The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect, and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.
When she was eighteen years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a total stranger: a man thirty-two years her senior. Merril Jessop already had three wives. But arranged plural marriages were an integral … integral part of Carolyn’s heritage: She was born into and raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the radical offshoot of the Mormon Church that had settled in small communities along the Arizona-Utah border. Over the next fifteen years, Carolyn had eight children and withstood her husband’s psychological abuse and the watchful eyes of his other wives who were locked in a constant battle for supremacy.
Carolyn’s every move was dictated by her husband’s whims. He decided where she lived and how her children would be treated. He controlled the money she earned as a school teacher. He chose when they had sex; Carolyn could only refuse — at her peril. For in the FLDS, a wife’s compliance with her husband determined how much status both she and her children held in the family. Carolyn was miserable for years and wanted out, but she knew that if she tried to leave and got caught, her children would be taken away from her. No woman in the country had ever escaped from the FLDS and managed to get her children out, too. But in 2003, Carolyn chose freedom over fear and fled her home with her eight children. She had $20 to her name.
Escape exposes a world tantamount to a prison camp, created by religious fanatics who, in the name of God, deprive their followers the right to make choices, force women to be totally subservient to men, and brainwash children in church-run schools. Against this background, Carolyn Jessop’s flight takes on an extraordinary, inspiring power. Not only did she manage a daring escape from a brutal environment, she became the first woman ever granted full custody of her children in a contested suit involving the FLDS. And in 2006, her reports to the Utah attorney general on church abuses formed a crucial part of the case that led to the arrest of their notorious leader, Warren Jeffs.
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A searing look into a closed society and an amazing desire for freedom.
Quite slow. Frustrating
I could feel the emotions the author was going through…..I found it eye-opening and honest.
This may not win any literary prizes, but it was an interesting account of one woman’s escape from a Mormon fundamentalist family. Against huge odds she made it out with her eight children who mostly went on to lead reasonably productive lives.
Riveting
Fascinating and in-depth look at life within a cult and the lengths the cult will go to in order to maintain its influence. Very well written, this story was fast-paced, and an eye-opener for me, especially in its description of the cult’s rigid and unhealthy treatment of children.
Learned much about the cult of LDS. Hard to believe this goes on in our country.
Ever wonder about life in polygamy? Read this—experience the how,what & getting out of polygamy. Very interesting!
Subject seldom discussed
although the subject matter held promise.i found it very dull to read. Didn’t hold my interest.
It was painful to read at times. It is about a strong woman who takes her children and escapes from a very strict and punitive polygamist family.
I read the entire book, and it really is a sad story. If all she says is true, it is difficult to believe that so many women will settle for this type of lifestyle.
Hard to believe women still put themselves in this situation. Gives a glimps into the life of a polygamist community. It’s sad to realize this is still going on with child abuse being normal.
This is a very important story that brings to light what family life was like for Carolyn Jessop and her eight children living within the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Raised in a closed polygamist community of 10,000 members along the Utah-Arizona border, Carolyn was “selected” to marry an older, senior member of the …
This book really opens your eyes to a male dominated religious sect. I was reading almost noon stop to finish it.
After reading this book, my heart goes out to women in polygamous marriages, particularly those in the Fundamental Latter Day Saints religion. The author goes into great detail about her life as a “sister” wife and the daily struggles as part of the family into which she was married. Women are treated as property and have no rights whatsoever. …
I am fascinated by his topic and love that it is a first hand recounting of her experience.
Interesting point of view of an alternative religion in this country. I admire that “they” are able to financially take care of their own, but I question the quality of their lives. Good to know this informed opinion of this particular Mormon sect.
A great book to learn more about this cult.
Amazing her bravery , strength and perseverance to make a better life for herself and her children.