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

It’s pretty good, but unbearable narrator!

The narrator is almost unbearable. I wonder if I’d have liked this book a bit more if the narrator wasn’t so bad! Anyway, I have to start by saying that I’m genuinely surprised by how crappy this book is when compared to her sisters book. The majority of this book is Elissa coming across as a whining teenager. Which is odd since she’s recounting the story as an adult. While I understand that she went through bad stuff, there’s so much victimhood to read through. She pittys herself so much it’s almost unbearable yet she does nothing to change her circumstances but all the while she can rebel the Flds in every other way. That made no sense to me. She literally defied their rules in just about every way. So she had the nerve to do that but not just leave?

But I definitely agree with others in the reviews who said that Elissa glazes over a lot of critical info/ detail. I was really put off by just how much she skips over. It felt very strange to me that she’d do that. An example of this is when she mentions how the restaurant she worked at accused her of stealing. She tells us that but nothing more. I found that really weird. Elissa feels like a personality I just can’t connect with. I don’t know why but I just didn’t find myself liking her or identifying with her in any way.

I’ve read almost all the FLDS books. I was captivated by Carolyn Jessop’s book “escape”. That one was great. Carolyn’s story telling made you feel as if you were walking through it, whereas this one doesn’t. Carolyns narrative was clearer and more concise to me. Carolyn was also much more humble.

But I would still say this one is worth reading if you can get past the horrible narrator! I’ve also read Elissa’s sisters book, Rebecca Musser, “ the witness wore red”. I felt that one was also better than this one too. Flora Jessops Book is another one I’ve read too. That one was a bit harder to get through since it was so dark being that she was molested by her father. And then last, I’d also recommend the book by Rachel Jeffs, the daughter of the prophet, Warren Jeffs. That one was very good as well!

Eye Opening

Any additional comments?

I found this story crazy, wild, awful but so eye-opening and interesting. It just blew me away.

Compelling Story

I was sucked into this story from the very beginning. It was painful to listen to, but I couldn't stop. My heart was broken for Elissa, but gratified when things worked out for her. I felt triumph when Warren Jeffs was convicted, even though I had followed this story when it was really happening and knew how it would end. He is an evil, despicable man. Message to Elissa: YOU GO, GIRL!!! I am so proud of your courage and determination. I pray you are having a happy life.

The only drawback of this book was the narrator. I did not find her as bad as a lot of reviewers did, but by the end of the book, I had grown tired of her whiny voice, her inappropriate inflections and her too careful pronunciations. I think she has the potential of being a good narrator, but she has a few things to overcome first.

Powerful and heartbreaking!

Elissa Wall’s story of her life in FLDS was powerful and heartbreaking. I was completely spellbound and could do nothing but listen as her story unfolded. The extent of the FLDS spiritual brainwashing is/was horrific. Warren Jeffs ruled his followers in a culture of fear, doom and destruction. I am in complete awe over the great courage of the Wall family to come forward to tell their story and seek justice. As a woman, I am grateful for her courage, actions, and follow-through in seeking justice for all women!

Powerful and Moving!

Great detail about the suffering caused by Warren Jeffs. Jail is too good for this monster! Engrossing story of human triumph told so well that you can feel you're there. Awful narration. Almost couldn't stand to listen to the narrator's attempts at a little girl's voice but the story made it worth enduring. Please rerecord with a better narrator.

Mind-blowing but has possible triggers

Would you consider the audio edition of Stolen Innocence to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. But I enjoyed the audio version. There were times when the narrator tried to hard and exaggerated certain parts that I feel would have been powerful enough had she not "acted" them the way she did.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a hard story to hear and it could trigger victims of abuse, but it was inspiring and amazing. The fact that this was going on in our country and the world still knows so little about it makes me sick. The fact that there are still women and children trapped in this environment makes me sick. The book has inspired me to find a way to help .

Which character – as performed by Renée Raudman – was your favorite?

I was not a fan of the way she separated the characters. The way the story was written it was very clear what characters we were switching between and I feel like her performance was more appropriate for a work of fiction.

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

There were definite times it make me cry. There were aspects of this book that made me very uncomfortable thinking of children being treated in certain ways. But the strength shown by Elissa holds the reader up through the book.

Any additional comments?

This woman is an inspiration to all women, but especially to women who have survived abuse. I think there is a lot that any one can learn from this book.

nicely written but

it was a good book and nicely written. very detailed and gave a good picture of her life and struggles. the narration wasn't great. at times the narration was hard to listen to because of the way she changed her voice when reading words from different people in the book.

Highly Recommend this book

Wow what an amazing story. Tears and heartbreak giving way to courage and strength. All girls and woman should read it!!!

Amazing Story of Strength & Resilience

Loved it!!! Elissa Wall tells exactly what her experiences were in the FLDS cult; she goes from childhood with dysfunctional parents to her sudden & brazenly illegal forced underage marriage to a man she had detested since childhood. She speaks of the emotional hell this experience put her through & how she clawed her way out & made a life of peace & genuine love on the other side of the hell she was born into. Great book!

Heartbreaking

Loved this brave story by Elissa Wall. Endlessly proud of her and I don’t even know her. Amazing