Irene Spencer did as she felt God commanded in becoming the second wife to her brother-in-law Verlan LeBaron. When the government raided their community-the Mormon village of Short Creek, Arizona -seeking to enforce the penalties for practicing polygamy, Irene and her family fled to Verlan's family ranch in Mexico
Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife
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From Publishers Weekly
Just as A Mormon Mother is the standout memoir of a 19th-century polygamous woman's life, this autobiography offers the compelling voice of a contemporary plural wife's experiences. Daughter of a second wife, Spencer was raised strictly in the Principle as it was lived secretly and illegally by fringe communities of Mormon fundamentalists—groups that split off from the LDS Church when it abandoned polygamy more than a century ago. In spite of her mother's warnings and the devotion of a boyfriend with monogamist intentions, Spencer followed her religious convictions—that living in polygamy was essential for eternal salvation—and became a second wife herself at the age of 16 in 1953. It's hard to tell which is more devastating in this memoir: the strains of husband-sharing with—ultimately—nine other wives, or the unremitting poverty that came with maintaining so many households and 56 children. Spencer's writing is lively and full of engaging dialogue, and her life is nothing short of astonishing. After 28 years of polygamous marriage, Spencer has lived the last 19 years in monogamy. Her story will be emotional and shocking, but many readers will resonate with the universal question the memoir raises: how to reconcile inherited religious beliefs when they grate against social norms and the deepest desires of the heart. (Aug. 22)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
[Irene's] story will be emotional and shocking, but many readers will resonate with the universal question the memoir raises: how to reconcile inherited religious beliefs when they grate against social norms and the deepest desires of the heart. (Publishers Weekly 2006)
Spencer writes grippingly . . . in this brave and honest book, [and] lays bare the secrets of her heart and of a devastating religious practice (People Magazine (4-star review) 2006)
Spencer writes grippingly . . . in this brave and honest book, [and] lays bare the secrets of her heart and of a devastating religious practice (People Magazine (4-star review) 2006)
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Lawyeraau
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This memoir offers in insider's look into another distinct and unique way of life. It is a way of life espoused by patriarchal, fundamentalist Mormons, who adhere to polygamy as a central tenet of their faith. This celestial law, often referred to as "The Principle", is what molds their lives from birth, and their beliefs make for fascinating reading.
The author was born in Utah, the home of Mormonism, into a fourth generation polygamous family in 1937. Consequently, she lived her life accordingly in that insular, fundamentalist community. The thirteenth of thirty-one children, the author chose to follow the tenets of her faith and marry a man who lived by "The Principle". She entered into a polygamous marriage with her half-sister's husband, Vernon LeBaron, who was a member of what would later become the notorious LeBaron family.
The author lays out what it was like to grow up in a polygamous household, and what it was like to be a wife, one of what would ultimately be nine, in a polygamous family. Her chronicle is one of desperate poverty, hunger, loneliness, and isolation, as she struggled to remain true to "The Principle". Most of the reminiscences take place in the nineteen forties though the nineteen eighties, when the author finally was liberated, after twenty-eight years of marriage, by circumstances beyond her control.
As with fundamentalism everywhere, women get the short straw, and the author illustrates that premise to great effect with her own life story. Those who enjoy reading about other cultures will find this book of great interest. This bird-eye view into the strange, cult-like world of Mormon fundamentalism will hold the reader captive and keep the pages of this book turning.
The author was born in Utah, the home of Mormonism, into a fourth generation polygamous family in 1937. Consequently, she lived her life accordingly in that insular, fundamentalist community. The thirteenth of thirty-one children, the author chose to follow the tenets of her faith and marry a man who lived by "The Principle". She entered into a polygamous marriage with her half-sister's husband, Vernon LeBaron, who was a member of what would later become the notorious LeBaron family.
The author lays out what it was like to grow up in a polygamous household, and what it was like to be a wife, one of what would ultimately be nine, in a polygamous family. Her chronicle is one of desperate poverty, hunger, loneliness, and isolation, as she struggled to remain true to "The Principle". Most of the reminiscences take place in the nineteen forties though the nineteen eighties, when the author finally was liberated, after twenty-eight years of marriage, by circumstances beyond her control.
As with fundamentalism everywhere, women get the short straw, and the author illustrates that premise to great effect with her own life story. Those who enjoy reading about other cultures will find this book of great interest. This bird-eye view into the strange, cult-like world of Mormon fundamentalism will hold the reader captive and keep the pages of this book turning.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars
170 reviews
122 of 125 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Look at an Old Way of Life
Aug 22 2007
By Jo Ana Starr
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This is an amazing story, which reads like fiction, although it's not. Irene's real life experiences are hard for many of us to comprehend. Religious principles that promote polygamy as Godly seems alien in the land of the free and the brave. Although now illegal in the US, it's likely that in remote parts of the US, Mexico and elsewhere, young woman are still being indoctrinated in this way. Our author was one of them.
