Title: The 19th Wife

Author: David Ebershoff

Pages: 514

Yearly Count b: 76

About a group of remaining "Firsts" or Fundamentalists, who were the group Mormons who practiced polygamy and in some places still do, the 19th Wife is an insightful and intense read. Ebershoff goes into extreme detail informing the reader about polygamy (the past and present). In the beginning all Mormons were polygamists, but in our day only sectioned off groups (and some would argue that Mormon leaders) are still practicing. I enjoyed all the research David Ebershoff did about the Mormon cult and all the insight that was provided, even though the 19th Wife is a novel. Ebershoff interviewed many subjects and wrote the 19th Wife as a composite portrayal, for that reason it is a novel, however it is based on factual material. He performed interviews and obtained pertinent paperwork in order to learn about his subjects full circle.

This novel is divided in to parts, one is a modern day murder mystery in polygamist society in Utah. The second is the story of Brigham Young's 19th wife who left Brigham and went around the nation exposing the horrors of polygamy and the toll it was taking on the Mormon women and children, especially young boys. Both stories are very informative, captivating and well written.

One aspect I that made the book for me was that David does an excellent job in including personable characters. His characters are real, with real hurt yet not distant. The character development kept me engaged and interested in what was going to happen, I had a connection with them that carried me through the pages.

As much as it was interesting to read, I found it long. The 19th Wife is an amazing book, no doubt, but at least for me it slowed down in the middle. I was much more interested in the story about the modern day polygamists, which made reading trough the other story (the chapters are interwoven with each other) harder. If the topic is one that really interests you I could see you just devouring this read. I enjoyed it, but I just didn't absolutely love it. It is still worth the read for sure.

David Ebershoff's site on the 19th Wife

Listen to David Ebershoff interview on NPR

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I read this as part of the TLC Book Tours, here are the remaining stops:

Wednesday, Nov. 5th: Anniegirl1138

Thursday, Nov. 6th: The Tome Traveller

Friday, Nov. 7th: Educating Petunia

Monday, Nov. 10th: The Literate Housewife

Wednesday, Nov. 12th: Diary of an Eccentric

Friday, Nov. 14th: Book Chase

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Winners!!!!

The 19th Wife winner:Paige

Matrimony winner: S. Krishna

Congratulations!!! I need addresses from you both :) click on the 'email me' button in my header to get those to me.

Thanks to everyone who participated!!!! There was an amazing turnout for both giveaways.

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okie-dokie book reading peeps! How fun has BBAW been so far??? Well, I have had a blast entering all types of giveaways, and adding tons more of you to my reader, so thrilling to find amazing new blogs that I have never seen before, yay!

On to the giveaway. In honour of BBAW I am doing another giveaway!!!

Somehow I ended up with two of these, and I only can read one...well I could read both, but how silly is that!!?!? Anyway, so one will be sent out to one lucky commenter.

I haven't read it yet, but it seems to be getting rave reviews:
the 19th Wife on Amazon
the 19th Wife at Presenting Leonore

How to enter:

1.) leave a comment on below telling me one book from my list that you have read, or would like to read.

2.) for TWO extra entries post about this giveaway on your blog and let me know!

You will have until the 22nd to get your entries in!!!!

Happy commenting to you all!!

ps make sure your check out (and enter) my other giveaway too!!!

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