Escape
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect, and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.When she was eighteen years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a total stranger: a man thirty-two years her senior. Merril Jessop already had three wives. But arranged plural marriages were an integral part of Carolyn’s heritage: She was born into and… Product details and pricing info |
|---|
317 Customer Reviews Posted
- Torturous true story, torturous writing
- I don't particularly like this book; I think it is poorly written; even as if it had been written by a secondary school student; BUT it just has too many details and corroboration to be ignored as fiction as some have recommended. It is just too powerful a narrative of what the most extreme example of inequality of the sexes and degradation and devaluation of the women accomplishes. It would be VERY difficult (close to impossible) to have created this history as fiction. It is also hard to believe that a professional author (co-author, ghost writer, whatever) would have let this book go out in print in this form under her name (as Laura Palmer has done). "I did this. Then I did that. Then XX said this. Then I did this, and XX did that." OMG!
Carolyn Jessop must be one of the most resilient and strong characters of whom I have ever read a first person memoir. It is horrifying that (as she describes in the closing chapters of the book) her situation is similar to thousands of others within the FLDS. In our democracy we suppose (we assume) that all have the freedom and ability (free will) to make their own choices. This book illustrates torturously that in some cases this assumption is just not true. - 2009-01-05, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Shocking
- I started reading Escape last week. I work full-time and can read only in my spare time. I read this every moment I could. It's hard to believe any woman could live like that. It a shame men are allowed to do this. For females to be brainwashed like that from birth is horrifying. All women should read this book.
- 2008-12-15, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- How can this be happening? Isn't this America?
- You are lower than a second class citizen. You will do as I say, obey my every command. You will dress as I please, think what I tell you, love whom I give you to, bear his children and look to him as your god. You are nothing unless you do these things and if you fail you will be cut from your family for now and all eternity.
It sickens me to know that these types of things are being taught to women; it sickens me even more to know they are being taught to women in America. Carolyn Jessop's story is both heartbreaking and uplifting. And honestly it is very hard to give an unbiased opinion about such an alarming story; in short, this book made me angry! This is a look into the veiled world of Fundamentalist Mormons and their belief in polygamy. If your interest was peaked by the Warren Jeffs trial or by the raid on the Texas compound that landed 400+ kids temporarily in state's custody this is a must read. Carolyn Jessop's story is an amazing triumph that made me question if I have done enough with the gifts of education and freedom that I take for granted. - 2008-12-04, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Fascinating!
- This book is so interesting because it is one woman's experience in the FLDS church, which is deeply rooted in polygamy. The women shown in this story are abused so much that it is almost unbelievable that it really could be happening in our country. Escape is very eye-opening and will grab anyone's attention! Worth reading!! As a side note, the FLDS or Fundamental Latter Day Saints is not the same thing as the LDS or "Mormon" church. The LDS or Mormons do not believe in polygamy.
- 2008-11-27, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- A must read!
- This book is fascinating and sad all at the same time. It not only touches the victims of FLDS but anyone who has been in a abusive situation. Carolyn is an extraordinary woman! I applaud her courage and strength. I couldn't put this book down. It is a unique and current look into the FLDS. Carolyn and Laura Palmer are very descriptive and make it feel as if you are actually witnessing the events; which can be somewhat painful to read. I think it is an important book that should be read by all.
- 2008-11-19, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