Irene's courage in living this life and then leaving it, is admirable, and the close-up look at fundamental Mormonism this book provides, is a real eye-opener. The reader will feel sympathy, and admiration for this young woman in her struggle to do the right thing. The author reveals to us through this wonderful book, the struggles she endured to get free of the marriage and lifestyle that she felt was wrong. She also shared the aspects of Mormon polygamy that are often overlooked: abject poverty as a result of too many mouths to feed, lack of privacy, abjegation of self, and the continuing indoctrination of female children, and the overall effects of these things on the family dynamic.
I found that Irene's perspective on polygamy and monogamy, having lived in both, and her commentary on this subject is really interesting, particularly to those of us who have only been involved in monogamous relationships.
This is an unusual book on Mormon polygamy written by someone who's experienced it, and despite the author's experiences and struggles to leave that lifestyle, she writes compassionately of the church, her former family members and the experience. This is a wonderful book that is highly recommended.
Irene's courage in living this life and then leaving it, is admirable, and the close-up look at fundamental Mormonism this book provides, is a real eye-opener. The reader will feel sympathy, and admiration for this young woman in her struggle to do the right thing. The author reveals to us through this wonderful book, the struggles she endured to get free of the marriage and lifestyle that she felt was wrong. She also shared the aspects of Mormon polygamy that are often overlooked: abject poverty as a result of too many mouths to feed, lack of privacy, abjegation of self, and the continuing indoctrination of female children, and the overall effects of these things on the family dynamic.
I found that Irene's perspective on polygamy and monogamy, having lived in both, and her commentary on this subject is really interesting, particularly to those of us who have only been involved in monogamous relationships.
This is an unusual book on Mormon polygamy written by someone who's experienced it, and despite the author's experiences and struggles to leave that lifestyle, she writes compassionately of the church, her former family members and the experience. This is a wonderful book that is highly recommended.
136 of 144 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Barb Radmore
Aug 22 2007
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Shattered Dreams is a fascinating look at a way of life totally foreign to most people. Irene Spencer grew up in the branch of the Mormon faith that still believed in polygamy. The second of what was ultimately her husband's ten wives, she became the mother of thirteen of his 58 children. The statistics are important as they show the unimaginable situation in which Irene Spencer spend much of her life.
This book is a brutally honest memoir of a woman' life. It follows her from place to place, never enough money, rarely in a finished house, living in abject poverty. She loves her husband but is able to spend very little time with him. He is spread too thin trying to meet the needs of both his large family and his church. She yearns for romance and affection, neither of which have a place in the religion she embraces. Her husband rarely sees his children- hard to spend quality time with 58 children. She helps her "sister wives" with their children in an extended system of family and obligations.
Shattered Dreams is a glimpse into the incredible life of one woman. She is able to take the reader through the many journeys, locations and situations in which she found herself. Her ability to look back on the emotions she suffered and share them is a gift she shares thoughtfully and clearly. It is an emotional tale but told without self pity, without holding back on any part of it.
It has basic background on the church, its history and turbulence as it affects her life. A follow up to this memoir would be most welcomed to expand on the Mormon Church and the events that are mentioned in this book. Irene Spencer's ability to handle concrete details along with a descriptive voice would make her an ideal author to examine and share more information on this subject.
This book is a brutally honest memoir of a woman' life. It follows her from place to place, never enough money, rarely in a finished house, living in abject poverty. She loves her husband but is able to spend very little time with him. He is spread too thin trying to meet the needs of both his large family and his church. She yearns for romance and affection, neither of which have a place in the religion she embraces. Her husband rarely sees his children- hard to spend quality time with 58 children. She helps her "sister wives" with their children in an extended system of family and obligations.
Shattered Dreams is a glimpse into the incredible life of one woman. She is able to take the reader through the many journeys, locations and situations in which she found herself. Her ability to look back on the emotions she suffered and share them is a gift she shares thoughtfully and clearly. It is an emotional tale but told without self pity, without holding back on any part of it.
It has basic background on the church, its history and turbulence as it affects her life. A follow up to this memoir would be most welcomed to expand on the Mormon Church and the events that are mentioned in this book. Irene Spencer's ability to handle concrete details along with a descriptive voice would make her an ideal author to examine and share more information on this subject.
69 of 71 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shattered Dreams: Truth More Riveting than Fiction
Aug 22 2007
By Elizabeth M. Thompson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Irene Spencer, in her first book Shattered Dreams, speaks boldly from the heart of a woman oppressed by a patriarchal religious cult and powerfully bares her life of loneliness, longing and determination to overcome.
Her story chronicles the severe pain of sharing a husband with nine other wives all vying for her husband's attention and affection. She lived in abject poverty in the Mexican desert, raising 13 of her husband's 58 children, often without running water or electricity.
Shattered Dreams reads like a page-turner novel and finishes strong. I quickly found myself cheering for Irene as she overcame each obstacle and bravely chose to take control of her life.
Her story chronicles the severe pain of sharing a husband with nine other wives all vying for her husband's attention and affection. She lived in abject poverty in the Mexican desert, raising 13 of her husband's 58 children, often without running water or electricity.
Shattered Dreams reads like a page-turner novel and finishes strong. I quickly found myself cheering for Irene as she overcame each obstacle and bravely chose to take control of her life.
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 170 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
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