then walk away believing every word written.  In this case, in order to make a full opinion on any the persons or events portrayed in the book, one would do well to pick up additional books on the matter. It would be like learning everything I need to know about Catholic’s from The DaVinci Code, which we all know is crazy.

Random (but not so random) sidetrack:  Should I mention that I had my wedding luncheon at the Lion House, Brigham Young’s home?  Yep, I did.   Not only that, but I have a background of polygamy in my family.  They were early Mormon pioneers.  It’s very common to look at our genealogy and see six to seven wives listed.  The same goes for my husband’s family.  Sounds ironic, doesn’t it?  Polygamy shaped who I am today.  Having said that, I feel that I should state that I believe polygamy is one of the worst institutions that exists in this country.  It’s very hard to wrap my head around the thought that members of the LDS church were once asked to practice it.  I understand the doctrine behind it but still find it difficult to know that many made the sacrifice to live polygamy to build up the kingdom of God.  I don’t think I would have been faithful enough to live it.  Although many married simply for the reason to be taken care of due to being widowed and such.  Families were simply taking care of each other.  If you’d like the church’s official statement on polygamy, that can be found here.

I believe that a lot of people will love The 19th Wife. I certainly found it most interesting to read and couldn’t put it down, if not simply for the subject matter, although I certainly have some misgivings.  David Ebershoff is a super nice guy and it was my pleasure to attend a reading of The 19th Wife earlier last month.  I do have to tell the truth, meeting him did change my perspective while reading the book.  I really believe his heart is in the right place.

Earlier this year I read and reviewed Shattered Dreams:  My Life as a Polygamist Wife by Irene Spencer and Escape by Carolyn Jessop.  I loved both of these memoirs and both are going down as two of the best books I’ve read all year.  If polygamy is a subject matter that interests you, I would highly recommend them.

As a disclaimer, I thought I should state that these are my opinions only and they do not represent the opinions of members of the LDS church or it’s leaders.  They are mine alone.  I’m open to all comments but don’t want to get into the questioning of one’s beliefs.  I didn’t address the theology presented in the book and don’t intent to debate it.  I have the utmost confidence that you, as always, will be respectful.  So comment away.  What do you think?

Links of interest:  The 19th Wife website, Wife No. 19 by Ann Eliza Young, LDS Church statement on polygamy.  More blogger reviews.
Genre:  Historical Fiction and Modern Murder Mystery
Publisher:  Random House.  August 5, 1008.
Hardcover, 514 pages.  ISBN 1400063973
The 19th Wife is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.

I wanted to share with you my impressions about the reading prior to giving my book review because when I attended the reading I had not yet read the book.  So imagine not having read the book and getting a great teaser to incite you to read The 19th Wife.

Not having read anything by David Eberhoff or seeing a photo of him, I was expecting someone that was middle age with graying hair.  Imagine my surprise when David walked in and well, wow, he was young.  And not bad on the eyes!  I was totally taken off guard and was pleasantly surprised to find how genuine and sincere he was.  Looking at the notes I took, they are just short, quick phrases, so I hope that I can flesh this out a little.  If there any faults in my transcription, they are mine and not David’s.

David Ebershoff began by giving a brief introduction to the book.  About seven years ago, while talking with a professor of 19th Century history, he heard the phrase The 19th wife, which he admitted had him hooked as soon as he heard it.  It’s not often that the two words “nineteenth” and “wife” are put together.  It wasn’t until about three years later that he took that phrase and decided to get serious.  He spent one year researching polygamy, the current communities that practice it and the history of the LDS church and then spent another four years writing the book.

David then gave a quick background history about Ann Eliza Young, who was just a toddler when Brigham Young, the prophet of the LDS church spoke to her parents about plural marriage.  They were very devout in their faith.  Her father had two wives, and Ann Eliza felt that their home was happy.  But when she was twelve years old her father had a midlife crisis and married three women in just a month.  Later and now older, she married and three years and two children later divorced her husband.  Soon thereafter she married the prophet Brigham Young and became his 19th wife.  She later divorced him and left the church and went on to become one of the largest forces in anti-polygamy laws.

The second storyline in The 19th Wife is that of Jordan Scott, which is set in  the here and now.  He is the son of a 19th wife in a community in Southern Utah who years earlier was kicked out.  Now living in California he returns when he finds out that his mother has murdered his father. The second storyline is that of a murder mystery.  There are in essence two 19th wives in the book, which I hadn’t known before.  I was interested to see how we would connect these two stories.

