by Brent JeffsRating: 4/5
Brent Jeffs is the nephew of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the FLDS. The son of a prominent family in the church, Brent could have grown up to have multiple wives of his own and significant power in the 10,000-strong community. But he knew that behind the group's pious public image, women in chaste dresses carrying babies on their hips, lay a much darker reality. So he walked away, and was the first to file a sexual-abuse lawsuit against his uncle. Now Brent shares his courageous story and that of many other young men who have become "lost boys" when they leave the FLDS, either by choice or by expulsion.
Brent experienced firsthand the absolute power that church leaders wield, the kind of power that corrupts and perverts those who will do anything to maintain it. Once young men no longer belong to the church, they are cast out into a world for which they are utterly unprepared. More often than not, they succumb to the temptations of alcohol and other drugs.
Tragically, Brent lost two of his brothers in this struggle, one to suicide, the other to overdose. In this book he shows that lost boys can triumph and that abuse and trauma can be overcome, and he hopes that readers will be inspired to help former FLDS members find their way in the world.
I have always been fascinated with the FLDS church and polygamy. I have a lot of books on the subject but haven't made the time to read most of them yet. When I received Lost Boy to review from LibraryThing I was very excited.Jeffs story is fascinating. I was pulled into it right from the start and read the entire book in two sittings. The detail he provides along with all the colorful, and unbelievable, people in his life, make Lost Boy unforgettable.
The story is told in almost a conversational tone, and while that worked great in some parts, in other parts in came of as unpolished. I was actually surprised that there was another author credited on Lost Boy with the informal feel of the book.
If you are interested in polygamy or the FLDS Church I highly recommend Lost Boy. 4 stars
8 comments:
Hmm, sounds good, but not something I would read. Glad you enjoyed it :)
I think this would be quite an interesting read. I don't know all that much about the FLDS. I imagine, though, that I would walk away angry. I can't read about this stuff and remind myself about freedom of religion and let it go. Not when innocent children are victimized.
This one is on my wish list! I recently read Carolyn Jessop's book, Escape, and it also comes across as unpolished in parts, despite the second author credit. Still, it's a fascinating story as well.
What a sad story. I think this is an interesting topic, though I haven't read much about it other than The 19th Wife. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
How difficult to write a book like this and also to read about the problems and conflicts.
Hello Melissa!
I've got an award with your name on it over at Reminder List.
Happy Sunday!
That sounds like an interesting book - but one that would be hard to read, emotionally speaking. I'm glad to hear that you liked the book.
Thanks for the review.
I, too, am fascinated by the LDS church and polygamy, so this is a must read for me. I am really glad that you enjoyed it and will be picking up a copy shortly. Thanks!!
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