The 19th Wife: A Novel

Really interesting (and slightly creepy) novel about the practice of polygamy in the Mormon church, the far-out sects that still practice polygamy, and the people who are caught up in it. This is a long book that jumps around a bit, but it's really worth the read.

There are basically two stories going on concurrently. One is the modern-day story of Jordan, ex-communicated by the "Firsts," a sect of Mormons who still practice polygamy, whose mother has been arrested for the murder of his father. Her name is BeckyLyn and she is, of course, the "19th wife".

But the other "19th wife" is Ann Eliza Young, an actual historical person, who was considered to be Brigham Young's 19th wife (yes, that Brigham Young), and who's apostasy from the church and following writings and lectures were considered to have helped end polygamy in the Mormon church. Ebershoff includes chapters from her "memoir" interspersed with Jordan trying to help his mom beat her murder rap.

I thought it was a really great story. Jordan is a really, really likeable character, who is trying to do something he feels is right despite having every reason to run as far from it as possible. And setting his story against a quasi-historical backdrop of the Mormon church points out how some people can pervert a set of religious beliefs for their own purposes.

The book has made me want to do a few things: check out the real story of Ann Eliza and Brigham Young, and see if the Firsts really exist. I also found out there is a Lifetime movie based on the novel, but I'm guessing they've taken all of the interesting stuff out and made it a love story, so I doubt I'll be watching it. But I definitely recommend the book!


The 19th Wife: A Novel