Title: The 19th Wife
Author: David Ebershoff
First published August 5, 2008
514 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781400063970 (ISBN10: 1400063973)
Rating: 3.65
Overview
David Ebershoff’s The 19th Wife is a captivating blend of historical fiction and contemporary mystery. Set in 1875, the novel follows Ann Eliza Young, who has just left her husband Brigham Young, a powerful leader in the Mormon Church.
Determined to put an end to polygamy in America, Ann Eliza embarks on a crusade that unveils her family’s complex and tragic polygamous history. As her story unfolds, a haunting modern-day murder mystery involving a polygamist family in Utah takes center stage.
Jordan Scott, a young man who was expelled from his fundamentalist community, must confront his past and seek answers to his father’s death. With spellbinding prose and unforgettable characters, The 19th Wife is a literary masterpiece that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
About the Author
Meet David Ebershoff, a successful author with four books under his belt. You might recognize his work from the Oscar-winning film adaptation of The Danish Girl, or from the hit TV show based on his #1 bestseller, The 19th Wife.
In fact, The Danish Girl was even recognized by the New York Times as one of the top 25 books that have influenced LGBTQ literature in the past two decades. When he’s not writing, David holds the impressive title of Vice President and Executive Editor at Hogarth Books and Random House.
He’s responsible for editing a diverse range of talented authors across multiple genres, from fiction and non-fiction to poetry.
Editoral Review
David Ebershoff’s “The 19th Wife” is a masterfully-written novel that explores the lives of women in polygamous communities, as well as the history of the Mormon church. Ebershoff expertly weaves together different narrative strands to create a fascinating and multifaceted story that is both poignant and compelling.
The book was first published on August 5, 2008 and has since become a classic in its genre. The novel is centered around two main plotlines: the historical story of Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young, the founder of the Mormon church, and the contemporary story of Jordan Scott, a young man who has been excommunicated from a polygamous community in Utah.
As the novel unfolds, the two stories intersect in unexpected ways, revealing fascinating insights into the history of the Mormon church and the lives of women in polygamous marriages. Ebershoff’s prose is lyrical and evocative, and he has a talent for crafting vivid and memorable characters.
Ann Eliza is a particularly compelling figure, as her story exposes the harsh realities of life as a woman in a polygamous marriage. Jordan, too, is a sympathetic character, whose journey of self-discovery is both unpredictable and emotionally resonant.
“The 19th Wife” also has significant historical and cultural significance. Through his portrayal of the early years of the Mormon church, Ebershoff sheds light on a little-understood period of American history.
The book also tackles timely themes, such as the dangers of religious fundamentalism, the politics of gender and sexual identity, and the importance of individual freedom. Overall, “The 19th Wife” is a must-read for anyone interested in polygamy, the history of the Mormon church, or explorations of gender and sexual identity.
It is a beautifully-crafted novel that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.
