I’ve just turned the last page of The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff and have to tell you that you must add this book to your radar if you haven’t already. I first heard about the book at the Texas Book Festival last Fall when heard the author speak about the book. Since then I’ve been meaning to read it and am so glad I was able to participate in this virtual book tour. Let me tell you a bit about the book first and then at the end of the post find out how to win a copy.
“I promise my Dear Reader I shall recount my story truthfully, even when it distresses me to do so. In these pages you will come to know my mother, who by religious duty welcomed four wives into her husband’s bed. You will encounter the old woman forced to share her husband with a girl one-fifth her age. And you shall meet the gentleman with so many wives that when one approaches him on the street, he answers, “Madame, do I know you?”
Blending fact and fiction a tale of polygamy, religion and history opens before the reader. Ann Eliza Young was the 19th wife of Brigham Young and she was a woman who defied everything she’d known to gain a divorce from her prophet husband and managed to be a moving force of women’s rights and spoke against the practice of multiple wives. To illuminate what it means to be a multiple wife, the author introduces the fictional tale of another 19th wife who is assumed to have murdered her husband.
Set in present-day Utah, Jordan Scott a young man who was thrown out of his church and community, is one day surfing the net when he finds a picture of his mom and the headline, “Wife #19 Kills Husband.” Despite having been excommunicated and tossed out on the side of a highway with just $17 and some sacred underwear, Jordan still feels compelled to see his mom so he does what he didn’t expect to ever do again, he goes back to the compound to find the truth.
Jordan’s mom, BeckyLynn, insists that she didn’t kill her husband and asks her son to help her. For Jordan this means spending more time at the compound and trying to learn about his father’s wives. Jordan’s feelings about all of this are so mixed as he’s still upset about what religion did to him and continues to do to others. It’s not just the wives but also the children who suffer as boys are sometimes cast out for minor transgressions all in the name of religion.
Along the way of Jordan’s investigation we meet other characters who are also victims of this religious practice and one in particular, Joey a young boy, is charming with his tough-guy persona which hides the innocence that was lost when he was also thrown out of the group.
What I found so interesting about this book is that I expected to of course feel bad for the women but what this novel shows is that it could also be a difficult time for a husband who maybe didn’t want another wife, or a young boy who couldn’t understand why they were thrown out of the community. I thought the historical details that were interspersed with the fictional narrative were absorbing and I also liked the murder mystery aspect of the fictional part as Jordan works to save his mom.
I hope you will now be tempted to read The 19th Wife. You can find out more about the author and the book on his website and of course don’t forget to stop at the other TLC Tour Stops.
As I said, there’s a giveaway. It’s easy, if you’d like your own copy then leave me a comment and I’ll pick a winner over the weekend. Good luck!
i’m on the tour on the 11th and really liked this book, as well. great review.
Great review, Iliana! I’ve read a lot of good reviews on this book so this one is already onto my wishlist.
I hope you’ve a great weekend ahead! 🙂
Sounds really good! I have really read some mixed reactions on this book and would love to pick it up as well 🙂
Thanks
Throw my name in the hat for the drawing. Thanks Illiana!
Please put me in the draw for this one. I was in Waterstone’s yesterday,and whilst waiting for a friend, a saw no less than 3 copies go from the pile on the table. Perhaps that is a good indication that the book is a popular one.
I’ve seen the reviews on the tour, and they have all been very positive. I would love to be entered into the drawing! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com
Ok I’m sold now – love to win this.
I hate to lump different arts together, but this book seems like it would be the perfect substitute until Big Love returns.
It sounds quite engrossing.. I’d love to take a look at it!
I’d love to win a copy!
Hi girl! Ok, guess I need to expand my reading horizons. Please add my name to the hat. By the way, how ya doin? Bet you’re surprised! I’ve been a lurker, but figured I should say hi. LOL
Take care you! 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful read – add my name to the hat as well!! I will have to pop over and read more at David Ebershoff’s web site.
Wow-I have seen this book around, but this is the first time I actually “saw” it! I would love to win a copy.
This book sounds fascinating. This is the first I’ve heard of it, and as you often manage to, my appetite is whetted for more! Have a great weekend! x
I absolutely LOVED this book (no need to enter me since I’ve already read it), and it will likely be among my top reads for the year. Glad you enjoyed it too!
What a great review, Iliana. I really enjoyed this book too, especially the historical aspects. The lost boy stories also really interested me. I ended up doing quite a big of research after reading this one, which is always a good thing.
Polygamy has always interested me and I’ve read so many good reviews of this book that it would be a delight to win it!!
The 19th Wife has been on my wish list for a while! I’d love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.
I have been intrigued by this book from the first time I saw it reviewed.
I would love to be entered in your giveaway contest.
Mstermind1 at gmail dot com
I would love to win this book. I’ve read so many great reviews for it and am fascinated with polygamy (ever since watching Big Love!)
Thanks for the giveaway,
Cheers,
julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com
Great review and I will definitely put it on my TBR list. I have wanted to read this and have read only positive reviews. Thanks for adding your well composed thoughts.
Wisteria
I was on this tour last month and I found the book very intriguing. While many readers find the narrative of Ann Eliza Young more engrossing, I couldn’t put down the the book to find out about Jordan Scott’s investigation. It was a quick read, a very fulfilling one as well.
I really enjoyed this book when I read it awhile ago. I thought the author did a great job with the historical background. It really added to the overall stories.
I really enjoyed this one, too. It certainly gives you a lot to think about. I’ll admit I enjoyed Ann Eliza’s story more than the story set in the present.