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The Celestial Wife: A Novel
A young fundamentalist Mormon girl facing a forced marriage escapes her strict, polygamist community and comes of age in the tumultuous 1960s in this captivating novel inspired by shockingly true events.
Keep sweet no matter what, for this is the way to be lifted up
Keep sweet with every breath, for it is a matter of life or death
1964. Fifteen-year-old Daisy Shoemaker dreams of life beyond her small, isolated fundamentalist Mormon community of Redemption on the Canada—US border—despite Bishop Thorsen’s warning that the outside world is full of sin. According to the Principle, the only way to enter the celestial kingdom is through plural marriage. While the boys are taught to work in the lucrative sawmill that supports their enclave, Daisy and her best friend, Brighten, are instructed to keep sweet and wait for Placement—the day the bishop will choose a husband for them. But Daisy wants to be more than a sister-wife and a mother. So when she is placed with a man forty years her senior, she makes the daring decision to flee Redemption.
Years later, Daisy has a job and a group of trustworthy friends. Emboldened by the ideas of the feminist and counterculture movements, she is freer than she has ever been…until Brighten reaches out with a cry for help and Daisy’s past comes hurtling back. But to save the women she left behind, Daisy must risk her newfound independence and return to Redemption, where hellfire surely awaits.
For readers of Emma Cline’s The Girls and Ami McKay’s The Virgin Cure comes an arresting coming-of-age novel about a fearless young girl’s fight for freedom at a time of great historic change.
Keep sweet no matter what, for this is the way to be lifted up
Keep sweet with every breath, for it is a matter of life or death
1964. Fifteen-year-old Daisy Shoemaker dreams of life beyond her small, isolated fundamentalist Mormon community of Redemption on the Canada—US border—despite Bishop Thorsen’s warning that the outside world is full of sin. According to the Principle, the only way to enter the celestial kingdom is through plural marriage. While the boys are taught to work in the lucrative sawmill that supports their enclave, Daisy and her best friend, Brighten, are instructed to keep sweet and wait for Placement—the day the bishop will choose a husband for them. But Daisy wants to be more than a sister-wife and a mother. So when she is placed with a man forty years her senior, she makes the daring decision to flee Redemption.
Years later, Daisy has a job and a group of trustworthy friends. Emboldened by the ideas of the feminist and counterculture movements, she is freer than she has ever been…until Brighten reaches out with a cry for help and Daisy’s past comes hurtling back. But to save the women she left behind, Daisy must risk her newfound independence and return to Redemption, where hellfire surely awaits.
For readers of Emma Cline’s The Girls and Ami McKay’s The Virgin Cure comes an arresting coming-of-age novel about a fearless young girl’s fight for freedom at a time of great historic change.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2024
36 people are currently reading
5292 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Howard
203 books21 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. ^
Leslie Howard (3 April 1893 – 1 June 1943) was an English stage and film actor, director, and producer. Probably best remembered for playing Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939), he also appeared in Berkeley Square (1933), Of Human Bondage (1934), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934), The Petrified Forest (1936), Pygmalion (1938), Intermezzo (1939), "Pimpernel" Smith (1941) and The First of the Few (1942).
Howard's Second World War activities included acting and filmmaking. He was active in anti-German propaganda and reputedly involved with British or Allied Intelligence, which may have led to his death in 1943 when an airliner on which he was a passenger was shot down over the Bay of Biscay, sparking conspiracy theories regarding his death.
Howard did not publish an autobiography, although a compilation of his writings, Trivial Fond Records, edited and with occasional comments by his son Ronald, was published in 1982. This book includes insights on his family life, first impressions of America and Americans when he first moved to the United States to act on Broadway, and his views on democracy in the years prior to and during the Second World War.
Leslie Howard (3 April 1893 – 1 June 1943) was an English stage and film actor, director, and producer. Probably best remembered for playing Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939), he also appeared in Berkeley Square (1933), Of Human Bondage (1934), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934), The Petrified Forest (1936), Pygmalion (1938), Intermezzo (1939), "Pimpernel" Smith (1941) and The First of the Few (1942).
Howard's Second World War activities included acting and filmmaking. He was active in anti-German propaganda and reputedly involved with British or Allied Intelligence, which may have led to his death in 1943 when an airliner on which he was a passenger was shot down over the Bay of Biscay, sparking conspiracy theories regarding his death.
Howard did not publish an autobiography, although a compilation of his writings, Trivial Fond Records, edited and with occasional comments by his son Ronald, was published in 1982. This book includes insights on his family life, first impressions of America and Americans when he first moved to the United States to act on Broadway, and his views on democracy in the years prior to and during the Second World War.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
March 17, 2024
Set in 1960’s British Columbia, this story follows the main character, Daisy, as she comes of age in a polygamous Mormon community. This book had a really intriguing plot that captured my attention - Daisy fights against the life she was born into and pushes for a life filled with freedom and where feminist principles are respected. Sadly, the story felt a bit forced. This book was, “inspired by true events,” and I am not sure how much is fiction and which elements are fiction, but the book felt a bit contrived and predictable. I found Martha Beck’s memoir, Leaving the Saints, to be a much deeper portrayal of a similar experience.
