Sophia (Kristyn) was born into Apostolic United Brethren, a group of Fundamentalist Mormons that practice polygamy. Raised from young to believe that polygamy was Sophia's and her future husband's way into Heaven. She married at 17 and despite not wanting to share her husband, Sophia encouraged him to marry a second wife since she was taught this was just how things are.
Through much abuse and many years in a horrible marriage, at age 50 Sophia, now Kristyn, leaves her husband and life of polygamy behind for a better life.
I never knew much about FLDS until recently. I knew there were Mormons that still practiced polygamy, but I never knew what their beliefs were, how secretive they are, all the abuse that goes on and just how horrible things are for the women and children.
I've only read one other book so far about a woman that left polygamy and that is Escape by Carolyn Jessop. That book got me interested in reading about others who left polygamy and that's how I came across Kristyn Decker's book.
I think the writing is a bit disjoint and jumps around somewhat. However, once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Some stuff was difficult to read, like the abuse that went on. In the first chapter of the book I was already horrified; I couldn't believe what the doctor had done to her. And then the next few chapter detailed what her stepbrother had done to her. It was horrible.
I think what bothered me the most was how Kristyn kept going back to her husband despite knowing deep down nothing would change. But I did keep reminding myself that from the time she was a child she was brainwashed into believing that is just how marriage is. No matter what your husband does, how many wives he marries, just keep sweet and be the perfect wife. And when you're taught that your whole life, it is hard to unlearn it in a short period of time.
I am just glad she finally did leave and seems to be happy with a guy that loves and cares about her. Kristyn's is an interesting story and one that needed to be shared.
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