Favorite Wife
Escape from Polygamy
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Favorite Wife
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Narrated by:
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Susan Ericksen
About this listen
She had no choice in the matter - none of the girls did. Her mission was to give birth to and raise many children in devoted service to a shared husband. Susan was 15 years old when she became the sixth wife of Verlan LeBaron, one of the leaders of a rogue Mormon cult, who was engaged in a blood feud with his brother that from 1972 to 1988 claimed up to two dozen lives.
In this gripping and eloquent book, Susan Ray Schmidt tells the story of growing up on the inside and of her ultimate escape with her children from an oppressive and violent life. Delving more deeply into this mysterious underworld than any previous work, Favorite Wife is a powerful account of the affairs of the heart, coming of age under exceptional circumstances, and the tough choices that are sometimes painfully necessary to preserve human dignity.
Susan Ray Schmidt was once a member of the Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Times and the child-bride of polygamist Verlan LeBaron in Colonia LeBaron in Mexico. After eight years of marriage, she left her husband and fled with her five children back to America. She remarried three years later.
©2006 Susan Ray Schmidt (P)2018 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Favorite Wife
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- courtney
- 06-06-19
Great story
Very moving story of a very courageous woman. engaging and heartfelt, greatly enjoyed the book
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Layla
- 27-10-23
Very detailed account of the complications of polygamy
Very eye opening account of religion deluding people and trapping them in misery. Conflict and murder among differing sects. Transitioning to comparing and challenging beliefs by reading alternative religious texts. A full description of evolving and then leaving the religion.
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- Franklymydarling
- 24-09-19
Holding my breath with suspense!
This is an engaging and interesting book where you end up really caring for Susan and her fate. You want her to be happy and listen to how she endures countless trials.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-07-24
Fantastic, a riveting insight into the daily lives of fundamentalists.
The narrator was brilliant, and brought Susan’s words to life very enjoyably. I loved Susan, and admired how she dealt with her life in polygamy and the rollercoaster that it was. I felt the characters were well developed and I wanted to know what became of them. I highly recommend this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Brendamo
- 20-03-20
Hard Life
I really enjoyed this book though quite a lot of it was for me anyway, hard to listen to. I know the women were born into these beliefs but I don’t understand how any woman could put up with the sort of life Susan endured for years. Her husband to me anyway sounds like an incredibly selfish man who put his own needs before anything else and was only interested in amassing as many wife’s as possible. I don’t know how Susan managed to stay with him as long as she did. Am glad she found the courage to leave and hope her and her children are enjoying a better life now.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Carolyn W.
- 02-06-24
A very frank look into the Mormon religion
Totally amazing book, well researched and written, great narrative. Shocking look into the totally corrupt and lawless teachings and practices of the Mormon church. This is exactly why I don’t do religion.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-02-24
Horrifying, strong, important story
Absolutely chilling tale. Doesn't get any better knowing she married the "loving" and "good" option... She was continously raped by an old dude that was so aware of his action towards a child, he had her pretend to be his daughter in public. Disgraceful doesn't even begin to cover it. May men like these be a thing of the past.
I wish nothing but the best for the author; I so wish I could hug all the kids that were abused by this and other cults back when they needed it. Truly heartbreaking. Let's learn from stories like these and make our societies better, fellow humans!
TL;DR: Very well written, wonderfully read, important messages, great story telling. Wildly upsetting passages and horrendous tales of abuse, yet upbeat and pleasant general athmosphere. Quite a feat in and of itself.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-05-24
Incredible Read
I was totally absorbed by this book and so sad when it finished. It’s beautifully written and very open and honest. I so admire Susan for sharing her experience and hope she has found peace in writing her story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sin C
- 06-08-19
Eye opening
Really enjoyed this book, it's made me understand why some follow polygamy and why in the end they leave. It's really a sad story to think the lives of these women have been so limited due to their beliefs. Even though there are so many names mentioned in the book, it was fine to follow in the end.
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- Helen Leask
- 08-10-23
so so good
I thoroughly enjoyed listening.
so interesting. would recommend to anyone intetsted in the religion.
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