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Shattered Dreams
- My Life as a Polygamist's Wife
- Narrated by: Laural Merlington
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Critic Reviews
"Nothing short of astonishing....Emotional and shocking." ( Publishers Weekly)
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What listeners say about Shattered Dreams
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Paul Mullen
- 06-24-08
Eye Opening... Difficult Listen... Honest
Other reviews have called this a long-winded whining. I didn't see it that way. Irene Spencer sprinkles humor in with tragedy. Her account reveals her own weakness as much as the weakness of those she lived with. She is both angry and empathetic. There is a sense of settled understanding even in the midst of chaos.
I wouldn't recommend this as entertainment, but it was a fascinating insight into fundamentalist Mormon poligamy. It teaches broader themes as it recounts the story of one woman.
16 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Rebecca
- 01-26-08
eye opening
this was a fabulously written, revealing and personal narrative. I appreciated the honestness and openness of the author. I highly recommend it.
11 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Suzanne
- 09-16-09
Shattered Dreams
Fantastic listen! There is so much controversy around pural marriage, it was great to hear about it from someone who lived it! Laurel Merlington's reading was superb!
4 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Anastasia
- 04-26-10
Great!
Could'nt turn it off! One second I was totally exasperated with the author for putting up with the ^*&%$ she put up with, the next second I was feeling her pain and could understand. My only criticism was that I would have liked to have heard more---like what was going on with the other wives. The book was very detailed about the first half of her life, and then kind of sped through the second half.Definately facsinating and enjoyable to listen to.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Starlet
- 04-25-10
I Now Know Something About Polygamy
Irene Spencer's story is an easy read and details her life in a polygamous family. I have never read about this subject before and it is incredible how someone could live like this but then you can also understand a little bit when reading the full story. It is sad and pretty clear that polygamy is most definitely more appealing to the men than the women.. Bottom line, women do not get much out of the deal. The book had me hooked just to see if Irene would ever be able to leave. I think this is one of those stories that could not be made up!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- JJ
- 07-28-15
Riveting
Thank you, Irene, for sharing your story. Absolutely fascinating what one will do for blind faith. Really well written - especially for someone for whom education was not a priority until later in life. Irene Spencer is obviously a gifted and very intelligent woman.
2 people found this helpful
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Story
- Amazon Customer
- 08-13-20
Completely revealing of a strange religion
Really enjoyed the delving into a completely different lifestyle and religion. i had no idea. Joseph Smith was a nut!
1 person found this helpful
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Performance
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- Valerie
- 07-25-20
Interesting yet repetitive
I loved the narrators voice but she kept repeating over and over and did I say OVER how much she longed for attention from her husband-what did she expect from a polygamist lifestyle??? 12 plus children later she finally has had enough and leaves....
Definitely didn’t need 30 plus chapters to tell this story.
1 person found this helpful
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Performance
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Story
- Lisa Ludt
- 01-30-20
Just Wow!
The strength and courage of women in polygamy is astounding. Irene’s journey from a polygamist wife searching for love and happiness, to monogamist wife finally finding it is such an emotional journey! I cried so many times right along with her. In the end, God’s perfect love prevails! Well done Irene...well done!
1 person found this helpful
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Performance
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- S. Crivello
- 10-28-18
Facinating
Loved every second of it. What a sick twist of religion. I cannot imagine this life. I recently met Irene's daughter. I can hardly wait to see Donna again to talk about her life as the child of Irene. My heart is a little heavy knowing this story is real and women have experienced all of this.
1 person found this helpful