Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Escape

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 16,616 ratings · 3,243 reviews

The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect, and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.

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 marri...more The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect, and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.

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 that had settled in small communities along the Arizona-Utah border. 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’s every move was dictated by her husband’s whims. He decided where she lived and how her children would be treated. He controlled the money she earned as a school teacher. He chose when they had sex; Carolyn could only refuse—at her peril. For in the FLDS, a wife’s compliance with her husband determined how much status both she and her children held in the family. 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. No woman in the country had ever escaped from the FLDS and managed to get her children out, too. But 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 their followers the right to make choices, force women to be totally subservient to men, and brainwash children in church-run schools. Against this background, Carolyn Jessop’s flight takes on an extraordinary, inspiring power. Not only did she 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 of their notorious leader, Warren Jeffs.(less)

Hardcover, 413 pages

Published October 16th 2007 by Broadway Books

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Memoir / Biography / Autobiography

29th out of 1,798 books — 1,736 voters

Polygamist Cults

1st out of 33 books — 66 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Sep 30, 2009 Lena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir

Carolyn Jessop's story of her life in the polygamous community the FLDS is one of those books that is simultaneously hard to read and difficult to put down. It's hard to read because her tale is one of non-stop abuse, from the apocalyptic nightmare that was drilled into her head as a child to the regular violence committed against women and children in the community in the name of God. But it is when Carolyn is given at 18 to be the fourth wife of a man 30 years her senior that things really bec...more Carolyn Jessop's story of her life in the polygamous community the FLDS is one of those books that is simultaneously hard to read and difficult to put down. It's hard to read because her tale is one of non-stop abuse, from the apocalyptic nightmare that was drilled into her head as a child to the regular violence committed against women and children in the community in the name of God. But it is when Carolyn is given at 18 to be the fourth wife of a man 30 years her senior that things really become twisted. Though those in favor of polygamy may wax poetic about how wonderful and supportive it is to have "sister-wives," the dynamic in Jessop's family was one of ruthless competition, with women who had no rights of their own battling for their husband's attention in order to ensure such basic needs as food and protection for their children.

Having been born at a time when the women ahead of me were fighting hard so I could have rights that I pretty much take for granted, Jessop's story is a chilling reminder of what life is like for women who are raised in a religion which tells them that their only hope of salvation is perfect devotion to their husbands and, if their husband beats them, it is simply because of their own failings. Those who think the women of the FLDS should just refuse to put up with such treatment and walk away fail to understand that these women are held captive not only by their life-long belief systems, but their extreme isolation and community practices that ensure that, if they do speak up, they get no support from anyone. Even the local police were members of the FLDS and would not interfere with another man's right to run his family as he saw fit, no matter how visible the bruises. Should a woman get up the courage to actually leave the only lifestyle she has ever known, orchestrated searches, enormous pressure from family and religious leaders and a total lack of familiarity with and skills for the outside world will make it very difficult for her to survive on her own.

In the wake of the recent raid that removed hundreds of children from an FLDS ranch in Texas (a sister community to Jessop's that is reportedly now run by her ex-husband) I heard a lot of talk about freedom of religion. Those who think the State of Texas acted too overzealously would do well to read this book. If there is anything that Jessop's account makes abundantly clear, it's that women who have had obedience beaten into them since they were children are anything but free. The question of how much the government should intervene in groups like these is, to say the least, a thorny one, particularly when most victims are too terrified to go against everything they have been taught to testify against their abusers. Jessop's disturbing recitation of how things got even worse after Warren Jeffs rose to power is also chilling reminder of how easily blind obedience to irrational doctrines can be horrifically abused by ambitious, power-hungry men like Jeffs.

Jessop was lucky in that she was permitted to go to college, and her work experiences and occasional contact with the outside world enabled her to build the determination to fight the abuse and make a better life for her own children. It is this determination that makes the book hard to put down, as I was anxious to discover just how, in fact, she ultimately managed to escape her hellish life with no money, eight children, and suspicious sister-wives watching her every move.
(less)

like 56 likes · see review

Jun 20, 2008 Laura Debenham rated it 3 of 5 stars

I sat up til 2 A.M. finishing this book. It was an intense experience. It made me grieve for the inequities in my own culture between men and women along with the fear that holds me down.

Having lived near Colorado City, reading this book made me look back on my experience living in St. George, Utah with new eyes. I attended Dixie College in the mid 1980's. There had been a girl in my Spanish class who wore the "plig" uniform and did her hair in the dippidy-doo flip. She was ostracized by most o...more I sat up til 2 A.M. finishing this book. It was an intense experience. It made me grieve for the inequities in my own culture between men and women along with the fear that holds me down.

