Review : The Chosen One

Posted by on November 14, 2009 5:25 am in 4.5 stars reads | 8 comments

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Pages : 213
Genre : YA, Fiction
My Rating : 

What it’s about :

Kyra is 13. All of her life, she’s lived with her father, his three wives and numerous brothers and sisters. Isolated in her community, she’s never known much about the world – until the Mobile Library on Wheels appeared on the road close to her home. Through the books, she discovers a whole new world, but her discoveries are cut short by the horrible news : one month from now, she’ll be married to her 60 years old uncle.

Kyra doesn’t want to marry him, and she questions the Prophet’s decision. Could there be another option for her life? What about the boy she secretly likes? The wedding date is approaching fast, and Kyra must decide what to do soon…

I wasn’t sure about reading this book at first. Despite all the praise, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read on the subject of a polygamist community. Let’s say that I had my share : when I was a kid, there was one here in Quebec which was constantly on the news. There were books, movies, interviews, which gave me lots of nightmares. But back to the book : as always, the praise made me curious and Lenore’s review finally did it. I had to read it.

I’m not sure what to say about this book; it was a quick but intense read, one that haunted me for a few days after I turned the last page. Its subject, a polygamist community, is a difficult one. It could have been a very unpleasant read, and while the events were horrible, the author’s writing made it a great experience. From the start, we can see the beginning of a “free will” in Kyra’s mind. She questions her world and reads forbidden books, and this gives us hope that she’ll try to change things for herself.

Her situation is still complex though, and the author writes Kyra’s voice in a realistic way. She is unsure about her situation, about what to do. When she is confronted to the outside world, her fear and doubts made her real. Even in the scariest scenes, I could understand her indecision.

I’m glad I read this one, and I highly recommend it. It’s intense and emotional, but it does give you another point of view on the situation, and one we don’t get to see often.

8 Comments

  1. I won this this summer but still haven’t gotten around to it. I think it will be pretty poignant when I do, considering all the polygamist sect stuff happening not too far from where I live.

  2. I saw a glowing review of this somewhere else and have had it on my wishlist ever since. Really would like to read it, Polygamist communities have always fascinated me. Brilliant review, Kay.

  3. I enjoyed this one too! I am fascinated with polygamist sects for some odd reason, so this was the perfect book for me.

  4. This is a great book with a strong message. I was very wrapped up in it for days after finishing the last page. Great thoughts on this one Kay!

  5. This book sounds really interesting; it’s going on my wish list. Thanks!

  6. This is one that I have been interested in but haven’t had the chance to read. I liked I Am Not Esther by Fleur Beale, and although it is on a similar (but not the same) topic as … Esther, I hope The Chosen One proves to be just as good.

  7. I have a feeling this novel would totally give me nightmares, but it sounds really compelling! I’ve seen it on a few blogs and almost bought it once… perhaps I need to follow through!

  8. While I agree that this novel does sound frightening and nightmarish in so many ways, I’m glad that you gave it a chance and I’m thinking that I should too. Books are a really wonderful way of scratching the surface on subjects that we don’t really feel comfortable with. Great review.

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