stolen innocence

I must admit that I found the first half of this book boring and poorly written, and even walked away for nearly two weeks while I read through some other books, but when I returned to Elissa's story, I found that I couldn't put it down. She spends far too much time describing individual episodes, and includes far too many separate scenes; the book could have used quite a bit of editing, as much of the description becomes repetitive and slows the reading experience. (On a side note, I find it fascinating how the rules of grammar change when describing a plural marriage; instead of “my father's wife, Jane”, “my father's wife Jane” becomes proper, as it refers to only one of the wives.)

With that said, however, as soon as Elissa has her final miscarriage, she picks up the pace of her narrative, and I found my interest in reaching a conclusion renewed. Her relationship with Lamont, her elevated rebellion, her eventual escape, and the court case against Warren Jeffs all establish her as a very strong woman. It is so frustrating that the book doesn't pick up until the second half, because I think it imperative that as many people as possible read true accounts of women and children standing up to oppression and demanding equality.

A disturbing tale of how religion can turn quickly into tyranny.