Having lived near Colorado City, reading this book made me look back on my experience living in St. George, Utah with new eyes. I attended Dixie College in the mid 1980's. There had been a girl in my Spanish class who wore the "plig" uniform and did her hair in the dippidy-doo flip. She was ostracized by most of the students but I determined to make friends with her. At first she was curt and guarded but eventually she opened up enough to have a casual friendship. We often walked to or from class together and I learned about her family. She had several younger siblings and spoke of them with love. When I married over a year later I gave my entire stuffed animal collection to Veronica for her little brother and sisters. She was so grateful that her eyes misted over and I somehow knew stuffed animals were a foreign item in her world. She and her family made a beautiful hand-stitched quilt for my wedding gift. I still have it 24 years later. They sewed an image of the St. George Temple onto a silky pink background. Because of the silkiness of the fabric it is one of my children's favorite quilts to cuddle in. I have tried my best to keep it out of the reach of dirty little hands over the years. It is the only wedding gift in tact and I think of Veronica whenever I see it.

I'm glad I reached out to lonely Veronica in my College days at Dixie and realized she was likely going through something similar to Carolyn. I wondered if Veronica was the third or fourth wife to some old guy or was she sent to college because she was plain and would likely never marry.

As an adult I lived in St. George for three years between 2003 and 2006. I saw polygamists at Wal-Mart every time I went there. I was disturbed by my own reaction to them. Having lived all over the U.S. I was aware of how limited the perspective of people who stayed in one place their whole lives can be. Yet I still looked at them as "lesser" individuals. Because I was so disturbed by my own inner hateful response to this people, I decided to learn more about them. I met a woman who had written a book and was actively helping girls escape. She was selling her books at a booth at the county fair. She was putting her life on the line by speaking out and I was impressed.

I wrote a speech on her service and invited her to attend the toastmasters meeting when I gave the presentation. I called her the "Harriet Tubman" of Colorado City.

In my speech I compared the polygamists with the Jews of Europe during the Nazi era. Looking at this group of God's children with compassion and understanding changed how I saw them completely. It had been many years since my friendship with Veronica and I had to overcome my own feelings of inadequacy as a woman to not judge them for living in such a bizarre culture. It was after recognizing their value as individuals that I started up conversations with the women I saw in Wal-Mart. I was aware they had been told that the rest of us were "evil" but I knew they were just struggling mothers like the rest of us. I began greeting them with a smile and "hello". I still avoided the men completely, even gave them the evil eye if my teenaged daughters were with me.

I came up with ways of starting conversations with the women. I asked one mother if she thought the sore on my son's head could be chickenpox. At first she balked but we ended up having a regular conversation and she gave me advice on dealing with the childhood illness. Often, if I was in an isle and a Colorado City woman was nearby I would comment on products that were sold and probably sounded like a bad commercial as I searched for ways to reach out and connect. My goal was to help these women recognize that the rest of us were human too.

Whenever I saw the little polygamist boys working on construction sights I would call the phone number advertized on trucks and signs and complain to whoever answered that there are child labor laws and I would report children working to the police if I saw it again. I was especially repulsed by the "lost boys" and grieved over the stories of male prostitution and drug use.

This book brought home the reality and horror of being brainwashed and the dangers of living in a completely controlled environment. I can't help but wonder how "true" of a book it is. I don't want to believe that there was motivation to make things up as the truth seems dramatic enough. Did Carolyn ever abuse her children or the other wives kids? It seems likely that she would, coming from such an abusive mother, but she paints herself in a favorable light, as is expected.

I was amazed at her determination to get educated and her ability to recognize that it was the only way out. I was so saddened at the end when her daughter returns to the cult and would love to know the rest of the story.

It also made me think of Veronica and wonder where and how she is.
(less)

like 40 likes · see review

Apr 30, 2008 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a book that completely encompassed your entire life? That is precisely how I felt about "Escape". Even when I was not reading it it would constantly be in the back of my mind. As I took my kid's to the park and then to Target for a special treat I would think, "How horrible that Carolyn did not even have the freedom to do something as small and inconsequential as this." When I was doing my laundry I would realize how easy it was for me and what a terrible ordeal it was for Car...more

like 19 likes · see review

Apr 20, 2008 Lena rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: biography

This book was extremely disturbing and hard to read at points because of the child abuse and neglect, not to mention the physical and mental abuse of the women. There were times I wanted to shut it and never pick it up again because the contents just made me so sick to my stomach. What made it worse was that this was not a fiction book...it was real life so I knew it had actually happened. But I did finish it and it was eye-opening to say the least. I don't want to judge anyone else's religion s...more This book was extremely disturbing and hard to read at points because of the child abuse and neglect, not to mention the physical and mental abuse of the women. There were times I wanted to shut it and never pick it up again because the contents just made me so sick to my stomach. What made it worse was that this was not a fiction book...it was real life so I knew it had actually happened. But I did finish it and it was eye-opening to say the least. I don't want to judge anyone else's religion so I can't really comment on the actions of the women, because they were completely influenced by their religion. But their beliefs seemed to me more of a prison than a life-affirming path to God. However, I can understand how a person who has been indoctrinated in a belief system from the day he or she is born can make decisions based on that system, even if it means letting their own bodies, minds and children be harmed. On the other hand, I don't think a lot of these people were "critical-thinkers", which I suppose can be blamed on their lack of education.