June 2, 2024
First of all, what an ethereal cover. I just want to carry it around and bask in its simple beauty forever.
But, inside the pastel cover is a story of teenage Daisy, who is about to be told who she is to marry in her Mormon community in southern BC. The year is 1964, and she is secretly discovering music, art, and is not so sure that she wants to be married at 15. Well, who the heck would?
Anyways, Daisy finds her way out of the marriage and into hippie culture picking fruit in the Okanagon and with some groovy friends. But, the book looks at some of the terrible truths of polygamy and I'm just not able to even deal with that kind of community. Just, No! For so many reasons.
I have watched "under the banner of heaven" and read/watched "women talking" and you can see some of Howard's influences there. Not as disturbing as either of those sources, but informative nonetheless. I found it to be a real page-turner. A bit of a tidy ending, but that's okay.
But, inside the pastel cover is a story of teenage Daisy, who is about to be told who she is to marry in her Mormon community in southern BC. The year is 1964, and she is secretly discovering music, art, and is not so sure that she wants to be married at 15. Well, who the heck would?
Anyways, Daisy finds her way out of the marriage and into hippie culture picking fruit in the Okanagon and with some groovy friends. But, the book looks at some of the terrible truths of polygamy and I'm just not able to even deal with that kind of community. Just, No! For so many reasons.
I have watched "under the banner of heaven" and read/watched "women talking" and you can see some of Howard's influences there. Not as disturbing as either of those sources, but informative nonetheless. I found it to be a real page-turner. A bit of a tidy ending, but that's okay.
April 25, 2024
2.5 rounded up. The Celestial Wife follows Daisy, a Mormon teen who escapes from her polygamist community during the 1960s. This novel started off strong, but slowly went off the rails. A positive aspect of this novel is that it was extremely readable and easy to digest. Additionally, I think Howard's choice to set this novel in the 1960s was a great one. Having Daisy experience Beatles concerts and Woodstock after leaving her community was lots of fun to read. Unfortunately, I found that Howard's writing lacked the emotional depth necessary when discussing serious topics like sexual violence and child abuse. Also, many of the decisions the characters made throughout this novel were absolutely absurd. I had to audibly groan after reading some of nonsensical things that Daisy did throughout this novel. If you are thinking about picking up this book because you are interested in Mormonism, I would recommend finding a different novel.
April 9, 2024
The Celestial Wife is a gripping and insightful story about the life of Daisy Shoemaker who grew up in a fundamentalist Mormon community in the 1960’s. Although a work of fiction, the author did base the story on true events and stories. For example, the story parallels the fundamentalist LDS sect in Bountiful, BC. This community was under the rule of leader Winston Blackmore, who had 145 children and 25 wives. Blackmore’s religious beliefs “call for celestial marriages”. Which is the focus of The Celestial Wife by Leslie Howard
The Celestial Wife takes place in the fictional town of Redemption BC. The year is 1964 and 15 year old Daisy and her mother are outcasts in their polygamist Mormon community. As a result Daisy was “reassigned” to another family that strictly enforced the beliefs of the community. That females must “keep sweet”, not ask questions and do as they are told. That Gods plan for women in their community include “plural marriage, hard work and motherhood”!
Daisy is horrified to learn that at the tender age of 15 she must marry the Bishop, a man who is 40 years her senior with several wives already. It is at this time that Daisy decides she must fight for her freedom and finally flee her controlling and abusive community.
What ensues is a harrowing escape and an awakening for Daisy as she realizes what life is like outside her archaic and isolated community of Redemption. Daisy meets new friends who take her under their wings, protect her and help her get on her feet in the real world.
Now settled, Daisy’s hope is to help her mother and best friend escape the dark and dangerous fundamentalist community and live a normal life of freedom and personal choice. A life where they can decide their own fate. But to do this Daisy will have to face the demons of her past and return to Redemption one last time.
This book was enthralling and appalling all at the same time. Enthralling because the very notion of polygamy is so foreign that I wanted to learn more. But appalling because of the audacious act of young girls being abused and forced to marry old men. Even though the subject matter was disturbing and intense, the author handled it with sensitivity and tact.
The Celestial Wife is an intense, gripping, heart wrenching yet empowering story. I would highly recommend this book to any Historical Fiction fans and those interested in learning what it’s like to grow up in a religious cult.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for my arc of The Celestial Wife. And thank you to my #buddyread partners.
