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I’m a fairly open minded person. I believe in freedom of choice whether it’s a religious matter, sexual, educational, or anything else in life as long as we all follow the rule that your choice shouldn’t impinge on my ability to choose.  Hidden Wives by Claire Avery reads like a firsthand account of what could have occurred leading up to the raids on the Texas Fundamentalist Mormon compound in 2008 where hundreds of girls were found in a community that routinely married young girls to older men in arranged marriages. Like many stories that come out of religious sects like these, it’s difficult looking in and (not)judging women that say they want to remain there. I’ve been routinely appalled, while at the same time believing they have a choice to live in any type of relationship they want to. Of course, the question comes down to, “do they really have a choice?”

Avery tackles this question from the inside by following the fictional story of 2 young sisters, Rachel and Sara. Rachel and Sara are diametrically opposed, Rachel, the beautiful one, is a true believer, and Sara, the unattractive intelligent one, is beginning to have serious doubts. While portraying characters like this can be annoying, it really served to show both sides of how members of fanatical sects both stay and go. Rachel is torn throughout the novel between understanding why God is testing her and how she can make sure the people she loves will go to heaven by following the sects rules. Sara on the other hand, is desperately trying to find a way to show Rachel what lies in wait for her if she remains in the community.

Avery does a fantastic job of showing how interpersonal relationships play out in a family with multiple wives vying for one mans attention. Legal issues are deftly interspersed to show what happens when help is needed by wives that can’t legitimately claim a husband, or a child a father, because the law only recognizes the first wife. Incestuous marriages, cult leaders on power trips, boys that are forced out of the community so there are more wives for the leaders, and power plays among wives are brought to light in a community that portrays themselves as the holiest nation on Earth.

Hidden Wives is an interesting look at how fundamentalist cults operate in and out of the law, and how girls are denied their basic rights, and any right to choose. I’m still torn though, faith is a powerful concept, and while it’s easy to look in and say you would never make the same choices in their situation, if you are raised in a particular faith, I imagine it’s difficult to draw a line and turn your back on your entire family.

Hidden Wives

Novel Whore Rating: 5 Notches on the Bed Post

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* I received a review copy of Hidden Wives from the publisher as part of the TLC Book Tour, go read more reviews!