The Sound of Gravel Book Reviews

AUTHOR
Ruth Wariner
SCORE
4.5
TOTAL RATINGS
1,298

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner Book Summary

A New York Times bestseller, The Sound of Gravel is the remarkable true story of one girl's coming-of-age in a polygamist Mormon Doomsday cult.

“A haunting, harrowing testament to survival." — People Magazine
“An addictive chronicle of a polygamist community.” — New York Magazine

Ruth Wariner was the thirty-ninth of her father’s forty-two children. Growing up on a farm in rural Mexico, where authorities turned a blind eye to the practices of her community, Ruth lives in a ramshackle house without indoor plumbing or electricity. At church, preachers teach that God will punish the wicked by destroying the world and that women can only ascend to Heaven by entering into polygamous marriages and giving birth to as many children as possible. After Ruth's father--the man who had been the founding prophet of the colony--is brutally murdered by his brother in a bid for church power, her mother remarries, becoming the second wife of another faithful congregant.

In need of government assistance and supplemental income, Ruth and her siblings are carted back and forth between Mexico and the United States, where her mother collects welfare and her step-father works a variety of odd jobs. Ruth comes to love the time she spends in the States, realizing that perhaps the community into which she was born is not the right one for her. As Ruth begins to doubt her family’s beliefs and question her mother’s choices, she struggles to balance her fierce love for her siblings with her determination to forge a better life for herself.

Recounted from the innocent and hopeful perspective of a child, The Sound of Gravel is the remarkable true story of a girl fighting for peace and love. This is an intimate, gripping book resonant with triumph, courage, and resilience.

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Book Name The Sound of Gravel
Genre Biographies & Memoirs
Published
Language English
E-Book Size 7.22 MB

The Sound of Gravel (Ruth Wariner) Book Reviews 2024

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Powerfu. An unbelievably moving story of tragedy, poverty and abuse but also of survival, the power of love and finally triumph.

The Sound of Gravel. My heart still hurts from reading this incredible story. So beautifully written even the most gut wrenching scenes came alive. I learned so much from reading this book and will recommend it to those who enjoy this type of memoir.

The Sound of Gravel. A most heart-warming read! I couldn't put it down! Fast moving and most of all so interesting! A memoir written in the time period of the 1970-1980's -- a big Mormon family trying to live in their parents' strange world of polygamy and all its different religious beliefs & customs. I was also captured by the different personalities of the various family members and everything they had to endure -- the story brought me to tears! The strength and courage of the narrator/author was incredible and showed that she truly was a SURVIVOR!

Incredible Story. I am just blown away by Ruth's determination, resilience, courage, loyalty to her family, and her love - and her writing skills! Growing up as I did in the mainstream Mormon Church, I only heard faint stories of the "other Mormons," the polygamists who never stopped believing in Joseph Smith's principle of Celestial Marriage, as he originally defined it to be plural marriage between one man and multiple wives. I am the descendant of polygamists, prior to The Manifesto - the so-called convenient revelation that stopped new polygamist unions from being sanctioned in the LDS Church. It is a delicate subject in mainstream Mormonism. With the Internet, the carefully crafted re-writes of Mormon history are being exposed and people are leaving the religion in droves, after being able to research on their computers in the privacy of their own homes. The truth is being discovered in polygamist communities too - via the media and the Internet. The arrest and conviction of Warren Jeffs has turned Short Creek/Colorado City in Southern Utah inside out and more and more, people are discovering the lies that have kept them and their forebears tied to Smith's edic. Ruth Warner is unique in that she figured out herself without outside intervention the rotten core of the polygamist lifestyle that hides physical and sexual abuse of women and children, and some men and boys too. And she escaped, not only herself, but she took her family out with her. She is a person of honor. I am so grateful she wrote this book. It is her testament of what she experienced, as well as the story of her success in overcoming so many odds against her and her siblings. I highly recommend this book!

Mesmerizing. A book full of painful truths, love of family and success. Very well written!

Memoir loved by non-reader. Wonderfully written memoir that was truly a page turner and made a non-reader unable to put the book down!

Bring tissues. Heart wrenching and heroic

Oh wow. I read the book in two days.. A lot of respect for Ruthie and Matt

Thankfull. This was a smooth read that didn't have too much fillers between the chapters. I was connected with the author most of the time.

Wonderfully written. The frustrations and serious difficulties this young girl went through with so much grace and maturity are remarkable. Loved reading about such a strong and amazing woman!

The Sound of Gravel. This biography was so fascinating that I did not want the story to end!

Amazing story of perseverance. I was unaware that this was a true story until I got into the book. Couldn’t put it down thereafter. To think that’s this is a true life experience is eye opening. Very well written.

Sound of Gravel. Great book. Very sad and eye opening. Well written

Beautiful and heartbreaking - couldn’t put it down.. A beautifully written memoir about courage, resilience and the bond between siblings. I felt deep sadness, and anger while reading about the egregious abuse Ruthie and her siblings endured under the polygamist community they were born into. This story is important in the fight against child abuse, and should be required reading for child welfare agencies.

I loved this book.. Heartbreaking. Interesting. Kept me coming back for more.

Fabulous book. Could not put this book down. Amazing what Ruthie and her family went through and what courage she had at just 15 years old.

