Stolen Innocence

My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamous Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs

By: Elissa Wall, Lisa Pulitzer

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In September 2007, a packed courtroom in St. George, Utah, sat hushed as Elissa Wall, the star witness against polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, gave captivating testimony of how Jeffs forced her to marry her first cousin at age fourteen. This harrowing account proved to be the most compelling evidence against Jeffs, showing the harsh realities of this closed community and the lengths to which Jeffs went in order to control the sect's women.

Now, in this courageous memoir, Elissa Wall tells the incredible story of how she emerged from the confines of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) and helped bring one of America's most notorious criminals to justice. Offering a child's perspective on life in the FLDS, Wall discusses her tumultuous youth, explaining how her family's turbulent past intersected with her strong will and identified her as a girl who needed to be controlled through marriage. Detailing how Warren Jeffs's influence over the church twisted its already rigid beliefs in dangerous new directions, Wall portrays the inescapable mind-set and unrelenting pressure that forced her to wed despite her repeated protests that she was too young.

Once she was married, Wall's childhood shattered as she was obligated to follow Jeffs's directives and submit to her husband in "mind, body, and soul." With little money and no knowledge of the outside world, she was trapped and forced to endure the pain and abuse of her loveless relationship. Yet even in those bleak times, she retained a sliver of hope that one day she would find a way out, and one snowy night that came in the form of a rugged stranger named Lamont Barlow. Their chance encounter set in motion a friendship and eventual romance that gave her the strength she needed to break free from her past and sever the chains of the church. But though she was out of the FLDS, Wall would still have to face Jeffs---this time in court.

©2008 Elissa Wall (P)2008 Tantor

Interesting and Insightful

I truly enjoyed hearing Elissa Wall's story of survival and victory over a seemingly untouchable individual and his followers. I have given "Stolen Innocence" 4 stars instead of 5 due to the narration. At times her voice was quite irritating. Overall, it is a great book.

Eye opening

I doubt the average American has any clue that there are such large communities within the USA where people are so totally dominated. Listening to the reality of FLDS life under Warren Jeff's brings tales of the Taliban to mind.


What a sad and horrific personal story Ms Wall shares in this book. It is almost impossible to comprehend that women and children are no more than chattel, and that families are formed and torn asunder at the whim of a sect leader. A society of people where schooling is stopped at the 8th grade (or before), where girls as young as 12 are expected to marry and have sex with men often old enough to be their fathers or grandfathers, where healthcare and prenatal care are not provided -- .hard to believe this is happening in this century, let alone here in America.


When the FLDS compound was raided and the media showed children being torn from mothers I'm sure many, like me, thought it was wrong. Now I think the women, too, should be taken into custody. Certainly no child should be allowed to live in these communities. Every child deserves an education, and the chance to grow to adulthood without being subjugated into what amounts to slavery. Whatever good the FDLS have in their society is erased by the reality of the suffering and mind control.

The content of this book is riveting. The narration, as many others have pointed out, is atrocious. Are there no quality controls in the recording studio? One would expect a producer to stop the reader and command her to read the pages without the incessant simpering and whining. I gave the performance one star, but only because a minus stars is not an option.

Moving story

Well written and read in masterly detail, this story will touch your heart in so many ways.

Amazing!

This story was amazing. I fell in love with Elissa as you lived her life along with her three the book. It was a very touching book and I loved it. There were some parts about sexual abuse so warning but I felt it was done in a tasteful yet understanding way. Amazing books. 5 stars

Very Informative!

What made the experience of listening to Stolen Innocence the most enjoyable?

I mostly listen to books for the entertainment value, but this was a heart wrenching true story and had my attention from the beginning.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither... but I couldn't wait to find out how she finally got free. I found myself looking up pictures on the internet to learn more.

Very interesting story.... kept my interest

Would you listen to Stolen Innocence again? Why?

Yes.. I thought it was a very fascinating story and would listen to it again. Kept me alert while driving and made a long drive pass by more quickly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stolen Innocence?

Finding the strength to overcome her valid concerns about testifying against Warren Jeffs.

Have you listened to any of Renée Raudman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found it very interesting. While reading the reviews before purchasing the book I hesitated due to the poor reviews of the narrator. While it took some time to get used to the narrator using a little girl voice, I was able to focus on the story and forget the narrator.

Any additional comments?

This book and the book "The Witness Wore Red" were written by sisters in the same family. Both stories gave different views inside the FLDS and I will listen to both books again.

Fascinating, courageous, and soul touching...

Couldn't stop reading once I started this book. A must for all libraries.
Thank you!

only a few chapters in...

But I have to agree with the others. The story is interesting and keeps my interest but the narration is horrible. She talks to you as if you were a child.

Harrowing story, hard to listen to.

It’s my 4th read about the FLDS and it’s the hardest to sit through. This book was repetitive and frustrating at times. The narrators sad voice made me turn it off and take a break more than once. Interesting story, though.

Narrator leaves much to the imagination

This story is highly compelling and moving... if you can get past the weird narration and lack of understanding of the material on part of narrator.