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Fallen
A memoir about sex, religion and marrying too young.
Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 22, 2025
A wonderful memoir. Beautifully written with insight and compassion. A rare gem.
The AI version:
Fallen: A Memoir of Sex, Religion and Marrying Too Young by Rochelle Siemienowicz is a courageous and exquisitely written exploration of the complexities of love, faith, and personal identity.
A Striking, Soul-Baring Journey
Siemienowicz opens her memoir with the evocative pseudonym "Eve," immediately establishing a symbolic connection to the themes of temptation and "the original sinner". Raised in a strict Seventh-day Adventist household where premarital sex was viewed as a grave sin, she describes her 1992 marriage at age 20 as a way to satisfy her "intense sexual longings" while remaining "clean in the Lord's sight".
Key Highlights
The Narrative Structure: Unlike traditional autobiographies, Siemienowicz uses a "novelistic" approach, weaving dialogue and a tight narrative structure that makes the emotional stakes feel immediate and high.
The Theme of "The Open Marriage": The heart of the book details the unravelling of her young marriage as she and her husband, Isaac, attempt an open relationship with strictly defined rules.
Her writing captures the "tangled webs" and the weight of secrets that inevitably emerge.
Luminous Prose: Critics have praised her "clear, direct but spirited language," which balances the "vertigo" of sexual exploration with the heavy "guilt" of her religious upbringing.
Why It’s a Must-Read
Brutal Honesty: She doesn't shy away from being "appalled by herself" while simultaneously feeling "curiously exhilarating" during her self-discovery.
Universal Themes: While the specific context of a Seventh-day Adventist upbringing is unique, the broader questions about sexual freedom, sincerity, and maintaining identity within a marriage resonate with any reader.
Verdict:
Fallen is more than just a "losing my religion" memoir; it is a profound testament to the difficulty of keeping promises made before one truly knows themselves. It is a compelling, at times uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding read that captures the imagination.
The AI version:
Fallen: A Memoir of Sex, Religion and Marrying Too Young by Rochelle Siemienowicz is a courageous and exquisitely written exploration of the complexities of love, faith, and personal identity.
A Striking, Soul-Baring Journey
Siemienowicz opens her memoir with the evocative pseudonym "Eve," immediately establishing a symbolic connection to the themes of temptation and "the original sinner". Raised in a strict Seventh-day Adventist household where premarital sex was viewed as a grave sin, she describes her 1992 marriage at age 20 as a way to satisfy her "intense sexual longings" while remaining "clean in the Lord's sight".
Key Highlights
The Narrative Structure: Unlike traditional autobiographies, Siemienowicz uses a "novelistic" approach, weaving dialogue and a tight narrative structure that makes the emotional stakes feel immediate and high.
The Theme of "The Open Marriage": The heart of the book details the unravelling of her young marriage as she and her husband, Isaac, attempt an open relationship with strictly defined rules.
Her writing captures the "tangled webs" and the weight of secrets that inevitably emerge.
Luminous Prose: Critics have praised her "clear, direct but spirited language," which balances the "vertigo" of sexual exploration with the heavy "guilt" of her religious upbringing.
Why It’s a Must-Read
Brutal Honesty: She doesn't shy away from being "appalled by herself" while simultaneously feeling "curiously exhilarating" during her self-discovery.
Universal Themes: While the specific context of a Seventh-day Adventist upbringing is unique, the broader questions about sexual freedom, sincerity, and maintaining identity within a marriage resonate with any reader.
Verdict:
Fallen is more than just a "losing my religion" memoir; it is a profound testament to the difficulty of keeping promises made before one truly knows themselves. It is a compelling, at times uncomfortable, but ultimately rewarding read that captures the imagination.
December 23, 2024
An interesting read. I was super intrigued by this book due to a very similar religious background and there were definitely moments where I thought yep I remember that or I felt that too.
The story really grabbed me and if I had had more time I would’ve finished it a lot quicker than I did.
The story really grabbed me and if I had had more time I would’ve finished it a lot quicker than I did.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews