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Mormonville
Discoveries in Utah town trouble big city reporter
HELAMAN, UTAH - Luke Manning, an investigative reporter from New York City, is assigned to spend one year in Utah, incognito, to infiltrate a Mormon ward and uncover the truth about the LDS Church.
Early indications are that his success is certain, but along the way Luke discovers these people exhibit traits he has rarely seen before-- kindness, compassion, and sincerity, to name a few. As he struggles to complete his assignment in so-called "Mormonville," Luke unwittingly learns the truth about himself.
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 5, 2008
YIKES! THats about all I have to say. This book was a big bummer
July 8, 2017
As a Mormon i found it intriguing to read this book it gave me some insight on our protagonist who is a successful news reporter. Who was paid to infiltrate the Mormons Because they thought it might have been a cult or perhaps a extremists group that was going to attack USA and take over. i liked this book and the only reason i have given it 3 stars is because i am really picky but i definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2019
Mormonville is a great read! I loved reading about Luke and his view on the church from his unique perspective as a reporter and outsider. You can sense the good that one's simple acts can have on another and an extremely uplifting read. It made me want to be a better person and recognize the positive of every situation rather than the negative.
February 4, 2009
Awkwardly written. The cheese made me laugh...but not the way the author hoped. Still, something made me keep reading to the end, or I'd give this only one star.
October 23, 2023
This is one of the most problematic and terrible works of fiction I've ever read.
I picked this up to start reading it because I wanted a view of the LDS church from an author who lived it, grew up with it, knew it inside and out and was pretending to be coming at it from a nonbiased perspective.
Contains spoilers, but I won't hide the review because it's that terrible. Don't read this.
I will give the author credit in one area: He gave mention to some of the more problematic things in LDS history, including but not limited to: polygamy, deeply-entrenched racism, and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. But these issues are not given much more than a couple of thoughts here and there.
The story follows a "journalist" that is trying to get into the LDS church and write a scathing book from the inside. Not only does this "journalist" not follow any leads to their true conclusions, fails to do any truly compelling research (though the book says he read lots of books about the cult during his time of writing his piece, which should have very much changed the ending), and this "journalist" is one of the most terribly written, one-dimensional, uninteresting characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading. The author, having been deeply involved in the LDS church (and I imagine raised in it), gives this character every stereotype he could think of. Problematic upbringing, absent father, no friends, womanizer, alcoholic, road-rager, rude to wait staff, he'll do anything for a payout. The guy is an asshole.
Every possible point of contention with the church is ended with some kind of jingly keys at the reader. The Bishop might be selling drugs? No, he just happens to be near where it's happening. This family left the church because of something the bishop did? No, he was "insulted" because the bishop was "too nice" by helping him out during a hard time.
The book was at least halfway tolerable, on its way to a 2 star rating, until about halfway into the book where the love interest arrives. Even less dimensional than the main character. Make no mistake, the LDS church hates women and demands that they stay at home and do nothing but cook food and be pregnant. The "journalist" (and the author) does not see a problem with this. This girl loved her mission work. She wants to take care of people. She wants "eight or nine kids". The main character doesn't know how to change a diaper, better call this girl to come late at night and do it for him.
She dates this journalist. She likes him. They split up. She gets engaged. Then at the end of the book, for no discernible reason, she breaks off her engagement and travels across the country to come find her main character. She has no flaws, no depth to her character, she questions nothing. The perfect LDS member.
It wraps it all up by the journalist going to find his mom, deep in therapy trying to get help for a drug problem, and miraculously, the newly converted journalist makes it all better by giving her the Book of Mormon, basically cures her depression and substance abuse, and then joins the church, because what better time to get a convert than someone at the lowest of their low point?
Absolute garbage. I'm in the process of trying to contact the author, because the book is 20 years old now and I want to see how he feels about it now.
I picked this up to start reading it because I wanted a view of the LDS church from an author who lived it, grew up with it, knew it inside and out and was pretending to be coming at it from a nonbiased perspective.
Contains spoilers, but I won't hide the review because it's that terrible. Don't read this.
I will give the author credit in one area: He gave mention to some of the more problematic things in LDS history, including but not limited to: polygamy, deeply-entrenched racism, and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. But these issues are not given much more than a couple of thoughts here and there.
The story follows a "journalist" that is trying to get into the LDS church and write a scathing book from the inside. Not only does this "journalist" not follow any leads to their true conclusions, fails to do any truly compelling research (though the book says he read lots of books about the cult during his time of writing his piece, which should have very much changed the ending), and this "journalist" is one of the most terribly written, one-dimensional, uninteresting characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading. The author, having been deeply involved in the LDS church (and I imagine raised in it), gives this character every stereotype he could think of. Problematic upbringing, absent father, no friends, womanizer, alcoholic, road-rager, rude to wait staff, he'll do anything for a payout. The guy is an asshole.
Every possible point of contention with the church is ended with some kind of jingly keys at the reader. The Bishop might be selling drugs? No, he just happens to be near where it's happening. This family left the church because of something the bishop did? No, he was "insulted" because the bishop was "too nice" by helping him out during a hard time.
The book was at least halfway tolerable, on its way to a 2 star rating, until about halfway into the book where the love interest arrives. Even less dimensional than the main character. Make no mistake, the LDS church hates women and demands that they stay at home and do nothing but cook food and be pregnant. The "journalist" (and the author) does not see a problem with this. This girl loved her mission work. She wants to take care of people. She wants "eight or nine kids". The main character doesn't know how to change a diaper, better call this girl to come late at night and do it for him.
