The Peaceable Kingdom

by Ardyth Kennelly

The life of Linnea, a Swedish immigrant and Mormon second wife, in end of the 19th century Salt Lake City.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

375 pages, Hardback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Ardyth Matilda Kennelly was an American novelist with five works of historical/literary fiction published between 1949 and 1956, and one published posthumously, in 2014.

Reviews

[Fairhavenqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my very favorite books in the whole world. A very interesting look at what it would be like to be the second wife in a polygamous marriage. I've read it many times so I'm not even going to post a date!

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time fav's. A rare book, little known. My mother-in-law gave it to me (one of her fav's). Short stories from the life of the character, Linnea, a polygamist wife (yes, I'm serious) in the late 1800's, around the time of Wilford Woodruff's manifesto, ending polygamy in the LDS church. You will fall in love with her, she is such a wonderful character. So interesting to read about polygamy from a polygamist character's p.o.v. Lots of fun humor and funny situations, but also a lot of heart-warming stories.

I also read the sequel, "Up Home," the month after I read this one. Loved it, too, but couldn't find it on Goodreads website.

[Jillaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend gave me her copy of this book, telling me simply that she loves it, that it's hard to explain, and that it's about polygamy. That *nearly* sums it up for me.

It really is hard to explain, and I'll tell you right off, the summary here on Goodreads is wrong. The main character, Linnea, is not a Swedish immigrant. She is of Swedish heritage, but it is made clear several times in the book that she was born in Utah. She was born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and enters into a polygamist marriage as a second wife.

Polygamy is truly the central theme and a real driving force in this book, but it is not all that it is about. More accurately, I'd say it's about a cheerful, independent mother who is determined to be a kind neighbor and friend, to stand up for what is right and for those who can't stand up for themselves. Linnea spends much of her time, essentially, as a single mother, because her husband Olaf cannot come to see her as often as he would like due to the intense scrutiny by the federal government on the activities of Mormons in the territory of Utah during this time. Olaf had already spent some time in jail for polygamy and did not want to risk being caught visiting multiple households, as providing for his two families was difficult enough without being in jail. The book is set in 1890, which is the year that the LDS Church issued the manifesto ending plural marriage.

Linnea was such a delightful character who worked hard to rear her children. There were so many additional characters and related stories that made this book such a great read. Linnea considers and must think through her circumstances as a polygamous wife as she gradually understands the feelings of the first wife (through talking to other first wives), as she encounters those who look down on the peculiar institution, as she interacts with other women in similar circumstances, and as she teaches her own daughters to respect her choice while discouraging them from making it for themselves.

Motherhood and love are other signficant themes of this book. You cannot read it without getting a glimpse into the real mother heart that Linnea (and many other characters) possessed.

This book was written in the 1940s, which I think is an important piece of information. It definitely affects the style of writing, and I realized that it was written at a time when there were certainly people still alive who may have been reared in polygamous homes. This book may not be for everyone, but I also think there are many who would be surprised at how much they'd like it, especially because it would be easy to pass on it as merely a "book about polygamy."

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally, this was recommended by my grandmother, and I couldn't have picked a better story that encompasses the kind of person that she was. This book is filled with laughter, love, strength and tradjedy--it's full of life.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret treasure! Just re-read this and fell in love all over again.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite book.

[Martha F-P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because a friend loves the author, and I can see why - it's very funny and has a lot of warmth and insight towards its characters, as well as some lovely writing.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely in my top 5 books of all time! I still don’t understand why this book is so unknown - I loan it to anyone who will give it a chance...

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I'd heard about and meant to read for many years, and I finally got to it. It was not what I expected at all. Published in 1949 by a woman with ties to Utah, It was the story of Linnea, 2nd wife of a Mormon tailor just at and after the time polygamy was discontinued. It fictionalizes all things polygamy: the strife and jealousy between wives, the awkward social situations, the scandals, the loneliness...Linnea considers herself a devout Mormon, but she sure does guzzle the coffee! Her story was interesting, if not always flattering to the history of the church. I enjoyed reading about what life and culture were like in Utah in the 1890's.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most endearing, funny, heart-rending books I have ever read. I read and still have my grandmother's copy. It is kind of hard to find, but well worth the search. I re-read it often, along with the sequel "Up Home". It is the story of a Mormon polygamous second wife Linnea and her little family. It paints an honest picture of polygamy, neither sugar coating it nor condemning it, just telling a touchingly honest story. One of those books I feel was a gift in my life.