David Ebershoff went on to read 4-6 passages from the book.  I enjoyed his reading, he was a great narrator.  I soon began to wonder what exactly was fiction and what was real.  How much liberty did he take with the story?  During the question and answer period he clarified that all of the documents in the book are fiction although they are set up to look real.  I hadn’t read the book yet, but now that I have, I can easily see that they are.  But I can see how people could get easily confused.  I took his comments to mean that he took many liberties with the characters, their thoughts, conversations, and personalities.  The 19th Wife while based upon historical events and persons, is neither a memoir, biography, or history book.  It’s a story.  This made me wonder exactly how did he portray the early Latter-Day Saint pioneers and their leaders.  I was curious to find out.  It’s always risky to write about people that are either beloved among many and also hated among many.  You’ll hear my thoughts on my reaction in my book review tomorrow.

David Ebershoff explained that he used many different narrators because there is no one single perspective on the issue of polygamy.  Ask six different people their opinion and get six different answers.  Polygamy gets everybody all riled up because it asks this question:  What are the limits to your rights?  And who gets to make them?

When asked why a murder mystery, he said that faith is a mystery.  A mystery of God’s will.  Within the genre of mystery, a crime has to be solved.  (not sure what my next scribblings mean – solver, arrow up, arrow down, arrow sideways, society – hmm . . . )

After the Q & A and reading, David Ebershoff was able to chat and sign books.  It was a pleasure to meet him and he was one heck of a nice guy.

So after taking in all of the evening, not yet opening my book, and being familiar with the faith and history of the LDS church, I was really, really curious to see what I thought of the book.  I’ll share that with you tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

David Ebershoff’s website, great Q & A with the author.

Carolyn Jessop grew up in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a radical offshoot of the Mormon church that has settled on the Arizona-Utah border and more recently in Texas.  Her own father had two wives and she believed that their sect was God’s chosen elite.  She fully believed all that they were taught.

Carolyn had hopes of going to college but education was of no value in the church, so she was secretly hoping that she would not be married for a while.  But those dreams were dashed at the age of eighteen when she was told that she was to marry a man that she had never met, thirty-two years her senior within the week.  Believing that the only way she could reach heaven was through her husband and plural marriage she married Merril Jessop.  That’s the same man who took over as leader of the FLDS church after the recent high profile arrest of Warren Jeff’s.  She was his fourth wife out of what would become 14.  He fathered at least a hundred children.

From the time that Carolyn’s story begins to when she left the church, the FLDS were becoming more and more radical.   As Warren Jeff’s came to power, things became more restrictive and their rights diminished even more.  Women were completely subservient to their husbands, children were beaten by their teachers at the church run schools, families spied on each other, money earned by women was turned over to their husbands, wives and children were constantly beat at home, neglect was common, clothing and hairstyles became more radical.  Even if somebody wanted to escape, all the local law enforcement were local polygamist’s who turned them right back around to their husbands.  The simple point of the matter is that abuse, physical and emotional, was normal.  A part of the lifestyle.  If this was happening to the family next door, wouldn’t you be concerned?

Right when I thought Carolyn couldn’t shock us any more, I’d turn the page and be shocked some more.  Within fifteen years, Carolyn had eight children.  Many of those pregnancies were life threatening and when she had to undergo a emergency hysterectomy to save her life, her husband and his other wives told her that she was a heathen and that she had ruined any chance of salvation.  Whenever she had to leave her children at home, they were beaten and had to fend for themselves.  It was every person for themselves.

Carolyn wanted out but knew it was risky.  No woman had ever managed to escape and take her children with her.  Timing was everything and once she made her dangerous escape, Merril hunted her down fully intending to take his children back.  Carolyn was the first woman to ever gain custody of all of her children from the FLDS.

I find it hard to believe that women live like Carolyn Jessop did.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I read her account.  And then I found out that she lives in West Jordan, which is where I live.  My neighbors have since told me that she actually lived just one neighborhood over.  It makes you think that just looking at somebody it’s hard to believe what their story is.  Everybody has a back story and Carolyn’s was unbelievable.

Escape gives us a hard look at inside of the most secretive sects in the country.  It’s one of those eye-opening experiences that makes you feel so much sympathy and anger.  And what’s sad is that thousands of women and children are involved in this practice.   If you haven’t read this one, I’d highly recommend it.  It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year.