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

Narration style distracts from story

This is a fascinating memoir about mind control, abuse, Stockholm syndrome, and learned helplessness and the enormous amount of courage it takes to break away. What makes it difficult to listen to is the narrator's stylized 13 year old voice that over dramatizes every sentence. The story does not need the extra drama and the narration is distracting rather than enhancing.

Interesting book... annoying narration

The narrator was very melodramatic. At times I wanted to stop listening and it distracted from the drama and message of the story. WAY overdone. I kept listening because the story was very interesting and I'm glad I did.

Shocking "Religious" Crimes

It is absolutely shocking that these types of crimes are committed against women and children in today's America under the guise of "religious freedom". Why is there a public outcry against what happens to women in the middle east and yet this goes on right in our own backyard? "Stolen Innocence" is a riveting tale of one young woman's childhood growing up in the cult-like Fundamental Latter Day Saints sect (FLDS) and the brainwashed servitude it expects of the women and children under its control who are allowed no say in their own lives. A shocking and sadly appalling true story.

Interesting story

I thought the story is interesting and a great insight into the religious cult. I wasn't really surprised that the women were treated so badly because of some of the recent stories about Warren Jeffs and his group. What I was surprised about was how much Ellisa got away with; sneaking off to Vegas, smoking, etc. I agree with the other reviews that the narration was very annoying.

Sad

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Maybe. Elissa Wall tells her story, and it is moving and powerful. The reader/listener is bound to feel empathy for her. Unfortunately, I do not think that the book paints a fair picture of some of the other victims in this book., It is because of the one sidedness that I do not know that I would recommend this book. Elissa Walls was a child, deserved to be protected, she was a victim, but she is not the only victim in this story. The two main perpetrators of these crimes were Warren Jeffs and her step father Frank. For Jeffs, justice is served. I don't think the step father got his justice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clarrissa Jeffs! She found her strength, escaped, and made a life for herself.

What about Renée Raudman’s performance did you like?

She reads at a good pace, good breathing and pausing where appropriate. She conveys voices.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I didn't really learn anything new from this book. I've listened to two other autobiography/memoir stories from this same group and from the same time period. Each person is depicting the same stories from different points of view.

Any additional comments?

I would like to hear Allan Steel's side of this story. Elissa portrays him as a child rapist, but he was a 19 year old boy trying to adhere to the guidance of his religion the same way Elissa was. I realize by our laws he was the adult and she was the child, but because of their isolation, is that really true? I don't think so. I think he was as much coerced as she was, does that make him equally guilty to the men who forced the marriage on them both? What young man wants to marry a girl who insists she hates him? Well, that's just me wanting to know what is unknown in the telling of this story.

I wish Elissa good luck now that she has the option to make her own life the way the rest of us can. I wish her hope, happiness, and most of all healing from the harm done.

Excellent

Well written and narrated. Tragic life story but interesting. Gives a great history of what many young girls have gone through and probably still are.

Excellent Book On the FLDS

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If I had friends that were interested in the topic, definitely yes.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The fact that the FLDS saw nothing wrong with "placing" these underage girls with these uninformed men. It's amazing to listen to the mindset of the people that don't want to go against their prophet. But I guess if that's all you know, you might follow it without question.

What about Renée Raudman’s performance did you like?

I really liked it. It added a voice to Elissa that gave some character to the storytelling. I know that some didn't like her narration but I actually liked the way she did it. You have to remember that she's portraying a very young lady who doesn't have much experience outside of her FLDS world. I think it was spot on.

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

More outrage at the fact that Allen Steed didn't get more jail time. I think that some want to believe that some of the FLDS are naive about the outside world. But a lot of them are aware of the need for them to hide the illegal things they do so that they don't get caught. I've never been in a cult so I have no idea how I would react either. So I can't judge them.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed how the book started from her childhood beginning and culminated with Jeffs being convicted. It gave a full story of some of the inner workings of the FLDS. It's still amazing how people can be convinced that their salvation is only going to be through this prophet.

such an amazing book!

I couldn't put this book down. what this young lady had happen to her should never happen to anyone. God bless her.

What a strong, brave girl!

What other book might you compare Stolen Innocence to and why?

I have read other books about the FLDS, and this one was a bit different in that her childhood was actually happy. It was refreshing to see that not all FLDS parents beat and rape their children like I've heard in other books.

What does Renée Raudman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved her narration! She brought Elissa to life in certain moments where she felt so afraid or sad. In parts it made me cry!

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

I had tears in my eyes several times in the book!

Any additional comments?

This book was well written and I loved hearing how Elissa has triumphed in her life. It makes me want to get involved myself to help these girls!

Incredible, and Heartbreaking

Elissa’s story was truly heartbreaking and difficult to listen to without wanting to shout in anger and frustration at what she went through. This was very well written. At such a young age she had an incredible understanding of what life should not be. She is lucky to have had at least that, or her outcome would have been much like many of the other girls who suffer in the same way. Now she is able to fight for justice for those who are forced to endure the same fate she had.