The 19th Wife: 5 Stars

David Ebershoff's novel, "The 19th Wife" is a fictional novel with non-fictional elements sprinkled in. Below, is a summary of Ebershoff's novel as well as my overall thoughts on the book.

Summary

"The 19th Wife" by David Ebershoff tells the account of Jordan Scott, a "lost boy" of the Firsts community. The Firsts are a religious community that broke away from the Mormon faith in the early 1900s. A large part of this reason in addition to religious differences was the Mormon's decision to no longer practice polygamy. The Firsts isolated themselves in a hidden community in the Utah desert and continued to practice polygamy.

A "lost boy" according to the Firsts community is someone who "strays" and does not adhere to the rules of the prophet (the leader of the Firsts). In this case, Jordan's offense was holding hands with his step-sister who he affectionately refers to as "Queenie." Jordan's mother drops him off on a high-way in the middle of the night at 14 years old.

Fast-forward 10 years, Jordan is living in California when he reads his mother has been arrested for the murder of his Father. Jordan returns home to Utah in order to see his Mother. Almost immediately Jordan is sucked back into the life he once lives and soon realizes his mother is not responsible for his father's death.

We are swept away in a murder mystery as Jordan visits a past he wishes he could forget in order to save his mother and expose his old community for the unlawful and detestable acts they are committing.

Throughout this novel, Ebershoff uses accounts from Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young (it is estimated that Brigham actuality had over 50 wives), research essays on the beginnings of the Mormon faith, and a few other accounts from Ann Eliza's Father, Brother, and Mother. Through these accounts, we see the beginnings of the Mormon church, how they started to integrate polygamy and when Ann Eliza defected from the Mormon community and started to expose them and Brigham Young for the indecent and unlawful behavior.

As Jordan seeks to prove his mother's innocence he finds answers he wishes he didn't know, picks up another "lost boy" and side-kick, finds love, and comes to some self-realizations about his beliefs along the way.

My thoughts

While this book is a work of fiction. The first-hand accounts and stories from Ann Eliza Young make it feel real.

I found the story to be extremely eye-opening and interesting as we have a chance to look into what the life of the early Mormons was like. We see how people who are lost and searching for love, family, and meaning are drawn into the powerful speaking of people like Brigham Young and Joseph Smith. They promise family, prosperity, and love.

However, as the story progresses we see how these men warp (are maybe always were) into selfish, egotistical dictators. Ebershoff does a great way tying in past events to the current story of Jordan Scott.

All of the abominable behavior Ann Eliza Young recounts in her story is continued and amplified by the Firsts community. Men claiming to carry out "God's will" are simply perverted, egotistical, and psychopathic old men.

Ebershoff details how someone like Jordan Scott, who has experienced nothing but poor and horrific treatment from his community and mother continually has an understanding for their behavior.

In hindsight, this is truly what separates Jordan from the community in which he grew up. He can see where the blind belief comes from and does not fault the community but rather seeks to end the injustice and help them see the light. This book is eye-opening and informative. Through the fictional writing, we see snippets of the truth.

Thank you for taking the time to read my book review of David Ebershoff's novel, "The 19th Wife." Stay tuned for my book review of "Her Name is Knight" by Yasmin Angoe coming soon!