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David Ebershoff
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The 19th Wife: The gripping Richard and Judy bookclub page turner Paperback – 2 Jan. 2009

by David Ebershoff (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2,411 ratings
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Jordan returns from California to Utah to visit his mother in jail. As a teenager he was expelled from his family and religious community, a secretive Mormon offshoot sect. Now his father has been found shot dead in front of his computer, and one of his many wives - Jordan's mother - is accused of the crime.
Over a century earlier, Ann Eliza Young, the nineteenth wife of Brigham Young, Prophet and Leader of the Mormon Church, tells the sensational story of how her own parents were drawn into plural marriage, and how she herself battled for her freedom and escaped her powerful husband, to lead a crusade to end polygamy in the United States.
Bold, shocking and gripping, The 19th Wife expertly weaves together these two narratives: a pageturning literary mystery and an enthralling epic of love and faith.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    608 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Black Swan
  4. Publication date
    2 Jan. 2009
  5. Dimensions
    12.7 x 3.7 x 19.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0552774987
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0552774987
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

The multiplicity of perspectives serves to broaden Ebershoff's depiction not only of polygamy, but also of the people whose lives it informs. And this gives his novel a rare sense of moral urgency ― The New York Times Book Review

A marvellous evocation of pioneer life... But his sympathy is with Eliza Young and other women trapped in what the Mormons termed 'celestial marriages' ― Daily Mail Published On: 2009-01-09

Beautifully written... genuinely enthralling ― Literary Review

Engrossing... vivid... packed with historical illumination, unforgettable characters... the greatest triumph is the way all this material illuminates the larger landscape of faith ― Washington Post

Intelligent, compelling, with several decent twists ― Guardian

Review

Gripping and beautifully written.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Swan (2 Jan. 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 608 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0552774987
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0552774987
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.7 x 3.7 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 2,411 ratings

About the author

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David Ebershoff

David Ebershoff

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David Ebershoff's debut novel, The Danish Girl, won the Lambda Literary Award and was named by The New York Times one of the 25 books that has shaped LGBTQ literature in the last two decades. It was adapted into an Oscar-winning film. Ebershoff's most recent novel is the #1 bestseller The 19th Wife, which was made into a television movie that has aired around the globe. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages to critical acclaim. Ebershoff has appeared twice on Out Magazine's annual Out 100 list of influential LGBT people. He is Editor in Chief of Hogarth, an imprint of Random House. Originally from California, he lives in New York City.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
2,411 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

NicolaB
5.0 out of 5 stars Another amazing insight into Pologamy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 April 2009
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Having read the amazing book "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop I have become extremely interested in Pologamy, the FLDS and how it does (or doesn't) work. To start off I wasn't sure how this book was going to work, as you are effectively reading two different books together.... But it does! One book gives you the life story of a woman and history of what I assume are the FLDS and how they split from the Mormon Church. The other giving you a more modern take from a male child born into Pologamy and be-coming a "Lost Boy" to solving the mystery of his mothers arrest. This is great, as its normally from the femail persepective you see the multiple marriages. It covers things like the f*ck charts (the books words not mine)which apparently all the household have, for the man to know whose turn it is next.... yes believe me, apparently every household have one!! to how not everyone wants more than one wife.
To get into the book from the start takes a little patience, but bear with it and you will be greatly rewarded.
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Nicola
4.0 out of 5 stars "It is not a religious practice, it is not a declaration of faith, it is not a testament of freedom..."
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2011
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This rather sad and poignant tale is the fictionalised account of a true polygamist sect founded in the 1800's, interspersed with the story of a murder of a polygamist husband in 21st Century Utah. Please, don't let that rather blunt summary of mine put you off, because this really is a terrifically well-written book!

As an atheist, it is fair to say that I approached this book with a fair amount of scepticism, so imagine my surprise when I found myself utterly engrossed by it- infact, I spent simply days reading it, unusual for a self-professed `speed-reader.' That's not to say I didn't find it a bit hard going in places, because I did- it was also a bit dry in parts aswell, but needless to say this is a really moving account of a culture and religion very different to what is considered the norm and it really captured my attention and imagination.

As stated, this story is based around two intertwining stories- first of all we have Jordan, the typical American teenager, or not so typical as the case may be. He was thrown out of the Mormon Church for being gay, after growing up in a polygamist sect and being surrounded by lots of sister wives and too many brothers and sisters to count. One day he switches on the news to see his mother, his father's nineteenth wife, has been arrested for his fathers murder and so heads back to where he grew up to try and gain some answers...

In the other narrative, we learn about Ann Eliza Young, a polygamist wife in the 1800's (also `wife 19') who divorced her husband and tried to end the practice of plural marriages, despite the adversity and smear campaign against her.

What I really liked about this novel is that the parts I'd initially thought I would find dull (Ann Eliza's recount) were the aspects I enjoyed the most. Whilst this is a fictionalised account of a true story, it is clear the author has done extensive research and should be lauded for it. Entwined with Young's recaps are stories from other people she knows- including her son- adding further credence to her tale. However, as far as narrators go, her account is always questioned by those who oppose her, giving a feel of unreliability to it, which adds to the intrigue of the situation. Young however, is really given a personality despite events taking place so long ago, which should be commended.

