Customer Reviews

Sister Wife (Young Adult Novels)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Celeste was born and raised in Unity, a small community that follows the Movement, a religious lifestyle that practices polygamy and resides without a lot of modern conveniences. She has always had to fight to fit in, whether it be with her huge family, her friends, or even within her religion, always wondering if she were meant to be a wife and mother. At 15, she is set to be assigned to a husband very shortly, a man who will be much older than her, already married to several other women, and a father to many. Celeste is not sure she can be happy within that lifestyle, as her younger sister Nanette has felt she is destined to be a part of. Celeste wishes to rebel against the process, but does not want to bring heartache and shame to her family.

Told in alternating voices of Celeste, Nanette, and Taviana, a girl who once lived in the "real world" and stayed for a time in Unity, Sister Wife takes an in-depth look into the life of polygamists and how some women truly believe it is their destiny to be married to a man with other wives and some simply do not. This book is a completely unbiased look into this lifestyle, allowing for the heart of the characters to really flow outward and the message of individuality to come across strongly.

Very well-written and filled with realistic and honest characters, Sister Wife is not to be missed, especially after the recent media coverage of the polygamist sect in Texas. This really is an unbiased view, allowing for the real plot to come through. I loved it.

Shelley Hrdlitschka's Sister Wife is actually one story told from three points of view, and what a riveting read it is! Fifteen year old Celeste, raised in the fundamental polygamist society of Unity, knows her time to be married to a man chosen by the group's Prophet is rapidly approaching. It's how she's been raised and all she's ever known, and her only way to achieve the highest celestial glory in heaven. So what's the problem? Her heart skips a beat whenever she sees Jon, another teen, though she knows she'll be forbidden to be with him. Added to that is her pregnant mother's scary health condition and the removal of a friend from the community by the Prophet, and Celeste finds herself questioning the teachings of her way of life.

Moving deftly between the points of view of Celeste, Taviana (a runaway adopted into Unity and subsequently forced to leave), and Nanette, Celeste's younger sister, Sister Wife showcases the angst and frustration of feeling an outcast in what should be a safe haven. Celeste is sure that she doesn't want to become a plural wife to a much older man, but her headstrong disobedience can only result in that happening all the sooner. Nanette cannot understand Celeste's reluctance to accept the lifestyle; Taviana finds herself needing to start over in a safe house after she is dismissed. All three young women face crises of faith, perseverence, and conscience as they determine what's really important in life.

I was riveted from the first pages of Sister Wife, and I loved how the author moved among the personalities, weaving a tale that was heart wrenching. This book doesn't make it easy to know what is right and wrong because as the young women come to understand, those concepts can vary from person to person. If the ending did seem a bit rushed, I can forgive it because I was totally engrossed by the emotions invoked and the ideas created in this fascinating tale. Highly recommended to readers of all ages.

This was a quick, interesting, and dramatic read! I really liked that the author let the reader make their own judgment (she didn't spoon-feed any one opinion). I thought the characters were all surprisingly multi-faceted, and the end was satisfying without being too easy. Great book, highly recommended!

I found this book to be interesting. The premise had me intrigued. I was hoping that there would be more to it, though.

My biggest issue is the way the book is told. The author makes it out like plural lives and this community is the worst thing ever. You can tell that she is not a fan of it. It made the book awkward to read in places because of her major dislike. It was very preachy. I wish there could have been balance. She didn't necessarily have to go out and tell everyone to be a sister wife, but I feel like this book just had too much of an agenda.

The characters were true to their ages, and true to the way that they would feel, though. She did not make them unrealistic.

While polygamy and religious fundamentalism are hot topics for fiction right now, Sister Wife steps outside the box to present the truly compelling story of three different girls from the same polygamist sect.Two sisters and one outsider each speak from their own points of view, and Hrdlitschka weaves their voices seamlessly together for the sort of prose the reader is easily wrapped up in. Celeste will soon be fifteen and assigned a husband, but she has plenty of doubts about the Movement, unlike her sister, Nannette, who is as pure as they come. It is Taviana who is bold enough to speak her mind - a former teen prostitute, taken in by the Movement, only to be thrown out when it is clear her influence is "dangerous." But there are other ways for Celeste to discover the world outside, and as it gets closer and closer to Celeste's birthday, she knows she has a choice to make. This stirring novel may not tell the most original story, but it tells the story well. The characters will stay with you long after you've turned the last pages, making time you've spent with Sister Wife time well spent.

