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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Such an interesting read! A little long, but it was worth getting through it all!
Far less informative than I had hoped. A rather boring read.
I really liked this book. I was amazed to learn what went on in the Jeffs polygamy community. The man was definitely power hungry and most of them were afraid of him. He had very twisted ideas. I was fascinated by what it took to get away from them.
It was an interesting and horrible look into the lives of the cult. The things suffered were unimaginable and were looked upon as a normal way of
Life and accepted.
This was a very difficult book to read, her life was so hard! I wanted to know what that kind of life was like so I continued reading, but about halfway through I was ready to put it down because her situation was so bleak! True, very difficult story that turns out better than she had ever hoped.
I am a strong believer in God, but I can easily see how people can twist His word and take things to a level He never intended. Carolyn Jessop shows so much strength to find a way out for herself and her children.
Repetitious. Too long. Got bored.
Certainly an ye opener to the cruelty and beastiality of man
Very eye opening
Difficult read, what an amazing story of determination and courage
This book was very informative about the flds church and the abusive things that occur in this cult.
A rare look inside the world men still control women even today. Where is the love of GOD in these types of men & their religion? It’s always about CONTROL over other humans, espically women & children.
Amazing story of courage and fierce determination amidst circumstances many would find insurmountable.
Fascinating read written by a woman who overcame formidable challenges to get herself and her children out of a phenomenally oppressive situation.
I don’t read much non fiction but this was a must read for me. It was informative and we’ll written.
This was a real page turner. I had a hard time putting it down. I couldn’t believe the state of her and other women’s lives within the fundamentalist Mormon community!! I just wonder if this stuff is still going on in that community, just unbelievable!!! The sexual, emotional, and physical abuse on the woman and children, is horrific!!
This book was an easy read with many eye-opening stories, however, I felt that the ending was very rushed. For a novel titled Escape, there was not much time spent detailing the actual escape of Carolyn and her children. 9/10 of this book was spent chronicling her life in the FLDS while the other 1/10 provided vague details of the escape. All in …
This book was quite an eye-opener into the world of polygamy. The abuse and control was horrific. What a brave woman to escape with her eight children. I am so happy for her in the “real world.”
I abhor the lifestyle of the FLDS. This book shows how and why polygamy doesn’t work. Women feeling jealous, trying to be number one to a husband that keeps marrying younger and younger women. Too many children for comfortable living. Love seems to be lacking. It is very much a cult. Women have very little rights. Inconceivable that these …
Reality is more frightening than fiction! Very inspirational and a true story of courage.