Leslie Howard (6)

This compelling novel is set in a cult that practice polygamy, causing Daisy to flee a forced marriage at the age of fifteen. While the community depicted is fictional, the author has clearly done her research and portrays a believable community centered around a charismatic leader who embezzles the wealth of his followers while also creating abusive conditions for women and children. A highly compelling novel, this book left me curious, appalled, and interested in the nonfiction works cited show more in the author's notes. show less

It’s the mid-19th century, and Charlotte, at 21-years old, is desperate to find a husband. Well, she isn’t that excited about it, but her sister and brother-in-law, high society people, are insisting. The match they want her to make, however, is a jerk, to put it mildly. But, Charlotte doesn’t have a lot of options, until she finds out about a “brideship”. England is sending unmarried women to the colonies in the New World, specifically to Vancouver Island and British Columbia, in show more what would later become Canada, to provide the men there with potential wives. Although Charlotte is initially hesitant, she ends up on one of the ships...

I really liked this. I liked Charlotte – she is more independent than many women at the time, I think – certainly those of her social class. Although quick to read is nice, I did feel like the book could have gone into more detail/spent more time on many of the topics.

As I always hope for, the author did include a note at the end where she talks about where she learned of many of the issues she covered in the book, including treatment of women, social classes, smallpox in the Native population, the gold rush towns in BC, the culture in those towns, as well as the tendency toward fire in the buildings, and more. She also provided a master list (can’t think of what it’s called) of actual women who sailed on one of the brideships (she used many of the names). Many of the things that happened in the book were events happened to someone in real life. show less

At first, I kind of enjoyed the melodrama aspects -- in the first few pages, our heroine is informed she must marry well, but her suitor turns out to be a serial rapist who threatens social ruin of her entire family! Her poor old governess' whips out a family heirloom emerald ring and gives it to our heroine! But our heroine doesn't seem to have any motivations or interests, besides bumping into key players and overhearing key info. She bumps in to Evil Cousin, who monologues on Poor show more Relations and her sad life as unpaid governess, then she bumps into the serial rapist, who threatens ruin. RUIN! She bumps into Charles Dickens. She happens to see her BiL having dinner with a lovely young widow, and just happens to overhear way too many personal conversations for credulity. I love a good historical drama, but this was just too much random drama for me. show less

I really enjoyed this book by Leslie Howard. I've always been fascinated with the world polygamists live in. This story is about Daisy Shoemaker and her best friend, Brighten. Having been born into the world of polygamy, their paths were laid out for them long before they reached womanhood and neither of them had any control over it. Daisy's desire to marry the young man she loves and the desire to make her own choices leads her to make some very difficult decisions in a very short span of show more time, decisions that stay with her for the rest of her life. The events on one fateful day form the paths each girl takes, both have very different circumstances that they then must live with.

I loved the character of Daisy. She is strong, independent and courageous. But likewise, the character of Brighten is just as strong and courageous as she makes the best of the situation she is forced into by a split decision that catapulted her onto a path she otherwise would not have chosen for herself. This book is filled with colorful, vibrant and unique characters.

This book gives an inside glimpse into a secret cult world where young girls are traded as brides to powerful men who do the bidding of the bishop. What makes this book unique from others is the fact that it takes place in the tumultuous 60's and it adds a unique quality to the story line as the events of Woodstock, the Vietnam war and other cultural changes unfold. show less