It also made me wonder about how all of us are indoctrinated in some belief system, whether it is religious or not. Now, particularly, we are so influenced by the media to believe that money, beauty, and celebrity status are so important. How has this belief system harmed our bodies and souls? People spend tons of money getting face lifts and liposuction. We stick our elderly grandparents in rest homes instead of taking care of them because they don't have value to us anymore. Teenagers almost kill themselves trying to videotapes stunts for youtube to get their 15 minutes of fame (I saw that on the news yesterday). Girls start worrying about being "fat" when they are 8 years old. I could go on and on. This is the mainstream belief system...and I think we are all brainwashed as much as the FLDS members of this book.

Anyway, I do recommend this book to everyone. At least for the reason to realize how small daily compromises can, over years and years, can lead to terrible outcomes. Also, this book made me appreciate the freedom of thought and education that I have been given.(less)

like 15 likes · see review

May 05, 2008 Collette rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. With all of the press about the raid on the YFZ ranch in El Dorado, Texas, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Riveting, interesting in places, but hard to listen to (audio edition) for various reasons. I wish I had read a hardcopy of the book instead so I could have skimmed some of the sections where the author seemed more whiny about her suffering than informative.

I agree with a librarian reviewer on Amazon.com that the book was poorly edited (by Stacy Kramer, who intervie...more

like 9 likes · see review

Apr 04, 2008 Aileen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It is as I finish this book and write this review that federal agents are serving search and arrest warrants at the Fundamental Church of the Latter Day Saints (FLDS) current compound in El Dorado, TX. Escape is written by a former FLDS member who recently escaped a polygamous marriage in Colorado City, UT with her 8 children. She testified in last year's trial against their "prophet" Warren Jeffs (though this trial is not covered in the book) which resulted in his state conviction and a sentenc...more It is as I finish this book and write this review that federal agents are serving search and arrest warrants at the Fundamental Church of the Latter Day Saints (FLDS) current compound in El Dorado, TX. Escape is written by a former FLDS member who recently escaped a polygamous marriage in Colorado City, UT with her 8 children. She testified in last year's trial against their "prophet" Warren Jeffs (though this trial is not covered in the book) which resulted in his state conviction and a sentence of 10 years in prison for accomplice to rape for arranging the marriage of a 14 year old girl to her 19 year old first cousin. That background gives you a glimpse into the author's previous life.

Although this is the best written book, it is hard to put down. It describes a world that is hard to believe exists in the U.S. As described by the Utah attorney general, "I have a corner of my state that is worse than [under] the Taliban." Women are forced into arranged marriages. They are encouraged to have as many children as possible. This not only gives them more "power" in their polygamous household, but it also is progress towards their exalted place in the celestial kingdom. Complete subservience to their "priesthood" (husband) is demanded. Violence, both physical and sexual, is common. Mothers are basically not permitted to "mother" their children; physical affection is discouraged; hugs and kisses, a sign of weakness and coddling, extinct past the nursing years. Sons and daughters, future priesthoods and mothers/wives, continue to be raised in this environment today.

It is amazing that this woman not only escaped, but that she succeeded in being awarded custody of her children. It is a complete testament to her personal strength, determination, and individuality. She rose above and thought for herself. She wanted more for her children and knew that more was "out there." Unfortunately, once her eldest daughter (who had escaped with her) turned 18, she (the daughter) opted to return to the FLDS community. I cannot imagine the author's heartache and sense of loss, now losing her daughter to everything she (the author) has fought against. As of the writing of the book, the author had not heard from her daughter after her return to the FLDS. In the trial which I mentioned above, the author was a witness for the prosecution; her eldest daughter, a noted witness for the defendant, Warren Jeffs. Family against family.

This book brought me lots of sadness. As a mother to 3 girls, I cannot imagine raising them to their teen years, only to have them sent off to an arranged marriage by some "prophet." This is a cult, pure and simple. The mind control is incredible. The use of religion as a form of power and control mirrors all domestic violence relationships. The girls are not raised to know they have control of their own destiny; education is an after-thought; women are for procreation only, and even that appears to be to satisfy the sexual deviancy of the (much) older men.

What's scary is this is today. Today. In the United States. I say prayers today that another Waco isn't on the way as agents surround and seal off the current FLDS compound in Texas.

N.B. The FLDS is completely separate from mainstream Mormonism, which is refered to as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Church of Jesus Christ disavowed polygamy in 1890.

