Status
Checked out
Publication
Harper (2009), Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages
Description
In this shocking, timely, and inspirational memoir, Elissa Wall details her life growing up in the polygamous Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints religious sect, being forced into an unwanted marriage at the age of 14, and her courage to testify against FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.--From publisher description.
User reviews
LibraryThing member vanedow
The subtitle basically tells the story. Elissa Wall is born into a family that belongs to the polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs. At a very young age, she is married against her will to an older man, suffers abuse, and eventually escapes entirely.
This is really an incredible story. Despite the
I have to say that I didn't particularly enjoy the author's narration. It's difficult to explain why, though. I kept getting annoyed with her for trying to justify decisions people were making. I suppose it's hard to overcome the lifetime of thought patterns. And again, her experience is so different from mine that it's not surprising that she would see things differently.
My final word: I give this book 4 out of 5. The writing in this book isn't spectacular, and the author's voice can be annoying from time to time. However, I think the story makes this a worthwhile read.
This is really an incredible story. Despite the
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sensational news stories we've all seen in the past few years, it's difficult to believe that situations like this one exist in modern times. Elissa's experience in life was so different from mine that it's difficult to take in. This book helped me to understand for the first time how powerful a force religious indoctrination can be, that it would cause a mother to allow her daughter to be treated the way Elissa was treated. That she would in fact tell her that it was only right to be treated that way. This story inspires anger, sympathy and admiration in equal parts. I have to say that I didn't particularly enjoy the author's narration. It's difficult to explain why, though. I kept getting annoyed with her for trying to justify decisions people were making. I suppose it's hard to overcome the lifetime of thought patterns. And again, her experience is so different from mine that it's not surprising that she would see things differently.
My final word: I give this book 4 out of 5. The writing in this book isn't spectacular, and the author's voice can be annoying from time to time. However, I think the story makes this a worthwhile read.
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LibraryThing member Jaylia3
I’m always interested in how upbringing and circumstances affect belief, and in Stolen Innocence Lisa Pulitzer has helped Elissa Wall write a fascinating account of her gradual transition from mildly rebellious believer to someone who would leave behind the only world she had ever known, even
Though it was never idyllic, life deteriorated in the community after Warren Jeffs anointed himself prophet and began a series of self-serving proclamations that eliminated most celebrations, banished potential rivals, and tore families apart. The unraveling, and the way believers struggled to maintain their faith while coping with the changes make gripping reading.
For me, the most intriguing, though heartbreaking, part of the book covers Wall’s life after being forced to marry a first cousin she despises when she is only fourteen. Still young and isolated enough to be naive, her nature and strict way of life also allowed her to be much more resilient and self-sufficient than a lot of young teenagers. She’d run to her mother for comfort, but she also found numerous jobs so she wouldn’t have to ask her “husband” for money, and many nights she slept alone in her pickup truck on isolated desert roads a to avoid spending the night with him.
For those interested in Warren Jeff’s trial, that is covered in detail because Wall was a star witness in the case.
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though she still worried her actions might cause her eternal damnation. Wall grew up in the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints, the polygamous sect Warren Jeffs, now jailed, led, but since her father and the first of his wives were converts and hadn’t been raised in the faith themselves, they had a harder than usual time adjusting to the dynamics of plural marriage, making trouble for the whole family. Though it was never idyllic, life deteriorated in the community after Warren Jeffs anointed himself prophet and began a series of self-serving proclamations that eliminated most celebrations, banished potential rivals, and tore families apart. The unraveling, and the way believers struggled to maintain their faith while coping with the changes make gripping reading.
For me, the most intriguing, though heartbreaking, part of the book covers Wall’s life after being forced to marry a first cousin she despises when she is only fourteen. Still young and isolated enough to be naive, her nature and strict way of life also allowed her to be much more resilient and self-sufficient than a lot of young teenagers. She’d run to her mother for comfort, but she also found numerous jobs so she wouldn’t have to ask her “husband” for money, and many nights she slept alone in her pickup truck on isolated desert roads a to avoid spending the night with him.
For those interested in Warren Jeff’s trial, that is covered in detail because Wall was a star witness in the case.