Turning fifteen in the small, polygamist town of Unity, Celeste knows that this means she will be assigned to marry an older man as a plural wife. She has been dreading this day and knows that it means the end to freedom and also the end of a relationship with another teenage boy in the community. Her sister Nanette, however can hardly wait to be married and start having babies. Taviana, a troubled girl from outside the community, brought to Unity for her own salvation has Celeste thinking even harder about her future and if there are any options available to her. Sister Wife follows the lives of these three very different girls and shares their differing perspectives on life in Unity.

This novel was ok, the concept was interesting but I wish that it had a bit more substance and showed the reader more about life in the community. The descriptions of the characters and scene were very brief. I did like that the author included both characters who liked their lives and characters desperate to change. A good read, just wish it was a bit longer!

I'm not a Big Love or Sister Wives fan - I didn't have any of that television background to compare this to, and that's probably a good thing. I just read the blurb on the back and thought it would be an interesting read. This is a look into a ficitonal polygamist sect through the eyes of three teenagers on the inside: Celeste, almost 15 and about to married off to the older man the Prophet deems God has chosen for her though the thought of it repulses her; Nanette, her 13-year old sister - the "good" one- who longs to marry early; and Taviana, a 17-year old outsider who was brought to the sect from a life on the streets for her protection. I don't agree with some reviewers that the author is trying to paint a sympathetic view of this society - quite the opposite. The point of view from each of the three girls is very intriguing- Nanette whole-heartedly accepts the lifestyle and thrives in it. Celeste is starting to buck the system as she sees glimpses of the outside from Taviana. But Taviana saw such horrors from the outside world, she enjoys the respite she recives in the community. Celeste and Nanette are well-drawn characters. My only let down was Taviana - I felt her character lacked depth. I think the subject is handled well for the YA set.

When i saw this book i knew i had to read it, had to know. And now i know. This book depicts the struggle of a girl and her faith, as she desperately wants to know what the world has to offer her outside her religious community. A struggle that drives her to break all the rules and push all the boundaries she's ever known. Absolutely stunning is all i can say.

What I loved:
I loved the character Craig, the outsider who through his building of inukshuks*, shows the Celeste another perspective on life.
After I got used to the character flopping, I really enjoyed this aspect and I think it added to the overall story and made parts of it flow much better.
I think the author did a great job with showing us the struggles that Celeste went through. Her inner thought battles with right and wrong.

What I didn't like:
Certain parts of the story seemed unlikely to happen. Not to say they wouldn't happen but from what you hear/read in news stories, they seem a little more unrealistic. Did those necessarily take away from the story? A little bit but not enough to stop me from reading.

Overall rating:
Even with the few minor details that irked me I really enjoyed this book. I read it in just a few days and for me that is really quick. I don't get much time in the summer to read and to get it done in a few days says something positive for the book.

SISTER WIFE is a gripping tale of three young women who live in the fictional polygamous town of Unity.

This ambitious tale takes a look at the polygamous lifestyle, as viewed by three separate narrators. The viewpoint shifts, from chapter to chapter, so readers used to a more straightforward first person, singular viewpoint may find this a somewhat challenging read, but it is well worth the effort.

The author does a wonderful job of presenting this polygamous community without ever truly passing judgement. She simply shines a light on the lifestyle that these three girls are growing up and allows us to follow their journey through, around and away from the town of Unity.

I was enthralled and captivated by this novel and the truly human focus the author gives us. As I've said, this isn't just the story of a polygamous community - you could get that in a episode of W5. Rather, this leads the reader directly into the minds and hearts of three very different girls who discover just how they need to deal with their situation.

I recommend this book highly to both young and old readers alike. It is well worth chewing through.

Yours in storytelling,

Steve Vernon



The Lit Report (Young Adult Novels)