(less)

like 10 likes · see review

May 01, 2011 Catie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, memoir, read-in-2011

I don’t know why I spend so much time reading and searching for the next “utopian society gone horribly wrong” fiction, when there is a real such society existing right in my former backyard (Hi Arizona!). Actually, I do know why. When I stop and consider that not only is this shit real, but occurring in my own country (not to mention, to women around the world), it depresses the hell out of me. The polygamy isn’t really the scariest part – in theory, I actually don’t have a problem with polygam...more I don’t know why I spend so much time reading and searching for the next “utopian society gone horribly wrong” fiction, when there is a real such society existing right in my former backyard (Hi Arizona!). Actually, I do know why. When I stop and consider that not only is this shit real, but occurring in my own country (not to mention, to women around the world), it depresses the hell out of me. The polygamy isn’t really the scariest part – in theory, I actually don’t have a problem with polygamy. If a few (or more) people want to get together and make it work, I say, “hey, why not?” (Not to mention, Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality, which I recently read, presents an interesting view on the likely multiple man/woman origins of human relationships.) No, the scariest part is the complete and systematic control and degradation of women and children that occurs in this society. In this world, women and children are the property of their “priesthood head” and must follow his every demand and whim. This becomes incredibly dangerous when the men in charge are power hungry, abusive hypocrites.

In 2003, Carolyn Jessup risked everything to escape the FLDS compound in Colorado City with all of her eight children in tow. She had spent seventeen years married to a man more than thirty years her senior and lived under constant controlling scrutiny from her husband and his family. When Rulon Jeffs and his son Warren began to lead and control the sect, her world became even more radical and extremist. Warren Jeffs, an unstable, racist man (and alleged child rapist), began making irrational decrees to the community. All books, movies and formal schooling were banned. He prohibited the color red and large prints like plaids. He claimed that anyone needing medical attention to heal “was a person of little faith.” As he gained more and more power, he began committing unbelievably cruel acts. He subjected the children to intense “survival” classes during which they would be made to witness the large scale slaughter of animals. He once rounded up and killed every dog in the community. He began arranging marriages between young teenage girls and men sometimes sixty or more years older. If a man in the community displeased him, he would strip him of his wives and children and excommunicate him. Hundreds of teenage boys were kicked out of the community to get rid of any competition for wives. But, more than just an objective recounting of the atrocities committed by Warren Jeffs and his cronies, this is one woman’s very personal and subjective story of her experiences in the FLDS, and her incredible determination to get out.

The majority of this book is Carolyn’s very intimate, detailed retelling of her day to day life in a home that she shared with five sister wives and dozens of children. I found these details to be both horrifying and fascinating. With every other control stripped from these women, they took the only control that they had left and used it to break each other down. It sickens me that these wives have essentially been tricked into competing with each other for the attentions of a man that repulses them. Carolyn’s own poisoning by this twisted system comes through. She complains that her sister wives had little sympathy for the horrible pregnancy symptoms that she suffered (morning sickness is seen as a sign of “rebellion”), but then accuses one of them of faking pregnancy side-effects to gain sympathy with almost the same breath. She is sometimes very harsh in her judgment of these women, when I was feeling that they all deserve quite a bit of sympathy. While this extreme subjectivity of the narrator was sometimes a little hard to take, I also found it fascinating. This is a real inside view of the FLDS home dynamic. This book has a ghost writer, but Carolyn’s voice really comes through.

Carolyn’s incredible tenacity and strength are also striking. This is a very inspirational story, and makes every hardship I’ve ever dealt with look paltry in comparison. Carolyn has since become the only woman to retain full custody of all of her children after escaping the FLDS. Most women who attempt to escape will only take their youngest children, or none of them. It would have been much easier for Carolyn to get out by herself, but she chose the much harder road. Throughout this book she emerges as a powerfully strong woman and devoted mother. Her slow awakening from complete compliance, to questioning of her beliefs, to revolt is very affecting.

Perfect Musical Pairing

Nine Inch Nails – Sunspots

More than anything, this book makes me want to bust out the angry, fanatical religion bashing music and no one does that for me better than Nine Inch Nails. It’s really tempting to go for a more obvious choice like “God Given” or “Heresy.” But, I’ve always loved this song. I think that the lyrics are open to some interpretation – is it about shedding everything that you once were and emerging renewed? Is it about his complete emasculation by a powerful woman? Feel free to discuss. For me, this song works on many levels.
(less)

like 10 likes · see review

Jun 12, 2008 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone interested in the truth behing Warren Jeffs and the FLDS

Shelves: greatreads

I head read Under The Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, had read about the raids in Texas, and heard about the arrest of Warren Jeffs, but nothing opened my eyes to what the FLDS was up to, until I read this book. It is scary to see how religion can become perversed by power hungry people. In fact, I was shocked to see that many of the tactics used to keep people loyal to the church are being used by our government to do the same with the American people. The kind of fear and mistrust of others...more I head read Under The Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, had read about the raids in Texas, and heard about the arrest of Warren Jeffs, but nothing opened my eyes to what the FLDS was up to, until I read this book. It is scary to see how religion can become perversed by power hungry people. In fact, I was shocked to see that many of the tactics used to keep people loyal to the church are being used by our government to do the same with the American people. The kind of fear and mistrust of others that keeps people from questioning authority. Additionally, if frieghtens me how little the government pays attention to the plight of these poor women and the "Lost Boys" of the church. So scary that this could be happening under our own noses. A Jim Jones kind of warping of something that was meant to be pure.

Carolyn Jessop tells the story of her life growing up in the FLDS in a family that had been involved and deeply faithful for many generations. She tells of the pain polygamy caused for her mother and the abuse she and her sisters endured as a result. She tells of being married off to a 50 year old man at the age of 18 and the rape and mental abuse she endured by him and his family, as well as feeliing helpless to protect the 8 children she would go on to be forced to have with him (3 pregnancies of which almost killed her, one child of which struggled with cancer of the spine). At one point, Jessop's husband puts her in direct harm of death and brags about it to anyone who will listen. So disgusting. Over 17 years of marriage, Jessop beings to see things clearly and question her once blind devotion to the authority of her faith. The final straw comes, when Warren Jeffs, now serving a prison sentence for actions having to do with accusations of incestual rape and the marrying off of underage girls, becomes the prophet of the church and begins to pull children out of school, burn books, and preach the need for blood atonement (the cutting of throats). He pulls apart families, and begins marrying off younger and younger girls to older and older men, banishing under age men from the faith. Carolyn finally fears for her children enough to escape and become the first woman in history to win full custody of her children, against a powerful man of the FLDS faith. Truelly an amazing women.

You must read this story!!!(less)

like 9 likes · see review

Apr 02, 2008 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kim by: found it on my own

I am not even halfway through this book and I am going to give it high marks already for being one of those books that you cannot put down. It is exceedingly appealing to the tiniest crumb of voyeur that you have in you, that which might be interested in polygamists, spouse abuse (not only husband-to-wife, but also wife-to-wife), weird clothing, weird sex, and just freaky shit in general. I race from page to page thinking, "That cannot have happened!" and "In this day and age?" and "Women, treat...more

like 8 likes · see review

Mar 23, 2009 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Wow. This book is quite the trip, if you're up for it. I had never really wondered all that much about what life would be like for women living in polygamy. My general attitude towards the whole FLDS culture (including Warren Jeffs, when he was getting tons of news coverage) was, "Well, that's their thing." But, this book makes it abundantly clear that this isn't just a matter of freedom of religion. It is opression, manipulation, and totalitarianism at its worst. Polygamy, as portrayed here, is...more Wow. This book is quite the trip, if you're up for it. I had never really wondered all that much about what life would be like for women living in polygamy. My general attitude towards the whole FLDS culture (including Warren Jeffs, when he was getting tons of news coverage) was, "Well, that's their thing." But, this book makes it abundantly clear that this isn't just a matter of freedom of religion. It is opression, manipulation, and totalitarianism at its worst. Polygamy, as portrayed here, is a system built on controlling and degrading women. I think anyone other than a man would have to be born into this system, and not know anything different, to consider it a higher order. No wonder Jeffs was so opposed to education--it enabled Carolyn Jessop to wake up and realize how wrong things were with the FLDS religion.
The main thing that struck me was the cult's complete disbelief in freedom of choice. A woman couldn't decide the religion was no longer for her and leave. That freedom to make one's own decisions was not respected. Time and again women who fled were hounded and pressured until they relented and returned. As Jeffs power grew, he began more and more to take decisions out of the hands of individuals and arbitrarily control their destinies. This to me sounds a lot like a plan we already rejected once.
Anyway, Jessop's story is incredible and eye-opening. What makes this book great, though, is that she didn't try to write it alone. In fact, my only qualm with her collaborator is that occassionally there were devices and phrasing that bore the stamp of an experienced writer, whereas the rest of the book was the simple and straightforward account of an individual. But, those differences were infrequent, and not too distracting, so no doubt the book was helped immensely by Laura (can't remember her last name). I wish all non-witers with an interesting story to tell would enlist help in doing so. It makes for a much more enjoyable read.
Oh, also, I bumped this one up my to-read queue because I read several reviews that said they couldn't put it down. I second that. When I wasn't reading this book I was thinking about it, and I finished it in two days.(less)

like 5 likes · see review

Mar 26, 2008 Patti rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone 18 and older

You hear about these things,but wonder to yourself if it's really true,and then put it out of your mind. After reading this book I not only belive these things are truly happening,but while reading it,I wanted to jump up and try to get all of those women out of that religion!! LOL Of course,I'm just an itty bitty woman that lives in an itty bitty town in Wisconsin,so not much I can do for these women.I just thank God that America's Most Wanted was able to "capture" the guy that became the Leader...more You hear about these things,but wonder to yourself if it's really true,and then put it out of your mind. After reading this book I not only belive these things are truly happening,but while reading it,I wanted to jump up and try to get all of those women out of that religion!! LOL Of course,I'm just an itty bitty woman that lives in an itty bitty town in Wisconsin,so not much I can do for these women.I just thank God that America's Most Wanted was able to "capture" the guy that became the Leader of this so called religion. A religion that belives that the Men are the rulers,Women are to be nothing more than slaves,and do as they are told,and the wife can be of any age,,starting at age 12,the younger the better,in fact. She's 12 yrs old? That's great! The thought is the younger they are the more gullible and naive they will be? And will do anything?? And of course,not question it. The important issue of sex in these marriages is not something I think God had in mind. To procreate,yes,but to use it against another "wife" in a polygamist marriage is/was disgusting to me. I know these woman,and men,as well,are brought up in this religion and know no better,but really after a time one would think that more of them would realize what kind of horse---- are they living in/with? I'm so glad that the author of this book,finally started get some sense into your noggin',and got the good sense to GET OUT! Although,the act of just getting herself out was one thing,but getting her 8 children out as well,and with one that was ill to boot,was an act of God in and of itself. I just hope her older daughter...will one day see the light as her Mother did. A very good read. Here's the link at America's Most Wanted regarding "Warren Steed Jeffs"-the Leader,who may not have started all this,but became more bold than all the other leaders and that is what became the undoing of him and hopefuly most of the "cult" that he tried so hard to control.
http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm...

