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A review by ela_lee_
The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This disturbing memoir offers a glimpse into the world of polygamist Mormon cults, a narrative I’ve heard many times before. While I acknowledge it's essential to respect diverse religious beliefs, the extremities of rural Mormon sects makes me physically sick and should be outlawed at this point. (I think it technically is, but what can you do when they live off-grid?) Dominant male figures compel these families to endure extreme poverty for the sake of their religion and living “humbly,” while continuing to have numerous children beyond their means. These families are isolated and live in perpetual danger (many miles away from emergency services and hospitals) and are conditioned for an impending apocalypse/collapse of America. Just trying to comprehend the realities of these large families living in the remote areas of Mexico to Texas and New Mexico is mind boggling.
Ruth's story of the traumas her family faced—child suicides, self-harm fantasies, incestual rape, malnutrition, domestic violence, and tragic animal deaths—is deeply interwoven with their extremist religious doctrines. The excuses made by her stepfather, and her mother, for the sexual abuse inflicted upon their children is infuriating. Yet, somehow, these are the “men of God.”
"I don't want to suffer the way my mom did when my dad took his other wives," I said.
"Does your mom like it?"
"No," I said quietly. "She cries all the time."
"Mine does too," she admitted. "I don't want that."
"Or perhaps I would end up in hell. The thought of spending all eternity with Satan terrified me almost as much as the prospect of spending it with my stepfather."
"Lane just stared back at me, as impassive as ever. His arms folded over his big belly, not a single tear having been shed. As much respect in death as he had for her in life, I thought."
Ruth's story of the traumas her family faced—child suicides, self-harm fantasies, incestual rape, malnutrition, domestic violence, and tragic animal deaths—is deeply interwoven with their extremist religious doctrines. The excuses made by her stepfather, and her mother, for the sexual abuse inflicted upon their children is infuriating. Yet, somehow, these are the “men of God.”
"I don't want to suffer the way my mom did when my dad took his other wives," I said.
"Does your mom like it?"
"No," I said quietly. "She cries all the time."
"Mine does too," she admitted. "I don't want that."
"Or perhaps I would end up in hell. The thought of spending all eternity with Satan terrified me almost as much as the prospect of spending it with my stepfather."
"Lane just stared back at me, as impassive as ever. His arms folded over his big belly, not a single tear having been shed. As much respect in death as he had for her in life, I thought."