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missy_reading 's review for:

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
4.0
dark emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I have always enjoyed learning more about polygamy. It is one of those things I find interesting in why people feel called to live that way. This book follows two separate timelines about two separate women who are both considered the 19th wife. I found the narrative to be compelling, but the pacing did pull me out of the story occasionally because I would be invested in one of the narratives more than the other. 
I think that the story was well thought out and the characters were fleshed out I just enjoyed the past narrative more compelling than the present narrative. 
If you found the show Big Love enjoyable then I think you could enjoy this story. If you enjoy Sister Wives this is nothing like that show. If you enjoyed the documentary Keep Sweet and Obey I also think you will enjoy this story.