(less)

like 4 likes · see review

Jul 11, 2008 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is certainly a must-read if you live in Utah, or Texas; if you are Mormon; or if you think polygamy is a victimless crime. It would certainly be interesting if a current polygamist wife could write her version of life in the FLDS community! This book is horrifying, but fascinating. It's difficult to believe anything like this is happening in THIS century.

like 4 likes · see review

Mar 01, 2008 Kristine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies-and-memoirs, greatest-hits

Jessop is a sixth generation polygamist who took her 8 kids and escaped the FLDS cult in Colorado City AZ. She was one of several wives and her husband was a major leader in the cult.

Pretty good book, although, her writing is a bit simple and every now and then she feels compelled to remind us how exceptional she is. I think she still has self esteem issues.

There's a large population of FLDS in AZ and every now and then there are news stories about runaway wives. Especially now that Warren Jeff...more

like 3 likes · see review

Feb 05, 2008 Bethany rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008

A fascinating memoir and look into the FLDS freakshow (not to be confused with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have nothing to do with this group and have been very outspoken about the FLDS's heinous and unlawful ways). It was really interesting to see into family dynamics in a polygamist household and my heart just ached at the helplessness of the women and children to do anything about their situations without taking drastic measures. It also chronicled the reign of Warren...more

like 5 likes · see review

Aug 22, 2007 hilary lay rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-was-i-thinking

why am i reading this book?
why?
is it because of my strange, morbid fascination with rabid polygamist cults? or because it says on the cover that the author was married at eighteen to a fifty-year-old guy with three other wives and than had eight children in fifteen years, and who WOULDN'T be curious?
although the insider-cult bits pertaining to warren jeffs are interesting, the writing is very elementary and naive. i know it's not her "fault" that she, for instance, is describing with wide-eyed w...more

like 6 likes · see review

May 06, 2008 Marnae rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did like this book but it was very disturbing to me in the sense that people really live in that kind of abuse. I was interested in reading it with all of the "YFZ" stuff on the news. It is a true story about a woman who after living in a polygamy colony all her life and being one of the wives of an abusive husband finally, in her own word, "escapes". It was heartbreaking to me what she lived through. I thought I wanted to choose this book to read for book club but I have changed my mind. Ther...more

like 4 likes · see review

Apr 09, 2009 Lisa Butterworth rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was very informative about flds culture and easy to read. I admit I skimmed parts, but I was more interested in getting the big picture and dude, what a hard life.

It always frustrates me so much when people are so blithe about pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, as though it's just so easy to escape the circumstances of our birth and culture and build an independent life. This book clearly illustrates the many flaws in the whole boot-strap mind-set. It took a lot of lucky breaks a...more

like 6 likes · see review

Jun 25, 2008 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Carolyn Jessop's book was excellent but most upsetting. At times I wanted to find her and just shake her and tell her to just get the hell out of her ridiculous marriage. Then, I realized that she had been brain washed and knew no other life. She thought she was supposed to "keep sweet" to her husband (32 years older than she) and her sister wives in order to get to heaven and become a goddess but I don't think I could have lived like she did even if I had been born into her so called religion....more Carolyn Jessop's book was excellent but most upsetting. At times I wanted to find her and just shake her and tell her to just get the hell out of her ridiculous marriage. Then, I realized that she had been brain washed and knew no other life. She thought she was supposed to "keep sweet" to her husband (32 years older than she) and her sister wives in order to get to heaven and become a goddess but I don't think I could have lived like she did even if I had been born into her so called religion. I wanted to find her husband, Merrel Jessop, and strangle him which I think I would have done had I been one of his several wives. She became his fourth wife and the mother of eight of his many children. He is the most unkind, callous, hurtful, self-centered, manipulating human being I have ever read about. Actually, I don't even consider him a human being. All this is done in the name of religion. He needs to be in prison with his mentor, Warren Jeffs.

When she finally left with her children, she had $20 in her pocket but felt that it was the only thing she could to save her daughter from becoming the bride of a man so much older than she and to escape the brutality of her father and the sister wives. Warren Jeffs had come into power and had stopped them from watching TV, reading newspapers, listening to radios, reading books,wearing the color red and anything else he decided was "ungodly." Life was unbearable in Merril's house. Through many hardships, Carolyn does triumph. Fortunately, Carolyn is an educated and intelligent woman (teacher) and is able to support her children. I would love to know what is going on now with her family. Where is Betty? Arthur? How is Harrison? Did she marry Brian? So many questions. I hope she writes a sequel.

