The Crick Code: A Novel Based on the Memoirs of a Girl Raised in the FLDS Community of Colorado City

by Betsy Cluff, Brenda Holm

Forced to flee her childhood home and biological father due to a declaration from the Prophet, Becca, her Mother and siblings relocate to “The Crick” where polygamous families have forged an FLDS utopia. Becca struggles to make sense of her new relationship with an outcast dad, and the code of the Prophet which promises a superior existence with strict obedience. Blanketed by apocalyptic prophecies of world destruction for unbelievers and looming threats of being declared an apostate, she strives to “Keep Sweet” alongside an enormous new family of three mothers, a new father, and dozens of brothers and sisters. Underneath the beauty of wholesome childhood adventures with family and friends is an aching awareness that something isn’t right as she grows into womanhood and realizes her future is not her own. She must break the code before it is too late.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2018

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly dull and wholesome novel about a girl raised in thr FLDS community. The first book about this bizarre cult/culture that wasn't ridden with stories of atrocities, it makes the way of life seem more innocuous than most things written about it do-- on the other hand, even the protagonist in this book, relatively unharmed herself, winds up wanting to leave. Nothing wrong with the book, beyond it being kind of slow, and after reading many memoirs versus novels about FLDS members, I can't help but be not as interested in a fictionalized account that seems to gloss over much of the abuse. Just 2 stars, almost 3.

[Karen S Sideris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful World Building

I have read fictional and non-fictional accounts of FLDS life, but none of the others out me into their world and into the mind of a young girl growing up there like this book did. This was so well done and with heart, compassion and courage. I learned from this book.

[Greer Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocence and chikdhood fun

This book is not about a victim view , if you want this don't read this book. This book is about one girls life of innocence and purity. How she was born into a polygamy family and found her freedom from playing outside with many of her cousins and siblings. This is full of adventure and love.
It is a fun easy book to read .

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and hopeful!

This book was a real page turner! I enjoyed the flow and felt as if I were watching a movie.. I have some knowledge of the FLDS community and could relate to the story. I wondered if it was based in fact and am happy it was..It's was a very hard time for the people under Warren Jeffs.

[tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

A tale where true love wins out beautiful tale of life in a Mormon polygamy cult (not sure what else to call it), where the main player does something about what she believes in an incredibly hard decision to make.

[Jane Balke Andersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My overall feeling is one of disappointment With this book. Even though this is written as fiction it is based directly on someone’s memoir of being in the FLDS community. It’s very slow, and even boring. many of the rules and ways of being forced to live discussed in biographies of people who have escaped the cult aren’t mentioned or explored. It’s a cleaned up bland version with a happy ending. The pain of leaving your family and friends and the only life you know must be harrowing and filled with difficulty, but all the main character shows is a little anxiety.

I’d skip this and read Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs. It has more impact and exploration of the problems within the cult.

[Natalie Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting read

This book was nicely written. It was a balanced account of life within a religious cult. Obviously life is not always bad - the children for the most part had happy childhoods and warm family relationships. This is partly what makes escaping so difficult. But realising she would be forced to marry an old man she hardly knew, and having fallen in love with a boy her own age, the writer knew she had to give up everything and everyone she ever knew to make her own way. An inspiring account.

[Shelby Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, a page turner for those that love cult religion memoirs. A teenager caught in the FLDS fights to choose her own life and be with the person she loves. Not meant to be a love story but when real life seeps in, anything can happen. Not all books on the FLDS Need to highlight abuse, as not all members dealt with the abuse we see. Still a book worthy of its own merit that really takes you into the emotions of a child in the religion.

[Ashley Maude-Lecholat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story from the inside

Interesting, I needed to pay better attention to the dates that started the chapters. This is a story of a young girl through teen years learning to find herself and trust herself over imposes religious beliefs. A very difficult thing for anyone to do, let alone a young girl.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 3 out of 5]

So slow and filled with many typos.

Add to that, the realities of FDLS life were whitewashed so much as to be completely unbelievable. I’m so glad there’s a happy ending, but the getting there was a long, boring road.

[Shay Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book. The story fell flat at the end. This book had a different feel to how the story is told. The beginning raised alot of questions that were never answered. Still, it was a decent read

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth or Dare

This was a good book. I cannot imagine being ruled by one single man, but I guess if you are raised that way, I guess it’s acceptable. I am glad it ended with hope. God doesn’t rule us and no man has that right. He loves and guides us.

[Stephanie Stander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book

The story is really interesting and gives a great insight into the FLDS group. The approach of making it a novel works really well for the subject matter and the story is well written.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible Writing

The author is an English teacher? Oh My Lanta!

The incorrect usage of "awe", when 'awwww!' was the intention, is unbearable. It *should* be free with Kindle Unlimited, and I am thankful it was a quick read.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat young adult focused book about being a teenager in the Fundamental religion in Colorado. Disappoints at the end.

[Lacey Chatterley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read but it didnt really get into the details the ugly truths. You can tell the author was almost hesitant.

[Daniel Otter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of 2020. Who knew girls had so much fun in 1930s and 1940s New York City?

[Nadene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I find hope in this story she never gave up and got her happily ever after with mac hopefully since she had reconnected with more family

[Alesha Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want it to end

Kept me engaged and I truly wanted to read more. Highly recommend this book. Thank you for a great read

[Ashley Johnson]

Oddly written

It’s choppy and hard to read. Timeline feels a bit wonky too. The story itself is interesting though. I feel for the young ladies involved.

[Brittany Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burner..but in a good way.

[Kathleen Summ-Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read,

Loved the way the book was written You could visualize what this girl went through and how she got out.And escaped wood could have been a horrific life.

[Rana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly interesting and refreshing!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

I love the fact that Becca took control of her life and future but I hate that she can't have that and her mother and siblings. I think that is so unfair and makes me so mad at Warren Jeffs. I just pray these people will see him as the devil he is and stop letting him control their lives. Can't they see he is only for himself and can't they see he just looks for reasons to run these young boys out of town so the creepy old men can marry the younger pretty girls. Please open your eyes people!!! Also I have read that after he was incarcerated he said even the married people could not have sex! That is bc he can't and wants his people to suffer with him!! I think God is a loving God and does not want his people to hurt or be scared and I think he gave us all a mind so we can think for ourselves. I'm so thankful I don't need a profit in order to have a life of my own and make my own decisions and most of all I'm thankful i have a loving relationship with my heavenly father.❤