She dates this journalist. She likes him. They split up. She gets engaged. Then at the end of the book, for no discernible reason, she breaks off her engagement and travels across the country to come find her main character. She has no flaws, no depth to her character, she questions nothing. The perfect LDS member.
It wraps it all up by the journalist going to find his mom, deep in therapy trying to get help for a drug problem, and miraculously, the newly converted journalist makes it all better by giving her the Book of Mormon, basically cures her depression and substance abuse, and then joins the church, because what better time to get a convert than someone at the lowest of their low point?
Absolute garbage. I'm in the process of trying to contact the author, because the book is 20 years old now and I want to see how he feels about it now.
February 2, 2020
I enjoyed this story very much!! Simply written ,engaging , and funny. The author has included every story about how Morman's in Utah think and act. Mostly the story about Luke the writer and Ben and all in members in fictional Helamen are overblown but never the less I enjoyed reading this and of course the ending is predictable but fun!
April 16, 2018
Loved this book. So funny and so endearing. I never wanted it to end. Lovely depiction of how lives can change for the better.
September 18, 2020
Cutesy. Read during quarantine.
June 27, 2009
Mildly entertaining LDS fiction of the usual variety. Antagonist non-member finds himself in the midst of a largely LDS small town in Utah as a fish out of water. Numerous (and usually predictable) difficulties occur as he first rejects and mocks the beliefs he encounters, then begins to show some interest, and finally learns to accept. The one twist I haven't seen before is when he converts someone else (his estranged mother) before he himself acknowledges his own conversion. Along the way, he meets the girl of his dreams, is rejected by her (gently, of course, as befits a recently returned missionary), watches her become engaged to the perfect man, and then is surprised when she shows up later, unmarried and ready to give him a second chance.
Had I not run out of things to read while on a short vacation, I probably would not have picked up Mormonville. However, if you find yourself in a similar situation, it is a mildly entertaining way to spend a few hours.
Had I not run out of things to read while on a short vacation, I probably would not have picked up Mormonville. However, if you find yourself in a similar situation, it is a mildly entertaining way to spend a few hours.
June 14, 2010
well...i wasn't impressed at the beginning, it wasn't cheesy, i was just afraid of it turning cheesy.
tonight, i finished it. now, i don't know if it's pms hitting me or just the end of this week that wore me out or what, but i teared up a few times. not going to say why.
and then i log in here to mark it in my list..and see there's a second book...i may just have to look into that on.
overall, i liked this book. a few places surprised me...about how fast someone's life can change...i need to finish my college education. :)
tonight, i finished it. now, i don't know if it's pms hitting me or just the end of this week that wore me out or what, but i teared up a few times. not going to say why.
and then i log in here to mark it in my list..and see there's a second book...i may just have to look into that on.
overall, i liked this book. a few places surprised me...about how fast someone's life can change...i need to finish my college education. :)
April 17, 2011
GSB Edith loved this book. It was good it was a bout a newspaper man that had been given $250,000. dollars to prove the Mormon church was wrong so he comes and lives with the people. It was fun listen to all the things we do from another persons prospects. IN the end truth and goodness prevails. Godd Story.
April 26, 2009
Wish I could give this Zero stars. Horribly written novel that doesn't deserve even one star. Childishly written with characters that lack any sort of depth or imagination. Idiotic, dull and predictable. A sad waste of time...
January 14, 2017
Luke Manning found out the perfect way to find out about the LDS Church - living the teachings! I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was not predictable and is an excellent way to find out more about the LDS Chuch.
May 3, 2010
As anyone who knows me well knows, I generally really dislike LDS fiction. But this book is the exception. I love this book. It's sweet and funny and dramatic, and while it does revert to LDS cliches, it's still great for what it is, kind of like The Single's Ward.
July 16, 2012
Mormonville is a humorous but also meaningful novel that inspires me to be a better missionary and friend. The book has equal parts sad and hilarious moments and is full of relatable scenarios for Mormons and nonmembers alike.
July 20, 2013
I'm not sure a non-Mormon would necessarily get the humor in this book, but it had me absolutely rolling. Beautifully written, very enjoyable, and now that I know there's a sequel, only the start for me.
October 1, 2015
This book started off slow. The last third was the best and most riveting. The first half was pretty sarcastic and negative. It was about a guy who is an undercover reporter living in Utah and gathering information for a book on Mormons. An easy read.
April 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and at times hard to put down. I sent it to my brother in Iraq and he was almost late to his post several times while reading it. It was about a man who came to Utah to live and find all the scandle he could on the LDS people.
April 9, 2008
Very funny!
April 24, 2008
This is great fun
October 18, 2008
I liked this, although it took me a little while to get into. My mom says I'll like the return to mormonville is even better. i plan to read it soon- I can't wait!
July 6, 2008
A funny read that you can easily relate to the people Luke encounters. We all have them in our wards.
June 28, 2008
I liked this book but I kept feeling mad about how the "world" views our religion.
July 1, 2008
More fun than should be allowed! You don't even have to be LDS to appreciate the humore (though it helps, and makes it all the better).
August 18, 2008
I cry every time I read about Broklyn's death. This story warms my heart and makes me laugh every single time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2008
I was a little wary of this book because of the title, it just sounded cheesy. I admit I actually really enjoyed it. It had me laughing and crying.
November 14, 2008
Interesting story, and the characters were good, but seemed a little clunky. I am torn between 2 and 3 stars, as it has been a while.
March 14, 2009
This was a good book, not my favorite but good. It was definitely worth reading!
April 18, 2009
Great book. Makes you think how the outside world views LDS people. Loved how the book ended.
June 1, 2009
This book made me laugh. The main character is kind of unbelievable but I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews