|
|
 - Totally unbelievable in AmericaCan't believe abuse sexually and emotionally such as this is happening today in America. Makes me angry that women can be under attack this way in the name of religion. Rating: - Disturbing, enganging memoirThis memoir gripped me from the first page. I applaud Carolyn Jessop's courage in leaving the oppressive, violent FLDS cult, and am disturbed this type of lifestyle can thrive in the 21st century. Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your harrowing tale. Rating:  - Carolyn Jessop IS an "exceptional" womanYou can never know how hard it is to break free of fundamentalist conditioning unless you've had to do it yourself. I have (though not specifically as a Mormon, "just" as a fundamentalist Christian). Carolyn Jessop IS an extraordinary, exceptional woman and this story is a reminder that even in the so-called "land of the free," some people are prisoners--if "only" to the brainwashing they have received at the hands those who manipulate and steal from others and call it "god's will." Thank you, Carolyn Jessop, for your caring and your courage. Rating: - EnthrallingRead the book. Couldn't put it down. Yes it drags in places, but what memoir doesn't? Yes the writing could have been better, but she isn't a literary author. She is a woman who has been through hell on Earth and wanted to tell her story. The amount of abuse and neglect in the FLDS is amazing, and more than once I wanted to slap some sense into Merril, Barbara and the rest of the brainwashed community. I'm sure if I had been in Carolyn's place, I would have killed someone. To know this stuff is taking place just draws to the fact that even in the United States we can't control everything. Warren Jeffs is an idiot and should be imprisoned for the rest of his life. I don't wish death on him, because I'm sure he believes he's going directly to heaven - it would only make him happy. At certain points I wanted to walk away from the book due to the constant abuse and just blatant denial everyone experienced or took part in. A cult, yes, but a religion they are not. And the amount of hate Carolyn's children had for her when she escaped made me more surprised than anything else. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if at one point there is a massive suicide. I hate to say it, but the world would be a better place without the likes of Merril Jessop. Rating: - BUY THIS BOOK NEWESCAPE by CAROLYN JESSOP is a book that needs to bought new. One can only hope that Ms Jessop makes two kijillion dollars from this book (after all, taxes take the first kijillion). Ms Jessop must have a heart like a lion! Taking her children, she left her husband with no money, no friends and no family. All she had was the hope that perhaps away from the FLDS sect, she might have a happier, better life. I can't imagine leaving my job, all my worldly possessions, and assuming full support for eight children (so you know she really needs that kijillion dollars) including one that was very desperately ill. Not only this, but to even make this choice, Ms Jessop had to assume that what she had been taught about God and the nature of reality her entire life might be wrong. The risk was her immortal soul and that of her children. Her bravery is awe-inspiring. Growing up in rural Arkansas, I knew plenty of folks who believe that their wife and children were their personal property. Young boys would brag about how hard they were "whupped" by their dad for minor infractions. However, nothing I have seen or heard prepared me for the level of abuse that was described in this book. Most shocking was the "disposable" way that children were treated. Not only the lack of adequate medical care, but also the mass excommunication of teen age boys to keep the male/female ratio "right" for polygamy and to remove competition for young girls was disturbing. It shows that polygamy really only benefits those in power and harms both boys and girls. This book is written in simple declaritive sentances that grow more complex each chapter. Perhaps the author did this to reflect how her understanding grew over time. The change in style from the start of the book to the end of the book can be a bit grating. Likewise, parts of the book didn't ring true to me. Some of the events in this book did not reflect my understanding of how human beings really act. However, with one exception, I believe this book to as factually accurate as any memior can be. Bottom line, this is an excellent story, well told by a very interesting, strong, brave and beautiful woman.
|