The Celestial Wife takes place in the fictional town of Redemption BC. The year is 1964 and 15 year old Daisy and her mother are outcasts in their polygamist Mormon community. As a result Daisy was “reassigned” to another family that strictly enforced the beliefs of the community. That females must “keep sweet”, not ask questions and do as they are told. That Gods plan for women in their community include “plural marriage, hard work and motherhood”!
Daisy is horrified to learn that at the tender age of 15 she must marry the Bishop, a man who is 40 years her senior with several wives already. It is at this time that Daisy decides she must fight for her freedom and finally flee her controlling and abusive community.
What ensues is a harrowing escape and an awakening for Daisy as she realizes what life is like outside her archaic and isolated community of Redemption. Daisy meets new friends who take her under their wings, protect her and help her get on her feet in the real world.
Now settled, Daisy’s hope is to help her mother and best friend escape the dark and dangerous fundamentalist community and live a normal life of freedom and personal choice. A life where they can decide their own fate. But to do this Daisy will have to face the demons of her past and return to Redemption one last time.
This book was enthralling and appalling all at the same time. Enthralling because the very notion of polygamy is so foreign that I wanted to learn more. But appalling because of the audacious act of young girls being abused and forced to marry old men. Even though the subject matter was disturbing and intense, the author handled it with sensitivity and tact.
The Celestial Wife is an intense, gripping, heart wrenching yet empowering story. I would highly recommend this book to any Historical Fiction fans and those interested in learning what it’s like to grow up in a religious cult.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for my arc of The Celestial Wife. And thank you to my #buddyread partners.
June 17, 2024
2.5 STARS - The Celestial Wife is a blend of a coming-of-age story and historical fiction that centres around a 15-year-old girl who was raised in a Mormon FLDS community in western Canada.
The story started off strong as readers get a look into the life of Daisy, a teenage girl who was raised in a religious polygamist group in Canada in the 1960's where girls as young as 12 were married with the sole goal of birthing as many children as possible and devoting their lives to the church. Descriptions of what life was like for the girls, women and children were well-described and heartbreaking, but the story loses steam as the story changes focus.
The story becomes far-fetched as Daisy experiences a few notable 1960's events and the focus shifts to small-town Okanagan Valley life and winemaking instead of the emotionally turbulent life of the women in the polygamist society that was controlled by a horrid human full of hubris and greed.
The strength of this book is how Howard creates a vivid 1960's atmosphere. But the way she incorporates many pop culture events (Beatles concert, Woodstock ...) felt heavy-handed, requiring readers to suspend disbelief and ultimately negatively impacted the storytelling. For a story set around emotionally wrought themes of sexual and religious trauma, violence and women's lack of agency in their own lives, these issues were handled with a very light hand, lacked depth which were exacerbated with the simplistic style of storytelling.
Ultimately, I liked the concept of this coming-of-age story, but not its delivery.
January 4, 2025
4.5⭐️
An incredible coming-of-age story from the 60’s about a girl named Daisy, who breaks away from a life of religion and polygamy in search of freedom.
Inspired by true events The Celestial Wife is a gripping read that will make you question how society may deem certain acts unlawful, but when rooted in religion they’re acceptable and even palatable especially to those that know no better.
I did think the first half of the book was stronger than the last half, but I was just as eager to read it and picked it up as often as I could.
An incredible coming-of-age story from the 60’s about a girl named Daisy, who breaks away from a life of religion and polygamy in search of freedom.
Inspired by true events The Celestial Wife is a gripping read that will make you question how society may deem certain acts unlawful, but when rooted in religion they’re acceptable and even palatable especially to those that know no better.
I did think the first half of the book was stronger than the last half, but I was just as eager to read it and picked it up as often as I could.
July 6, 2024
Whoever designed this cover needs a raise because it fits perfectly with the mood of the story and it's absolutely gorgeous!
Set in the 1960s, The Celestial Wife is about 15-year-old Daisy Shoemaker runs away from the polygamist settlement of Redemption, BC to avoid being married to the despicable Bishop Thorsen. I thought Leslie Howard picked the perfect time period because the contrast between this new "free love" hippie movement and the religious restrictions those in the Redemption experience is so great.
I really liked the friendship between Daisy and Saffron. I loved seeing them support each other. The friendship between Daisy and Brighten was a tough one. I felt so wretched knowing
I thought Leslie Howard did a really good job at keeping the tension and the stakes high. I was rarely bored and felt like the choices Daisy made actually mattered and advanced the plot. Howard grabbed my attention. I was so afraid for Daisy, Brighten, and all the women and girls in Redemption.
I loved the details Howard included to depict what life was like in the 1960s. I thought it was really cool especially when
Tobias was such a complex character. The readers viewed him through the lens of young, very naive Daisy and then later on from the perspective of a more mature Daisy. By the end,
I have one gripe. And it's not about Daisy's naievete. At times I found it grating but it makes total sense. She lived a very sheltered life and the people around her essentially brainwashed her. My issue is with the way a lot of things that happened were spelled out for the reader. I like it when authors let me draw my own conclusions. But some people do need to be hit over the head with emotions and themes LOL!!