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LibraryThing member Vidalia
This title was selected by one of my bookgroups. I probably never would have read it otherwise. My other bookgroup read The Secret Lives of Saints and I felt I had read enough about the FLDS - what I had read had made me very angry and upset. However, Wall's powerful personal story adds the depth
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of emotion and experience to the reporting and facts of Bramham's book to give a fuller picture of this sect. Secret Lives deals in large part with the community in Bountiful, BC, while Walls' account tells of her life in the US FLDS community controlled by Warren Jeffs. The writing is a bit over-wrought and weak, but Elissa Wall's heartbreak, suffering and amazing strength of spirit is undeniable. It's a miracle that she survived both in body and soul to share her experiences. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jaie22
Good story, but not as well told as Carolyn Jessop's Escape.
LibraryThing member sarradee
The disturbing memoir of a young woman raised in a fundamentalist sect of the Mormon church that continues to promote and follow polygamous teachings.
While I don't have a problem with the idea of polygamy when practiced by consenting adults, I do have an issue with the idea of teenaged girls
I found it very interesting how the author's family was so divided over the issue of her coming forward.
While I don't have a problem with the idea of polygamy when practiced by consenting adults, I do have an issue with the idea of teenaged girls
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married to 83 year-old men, and with the idea of teenaged boys being removed from their homes so that they aren't in competition with their elders.I found it very interesting how the author's family was so divided over the issue of her coming forward.
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LibraryThing member KiddieLit
Fascinating incite into life in the FDLS. Epilogue includes a few notes about the concerns of child abuse and underage marriages in Eldorado, Texas. This book was published before it was discovered that a mentally ill woman in Colorado had initiated the call that started it all.
LibraryThing member denyce
Halfway through the book but I found many careless mistakes with the English. Rushing the book for print? A pity... But it is indeed a sad story. Sick at the same time. Maybe I will never understand how and why such things happen.
Almost done with the book - they even got the dates wrong... :(
Almost done with the book - they even got the dates wrong... :(
LibraryThing member wirtley
Loved! Told alot about the culture of the polygamous sect. Very shocking what those people go through. Women in particular go through total brain washing and must be totally submissive. This book goes through the life of Elissa Wall. Begins with her childhood until her young adult life. It was very
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tulmultous. Written very well. Easy to read and understand. Show Less
LibraryThing member jrak
Despite the lengthy title, Stolen Innocence provides a look into what it's like to live in a fundamentalist Mormon sect. It doesn't look pleasant, and it's surprising to me that anyone can live like this in the 21st century in the United States.
LibraryThing member TiffanyAK
I've been reading several FLDS related books lately in an attempt to learn more about a subject that has been major national news recently. I find the similarities in stories shocking. Whether the person had a happy childhood or not, the details they give about the practices, beliefs, and
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happenings within the church are consistent. The names mentioned of major or well-known figures within the church all match, as do descriptions. So, as unbelievable as it all sounds to those of us who didn't grow up in their world, it's definitely the truth. Even better, the more you read, the more perspectives you gather, and the better you understand all that happens. This book is definitely deserving of being added to the must-read list of anyone interested in the subject. Show Less
LibraryThing member bakersfieldbarbara
Having dated someone who left the Mormon church and hearing his story of being thrown out by his family for turning on the church, I thought I knew the inner workings of Mormonism. Reading this book gave me more insight into the FLDS branch of the Mormon Church and the brainwashing still going on.
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Reading Elissa's abuse was difficult, but knowing that even police forces are protecting these polygamous men makes me shudder. What will it take to stop this horrible blight on our children and our women? Hopefully, someone reading this book will get just as angry as I am that this still goes on and law enforcement members who belong to the FLDS branch help to hide the incest and sexual abuse. Sending children off to work as they did in the concentration camps during WW2 just to teach them that they have to follow the FLDS teachings is a cruel and inhuman punishment for just being children. And yet, it still goes on and only Jeffs is behind bars. This book should be in every home, library and school until the FLDS is shut down and the pedophile men behind bars. Show Less
LibraryThing member GAYLEGREY
Interesting look into FDLS (Morman)cult. Chilling
LibraryThing member LaurenAileen
Elissa Wall’s heartbreaking memoir chronicles her life in- and eventual abandonment of- the FLDS church, a polygamist sect of Mormons living in Utah under Warren Jeffs. Elissa’s entire life she has been taught that the only way to get into Heaven is to obey Warren Jeffs (and any other man)
Elissa Wall’s story will not only shock readers, but keep them in awe throughout the entire book. As frustrating as it can be, the reader feels deep compassion for a young woman caught up in a life of systematic bullying and brainwashing. The book also mentions another prominent family in the FLDS, the Jessops- Carolyn later went on to write her own memoir.
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without question, get rid of anything the Lord does not approve of (including classical music, friends, and books), and most of all, by “keeping sweet”. As Elissa grows older her family is torn apart by a series of shocking events, including a number of brothers and sisters abandoning their faith.Elissa Wall’s story will not only shock readers, but keep them in awe throughout the entire book. As frustrating as it can be, the reader feels deep compassion for a young woman caught up in a life of systematic bullying and brainwashing. The book also mentions another prominent family in the FLDS, the Jessops- Carolyn later went on to write her own memoir.
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LibraryThing member silenceiseverything
Everytime I give a memoir about a heartwrenching topic less than four stars, I tend to feel a tremendous amount of guilt. I always feel like the author will read my less than stellar review and think "Well I'm sorry that what I went through wasn't GOOD enough for you! What, did you want me to go
My main issue with Stolen Innocence was that it lagged big time. A big chunk of this book was very repetitive. In fact, the first 100 pages were good and the last 100 pages were great. However, the middle was just a repeat of what she had mentioned in the first 100 pages repeated throughout about 200 more. This book would've been way better if it had been a bit on the shorter side sans any repeating.
Stolen Innocence was also terribly written. I do understand that Elissa Wall isn't a writer and hence this book wasn't going to be some literary masterpiece, but I did expect it to be semi well-written. Shouldn't her ghostwriter have made it a bit more readable? And the editor really should have done a better job. There were glaring typos all over Stolen Innocence. I had to resist the urge to take out a red pen and correct them all. This was a FINAL copy, not an Advanced Reader's Copy and therefore should have read like one.
Again I state that I did find Elisa Wall's story incredibly heartwrenching and the way that the FLDS treats its women really pisses me off. I am incredibly happy that Wall managed to escape and survive that ideal and I think it's great that she's sharing her story. I just wish it would've been better written.
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through more so that you could me entertained?" While this wasn't my issue with Stolen Innocence, I do have to give it three stars (and that's being semi-generous). My main issue with Stolen Innocence was that it lagged big time. A big chunk of this book was very repetitive. In fact, the first 100 pages were good and the last 100 pages were great. However, the middle was just a repeat of what she had mentioned in the first 100 pages repeated throughout about 200 more. This book would've been way better if it had been a bit on the shorter side sans any repeating.
Stolen Innocence was also terribly written. I do understand that Elissa Wall isn't a writer and hence this book wasn't going to be some literary masterpiece, but I did expect it to be semi well-written. Shouldn't her ghostwriter have made it a bit more readable? And the editor really should have done a better job. There were glaring typos all over Stolen Innocence. I had to resist the urge to take out a red pen and correct them all. This was a FINAL copy, not an Advanced Reader's Copy and therefore should have read like one.
Again I state that I did find Elisa Wall's story incredibly heartwrenching and the way that the FLDS treats its women really pisses me off. I am incredibly happy that Wall managed to escape and survive that ideal and I think it's great that she's sharing her story. I just wish it would've been better written.
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LibraryThing member justablondemoment
Good book, just not an awesome book. Much of the book was a bit slow for me and a bit redundant. I've read many books on this topic and I can say for me, this book would not be my favorite. Still, if this is a topic you were interested in it is very informative on how the church is run,
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rules..beliefs ect. Just dry reading for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member IandSsmom
Wow it really makes you think about the brainwashing that goes on in the name of religion. This poor girl being married off to a first cousin at the age of 14 is just astonishing in today's society. And all of the other things going on with the community families being torn apart and put with new
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husbands and your just suppose to accept this is your new husband or father with no questions asked. It is just crazy. There was no way to defend yourself you just get pushed into all of this because it is believed to be the only way to go to heaven. The people running it seem to be egotistical and more than a little crazy! I'm glad she is able to live a full free life with her beautiful children and a wonderful husband she as able to fall in love with and chose for herself! It was an eye-opening book to think people still live like that in modern day America! Show Less
LibraryThing member wendytrim
Freakishly fascinating. Didn't really give this a deep read--more of a manic skimming but the information it gave was, for lack of a better word, FREAKY. I cannot believe people can distort religion to such a degree. The author is truly a brave woman.
LibraryThing member kingsportlibrary
Excellent! This book was very informative and gave lots of details behind the FLDS. I've seen so much in the news and this book was truthful in all of its details. The lifestyles these people lead without knowing the truth is amazing.
LibraryThing member coolmama
Amazing and disturbing first-hand account by the woman who brought Warren Jeffs to trial.
Elissa was born into a FLDS family in Hildale-Colorado City, AZ.
The 11th of 14 children by her mother. Married at 14 to her first cousin.
A must read.
Elissa was born into a FLDS family in Hildale-Colorado City, AZ.
The 11th of 14 children by her mother. Married at 14 to her first cousin.
A must read.
LibraryThing member eternal_synn
Working as a copy desk editor at our local paper, many articles came across my desk when this case hit the papers. I admit, that I have always been curious about the FLDS lifestyle, and I wanted to know the outcome of the trial. As with many people, I was happy to see Warren Jeffs punished. It's
While the story was exceptionally hard to read, it was an interesting look into the FLDS community. It is also interesting to compare these women to "modern" polygamists like the Browns or the authors of Love Times Three. Elissa Wall is very well spoken, a good writer, and really thinks deeply about the religion she was raised in. Even though she was mentally, emotionally, and physically abused by the system, she is still able to see the religion itself as something other than the people. She is also able to have a large amount of grace and mercy for the people still in the religion. I was also surprised at how she was able to star to feel a stirring of compassion for Allen during the court case.
I felt the book was well paced. It never felt as though it was dragging. In fact, I read this dense book in a manner of days. It was very, very engaging. I really enjoyed the pictures that her included in the book. In a lot of ways, it made the book more real and accessible. And, at some level, I felt sorry for Allen and the position he was put in by Warren Jeffs.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a deeper looking into FLDS.
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one thing to desire to follow your own religion in freedom, but it crosses a line when it forces little girls into situations of marital rape, abuse, etc. I was drawn to this book after looking up Under a White Flag, which was mentioned on Dr. Phil. I remembered Elissa from the various AP articles in the paper, and I was very curious about actually reading her memoir.While the story was exceptionally hard to read, it was an interesting look into the FLDS community. It is also interesting to compare these women to "modern" polygamists like the Browns or the authors of Love Times Three. Elissa Wall is very well spoken, a good writer, and really thinks deeply about the religion she was raised in. Even though she was mentally, emotionally, and physically abused by the system, she is still able to see the religion itself as something other than the people. She is also able to have a large amount of grace and mercy for the people still in the religion. I was also surprised at how she was able to star to feel a stirring of compassion for Allen during the court case.
I felt the book was well paced. It never felt as though it was dragging. In fact, I read this dense book in a manner of days. It was very, very engaging. I really enjoyed the pictures that her included in the book. In a lot of ways, it made the book more real and accessible. And, at some level, I felt sorry for Allen and the position he was put in by Warren Jeffs.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a deeper looking into FLDS.
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LibraryThing member MaggieFlo
Elissa Wall narrates the story of her upbringing in a polygamous family and her subsequent marriage to Allen Steel when she was 14. I felt really sorry for this young woman and her siblings who were caught in the rules of this weird sect dominated by a few creepy men who had numerous wives and lots
The book is too long and could have used a lot of editing to make it easier to read. I was speed reading the last half of the book as it just didn't hold my attention.
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of children. In some ways it was interesting to see the inside of this lifestyle and the domination of the Prophet in their lives. Those who are rebellious are punished and often choose to leave the sect. Finally, Elissa meets Lamont who has left the religion. He helps her leave and she subsequently is involved in a police investigation and arrest of Warren Jeffs for rape and polygamy. He is now spending time in jail.The book is too long and could have used a lot of editing to make it easier to read. I was speed reading the last half of the book as it just didn't hold my attention.
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LibraryThing member Cats57
Stolen Innocence - by Elissa Wall with Lisa Pulitzer
Ellissa Wall was brought up in the bosom of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints and at fourteen was forced to marry her older first cousin, and repeatedly raped throughout her 3 year marriage. This is Elissa's story. But it's also a glimpse into
This is a heart breaking story of Elissa's struggle to be the perfect daughter, student, person. We see her struggles even at a very young age to "stay sweet", a common phrase used when you are shattering inside, but can't let it show - and what happens when someone finally breaks her spirit. This is also an example to all women that they can overcome, be brave and even learn to grow from the horrors they may have been forced to endure.
One thing that disturbed me is that in this book, we never learn whether or not any of the women actually loved/love their husbands or if their husbands loved/love them and this lack begs the question - when one is never shown a loving relationship between man and wife, when spousal relationships are more like business deals, then how did Elissa know that she would never come to love her husband? I would have like to have seen this addressed.
It's remarkable and repulsive to learn that practices such as this go on in our progressive country. These are things we think/pray only happen in third world countries.
This is an excellent, timely, eye opening read and should be a 'must' read for anyone interested in issues involving women in our country during this century.
Ellissa Wall was brought up in the bosom of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints and at fourteen was forced to marry her older first cousin, and repeatedly raped throughout her 3 year marriage. This is Elissa's story. But it's also a glimpse into
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the workings of a way of life that many of us would find chilling, yet was perfectly normal for Elissa and her many siblings. We learn how plural marriages work (and at times may even work well for the people who have learned nothing else but this way of life) and how they shouldn't work, we learn how on the whim of one man, a Sister Mother and her children can be taken away; with no explanation, from her husband and given to another man deemed more worthy. We learn how one man used his so-called, influence with God, to force families to shun their own children, sell their business and properties, to live in fear. And, this is also the story of the rise and fall of that very influential, very manipulative man; a man named Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the FLDS. This is a heart breaking story of Elissa's struggle to be the perfect daughter, student, person. We see her struggles even at a very young age to "stay sweet", a common phrase used when you are shattering inside, but can't let it show - and what happens when someone finally breaks her spirit. This is also an example to all women that they can overcome, be brave and even learn to grow from the horrors they may have been forced to endure.
One thing that disturbed me is that in this book, we never learn whether or not any of the women actually loved/love their husbands or if their husbands loved/love them and this lack begs the question - when one is never shown a loving relationship between man and wife, when spousal relationships are more like business deals, then how did Elissa know that she would never come to love her husband? I would have like to have seen this addressed.
It's remarkable and repulsive to learn that practices such as this go on in our progressive country. These are things we think/pray only happen in third world countries.
This is an excellent, timely, eye opening read and should be a 'must' read for anyone interested in issues involving women in our country during this century.
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LibraryThing member bwhitner
This was a book about Elissa Walls a young lady who was a part of the FLDS Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints. Her family was ripped apart, twice. Her mother, remarried to a different man. Her family was a shambles. The prophet promises her to her first cousin at age fourteen. She is
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repeatedly raped by him. She goes to the prophet multiple times (Warren Jeffs) to say she is too young for marriage, she doesn't like who was chosen for her, the marriage wasn't working, her tells her to "be sweet" and to go and submit to her husband. This book broke my heart. I won't say anything about their religion because that would be judgmental. But, Warren Jeffs got what he deserved. Show Less
LibraryThing member AshRyan
Forced marriages and the rape of underage girls are happening today, here in America---and I'm not talking about the Muslims (though they're doing it, too)...I'm talking about the fundie Mormons.
I just reread Stolen Innocence for the first time since it came out a few years ago, and unfortunately
I just reread Stolen Innocence for the first time since it came out a few years ago, and unfortunately
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found it to be just as relevant now as it was then. But this is a remarkable book in many ways, and even more so on repeat readings. It contains many valuable lessons about what matters most in life. I still highly recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Marlene-NL
I've read a couple of books written by women who managed to escape this cult but this one was really interesting because of the story of Warren Jeffs , the creep who decided to name himself the prophet and later admitted he lied and fooled everybody.
It is sad that the people of the FLDS are still
The mother of Elissa, how selfish she is. My God. she lost nearly all of her kids but did not care as long as she was still in the good books of the FLDS so she would go to heaven. me me me.
I am going to check on how the FLDS is doing now and if Jeffs appealed, probably.
It is sad that the people of the FLDS are still
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behind this horrible man. They just do not know any better.The mother of Elissa, how selfish she is. My God. she lost nearly all of her kids but did not care as long as she was still in the good books of the FLDS so she would go to heaven. me me me.
I am going to check on how the FLDS is doing now and if Jeffs appealed, probably.
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Language
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
464 p.; 6.6 inches
ISBN
0061734969 / 9780061734960