The 19th Wife: A Novel
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Book Summary Author: David Ebershoff Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2009-06-02 ISBN: 0812974158 Number of pages: 544 Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks |
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Book Reviews of the The 19th Wife: A Novel
Customer Review: Good literature provokes thought
Summary: 4 Stars
A good story evokes emotion from the reader. If the story is based on historical fact, and the premise is unfair, the emotion may be anger. Separating fiction from truth presents challenges to the reader, especially in instances of history. We expect accuracy when presented with historical fact. The difficulty comes when so much of the story is factually based. David Ebershoff's novel The 19th Wife is based partially on Ann Eliza Young's memoir Wife #19. Ann Eliza Young was married to Brigham Young. Her story really happened. Much of what we learn of him in the novel is also historically accurate. However, the picture Ann Eliza paints of him is much more human than godly. While history has shown us his many achievements, no one can know what really went through his head. The reader will decide whether or not Ann Eliza is a reliable narrator.
But there's more; we have two related stories that become intertwined in the end, the other a modern day murder mystery. The novel is so fast-paced I could barely put it down, completing my reading of 525 pages in four days. The best and most believable character by far is the young, current day narrator, Jordan Scott. His voice is as incredibly genuine as he is lovable. I would have preferred more of the story told from his perspective, but, alas, at least twice as many pages are devoted to the birth, development and tenets of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saints, some a bit dry and tedious. This is fascinating stuff to read though, considering the mystery that shrouds this faith. Really.
Although the book is a murder mystery with a plot, several serious themes emerge. "You can't do whatever you want when you've got kids" (473). Jordan's thought sums up much one main theme. His thoughts echo Ann Eliza's from the previous century as she takes her stance against Brigham Young. She narrates the ways children vied for attention from a father of sometimes dozens who had little if any time for the individual. Jordan relates incidents of runaways as well as of boys who are evicted from the community, left by the highway at the age of fourteen because of some minor infraction, but in reality to eliminate the competition for the pretty young girls who will become plural wives. Ebershoff cites us one example after another of the ways children of plural marriage are neglected, sometimes to the point of abuse.
Another issue arises from Brigham Young's Prison Diary, "the problem of balancing the Truth, as I know it, with the rights of man, in which I believe" (446). Within the larger passage from which this quote is taken, an issue is discussed that plagues us every day in our national and even global society. People, like Brigham Young, as well as other religious leaders, some quite charismatic, others not quite as zealous, believe in their hearts to possess the truth about Faith. The problem arises when they attempt to force their beliefs on those who believe differently or not at all. Brigham asks the question, "Am I failing God?" when he tells his followers to respect other religions, for he believes other religions are lies and it is his mission to bring all to the Truth. We see this today in the benign but controversial topic of prayer in school. More devastating, we see it in the face of religious wars around the globe. Most Americans are abhorred by the violation of women's rights in some Middle Eastern countries, particularly Afghanistan. Yet the practices of the Taliban are an instance of people imposing their religious beliefs on others to the degree of violence. The conflict emerges: the Truth (or the Truth as I see it) versus the rights of others.
Along similar lines comes the issue of freedom. Both plots involve freedom and the question to what extent may one individual's freedom infringe upon another's? Ann Eliza says, "... I shall never want my freedom to restrict to restrict the freedom of another. In that case I am not truly free, and none of us is truly free" (428). Enveloping all is the overriding theme of polygamy, its place in Mormonism and effects on those involved, then and now.
Finally, Ebershoff's style offers subtle encouragement to the reader who also aspires to write. A writer can identify with a quote to Ann Eliza from Harriet Beecher Stowe, "I become quite simply the vessel for the Muse" (405) and figures of speech like the "... ghost thought - an idea proven unreal yet present even so" (422). Read the novel as fiction because it is. Allow the ghost thought to linger and grow. But like all good fiction, consider the reality and implications of the facts. It will make you mad.
Andrea Walker ~ freelance writer, book reviewer