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There are currently 30 member reviews
for The Sound of Gravel
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Susan S. (Lafayette, CA)
A fascinating look at hidden world
To say I "enjoyed' this book does a disservice to its subject matter, but it was thoroughly engrossing, and horrifying, from start to finish. Ruth Wariner presents us with a memoir that takes us from her young childhood into her teenage years, at all times presenting her story as her younger self perceived it it at the time. We see her slowly come to realize what is obvious to the reader from page 1 - there is something deeply wrong with the patriarchal society in which the women have no rights, and in which the husbands and fathers take little or no responsibility for the economic support of their numerous wives, and many, many children. This is a thoroughly fascinating, though exceedingly unsettling, glimpse into a world that most of us know very little about.
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John W. (Saint Louis, MO)
Must Read But Not a Happy Ride
Perhaps one of the best books I've read in awhile as well as one of the saddest. It reminded me of Glass Castle -- the poverty and neglect that both women experienced as children. Glass Castle told the story of the failure of the foster care system in Florida to ensure the safety of the author and her brother while this book is even more shocking how a mother could not protect any of her children. The writing is powerful and while painful to read, I couldn't put the book down. I prayed that all of the children would be okay in the end not just the author. My highest praise for the author! It must have been extremely painful to recount such painful memories of one's youth.
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Dorothy G. (Naperville, IL)
Fascinating and spell binding.
The inner workings of a polygamist colony would be fascinating without any other details. However, The Sound of Gravel shows us the personal side, the private side and all through the eyes of a young, brave girl. The author's understanding of her mother's motives and beliefs as well as her ability to separate the terribly wrong decisions from the love of her mother was riveting. This is a book I could not put down and actually stayed up half the night to finish. The author draws you into her family and you fall in love with so many of the people in the book and come to hate a few as well. A book full of emotion and fullness of spirit. Ruth was able to stand up through all the trials of her young life and also able to relate the strangeness of it all. This book really takes you on a dusty, dark journey into a world I never really knew existed. I would love to meet the author and will inquire at my local bookstore of the possibility of upcoming dates. This would make a fascinating motion picture.
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Eileen F. (Ridgefield, WA)
Survival
This memoir was amazing. Ruth was indeed a survivor. I tried to put myself in her situation and it scared me. It seemed that she was a special person to have such love for her mother and siblings. The family dynamics and tragedies were piled on top of each other. I had a hard time putting this book down once I had started. Would like to discuss this in a book group.
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Ariel F. (Madison, WI)
Positive actions triumph over obstacles.
I received the book and dug right into it. I found the book to be intense at times. No one know what other people endure. I have always had opinions about polygamists and this book confirmed some of my suspicions. It is so sad when women and children are abused both physically and mentally. I am happy that the author did not allow her many challenges to keep her from moving forward and getting her degrees, despite her hard times.
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Chris W. (Temple City, CA)
the sound of sadness ... and triumph
I am so glad that books are being written about polygamy groups and the abuse suffered by some of the children and wives. To live in such horrid poverty and squalid conditions and to think that they believed their god wanted this for their families is hard to understand. This book is an eye opener about how these children grew up and what the wives put up with. The women's lives revolve completely around being happy in a plural marriage, being very poor, pregnant, having babies, and raising children. This family moved constantly, never had a real home, stopped formal education at a young age, and young children often had to work to help support the family. Add to this an abusive, deadbeat stepfather. What a strong, loving, amazing woman is Ruth Wariner. This book is well written and almost impossible to put down. Their story is unforgettable, heart breaking, infuriating, and difficult to read, but also very enlightening and everybody should know about these "cults" where just about everything is tolerated and not questioned in the name of religion. I am hoping that there is another book being written by this author about the years between when she escaped from Mexico and when she got married, explaining her life taking care of her siblings while going to school and working. I would like to know more about her friends and relatives left behind in the colony and how her siblings are doing today. Their story will stay with me for a long time, and I will recommend this book to everyone.
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gloria ganderbilt
A heartwrenching story well told
My goodness where do I start. I read this book on one sitting. It broke my heart to read about the terrible conditions under which these children lived. The fact that the father was a pervert, a thief, and an abuser yet he claimed be following God's will made me so angry. I understand why the mother "worked the system" to get money to care for her family, but I had a hard time condoning the fact. Perhaps, in view of all that is in the news lately about immigration and welfare abuse, this is not a good time to release this book. Maybe that's why I was so incensed by the story. That said, I must say that, in spite of the subject matter, the book was very well written. It's surprising to read an author's first effort that is this smooth. Her personalities are clear and the emotions are honest and realistic. Entertaining the book is not, but enlightening and gripping it is. I give it five stars and look forward to more from this writer. I admire her strength and I'd like to hear more about her struggles to make a home, get an education and care for her siblings.
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