All in all, this was an interesting read!
Set in the 1960s, The Celestial Wife is about 15-year-old Daisy Shoemaker runs away from the polygamist settlement of Redemption, BC to avoid being married to the despicable Bishop Thorsen. I thought Leslie Howard picked the perfect time period because the contrast between this new "free love" hippie movement and the religious restrictions those in the Redemption experience is so great.
I really liked the friendship between Daisy and Saffron. I loved seeing them support each other. The friendship between Daisy and Brighten was a tough one. I felt so wretched knowing
I thought Leslie Howard did a really good job at keeping the tension and the stakes high. I was rarely bored and felt like the choices Daisy made actually mattered and advanced the plot. Howard grabbed my attention. I was so afraid for Daisy, Brighten, and all the women and girls in Redemption.
I loved the details Howard included to depict what life was like in the 1960s. I thought it was really cool especially when
Tobias was such a complex character. The readers viewed him through the lens of young, very naive Daisy and then later on from the perspective of a more mature Daisy. By the end,
I have one gripe. And it's not about Daisy's naievete. At times I found it grating but it makes total sense. She lived a very sheltered life and the people around her essentially brainwashed her. My issue is with the way a lot of things that happened were spelled out for the reader. I like it when authors let me draw my own conclusions. But some people do need to be hit over the head with emotions and themes LOL!!
All in all, this was an interesting read!
November 9, 2024
This compelling novel is set in a cult that practice polygamy, causing Daisy to flee a forced marriage at the age of fifteen. While the community depicted is fictional, the author has clearly done her research and portrays a believable community centered around a charismatic leader who embezzles the wealth of his followers while also creating abusive conditions for women and children. A highly compelling novel, this book left me curious, appalled, and interested in the nonfiction works cited in the author's notes.
November 22, 2025
I couldn’t stop reading this 📖book about a polygamist cult in rural British Columbia in the 1960’s. Although the writing felt almost YA at times, the story was great. I thought the main character acted naively towards the end in some of her decisions, especially since her thinking had matured in other ways. It is interesting that this is based on real events.
Here’s To Fears reading challenge-put the fear of god into someone (features a religious leader)
Wheels10
Here’s To Fears reading challenge-put the fear of god into someone (features a religious leader)
Wheels10
July 29, 2024
I appreciated how much research had clearly gone into this book, and found the characters v compelling. also have a few small things I wish were handled differently but I’m struggling to phrase them in this review so ask me in person if you’re curious
January 26, 2024
“We had different dreams for our futures - like yearning to become brides, or mothers of Zion, a goal we had been taught to cherish from our earliest days, or coveting the role of celestial sister - but we all knew better than to gossip about it openly for fear of punishment” - Leslie Howard 💜💜💜💜 Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the advanced copy of “The Celestial Wife”. This was a remarkable story of one girls brave journey towards freedom after escaping some of the most souls crushing human experiences. I could not stop reading. Leslie Howard did an amazing job tying in history with fiction and created characters you either loved or deeply deeply hated. At times I found some sections unbelievable or unnecessary, such as the Beatles concert and Woodstock as I had a hard time believing a character such as Daisy would attend such events after the way she was raised. Despite the stark shift between the two completely opposite settings I loved this book and finished my evening by researching polygamy within Canada and other related topics. If you loved “Educated” by Tara Westover you will love this historical fiction of similar situations. Would recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2024
Sadly this book was a big let down.... thank goodness I used "points earned" at a store to pay for it so I wasn't out cash, just points.
I found the writing to be very simplistic and with very little depth. Some of the phrases used would not correlate to the years the story takes place in and it throws you off - example "double down" is a phrase used alot in the last 10 years give or take but definitely not in 1969... shortened words like "prob" instead of probably are a thing today but not in the early 70's. There were more but I couldn't be bothered to track them.
As much as I love music, I felt there was no need to name every song Daisy listened to... it was like reading a young young adult story.
Difficult to connect with Daisy tho I did feel terrible about what she went through. I've read quite a few books about FLDS and Mormonism and the polygamous sect is an awful thing to read about.
I respect what the author was trying to say regarding the FLDS "religion" but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
I don't recommend this book if you want a better understanding of the subject matter.
I found the writing to be very simplistic and with very little depth. Some of the phrases used would not correlate to the years the story takes place in and it throws you off - example "double down" is a phrase used alot in the last 10 years give or take but definitely not in 1969... shortened words like "prob" instead of probably are a thing today but not in the early 70's. There were more but I couldn't be bothered to track them.
As much as I love music, I felt there was no need to name every song Daisy listened to... it was like reading a young young adult story.
