Love Times Three: Our True Story of a Polygamous Marriage by Joe, Alina, Vicki, and Valerie Darger Completion Date: July 21, 2011
Reason for Reading: Review Copy from Harper Collins Canada.
From a family that inspired 'Big Love's' story of Bill Henrickson and his three wives, this first-ever memoir of a polygamous family captures the extraordinary workings of a unique family dynamic, and argues for the acceptance of plural marriage as an alternative lifestyle.I think part of the reason I am struggling with reading near the end of the year this year is because I have been having a hard time all year figuring out what I wanted to be reading. A couple times this year I have emailed my very nice contact at Harper Collins and asked her to surprise me with 'different' books. This book met that criteria very nicely. I have to admit that I am a bit intrigued by this 'alternative lifestyle', but I was never really actively pursuing the subject matter. I have seen an episode here and there of Sister Wives, but that is about it. I had never even heard of this family before, but I was impressed they were brave enough to write about their life for the masses. I was curious about just what it was like to live in a Polygamous marriage. I am the sort of person that is very sceptical of the institution of marriage in the first place, so why not explore different ideas.
The reason I am finally reviewing this book all these many months later is because I am watching Big Love. I was curious and I figured why not see what the show is all about. We don't have the channel it aired on, but I had heard of it before over the years. I wanted to see their viewpoint on the subject. I am about halfway through the first season and it is an interesting show. I was just explaining to the guy I was watching it and he asked what it was about. The best way to describe it is to say that on the one hand it shows how 'normal' the family is living in the mainstream world. They deal with the same problems as everyone else. On the other hand, it shows just how crazy the cult-like lifestyle is for those that live on the compounds. The 'Prophet' in this show is married to a girl who is only 14 or 15. It's horrifying.
Anyway, that is what this book is about, too. Yes, these people are in a Polygamous marriage, but in the day-to-day they deal with the same sort of things that we do. It puts a face on something we generally only hear about on the news for horrifying reasons. That is what the show Sister Wives does, too. I have to admit that I have learned a lot. I think before these families started stepping into the limelight I thought they were all crazy. I still don't think I personally could live their lifestyle, but considering the disastrous results of marriage in this world who are we to say what is right or wrong?
I have my problems. I don't like how sexist it is. God apparently says it is all right for men to take on many wives, but not for women to take on many husbands. I refuse to believe in a god that is that limiting. I also have a problem with a god that says that marriage should be between a man and a wife or a man and many wives, but doesn't consider marriage between two men or two women moral. See, this is why I didn't want to review this book. I am too opinionated and I try to live that stuff off my blog, but I wouldn't be truthful if I left it out entirely.
Moving on. The book is about the Darger family. It is told from each of their viewpoints. It talks about their childhoods, their adulthood, and now their marriage. It is VERY personal. They really don't seem to hide anything. They are really so normal, though. They are in the marriage because they want to be, their children are not being married off at a young age, and they can leave if they ever decide that they don't want to live this way any more. They have to hide, though. This book has brought them full attention and could be very damaging, but they were brave enough to do it. I applaud them for that. It is just such an awkward situation. I don't know if it could ever be made legal because what they do in those compounds is NOT moral. I don't care what your religion tells you. That is not to say that ALL of them are bad, but there are obviously some problems. These children being married to these old men horrifies me. They are way too young to have any say in the matter.
It is very hard to think objectively. I am basically of two minds about this. I also believe that this is a very debatable subject. I want to make sure that everyone knows this is MY opinion and has hardly been about the book at all... I think the book is important, though. It made me think and while I am not going to rush out and live the lifestyle myself, I can appreciate that this works for the people in it. I also find it rather intriguing that Polygamy has existed forever and this is the first family that was brave enough to write a memoir about it. You shouldn't have to hide who you are.
Yep, so this was a jumbled mess of a review. I recommend the book. If you are curious, you should read it for yourself and make up your own mind.
Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for this interesting read!
I struggle with polygamy, because while I believe that everyone has the right to be in a relationship with whomever they want, I hear the word polygamy and my face gets all contorted and my brain goes no, no, no, no. Which I'm fully aware is hypocritical, but then I've read some hair-raising accounts of how young girls are forced into polygamous marriages.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah. While I haven't read this book, I can totally understand how it would be hard to be impartial.
I think I'd have a hard time separating personal beliefs from appreciation for the book. I'm with softdrink (No! No! No!), especially regarding the unbalance between women/man.
ReplyDeleteI actually really appreciate how jumbled your thoughts are on this. I think it's a very polarizing subject, and your struggles to accept that culture but also object to the treatment of women in children is totally valid. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you would have a hard time reviewing what sounds like a very personal and potentially controversial book. Polygamy is an interesting topic and it would be fascinating to hear about it from people actually living the lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a tough book to review, just because their life choices are controversial. I think you did a good job explaining your thoughts about the book and the lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteIt might have felt like a jumbled mess to you, but I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Basically, what Aarti said!
ReplyDeleteIf I could be sure the women in these relationships were treated fairly, I would say go for it. But...and that's a big but...there's too much evidence to the contrary. I would have a hard time reviewing this one objectively too.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great post, Kelly. These gray areas are difficult to wrestle with sometimes--I grew up in the Mormon faith and though I don't practice anymore, I'm a bit defensive about the polygamy thing because it always seemed to be the first question that anyone asked me when I was little "how many moms do you have" or some other ignorant comments. I'm definitely interested in this book but think I'd have a hard time reading it without any biases/opinions either.
ReplyDelete**softdrink: Yes, it is a hard situation for me, too. I really do think in this case this family is happy and all the power to them, but I can't entirely forget all the things that have happened in other instances.
ReplyDelete**Alex: Yes, there are a few issues... It is hard to be entirely accepting because of the scandals surrounding some situations. It is just hard to see passed all that. I applaud them for trying to show that they live a normal life, but still...
**Aarti: Thanks! After I posted it I almost took it back down again because I don't really want to offend anyone...
**Jenners: Yes, it was very interesting to read about.
**Carol: Thanks! I think this is a topic that will continue to have attention. I hope they continue to show the positive sides because there are so many stories about the negative side...
**Ana: Thanks!
**Peppermint Ph.D.: I know. It is just the compounds and all the stories surrounding them.
**Trish: Thanks, Trish. I understand that just because you are of the Mormon faith you don't necessarily have more than one mother. I could not imagine asking someone that. It seems rather rude to me!