Escape

This book tells the tale of a FLDS woman who lives her life in the polygamist sect located in Colorado City and thankfully escapes to a better life with her children. You may know this group from the recent news concerning the arrest and conviction of their leader, Warren Jeffs. Carolyn's story leads you from one harrowing, distasteful, unbeliveable tale (which are true!) that you can not stop listening to. I listened to this non stop - so much so that it drove my family crazy b/c I had my headphones on constantly. Not since the book The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls has a book based on reality made me cringe, angry and proud of the author/victim of the story. Worthwhile read and a lot of background to so many of those news reports we've all seen in the last year or so.

If you are at all curious about the polygamist lifestyle - at least the most extremely negative version of it - then this book will answer your questions. The matter-of-fact delivery of the narrator seems to fit well with the stoic style of writer - I could see how an overly emotional rendition might have worn on my patience after awhile. However, I have to say that it could've been several hours shorter without losing much of the story, and at least some emotion would have been nice. I sympathize greatly with the plight of this woman and the tough choices she had to make to survive - she is a true survivor and someone to be admired for her courage and willingness to share her story.

OK, first off, I am LDS so I know the beginning history of the FLDS church when they were excommunicated and split from the founding LDS church. I thought I knew pretty much what the FLDS church believed in today as I see their members almost every day in my area. However, I was so completely wrong! It is absolutely amazing how far they have strayed from their original doctrine and have become a church of bigots and people that seek to destroy each other. Even though they believe that they believe in the Savior's teachings, they have completely turned away from His teachings and have become a Nazi-like society. This book is shocking and a real eye-opener! What these people has digressed into is horrifying to say the very least.

much more real and even and believable than the more bitter and forced LEAVING THE SAINTS. One only wonders why she dragged eight kids through all of that as long as she did.

Well written and narrated. This is a long listen (over 15 hours) and some of the content is disturbing and difficult to listen to. At times it seems a long hall with depressing content. That being said, it is incredibly informative. I was familar with the organization through the news and felt like I was getting an insiders look through this book. "escape" says it all - so thankful for the exhale ending.

This was an amazing book. I loved it. It was unbelievable how much these women suffered. I could not imagine a life like they had. I would never want to share my husband.

This is the story of a woman born into a fundamentalist cult. Her story of abuse and oppression is told with meticulous detail and stunning revelation. And the courage, perseverance and just sheer mettle that leaving the cult required was well documented. It's easy to say, "just leave" but for this woman, with eight children and limited resources, one child with serious medical issues, facing two impossible alternatives must have been daunting. Especially the entry into the civilized world as we know it, coming from such a sheltered and controlled environment. Sometimes I found myself thinking prison inmates have more freedom than this woman and her "sister wives" had.

It is truly amazing to read about the lengths to which a group can go to control women, all in the name of spirituality. Of course, such a program of control and abuse has nothing whatever to do with true spirituality.

I knew what to expect from this story before reading, as elements of the various incidents had been on the news in the not too distant past and I believe the author was interviewed on one of the TV network talk shows.

I do wish more care had been taken in editing and/or in the selection of a co-author. Although the story practically writes itself, I thought there was too much of what I call "generic" writing, involving the use or overuse of the same phrase, as in, dining out for a festive "date night" being repeatedly referred to as "going out for a steak dinner". While I know that even with many vegetarians and vegans around, there will always be people who love steak, but to hear it repeatedly, and used as "code" for a nice evening out signified to me a lack of imagination. Of course, such a term could be an authentic indication of the limited background and spartan lifestyle of the narrator.

All in all, though, a very good read. Makes one appreciate an independent lifestyle all the more.

I became so intrigued with the latest news stories coming from Texas that I went on a hunt to find out more about the FLDS. As a result, I found this book and discovered a society which is completely foreign to me. Despite this, I was able to relate to Carolynn's experiences, because I, too, have dealt with abusive people for most of my life. It seems that no matter the culture, these types of people are essentially the same across the board.

This is one of those books that keeps you wanting to learn more, and I took very few breaks during the listen.

I loved this audiobook. I saw an interview with the author on one of the morning shows and became interested in reading the book. I was so happy audible had it. The book exceeded my expectations. I thought the narrator did a great job and the book keep my attention. I listened to it every spare moment until I finished it. I learned alot about the FLDS and it gave me new insight into all the things happening in West Texas with the 400 or so children taken from an FLDS compound by CPS. I would highly recomemend you listen to this book.

First of all I'll state that I'm mainstream Mormon. I grew up in northern Arizona and in Utah Valley. I knew that various polygamous existed but had never spoken with anyone who practiced polygamy. Due to the Texas raid I decided it was time to try and understand a little more about who they were

I have to admit I never knew how bad it was. I was raised by very loving parents in a large family (13 kids) so I can relate to them a little about living in a large family. I was shocked and felt horrible that such things were going on so close and nothing was being done. I have read many books about the Muslim world and other cultures and understand how much peer pressure works. Woman in some muslim countries are treated as slaves and property just like the woman in the FLDS cult. It isn't necessarily Islam that is the source of woman being abused it is people perverting religion and using it for power. It happens across many religions and places. Once the tradition gets started it is hard to break free and it perpetuates itself. You can't even really blame most of the men in the FLDS for what they do because they are taught to do it since they were small children. It is all they know. This book really shows how a closed culture can be easily turned into a cult.

I have no idea if the Texas raid will finally break the FLDS rein of terror and brainwashing but I hope it makes a sizable dent. It disgusted me like no other to read the horrors Carolyn went through. No human being should be subjected to that but it happens all the time all over the world. It makes me grateful for the opportunities the US offers to most of its citizens. Carolyn is a brave woman and her story touched me deeply. I have rarely felt so mad at a someone (Merill) before. I can't believe he isn't in jail if his wife and kids are willing to testify to his abuse. I knocked off one star because she kept repeating a few things over and over in the book.