Shattered Dreams

My Life as a Polygamist's Wife

By: Irene Spencer

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Irene Spencer did as she felt God commanded in marrying her brother-in-law, Verlan LeBaron, becoming his second wife. When the government raided the fundamentalist, polygamous Mormon village of Short Creek, Arizona, Irene and her family fled to Verlan's brothers' Mexican ranch. They lived in squalor and desolate conditions in the Mexican desert with Verlan's six brothers, one sister, and numerous wives and children. Listeners will be appalled and astonished but, most amazingly, greatly inspired. Irene's dramatic story reveals how far religion can be stretched and abused, and how one woman and her children found their way out, into truth and redemption.

©2007 Irene Spencer (P)2007 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Engrossing....An intense story." ( Kirkus)
"Nothing short of astonishing....Emotional and shocking." ( Publishers Weekly)

Facinating

Loved every second of it. What a sick twist of religion. I cannot imagine this life. I recently met Irene's daughter. I can hardly wait to see Donna again to talk about her life as the child of Irene. My heart is a little heavy knowing this story is real and women have experienced all of this.

I couldn’t put it “down”…

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I decided to listen to this book. I knew somewhat about the practice. I was never really interested in it because I thought it portrayed women as rather sad and the men as rather abusive. Listening to the story was really interesting. I enjoyed the narrator quite a bit. Her portrayals of the interactions between Irene and her husband were great. I’m sure the story could’ve been five times as long and still not been able to cover all of the feelings and the time the past for Irene.
If you want to know more about Mormons and polygamy, this may not be the best history, but as an overall story of one woman’s life, it is very interesting.

I remember some of the families

Trying to figure out why she was a victim? I am not a member of any form of Mormon church, but grew up in Murray Utah and remember many of the families she speaks of in this book. Even though she had been born into polygamy her mother and family had left and actively discouraged her from following that path. It was her choice to pursue LeBaron and become his 'wife' and then she spends the rest of the book listing on why this was a bad choice. If she had married Glen I wonder if she would have written a book on that bad choice. There are polygamus wives who had little or no choice of who they married or when they married and truly suffer and do without and are treated as little more than property but it seems like LaBaron's first wives had a choice and made it. Kinda like marrying a drunk and then complaining they drink.

Pleasantly surprised!

Wow! I couldn’t shut this book off! What an incredible story. I usually don’t like books that are so heavy, but Irene weaved enough comedy and hope in her story to keep me from completely despairing for her and her family. Such a well written and inspiring story about one tough woman finding her true freedom. Bravo!

Great!

Could'nt turn it off! One second I was totally exasperated with the author for putting up with the ^*&%$ she put up with, the next second I was feeling her pain and could understand. My only criticism was that I would have liked to have heard more---like what was going on with the other wives. The book was very detailed about the first half of her life, and then kind of sped through the second half.Definately facsinating and enjoyable to listen to.

Heart Breaking

Irene is one strong woman. Her years in polygamy are unimaginable, yet she did it because she thought it was what she had to do. I am so glad she ended up setting herself free 💗

SO SO SO GOOD!

If you could sum up Shattered Dreams in three words, what would they be?

Oh My Goodness

Any additional comments?

This book was amazing, and I don't use that word loosely...I was with her the entire book. I recommended this book to anyone and plan on reading it several more times.

A true testament of courage and strength

This story had me feeling every form of emotions there are.....happiness, anger, betrayal, laughter, sadness, anxiety....and so much more. It's so hard to believe what someone can bare in their life. I am in complete awe of Irene Spencer and am thrilled that she finally knows the love and respect of one man and the true salvation of God the father. you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your incredible if sad story. I will definitely recommend your story

A new vision into this life

Where does Shattered Dreams rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very good listen. I have become very involved in listening to several books about the FLDS & the polygamous life. This is a terrific read coming from one of the wives directly. I learn with every book I have listened to. This one was eye-opening from the view of a wife & her doubts about herself & her love for God made me understand better how these woman believe they "belong" in this lifestyle for their salvation.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Irene - loved her feistiness & was surprised by the defiance she showed to her husband. I understood them to be so much more obedient all the time. I was glad to see that she was "normal" and voiced her opinions and disagreements from time to time.

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

Never have - first one. Very easy to listen to.

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

Nothing extreme. Just satisfying to learn more from the wife's point of view.

Great

very insightful. love this book. the author Is so open about her life. couldn't stop listening