For me, this book loses one star simply because I did feel it to be a bit slow in parts and that Jordan was not really given enough novel-time nor was as well-developed as a character. The ending was also a little bit abrupt for my liking. Nevertheless, for me this is still a brilliant portrayal of an incredibly challenging, controversial subject and for that reason alone is highly recommended. I would really like to see if this could be made into a film- no doubt it would be a success.
3 people found this helpful
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H. Lacroix
3.0 out of 5 stars compelling reading however flawed it is
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2009
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It is true that there is much not to like about this novel but on the whole I am still glad that I have read it. What I found tiresome was not its length, I like long books, rather the fact that we were lured in a story that didn't really exist. A lot of readers have commented on the fact that there is a double plot, a present day one and a historical one and some have found that it worked. I didn't. The 21st century part of the book seems to me to be mere padding for the core of the story which is Ann Eliza Young's account and as far as I am concerned the more compelling one and by far the more interesting of the two.However misguided people can be, however appalling their leader's actions may be, it is still fascinating to see how a clever, charismatic person can entice thousands into following a mode of life that should be by right alien to them.It is frightening but also intriguing to see how so many can be manipulated into doing what serves only a few and how thousands can and will endure misery for the sake of belonging somewhere and not being cast off.It is to no one's credit that it should be so but it is true of human nature now as it always was. Through reading this I learnt a good many things( I was,however, frequently annoyed by the non satisfactory story of Jordan, his mother, his quest for the truth, his dog,his runnaway companion, his lover...) but the story of the pioneers, their courage and faith and perseverance was,in my opinion, well worth reading. And the book also left me with the warm feeling of being really happy I wasn't born into some desolate corner of Utah.
2 people found this helpful
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Alessandra F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissimo!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2009
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If you're not familiar with the Italian language, I'll just tell you that "bellissimo" simply means "wonderful", which is exactly the proper adjetive to describe this amazing book. I truly and completely enjoyed the reading of this novel, commendable from every point of view. First of all there is the story, which progresses on two different levels - one in the past and one in the present - designed to interwave and give each meaning to the other. Even if you've never showed the least interest in the Mormon religion, you can't help being totally absorbed by Ebershoff's impressing work of reconstruction. Which, of course, is not a historical reconstruction, but a fictionalized one, based on an astonishing amount of historical sources and documents. Then there is the whodonit, which is in itself enough to make you turn avidly the pages, even though I tend to consider it just a marginal aspect of the book (or a quality more, if you prefer). Last but not least, the extraordinary writing ability of the author, who swaps styles with the easiness I have when I switch a light on.
100% recommended!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Yidda
5.0 out of 5 stars Used book
Reviewed in Germany on 1 September 2017
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Das Buch war in gutem Zustand und allemal sein Geld wert. Es kam in relativ kurzer Zeit bei mir an. Zuverlaessiger book dealer
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Amazon Customgruyer
5.0 out of 5 stars Vg read
Reviewed in Canada on 12 November 2016
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!vvg LP
Bunk room mum mnb nhytrnj mk my bf bf by it Tre Derby by gt free sees xdr
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Sun
5.0 out of 5 stars The 19th Wife
Reviewed in India on 25 June 2015
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The book presents a dual perspective on the faith and lives of the Latter Day Saints. The story based on historical evidence is compelling, and offers a clear insight into the beliefs that condoned and promoted polygamy in the LDS community. The murder mystery set in the modern day weaves flawlesslly, paralleling the historical narrative.
2 people found this helpful
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H. Collison
5.0 out of 5 stars A complex, yet enjoyable, novel
Reviewed in the United States on 18 March 2013
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For many years, I've had a fascination with novels, documentaries and biographies of polygamist wives. Why? Not because I want to experience this lifestye; I'm very satisfied in my marriage of monogamy. I'm fascinated because I want to know "what makes these women tick". I wonder: "Why would they subject themselves to a life like this? Why would someone put up with such a primitive, stifling lifestyle? Why wouldn't they want freedom?"

This book truly delivered answers to my questions. For many of these women, this is the only life they have known: they were born into it. Not only does it deliver answers, it also delivers a certain amount of mystique... there's been a murder... and I definitely love the mystery of a murder. The narrator of the murder mystery(son of one of the sister wives, accused of murdering her husband) is edgy and truthful. He tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. He's street-wise and connected to both worlds: the world in which he grew up and the "real" world.

Little by little, he weaves the profile of his mother: someone who didn't resist what she married into; someone who did as she was told; someone who was obedient, for the gain of her salvation. The narrator methodically pulls apart life in a polygamist family. He describes how the cult gets rid of the young boys, so that the old men can have the girls all to themselves. He also reveals the characteristics of the other sister wives, and their relationships with one another.

The narrator knows that evidence of murder may be pointing right at his mother. He wants to help her, but he's not sure how. He doesn't want her to be executed, yet how can he save her?

There are two "threads" of story-lines in this novel: the historical and the modern-day. The historical portrays the saga of Brigham Young and his sister wives, especially his 19th wife, who campaigned to end polygamy. Both of these threads are woven in such a way, that many "why's" were answered for me. Both of them drew me in, and held my interest. I wanted to jump into the story-lines of both threads, and rescue the women involved, plead with them to leave the lives they were in, and encourage them that there's a better life outside of their boundaries.

I wanted to assure the ones who questioned their lives, to stay strong and leave this cult-life behind. All ran the risk of what would happen if they abandoned their "faith".

While this novel was more complex than most that cover this subject, I was both challenged in keeping both story-lines straight and educated about a subject that I find fascinating. I also enjoyed following how the murder mystery was solved. I highly recommend this book.
22 people found this helpful
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Kristen
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on 14 October 2015
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Fascinating from beginning to end! This novel wove together history, crime, mystery and religion into a genre bending masterpiece!
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