Difficult to connect with Daisy tho I did feel terrible about what she went through. I've read quite a few books about FLDS and Mormonism and the polygamous sect is an awful thing to read about.
I respect what the author was trying to say regarding the FLDS "religion" but unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
I don't recommend this book if you want a better understanding of the subject matter.
March 26, 2024
The Celestial Wife by Leslie Howard…
This novel is inspiring and very digestible. It pulls apart the terror and extremism that hides under the shroud of forced religion, revealing the power structures that diminish the oppressed and lift the oppressors. A strong and harsh, yet softly warming coming of age lies in the ink of these pages.
There are many aspects of this book that I enjoyed, along with some that I did not resonate with as much, I will start with what I loved. This book was so readable. Opening the first pages, I was immediately immersed into the story and before I knew it I was 100 pages in. I felt invested in Daisy’s growth and unpacking the lies of the life she had been forced into. The themes of religious trauma, feminism, and power structures set against the backdrop of 1960’s Canada is colourful and powerful. I loved watching Daisy liberate herself and other women from the stagnant violence imposed upon them and realize that they have worth beyond their wifehood. There is a beauty in watching Daisy embrace peace and love to fight against the greed and power that has been fermenting around her thoughout her life.
What I had some issues with was the lack of depth in the writing. I did feel that if the novel practiced showing the effects and emotional weight of situations rather than telling, it would have been more impactful. Some passages felt as though the author was explaining the meaning of every action, which made for a childlike quality to the narrative. I thought that the psychological impact of the women’s suffering was too easily dissipated with an all too simple conclusion, that should have been deeper explored. A more flawed main character would lend additional nuance to this story. I also felt that the writing style, while functional, wasn’t exactly my preference. I think a foggier and more layered prose style could add depth that the story would benefit from. As a reader, I want to learn with the characters, rather than be told what I am meant to learn. It feels too forceful and gives way to less emotional impact, though this only my personal literary preference.
Above all, Leslie Howard wrote a heartwarming and lovely book with powerful themes. While I do think some aspects could use a deeper and more nuanced perspective, it is a very accessible and easy read. Despite my criticisms, I really did enjoy my time with The Celestial Wife. Overall, a hopeful, feminine, empowering novel… 3/5!!
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for generously gifting this ARC to me!
The Celestial Wife is out April 9th, be sure to check it out!
This novel is inspiring and very digestible. It pulls apart the terror and extremism that hides under the shroud of forced religion, revealing the power structures that diminish the oppressed and lift the oppressors. A strong and harsh, yet softly warming coming of age lies in the ink of these pages.
There are many aspects of this book that I enjoyed, along with some that I did not resonate with as much, I will start with what I loved. This book was so readable. Opening the first pages, I was immediately immersed into the story and before I knew it I was 100 pages in. I felt invested in Daisy’s growth and unpacking the lies of the life she had been forced into. The themes of religious trauma, feminism, and power structures set against the backdrop of 1960’s Canada is colourful and powerful. I loved watching Daisy liberate herself and other women from the stagnant violence imposed upon them and realize that they have worth beyond their wifehood. There is a beauty in watching Daisy embrace peace and love to fight against the greed and power that has been fermenting around her thoughout her life.
What I had some issues with was the lack of depth in the writing. I did feel that if the novel practiced showing the effects and emotional weight of situations rather than telling, it would have been more impactful. Some passages felt as though the author was explaining the meaning of every action, which made for a childlike quality to the narrative. I thought that the psychological impact of the women’s suffering was too easily dissipated with an all too simple conclusion, that should have been deeper explored. A more flawed main character would lend additional nuance to this story. I also felt that the writing style, while functional, wasn’t exactly my preference. I think a foggier and more layered prose style could add depth that the story would benefit from. As a reader, I want to learn with the characters, rather than be told what I am meant to learn. It feels too forceful and gives way to less emotional impact, though this only my personal literary preference.
Above all, Leslie Howard wrote a heartwarming and lovely book with powerful themes. While I do think some aspects could use a deeper and more nuanced perspective, it is a very accessible and easy read. Despite my criticisms, I really did enjoy my time with The Celestial Wife. Overall, a hopeful, feminine, empowering novel… 3/5!!
Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for generously gifting this ARC to me!
The Celestial Wife is out April 9th, be sure to check it out!
March 27, 2024
The Celestial Wife begins in 1964 on a FLDS polygamist colony in British Columbia. Fifteen year-old Daisy Shoemaker has already had a tumultuous upbringing with her father ex-communicated from the sect, and her mother forced to live on the outskirts of the community due to her disobedience. When Daisy finds out that she must marry a man forty years older than her, she summons her courage and runs for her life in a dramatic escape. Now in the outside world, she encounters hippies promoting “free love” and her eyes are open to a whole new life ahead with the promise of freedom, education, and autonomy.
