The 19th Wife: A Novel

This audio version is well-handled by using more than one performer, as there are more than one narrative strands here. There is the modern strand: a lively amateur sleuth mystery about a young man who had once been tossed out of a polygamous community, but who goes back to exonerate his mother, who is falsely accused of murder. And there is the historical strand: the real-life story of Ann Eliza Young, the 19th polygamous wife of Brigham Young, who wrote a notorious memoir and gave lectures that had a great deal to do with Mormonism's eventual decision to discontinue polygamy. I had actually purchased this book expecting two fictional narratives interwoven with each other. What I found instead was a modern fictional narrative interwoven with a mostly factual historical narrative. Even though the story of Ann Eliza Young is fascinating, it is nevertheless a problem that Ebershoff makes such extensive use of what is after all the writing of someone else. And as for the modern fictional narrative, while it begins well, it resolves in a way I found unsatisfactory. Even so, the novel as a whole is worth a listen because of how perceptive it is about the problems of polygamy and the questions it raises about the two original prophets of Mormonism, namely Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. These two men accomplished amazing things (especially Young), but they also introduced the odious practice of polygamy into their faith, a self-serving decision which very nearly resulted in the destruction of that same faith.

I loved this book! My favorite genre is historical fiction and I did not know a lot about the history of the Mormon religion before I read (listened to) this book. It makes me want to learn more. I have been telling everyone to read (or listen to) it. One of my friends started reading it and said she was having a hard time switching between the different narrators. I told her that listening to it probably helped with that because the different voices eliminate confusion when the narrator changes.

Well at first I got a little lost when the novel switched views. Eventually I caught on and it went much more smoothly. What you have to realize is this is not only written in two different perspectives, though it only tells two stories.
First is the authors fictional story about a boy who was kicked out of a modern day polygamous society that returns when his mother is accused of killing his father.
Next is the story of the historical Anne Eliza Young (and her family) who was the 19th (well more like 50th) wife of the mormon prophet Brigham Young. Her story is told through her memoir as well as other documents such as her brothers journal, a students thesis paper, documents from the mormon church's records, etc.
This book is pretty good with great historical facts. I feel like I know a lot more about the roots of the mormon church and polygamy. Be forewarned though it is pretty sad and just as you get into one story it will switch perspectives on you!

A facsinating listen--the narrators did a great job and intertwined the 2 19th wives very well. I learned a great deal about polygamy, the Firsts and B. Young, as well as the treatment of women in that time period. The psychological impact of children of polygamy was very enlightening. It is a long listen, but worth it. Very interesting material for discussion for book clubs.

How good was this? Really, really good! Ebershoff is a wonderful writer who absolutely gets inside the head of a wide range of characters. If you're looking for a romping fast read, this might not be for you, but the interweaving of the two stories--one from the early days of the LDS, one in the present, involving a splinter group of the LDS--is well done and keeps you coming back to see what develops. The historical detail is beautiful, and Ebershoff balances religious tolerance and sound moral judgment admirably well.

The interwoven stories of a present-day FLDS tragedy (not Fundamentalist LDS in this novel, but First LDS) and historical retelling of the Smith and Young stories were interesting enough to make this a three-day "read" for me. I didn't have any trouble keeping the past and present stories separate, and did find they were closely related to each other by theme, so not an odd coupling. I'd recommend it to those of you who are watching HBO's Big Love (insert smile here).

This book tells two tales - a modern story of polygamy and mystery, and a view into the early days of polygamy as the Morman Church was first founded. The historical story is lightened by the modern one which has more twists of mystery and danger. I found it to be style that worked. There are 4 readers for this book, which also makes it quite interesting. It is long and involved, but if the subject intrigues you, you will be drawn in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narration was terrific by using 4 different narrators and the story, actually 2 stories, were fascinating. There were times it went a little slow, but nothing that would make me put it town. I'm forever fascinated as to why women do what they do for men and why they let men degrade and debase them. And I always cheer when some woman wakes up to the situation and does something about it! I'm lucky I wasn't born into a culture that degrades women, I would have never lived past the age of 6!

Extremely slow. I had to put it down many times and read something else before listenng to more of the book. This is definitely not worth 2 credits.

I didn't read the print version

Different voices for different perspectivs.

Yes, although it wasn't possible.

This book gave fascinating insights into Mormonism and polygenous marriage in the context of absorbing fiction.