Escape
Books | Biography & Autobiography / Women
3.8
(250)
Carolyn Jessop
Laura Palmer
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The dramatic true story of one woman’s life inside the ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect featured in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey—and her courageous flight to freedom with her eight childrenWith a new epilogue by the author • “Escape provides an astonishing look behind the tightly drawn curtains of the FLDS church, one of the most secretive religious groups in the United States. A courageous, heart-wrenching account.”—Jon Krakauer When she was eighteen years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a total stranger: a man thirty-two years her senior. Merril Jessop already had three wives. But arranged plural marriages were an integral part of Carolyn’s heritage: She was born into and raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the radical offshoot of the Mormon Church. Over the next fifteen years, Carolyn had eight children and withstood her husband’s psychological abuse and the watchful eyes of his other wives, who were locked in a constant battle for supremacy. Carolyn was miserable for years and wanted out, but she knew that if she tried to leave and got caught, her children would be taken away from her. In 2003, Carolyn chose freedom over fear and fled her home with her eight children. She had $20 to her name. Escape exposes a world tantamount to a prison camp, created by religious fanatics who, in the name of God, deprive the followers the right to make choices, brainwash children in church-run schools, and force women to be totally subservient to men. Against this background, Carolyn’s flight takes on an extraordinary, inspiring power. Not only did Carolyn manage a daring escape from a brutal environment, she became the first woman ever granted full custody of her children in a contested suit involving the FLDS. And in 2006, her reports to the Utah attorney general on church abuses formed a crucial part of the case that led to the arrest, and later the conviction and sentence, of their notorious leader, Warren Jeffs.
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More Details:
Author
Carolyn Jessop
Pages
432
Publisher
Crown
Published Date
2007-10-16
ISBN
0767928474 9780767928472
Ratings
Google: 4.5
Community ReviewsSee all
"Heartbreaking but so interesting- what a courageous mother"
Colleen Bright Pavlas
"I don’t like reading often and have a hard time getting into books but i could not put this one down, I think about this book at least once a month, the story is fascinating heartbreaking and horrific but the ending and knowing this brave mother finally got what she wanted makes it all worth reading."
nev ida
"This was a good story. It was engaging from the first page. It was a nice, light romance. The budding romance was fun to read. Lucy hadn't wanted to meet anyone, but sometimes you just can't help falling for someone on vacation. <br/><br/>Lucy's escape from London was interesting. We don't get to know right away what drove her away, but it was interesting to see it all unfold. She doesn't talk about her work much but ends up using her doctor skills to help out on her trip<br/><br/>The only thing I didn't care for was that Lucy had a boyfriend back in London. But that is a personal preference, it did make some scenes hard for me to get into but once I could put him out of my head, I was able to enjoy the rest of the story."
Aimee Gibson
"This was a good book in my opinion. The first sentence had me hooked in until the end because I couldn't help but want to know what was going to happen. <br/><br/>Rebecca is on the run because she was going to be forced into a marriage by her father. For a year she ran as to not be dragged back home. One fateful day, she comes into Nick's territory. <br/><br/>Nick is instantly drawn to Rebecca even though she lies to him and doesn't trust him. There is something in her that he loves. He feels like he has to protect her not because what her Chanat is doing is "illegal" but because he wants her to be his mate.<br/><br/>Rebecca and Nick instantly hit it off once she learns to trust her instincts and trust him.<br/><br/>Does Rebecca's old Chanat come back for her? Does she seal a mating with Nick? Read Escape to find out what happens to Rebecca and Nick."
Nicole Beasley
"A beautiful, inspiring, and absolutely crazy story! This woman is amazing and the story of her life and survival had me in awe. It was also very fascinating (although heartbreaking) to learn about the FLDS cult. "
A B
Amy B
"Loved this book and triumph. Her story is so heart-wrenching but strong! I would love to meet carolyn someday. She's a modern day hero"
Angela Moser
"Harrowing account of what it's like to grow up in a cult and how difficult it was to escape."
A
Ashe
"4.5! This book was so unique and just overall just too good. I wasn't able to put it down, it kept me so interested all throughout the book. There's so many good things about it!!<br/><br/>First, the characters. Laila was my favorite character. I absolutely loved the way she looked at life and how she was so positive sometimes. She's definitely a character I will remember. Matty was an amazing character, I loved how his mental illness wasn't overshadowed. I loved the representation, so amazing. I loved how the author didn't try to cover it up like it wasn't something normal, because let's be real: we all struggle. <br/><br/>Next, I want to talk about the plot. Like I said before it was so freaking unique. I've never read a book like it and at first I was confused but as I slowly started reading it, I grasped the idea. It kept me so captivated, and I love how their relationship/friendship was platonic in a way. Like there was no romance feelings between them for the most part, and I loved it. <br/><br/>Lastly, I want to talk about the ending! It totally shocked me and I was not expecting it. It wasn't the ending I thought was gonna happen that's for sure. Don't get me wrong it was a great ending, just one that hadn't crossed my mind (isn't that the point lol) but honestly the ending was unique also. <br/><br/>But this book was so wonderful and I would absolutely recommend it!"
Raven