This was an interesting book that kept me turning the pages. There were lots of pieces (like the history of wine making in the Okanagan) that I enjoyed. However, there were parts that seemed unbelievable, convenient, and far-fetched. I learned in the author’s note that she was fascinated by non-fiction accounts from women who have lived in fundamentalist polygamous communities, including Rachel Jeffs (daughter of Warren Jeffs). The community in this book, Redemption, is inspired by/modeled after several communities including Bountiful, British Columbia. The author realized that there although there are non-fiction books, we haven’t seen fictionalized stories, and stories are a tool used to bring history to life. I agree with that, but in this case, I was left wanting to dive down a rabbit hole of more non-fiction reads on this subject. And I was reminded of The Sound of Gravel, which remains one of my favourite memoirs, with a story so wild that it could have been fiction.
3.5 stars rounded up
This was an interesting book that kept me turning the pages. There were lots of pieces (like the history of wine making in the Okanagan) that I enjoyed. However, there were parts that seemed unbelievable, convenient, and far-fetched. I learned in the author’s note that she was fascinated by non-fiction accounts from women who have lived in fundamentalist polygamous communities, including Rachel Jeffs (daughter of Warren Jeffs). The community in this book, Redemption, is inspired by/modeled after several communities including Bountiful, British Columbia. The author realized that there although there are non-fiction books, we haven’t seen fictionalized stories, and stories are a tool used to bring history to life. I agree with that, but in this case, I was left wanting to dive down a rabbit hole of more non-fiction reads on this subject. And I was reminded of The Sound of Gravel, which remains one of my favourite memoirs, with a story so wild that it could have been fiction.
3.5 stars rounded up
April 18, 2024
Intense, heart-tugging, and intriguing!
The Celestial Wife is a gripping, emotional tale that sweeps you away to a fundamentalist FLDS community in Redemption, British Columbia and into the life of Daisy Shoemaker, a fifteen-year-old girl who, after being married off as a sister-wife to the middle-aged Bishop of the sect, escapes to find and start a new life outside the compound until she must head back no matter the danger to herself to do whatever she can to save the best friend and mother she left behind.
The writing is crisp and expressive. The characters are vulnerable, determined, and scarred. And the plot is a compelling, hopeful tale of life, loss, secrets, resilience, abuse, friendship, revelations, childhood trauma, self-identification, and freedom.
Overall, The Celestial Wife is an eerie, fascinating, moving tale by Howard that does a beautiful job of reminding us of all the emotional, psychological, and physical effects caused by long-term manipulation, control, indoctrination, and deviant ideologies.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Celestial Wife is a gripping, emotional tale that sweeps you away to a fundamentalist FLDS community in Redemption, British Columbia and into the life of Daisy Shoemaker, a fifteen-year-old girl who, after being married off as a sister-wife to the middle-aged Bishop of the sect, escapes to find and start a new life outside the compound until she must head back no matter the danger to herself to do whatever she can to save the best friend and mother she left behind.
The writing is crisp and expressive. The characters are vulnerable, determined, and scarred. And the plot is a compelling, hopeful tale of life, loss, secrets, resilience, abuse, friendship, revelations, childhood trauma, self-identification, and freedom.
Overall, The Celestial Wife is an eerie, fascinating, moving tale by Howard that does a beautiful job of reminding us of all the emotional, psychological, and physical effects caused by long-term manipulation, control, indoctrination, and deviant ideologies.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2024
“Keep sweet no matter what, for this is the way to be lifted up. Keep sweet with every breath, for it is a matter of life or death.”
Firstly, thank you @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Even though some of the things are quite disturbing, I was very intrigued. I was definitely on a roller coaster of emotions as I learned more about Daisy and the polygamist society she was from. I was so angry at all the brain washing and especially knowing that this was inspired by very real events, it must’ve been very traumatizing 🤨
Overall, I did enjoy this read. I just wish that it had more depth. The ending felt too good to be true and it just felt like it diminished all that Daisy and her friends went through…
This is a 4/5 stars for me and if you enjoy historical fiction that reads like a memoir, I think you’ll have a good time with this one.
Firstly, thank you @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Even though some of the things are quite disturbing, I was very intrigued. I was definitely on a roller coaster of emotions as I learned more about Daisy and the polygamist society she was from. I was so angry at all the brain washing and especially knowing that this was inspired by very real events, it must’ve been very traumatizing 🤨
Overall, I did enjoy this read. I just wish that it had more depth. The ending felt too good to be true and it just felt like it diminished all that Daisy and her friends went through…
This is a 4/5 stars for me and if you enjoy historical fiction that reads like a memoir, I think you’ll have a good time with this one.
