My letter “P” book for the A to Z book challenge was THE POLYGAMIST’S DAUGHTER by Anna LeBaron.

Recounting her childhood as the daughter of the notorious polygamist and murderer Ervil LeBaron, and the polygamist cult he lead, Anna LeBaron had a horrific childhood. With her father wanted for murder and the FBI chasing them down, Anna’s early childhood was one of being constantly on the run with the other sister wives and her brothers and sisters (there were fifty). She often dealt with gnawing hunger, uncertainty, and feeling like she was alone despite being surrounded by others. She escaped the cult at thirteen, and after some twists and turns ended up in a far better place.

I have to confess, this one was very nearly a DNF for me. Despite the inspirational story and the heart-wrenching subject matter, this book was dry as dust – mainly because Anna skimmed over so much of the real story of the LeBaron cult, her fathers murders, their practices, etc. It was more a detail of her life of poverty. This book is touted as a gripping memoir, but the final third of the book was a straight-up sermon after Anna converts to conservative Christianity.

If you’re a very religious person, this book is meant for you. If you’re looking for a riveting memoir and true crime recounting, there are many better books and documentaries about the LeBaron cult that will give you the full story in a much more interesting way. Also, if you’re considering buying this on audiobook – don’t. The narrator is monotonous and volume levels are all over the place.

I’m giving this two and a half stars, and one of those is for my respect for all she’s overcome.