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Book Review of The Lonely Polygamist: A Novel

The Lonely Polygamist: A Novel
Gr8Smokies avatar reviewed on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


You know how you feel when you close a book in which you were completely immersed? That is exactly how I feel having finished The Lonely Polygamist.

At its heart, this book is about the family versus the individual, the collective versus the independent. Golden Richards has a huge family--four wives, many children, but he is still not happy. He has no idea who he is. His church thinks he might be the next Strong and Mighty, his wives think he is a wimp, and his kids hardly know him. The decisions that Golden makes show his dissatisfaction with his way of life, even as he yearns to feel a connection to his family. His bad decisions lead him into some hot water with his community, his family, and his employer.

The book is told from three primary viewpoints: Golden, his son Rusty (a more likable ruffian you will never find), and his fourth wife, Trish (still somewhat of an outsider). While this may be cumbersome in other books, it was very well done here.

I grew to care about these characters, and it was refreshing to read a book written from a polygamist male's point of view (most of the books I have read are written by female polygamists). I cannot rave enough about this book.

Poignant, funny, sad, thought provoking, thrilling, and delightful. One of the best books I have read all year.