July 24, 2024
did i pick this book for its gorg cover? yes. am i glad i read it? also yes.
i thought this was a very touching story but i was kinda left wanting more. at times it felt a little underwhelming and I kinda expected to be more horrified.
i enjoyed that the author placed this book in the 60s and had Daisy come to the peace and love view of her faith, but it felt like it didn’t take much for her to get there. i expected much more depth and turmoil in the writing and thought that there would be more focus on the healing that Daisy would have to go through as a victim of her community. It was an easy read but I almost didn’t want that for this book.
i thought this was a very touching story but i was kinda left wanting more. at times it felt a little underwhelming and I kinda expected to be more horrified.
i enjoyed that the author placed this book in the 60s and had Daisy come to the peace and love view of her faith, but it felt like it didn’t take much for her to get there. i expected much more depth and turmoil in the writing and thought that there would be more focus on the healing that Daisy would have to go through as a victim of her community. It was an easy read but I almost didn’t want that for this book.
August 23, 2024
Devoured this one, but the first 2/3 were way stronger than the latter 1/3. There were a few odd things that didn't make sense, like Tobias hunting Daisy down and her being completely unaffected by it, and Daisy being, frankly, stupid enough to go to an isolated location with someone who had just tried to kill her and, shockingly, almost getting killed. I was hoping for a bit more culture shock, but overall it was a solid historical fiction!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2025
This book was beautiful, and at times, horrific. I found myself so so anxious for the main character, as she faced trial after trial in her quest for freedom for herself and her loved ones. But I also deeply admired her resilience and resolve, and bravery. Beautiful writing, beautiful characters, beautiful story. I would buy this book for my home bookshelf, and I do not buy books lightly. <3
February 26, 2024
Loved this book. It was so interesting from beginning to end. She is also so good at world building, I really did think it was an autobiography for a couple chapters! Well done and robust characters - would definitely recommend.
May 8, 2024
Great book. The ending was perfect 💕
March 26, 2025
2.5. not the best writing - too 'on the nose'
June 22, 2024
Historical fiction about polygamy loosely based on Bountiful BC. It was good- I expected it to maybe be something different tho. Also a bit chaotic feeling and random about some stuff but I did learn a few things about polygamy
July 24, 2024
I found the writing to be a little too simplistic and some of the characters appear and then disappear, or plot lines abruptly fall off or in some cases Daisy’s actions are truly unbelievable. I found the writing distracted me from a very important topic. I did learn a lot though and found the book to be a real page turner.
March 6, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for my gifted digital ARC in exchange of my honest review.
My review:
Rating : 4.5 Stars (****)
I found this book very inspiring, insightful and unique. This is the first time I have read a story based on this religious group in Canada and US, in 1960s who used to practice polygamy.
This book is very well written. The story captivates your interest from the first page and as you keep going you find it hard to put the book down.
Accolodes to the author for her research and efforts. She has very skillfully used her knowledge of true events and outlined this fictional story in a make believe town, Redemption, around a Mormon religious group that encouraged polygamy and forced young girls to marry middle aged and old men in modern era. This story is set in 1960s. This was all done in the name of religion.
It was devastating to read about young girls who were never allowed to dream or aspire but were led blindfoldedly into a forced marriage and were made to believe that this will secure their place in the celestial kingdom in heaven.
At the core of the story is Daisy shoemaker who decides to escape from this town, Redemption, when she is forced to marry a man 40 years elder to her. Daisy's character and her coming of age story is shelled out so well. She loves the sight of her new found freedom and slowly starts making a life of her own constantly questioning her past life in Redemption, every atrocity and every injustice the girls were put through , normalized in the name of God.
There are a bunch of supporting characters that share the spotlight with Daisy and have a short side story of their own. Music plays a significant role and adds a delightful texture to the novel. The songs and the artists mentioned at different situations , give you a nostalgic whiff of that era.
The second half of this book is action packed, with slithering twists that gets satisfying to the core towards the end. Please do read Author 's note as well in the end to get a detailed insight into the true events and facts along with her sources of research about this practice and places where it was followed in US and Canada.
I am so glad I got to read this story and made myself acquainted with this part of Canadian history. I was shocked and devastated. In author's own words, humans are hardwired to remember stories more than facts. So I thank Author Leslie Howard for writing this story around a blatantly ugly truth about the heartbreaking abuse of women , even in modern times.
Through this story, I felt the pain and suffocation of every woman, every girl, every sister wife, every mother, every neglected child. This story and this character will stay with me for a long time.
I would highly recommend this book to all the historical fiction lovers.
My review:
Rating : 4.5 Stars (****)
I found this book very inspiring, insightful and unique. This is the first time I have read a story based on this religious group in Canada and US, in 1960s who used to practice polygamy.
This book is very well written. The story captivates your interest from the first page and as you keep going you find it hard to put the book down.
Accolodes to the author for her research and efforts. She has very skillfully used her knowledge of true events and outlined this fictional story in a make believe town, Redemption, around a Mormon religious group that encouraged polygamy and forced young girls to marry middle aged and old men in modern era. This story is set in 1960s. This was all done in the name of religion.