[Faye Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy interesting read based on the life of the wives living under polygamy. The story follows Linnea and her children, their lives, heartaches, strengths, and the difficulties faced by "second wives." This was a little too sympathetic to the men, in my opinion, and gave a focus that was somewhat different from others I've read. The author's mother was born into a Mormon family, so appears to have told the story from the perspective of an insider.

[Kathryn Pritchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I described my own novel about a polygamous 2nd wife at a writer's conference, an attendee brought this book to my attention. I'd never heard of Ardyth Kennelly before. This has an old-timey sensibility about it, but I loved the characters and the sense of place. Kennelly would have known some of these old polygamists in her lifetime and so it was especially interesting to read her depictions. Very enjoyable read.

[Diane O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never would have thought I'd have any interest in a book about polygamy, but it captivated me the moment I started reading it and became a favorite. The main character is interesting, funny and so admirable! The descriptions are so vivid you feel as if you are in the room with her sipping the endless cups of coffee she enjoyed! I was lucky enough to find an autographed copy of this book years ago and it truly is a treasure.

[Emily Maughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I really didn't like this book....it's about a polygamous family in the early church. I was just reading it to get it overwith (was recommended by my sister in law). There were a few things that were said that I don't agree with. I still don't really understand everything about polygamy and know I would have struggled with it had I lived during that time. But as it got closer to the end I really did want to find out what was happening with all these people. Now looking back I enjoyed it more than I originally did because I guess it got me reflecting on my life.....not just being grateful for having an amazing husband and not having to share him, but on what kind of mother I am. I think any book that gets you thinking and helps you want to be a better person is a book worth reading......you just have to get 2/3 of the way through before that happens.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ardyth Kennelly gets to the heart of her characters by showing you their motivations, how their heart works. The dialogue is effortlessly authentic. The author understands the historical context and the material culture of the time as well as how people thought in those days. The authenticity of her books derives from the fact that she was born into a Mormon family (Olaf was her grandfather Emil; Linnea was her grandmother Anna, Emil's second wife in polygamy) and lived in Salt Lake City (despite being born in Oregon) until age 11. Whoever likes her books, watch for publication of her brilliant new novel, written late in life and much more ambitious than any of her previous works. Publication is expected in 2012.

[Debcrittenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really old book a lady in my branch gave to me to read. It is the point of view of a woman named Linnea who is the second wife in a polygamous marriage. It's been a very interesting read that has caused me to do a lot of deep thinking. There were two things I loved most about this book 1) being taken back to that time period and learning about how things were back then and 2)I love the main character. She lives life basically as a single mother with 5 children and she is strong and deticated, yet you see her vulnerable side as well. I just loved reading about her, how she lived her life, and how she mothered her children.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why I didn't post this when I read it, because I just spent ten minutes trying to remember/figure out the title of this book. Obviously, it's not super widely known, and I'm not sure how I came to it in the first place. I really came to love it by its end. The writing is uneven but very good at certain points. She has a knack for describing the drama of domestic life--by which I don't mean family arguments, etc., but actual domesticity, furnishing and setting up a house. Wish I still had my library copy to transcribe some quotes.

[Kathleen Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful old fashioned novel with beautiful storytelling. It's one I have read many times. It would make an incredible movie

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written--good characters--VERY good--neat look at polygamy

[Shawn Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute book that gives interesting insight to the daily lives of Church members in Utah during the late 1800s right before the end of polygamy. Some truly laugh-out loud stories.

[Robin Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about nothing, really. But it is beautifully written.

[Ellen]

I read this when I was abaout 13 years old as my parents had it on the bookshelf. I remember enjoying it and I would like to read it again - just have to find a copy!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story based on Ardyth's grandmother's experience as the second wife in a polygamous marriage.