Escape by Carolyn Jessop, Laura Palmer
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Book Reviews of Escape
Book Review: Escape
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the best I've read on the subject of cults. The author tells more than you can believe, though it's all true. She survived a terrifying ordeal as a victim of polygamy.Book Review: Best book Ive read about flds so far
Summary: 5 Stars
This story is really well told... if you want to know more about what it is like for women in the flds this is a good place to start!Book Review: Courage
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. I have so much admiration for Carolyn Jessop for getting out of the FLDS.Book Review: Escape
Summary: 5 Stars
It is hard to stop reading this book. Very well written and easy to understand. An amazing and inspiring story.Book Review: Hard to believe...
Summary: 4 Stars
It's hard to believe that women could be oppressed on this level in the United States. Carolyn Jessop's story reminded me of the mistreatment of women in Afghanistan - Colorado City was a completely mysogynistic culture. Carolyn was born into a large family in the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints church (completely separate from the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS). When she was a young girl, members of the FLDS were restricted from things like celebrating Christmas, wearing certain clothes and hairstyles, and associating with those outside the FLDS.
As she grew older, Carolyn was given less and less control over her own life and decisions. At the age of 18, she was forced into a polygamous marriage to Merril Jessop, who was in his 50's. She bore him many children - 8 in all, and lived her life as a single mother, with little to no help from Merril or the other wives. The real thorn in Carolyn's side was Barbara, Merril's first wife and the only one he really loved. She really made the decisions in the family, or rather, Merril made them based on what she wanted. To eliminate some competition, Barbara allowed Carolyn to attend college across state and obtain a teaching degree.
Carolyn had life-threatening complications during some of her many pregnancies, and the children had health problem as well, including one with cancer. She received very little support from her family, as all health problems are seen as being a direct result of sin on the part of the afflicted. In other words, God was not pleased with Carolyn, and was punishing her. The children were mistreated, beaten, starved, or not given nutritious food, the women were punished, raped, forced into marriage to serve their men as gods - and this was just the way of the FLDS.
I was completely disgusted with Merril's self-righteousness, selfishness, and arrogance. I could not imagine living with someone like that for one day, let alone as long as Carolyn did. He literally did not care about anyone but himself and Barbara. It made my stomach turn. I rejoiced when Carolyn was finally able to make her escape. I know her story must be an inspiration to any women living in an abusive situation.
The only drawbacks were that the book was longer than it needed to be - I think it could have easily been shaven down by 100 pages or so. Some parts were repetitive. It could have also used better editing. There was quite a bit of awkward wording. However, these things are easy to overlook due to the fascinating story.