It was devastating to read about young girls who were never allowed to dream or aspire but were led blindfoldedly into a forced marriage and were made to believe that this will secure their place in the celestial kingdom in heaven.
At the core of the story is Daisy shoemaker who decides to escape from this town, Redemption, when she is forced to marry a man 40 years elder to her. Daisy's character and her coming of age story is shelled out so well. She loves the sight of her new found freedom and slowly starts making a life of her own constantly questioning her past life in Redemption, every atrocity and every injustice the girls were put through , normalized in the name of God.
There are a bunch of supporting characters that share the spotlight with Daisy and have a short side story of their own. Music plays a significant role and adds a delightful texture to the novel. The songs and the artists mentioned at different situations , give you a nostalgic whiff of that era.
The second half of this book is action packed, with slithering twists that gets satisfying to the core towards the end. Please do read Author 's note as well in the end to get a detailed insight into the true events and facts along with her sources of research about this practice and places where it was followed in US and Canada.
I am so glad I got to read this story and made myself acquainted with this part of Canadian history. I was shocked and devastated. In author's own words, humans are hardwired to remember stories more than facts. So I thank Author Leslie Howard for writing this story around a blatantly ugly truth about the heartbreaking abuse of women , even in modern times.
Through this story, I felt the pain and suffocation of every woman, every girl, every sister wife, every mother, every neglected child. This story and this character will stay with me for a long time.
I would highly recommend this book to all the historical fiction lovers.
March 5, 2024
This story needed to be told. The characters are highly likeable (and unlikeable for a select few). I think it’s a beautiful read and I couldn’t put it down. I had to keep reading to find out what happened. It’s a love story until the very end. Love in all its forms.
March 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This story was incredible and so deeply disturbing. While the writing was fantastic, there were many points where I was cringing and had a hard time getting through the story (just because of the subject matter). Can see this being a big book club book this year!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Celestial Wife, in exchange for honest review.
This story was incredible and so deeply disturbing. While the writing was fantastic, there were many points where I was cringing and had a hard time getting through the story (just because of the subject matter). Can see this being a big book club book this year!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Celestial Wife, in exchange for honest review.
January 4, 2024
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the Digital ARC!
“The music swept me away, as if I had stepped through a portal into a different dimension.”
Daisy, or Daisy-Flower as her dear friend Saffron calls her, escapes a handmaids-tale-esque polygamist cult in BC, Canada to find her freedom. Based on very real cults from very real places in Canada, Leslie Howard expertly balances emotion and truth in this stunning book. As someone who grew up in religion, albeit a non-fundamentalist one, this book deeply resonated with me. The deconstruction, the search for your own identity and truth, and the way to a found family all made me breeze through the story. Though I occasionally felt a lack of emotional depth in the story, and felt parts of the writing to be rushed, I still connected with the main character and her journey.
“The music swept me away, as if I had stepped through a portal into a different dimension.”
Daisy, or Daisy-Flower as her dear friend Saffron calls her, escapes a handmaids-tale-esque polygamist cult in BC, Canada to find her freedom. Based on very real cults from very real places in Canada, Leslie Howard expertly balances emotion and truth in this stunning book. As someone who grew up in religion, albeit a non-fundamentalist one, this book deeply resonated with me. The deconstruction, the search for your own identity and truth, and the way to a found family all made me breeze through the story. Though I occasionally felt a lack of emotional depth in the story, and felt parts of the writing to be rushed, I still connected with the main character and her journey.
April 25, 2024
RELEASE DATE! 📖✨ The Celestial Wife
I really enjoyed this story, I particularly liked how the story moves forward and switches things up. I was a little concerned it could get a little repetitive in the descriptions and experience of living in a fundamentalist polygamous community and that would make me a little depressed. However the extreme experiences were humanized and you could understand the structures and circumstances that keep people in oppressive communities.
It’s not often I read books that take place where I live and I found it delightful to experience a characters first impression of a 1960s Vancouver.
Celestial Wife was more than I expected and painted a vivid portrait of growing up and fleeing the community you are born into. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is also my very first ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and I’m so thankful I got to read this. Liked it so much I bought a physics copy as well.
I really enjoyed this story, I particularly liked how the story moves forward and switches things up. I was a little concerned it could get a little repetitive in the descriptions and experience of living in a fundamentalist polygamous community and that would make me a little depressed. However the extreme experiences were humanized and you could understand the structures and circumstances that keep people in oppressive communities.
It’s not often I read books that take place where I live and I found it delightful to experience a characters first impression of a 1960s Vancouver.
Celestial Wife was more than I expected and painted a vivid portrait of growing up and fleeing the community you are born into. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is also my very first ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and I’m so thankful I got to read this. Liked it so much I bought a physics copy as well.
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