The Prophet Calls

I have to preface this review with the fact that I've already read a lot of nonfiction about fundamentalist Mormons especially the Warren Jeff's cult. There have been many biographies by women who have left the sect. I mention that first because I already had a decent idea of what happened to people in these circles.

Telling the story from the point of view of a thirteen year old girl, Gentry, was significant and extremely well done. Seeing how fundamentalist Mormonism affects children, from their point of view is really important. Marrying girls young, kicking boys and men out of the cult, continuous ""revelation"" from a living ""prophet"", ignoring emotions and feelings and the truth, preaching doom and gloom and violence, all of it show more is abusive and it is entirely set up to feed the cult leader's ego and libido and his true believers and insiders.

Gentry sees and experiences it but has a little bit of a cushion from reality with her violin and music but even that gets taken away. Fundamentalist Mormonism is entirely based on women as sex objects that exist just for men to use and impregnate. Gentry is told constantly to "keep sweet", "put it on a shelf", that her sole purpose is to get married and have children. She doesn't mind at first, this is all she has ever known. But playing in the festival opens a crack and what happens afterward shows us the reality of living in a cult where one man is seen as "God" or speaking for God.

It's really helpful to see what happens to teenage boys in the sect. The prophet's son gets away with everything and other boys are abused or kicked out. The scene with Kel and the deer is especially illuminating.

Amy, who has Down Syndrome, is loved by Gentry and the rest of the family but the rest of the sect don't think she is fit to live. The outright cruelty by some towards Amy is relevant. Remember, fundamentalist Mormons have a lot of inbreeding. Add in the idea that looks show holiness and silent conformity is the absolute determination that a woman is good and holy you can see why Amy is rejected by most everyone except her immediate family.

Without spoiling, I will say the ending does leave a bit to be desired. I do understand that this book is geared towards kids so it has to have a happy ending, but the reality for those who leave fundamentalist Mormonism is lot different. I definitely recommend this book to see and understand how people leave and stay in fundamentalist Mormonism. show less

The Prophet Calls is a story about a polygamist cult in New Mexico. It is a middle grade book and approaches all that you can imagine would be involved in that lifestyle with a middle grade lens. It is a page turner, the action never stops and several times I got pretty worried for the MC. The adults in the story don’t do anything to help the kids and so thirteen year old Gentry and her siblings have to rescue themselves from the life they were born into.

For awhile its unclear if Gentry will actually find a way to escape this life, but after her arranged marriage is announced she realizes that she has to leave while she still has the chance.

I don’t know that I would hand it universally to the younger end of the age range, but show more certainly kids in junior high would enjoy the adventure and look into a very different lifestyle. show less

This book takes place in a polygamous community in New Mexico. On her thirteenth birthday, Gentry receives a new violin from her father and she wants to play at a Music Festival with her brother, Tanner. But then the Prophet calls from prison and announces he has outlawed music in their community and now forbids women to leave. Gentry and Tanner sneak out. But then, the Prophet exercises control from prison, and it has devastating consequences for Gentry and her family. Gentry begins to doubt if the prophet is even good for her family!

I think this book could be a great conversation starter for children about polygamous communities and what the implications of these communities are. The author does not take a judgmental side against show more these communities which lets the reader make their own opinion on them which I think is important. All of the themes used throughout the book are so important for children to understand. This book was also written so well and beautifully! show less

This book was fascinating! Gentry, a young girl growing up in a polygamous, religious cult in New Mexico just wants to be able to do what she loves, play music, but the Prophet forbids it. This book offers a unique perspective for students and adults alike!