I would recommend this book to anybody. It is an excellent read. I am now planning to read Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall. It's her story of growing up in a polygamous sect and breaking free of Warren Jeffs. It will be interesting to see how the two stories are alike and how they differ. (less)

like 3 likes · see review

May 28, 2008 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

I used to think the FLDS were basically good people, just a little confused but doing their best to live their religion. I was horrified that their children were taken from them. After reading this book I am not so sure anymore???

According to Carolyn Jessop's story these people are brainwashed, seriously confused, unable to think for themselves, physically and mentally abusive to each other, They have taken a celestial principle and turned it into sheer wickedness. The way they have mangled the...more

like 3 likes · see review

May 12, 2008 Paige rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Paige by: Sarah

I just finished this for my book club. I gave it a 4 because it was a very interesting look into the FLDS religion. I wouldn't take her account as absolutely true of every FLDS family--and she admits a lot of the abuse she experienced was unique to her particular situation. As a member of the LDS church, I was annoyed by the author's mingling of "mainstream Mormons" and the FLDS. It was clear (to me) that she didn't know much about the LDS church and seemed to think we hold a lot of the same bel...more

like 3 likes · see review

May 23, 2008 Janette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow! This is an unbelievably true story about an amazing woman who escaped the FLDS community. (Which really was a prison camp, disguised as a religious sect.) I got a glimpse into this bizarre culture that I’m not sure I wanted. For example, followers could not make choices or attend public school, women were forced to be subservient to men, children were brainwashed, and abuse was encouraged. Girls were not allowed to socialize with boys and were forced to marry whatever man the leaders decide...more

like 2 likes · see review

Dec 20, 2007 Anne Kiwi rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: women

I was completely fascinated by this book. Part of it was the rubbernecker in me that was mesmerized by the tragedy and horror that was this woman's life. I was awed by this woman's strength and courage to leave the only life she had ever known. She left with 8 children, one incredibly sick and the rest reluctant to leave, no money and the knowledge that a powerful organization would try to get the kids back and if they did, she'd never see them again. She gave up everything she knew and built a...more

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 27, 2012 Clacie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-book, memoir, 5-star, polygamy

Fascinating. I didn’t want to listen, but couldn’t turn it off. I had to know what happened next. The abuse that Carolyn reveals is disgusting. Hearing about the child abuse was especially difficult. Even after hearing her story, I can’t imagine what her daily life must have been like. I’m glad Carolyn was able to realize how F’d up the situation was and know that she had to get herself and her kids out of the FLDS cult. She is one of the bravest women I have never known. I wish her and her fami...more

like 2 likes · see review

Feb 10, 2009 Jacqui rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading this harrowing tale of a woman raised and trapped in the FLDS religion and culture. I was appalled by the way she was treated, by the things that are forced on the FLDS women (and some men) by their leaders on a regular basis, and especially by Warren Jeff's takeover of the sect.

Being active LDS (which has nothing to do with the FLDS except a shared history over 100 years ago), it was crazy to me to read verbage and other things that the FLDS people use that are used by...more

like 1 like · see review

Sep 14, 2011 Janet rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoirs

"Here is something I have learned the hard way, but which a lot of well-meaning people in the West have a hard time accepting: All human beings are equal but all cultures and religions are not. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Nomad, p. 212

I could barely put Caroly Jessop's harrowing story of her life within and escape from the FLDS church and community down and I can't stop thinking about it now.

Tony Campolo theorizes in The Power Delusion that in personal and corporate relationships, those that love least hav...more

like 4 likes · see review

Dec 15, 2008 Peggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Carolyn Jessop was a member of Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints who believe in polygamy. This is the story of her life and her escape from this group. I saw an interview with CArolyn a few weeks ago.

Carolyn grew up in this fundamentalist group. As a child, her father only had one wife. The family even lived outside the group for a year when she was a child. As a teenager, her father was asked to marry another wife. Her second mother never lived with them at first, but later on she...more

like 2 likes · see review

Sep 01, 2007 Ever rated it 5 of 5 stars

I couldn't put this book down, so I read it in one day. I'm not sure what's more outrageous - the fact that this book is NOT fiction, or the fact that this craziness is going on in the 21st century United States. Despite the horror of Jessop's story, her words are still uplifting and her triumphs against such impossible odds are inspiring. I was tearing up at the end. Definitely a must-read.

like 4 likes · see review

Feb 28, 2009 asteroidbuckle rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to asteroidbuckle by: Mom

Shelves: religion

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. At the age of eighteen, Carolyn was forced to marry a fifty-year-old man named Merril Jessop, becoming his fourth wife. Over the next 15 years, she would give birth to eight of his children, watch him marry three more women, and become more and more disenchanted with her religion, Mormon Fundamentalism.

