The Sister Wife: Brides of Gabriel Book One by Diane Noble
Summary (from Goodreads): An unlikely shipboard romance occurs in 1840 between a wealthy young Mormon convert from England, Mary Rose Ashley, traveling with her family from England to America, and Gabriel MacKay, one of the builders and designers of the new Cunard line who is evaluating the clipper ship’s performance. Married on board, the newlyweds make their way to the new Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois and are just settling in when Prophet Joseph Smith receives a revelation from God about polygamy. As one of their close friends from the voyage is suddenly widowed during anti-Mormon riots, Gabriel announces he will marry the beautiful Bronwyn and raise her baby as his own.
Mary Rose loves Bronwyn like a sister, but cannot imagine sharing her husband. Assuming that the relationship will remain platonic, she agrees, and Bronwyn and Mary Rose begin to come to terms with what plural marriage truly entails. Is this really what God wants for them?
My Thoughts: I wasn’t sure whether this was necessary before writing my review, but I think it is. In the interest of full disclosure, I have decided to be frank. Before I do that, though, please know that no offense is meant, and I struggle with the thoughts I am about to share. Please, please, please don’t hate me, flame me, or anything else of that nature. My reason for sharing this is simple: I find I cannot evaluate this book without my feelings (outlined in the following paragraph) and personal beliefs coming into play. I try to avoid that as much as possible, but it’s just not happening in this case. My apologies for that.
I am a born-again Christian, and have been most of my life. Because of my strong belief in the Bible as God’s written Word, I struggle a LOT with my feelings on Mormonism. That is largely because I cannot accept the claim that the Bible is inaccurate. I have a problem with a religion that believes that God once was human. I have a problem with anyone believing that they can become a god. I have a problem with the origins (as I understand them) of the Book of Mormon. And because of these issues, I lean toward the belief that the Mormon “faith” is actually a religious cult. This is my current, as of the writing of this, opinion. It has varied widely. Sometimes I’m more accepting of it, others I’m convinced it’s a cult. I pray about it, ask God for wisdom. I don’t know where I stand, and I know my opinion is likely to change somewhat often. Despite that, please know that as I Christian I am called to love everyone. Everyone. I know that my asking those who follow these beliefs not to take my thoughts personally is probably laughable, at best. I know that my faith is ME. The very essence of who I am. Criticism is automatically taken personally as a result. So, if you are someone who follows this church, now more commonly referred to as LDS, please know that I love you with God’s love. I do not mean to hurt you, and I do not judge you. If you are offended by this, rather than lashing out, pray for me.
And with that said, time for the actual review. This book was a toughie for me to rate. I liked it. It was very well written, with a story that kept me reading. But, the subject matter. Ugh. My heart aches after reading this! And I cannot wrap my mind around the idea of plural marriage – not merely the idea, but the acceptance of plural marriage. How can anyone ever have thought it was OK? But, I can’t fault the book – or the author – for that. As a wife, it is just too easy for me to side with Mary Rose 100 percent. When she threatens to leave, I am rooting for her to do so. When she does not, I’m frustrated with her. The idea that plural marriage was essentially forced upon her and Gabriel – but especially her – is just sickeningly sad. It would devastate me to the very core of my being if I were in that situation. Mary Rose is a strong woman who handles it all amazingly well. I cannot see HOW she could even come to terms with the situation. I get the idea that she really hasn’t by the end of the book.
What I cannot tell is whether this book is pro-Mormon, anti-Mormon, or somewhere in between. While I want to see Mary Rose get out of that situation, I cannot guess what the narrator’s (dare I say author’s?) wanting to see happen. I can see Mary Rose wondering how this can be real. How God could put his children through this. How some of the claims she sees can be true when they don’t line up with the Bible as she remembers it from her childhood lessons. I am hoping that means she will come to see the light, to realize that the inconsistencies she herself has noticed are truly something worth nothing. I am hoping that she will find her way back to the God of her youth.
I’m sorry. I feel like this is a jumbled mess. I am having a really hard time putting my thoughts and feelings into words, so I’m gonna stop now. Long story short: I enjoyed this book (as much as one can enjoy something of this nature). I found myself wanting to hurry up and read to find out how it all comes together. I was disappointed in the end, with many unresolved issues. But, I know that this is the first book in a series, the rest of which I hope to get to read. I want to know where this is going!
My Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received through Smitten with Books ARC Tours for review.
Read It: Get your own copy HERE.
FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Hi:
Found your site via Larissa's New Blog on the Block and have become a follower. Look forward to your future postings. I can be found here.
CMash
Thank you so much for your honest review. As I planned the storyline for the three books in the series, I needed to let my characters stumble and fall in order for them to discover God's truth — and His redemptive love, forgiveness, grace and mercy. He will continue to call them to His truth (with a little help from His friends — sorry, can't tell you who =)). I can't give away the storyline, but I can tell you that some will hear His voice, some will ignore Him, some will — at great sacrifice — see through the veil of Mormonism, find the One true God and follow Him.
I'm not surprised that you couldn't tell whether I was writing a book pro-Mormon or anti-Mormon point of view. I was trying very hard to put myself into my character's lives, considering the times — the earliest days of Mormonism when not a lot was known about this new sect. None of the three brides (and Gabriel himself) have more than a nominal knowledge of God other than verses they learned at their mothers' knee or church attendance. Two things about their journey: 1) Though they don't' know Him as Lord and Savior, their Lord and Savior knows them. (Ps 139), and 2) the His still, small voice is working in their hearts through His Word: "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Is 55:11).
Redemption is coming, and just as we sometimes stumble and fall and take wrong turns, my characters must fall just far enough for God to get their attention — and to catch them in his arms. I am working on book two of the Brides of Gabriel right now, and rejoice that soon they will know :the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
Blessings,
Diane Noble
Diane ~ Thank you so much for your feedback! I think you did an excellent job of getting yourself inside the characters and presenting the times. I got the feeling you were leading (some of) them to see through the veil of Mormonism, but I wasn't wanting to assume that. So, three books. I look forward to them!
Again, thank you so much for your input. It is greatly appreciated!
Religion is a difficult topic to cover in a book review. Just wanted to let you know that your introductory remarks were beautifully expressed and gracious!