We Read Too

Ben and I don't waste all of our free time watching movies, we also happen to read a decent number of books. Ben usually sticks to either political or theological reads but he is also known to throw in an occasional Wilbur Smith or Michael Crichton into the mix. I on the other hand, avoid political books like the plague and tend to comfortably stick to the chick-lit genre (especially books by Marian Keyes). Even though chick-lit will never fail to entertain, it is the equivalent of cotton candy for your brain. Once in a while I will venture outside of my favorite genre and pick up something a little more engaging. Hence the most recent book that I devoured....

At the urging of my friend Jennifer, I decided to check out an autobiography entitled "Escape", by Carolyn Jessop. "Escape" is a dramatic first-person account of Carolyn Jessop's life inside of a polygamist fundamentalist cult ( The FLDS) and her eventual flight to freedom with her eight children in tow. Jessop's book exposes a world tantamount to a prison camp, created by religious fanatics who, in the name of God, deprive their followers the right to make choices, force women to be totally subservient to men, and brainwash children in cult-run schools. In her book, Jessop goes into detail about the rise of self-proclaimed prophet, Warren Jeffs and the bizarre power that he wielded over thousands of people. For those of you unfamiliar with Jeffs, he is the nut-job that had the huge compound with 400+ children in Texas. Due to accounts such as those of Carolyn Jessop, Jeffs is currently serving time behind bars.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I am slightly intrigued (only in a curious outsider kind of way!) by polygamous groups and their bizarre lifestyles.It is mind blowing to think that people are still living like this in modern North America. "Escape," is a riveting account of an inspiring and intelligent woman. Even though the book touches on some dark subject matter (child abuse and an 18 year old's marriage to a 55 year old man, ect.), "Escape" manages to not be a gratuitous. After a bit of research I was also thrilled to learn that the book was recently picked up as a movie that will be starring Katherine Heigl of Grey's Anatomy fame.

Overall, "Escape" was the perfect escape from my usual diet of chick-lit and made me appreciate a brief, albeit excellent, foray into literature that made my brain work a little harder. I highly recommend this book.