Growing up, she was taught that she was special because she would one day grow up to give birth to the special souls waiting in heaven to come to earth to do God's work. Polygamy was a way of life...more At the age of eighteen, Carolyn was forced to marry a fifty-year-old man named Merril Jessop, becoming his fourth wife. Over the next 15 years, she would give birth to eight of his children, watch him marry three more women, and become more and more disenchanted with her religion, Mormon Fundamentalism.

Growing up, she was taught that she was special because she would one day grow up to give birth to the special souls waiting in heaven to come to earth to do God's work. Polygamy was a way of life for her, although her own father only had two wives and didn't marry for the second time until later in life.

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) is an extreme form of Mormonism that holds dear the tenet of polygamy, calling it 'celestial marriage' and the plural wives, 'spirit wives.' Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the first two men to hold the title of "President, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" of the Mormon Church, practiced polygamy and when the church banned the practice in the 1920s, those who held strongly to the practice cleaved from the mainstream church to form their own sect, the FLDS.

The sect of the FLDS that Carolyn Jessop grew up in was and still is centered in Colorado City, Utah. There, under the leadership of their various prophets (first Uncle Roy, then Uncle Rulon, then Warren Jeffs), Carolyn was raised in the faith and taught to practice 'perfect obedience' to her husband.

But faith could not snuff out her inner spirit and as things got weirder, more extreme, and more dangerous within the FLDS church, she knew she had to get out. And she did, with a little help of from her friends, most of whom were outsiders whom she was led to believe were evil (in the FLDS, all outsiders were evil and minions of Satan).

The most disturbing and fascinating thing about Carolyn's story is the inside look at life inside a polygamist home. Multiple wives, dozens of children, and one father who runs the show with an iron fist. Only, in Carolyn's case, the show was mostly run by Merril's favorite wife, Barbara, who made it a point to use her influence to punish the other wives and their children as often as possible.

In the FLDS culture, a woman's only value is as a mother--providing more and more children for the FLDS faith. The more children a woman has, the more status she has. But she is still considered the property of her husband in every way. Education was banned beyond the very basics (although she was lucky enough to obtain a college education before Warren Jeffs banned all public education) and scamming the welfare system was common. In fact, the irony of it is that the FLDS thumbed their noses at the government, yet bilked it of millions of dollars because they thought it was their sacred duty to do so (they called it 'bleeding the beast').

A fascinating book that I read off and on in about four days. Carolyn Jessop got herself and her children out just in time before Warren Jeffs destroyed everything.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Dec 06, 2008 Clodagh rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the first MisLit book i've read. I don't think the writing is especially good, Carolyn often jumps inexplicably from one event to another 5 years in the future and writes sentences like "I'll never forgive him. Never."
Nonetheless it is an amazing story and I could barely put it down - as you can tell from the title she escapes from a fundamentalist mormon community that she grew up in (They hate the government, wear freaky clothes, have their own hair styles and their own belief/moral s...more

like 2 likes · see review

Feb 03, 2009 Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Interesting -- kind of like watching Cops is interesting. You don't really like it, but you can't pull yourself away beause it's so unbelievable.

like 6 likes · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
A Novel Idea Book...: Yearning for Zion Ranch Newspaper Article	1	4	Oct 08, 2012 05:46pm
A Novel Idea Book...: Escape Kirkus Review	1	2	Sep 24, 2012 05:20pm
A Novel Idea Book...: Carolyn Jessop Time Interview	1	5	Sep 20, 2012 06:32pm
A Novel Idea Book...: Preliminary thoughts..	2	3	Sep 18, 2012 02:05pm
A Novel Idea Book...: Escape Discussion Questions	1	4	Sep 13, 2012 05:43pm
A Novel Idea Book...: Escape	1	3	Sep 13, 2012 05:12pm

combine
Other Editions (20)

More editions...

Genres

Non Fiction

487 users

Autobiography > Memoir

232 users

Biography

152 users

Religion

135 users

Book Club

68 users

Biography > Autobiography

43 users

Biography Memoir

42 users

Religion > Cults

30 users

Adult

22 users

Womens

20 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Carolyn Jessop

Carolyn Jessop is a former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints member who wrote Escape, an autobiographical account of her upbringing in the polygamist sect and later flight from that community.
She is the cousin, by marriage, of Flora Jessop, another former FLDS member and advocate for abused children.
Carolyn Jessop now lives in the Salt Lake City area with her children.
As...more

More about Carolyn Jessop...

Books by Carolyn Jessop

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Escape

2 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Escape

“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for hell.” — 4 people liked it

“In a cult, you have two identities: your cult identity and your authentic self. Most of the time I operated from my cult identity, which was pliant, submissive and obedient. But when I was pushed to the point where it felt like my survival was at stake, my authentic self came to the fore.” — 2 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Escape
avg rating	preview: Escape Goodreads rating: 3.92 (16616 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/818811.Escape?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320470328l/818811.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/818811.Escape?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Escape by Carolyn Jessop[/url]

Escape

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website