The Sound of Gravel. A compelling, riveting, passionate story. Once I began reading, I could not stop. Ruth's first book is powerful testament to logic over mysticism and the strength of character and love of one human being.

Heart wrenching, yet amazing. Thank you for sharing your story with us all. It could not have been easy. It was difficult to get through because of what you all went through but I’m glad I got through it.

Loved it!. Heart wrenching novel about a young girl as she traverses life in a polygamist family. Warning- it could definitely be brutal at times. I found myself wincing and needing to take a break from reading it to process my own emotions from experiencing (second-hand) Ruth’s abuse/traumas. Definitely a page turner. Highly recommend for those interested in learning more about the Mormon polygamist colony in Lebaron!

Gripping memoir. What an honest, heart-wrenching memoir. Told beautifully through Ruth's eyes, following her as a child into her adulthood. Her story is shocking and unbelievably gripping. Congratulations Ruth, on everything you have overcome and accomplished so far in your life.

Wow, just wow. An unbelievable story written so beautifully by an incredible woman. It was so hard to put down that I read the last half in one sitting! A must read in my opinion. Inspiring and educating.

The Sound of Gravel. One of THE best books I've ever read! I'm so amazed by the authors strength throughout her life and how she has overcome such pain. I will recommend to anyone and everyone. Thank you for writing this book.

Incredible. What a powerful, heart breaking, amazingly hopeful memoir. Absolutely incredible. Thank you, Ruth, for sharing your beautiful story, and for including the epilogue. 💓

My note to the author…. Dear Ruth, I almost had to put this book down, several times and stop reading it. I’m not sure if it’s your style of writing or what you endured that left me so emotional for your family’s circumstance. I told myself that if this was fiction I could stop reading, but it was your real life story and you deserve to be heard. Reading the epilogue just shows that how you chose to overcome your trauma has shaped you into a beautiful, resilient soul. I don’t think the majority of people who went through what you did would choose to live their lives and share their stories. Whether you find this note or not, thank you for sharing. I’m glad I didn’t stop reading it. I’m so glad that you escaped. Blessings

Poignant, heartwarming, courageous. I’ve never had a book bring me to tears as this one did. Tears of sadness but also tears of happiness. This book is beautifully written and very hard to put down. A very powerful story that I will not soon forget.

Beautiful and heartbreaking. This story is so heartbreaking, but also a beautiful story about strength and perseverance. I could not put it down. Thank you, Ruth, for having the courage to share it.

Couldn’t put it down. This is a must read.

Eye opening. Really puts life into perspective. Thank you for sharing your story.

The sound of gravel. Great book horrible life glad you can out of it better today

A page turner. Riveting, disturbing... Truthful.. Well written. Honest account of life in a contrived polygamist community. Ruthie is someone you root for. She never disappoints. Her mother is painfully manipulated and weighted down by an oppressive, cultish man who terrorizes her and her children. Triumph comes after much pain and suffering. Ruthie becomes the heroine you find faith and comfort in. Such a great read. So sad that this is a true story. But, so glad it had a happy ending.

one of the best books i have ever read. i almost didn’t buy this book- and wow would that have been one of the worst decisions i could make. while not polygamous, or religious at all for that matter, this book taught me so many lessons about love, family, and hope. often times, as a society, we forget to appreciate the ones around us and take lots of things for granted. when my fully furnished, new house is “too cold” in the winter, i complain. seeing how ruth lived with no heating system and more remarkably, how she never complained, taught me a valuable lesson about gratitude. i also intend on being closer with family and telling them more often how much they mean to me. most importantly, hope. ruth’s ability to never give up despite sexism harassment and long days inspires me everyday. thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your childhood memories with me and other readers, but most importantly, teaching life lessons in a touching way. definitely one of my favorite books i have ever read. thank you.

Could not put this book down. I love this book. Despite it being heart wrenching at times, it also gives you hope. I want to give Ruthie and all her siblings a big hug. Thank you for your openness and honesty. Bless you and your family!

Awesome book!!. I brought the book because it was cheap, and it turned out to be a rlly great purchase!!!!

Beautifully Written!. This was a book about hardships, lost innocence, and the power of love.

The Sound of Gravel. This book is well written. I am so sorry that these children were forced to live such a wretched childhood with little education and no future unless they left their "Church". Why do some adults blame God for their lacks when they won't do for themselves. Scamming welfare costs everyone. Shame on both the husbands and wives. There are still unfortunate children growing up in polygamous families in the United States. Blessings to Ruthie for taking care of her siblings and helping them to become caring adults.

The Sound of Gravel. Wow! What a book! This all engrossing story was one I couldn't put down. Tragic, sad, but ultimately uplifting. I can't recommend this book enough.

Unbelievable. Just an amazing story of survival in extremely difficult circumstances

Love. This is literally my favorite book ever! everytime i’m in the mood to read i always gravitate towards this book. 11/10; amazing !

Riveting. Sad and uplifting at the same time. Troubling throughout but completely riveting.

Wonderful!. Thank you for sharing your life story! I hope your strength encourages others! Well done! An excellent book...

Eye Opening/Inspirational. I chose this book not fully knowing what to expect but hoping to learn/expose myself to a way of life I hadn’t heard much of before. Not only did this book expand my horizons but it was extremely inspirational. It really puts things into perspective and makes you reevaluate what is truly important in life. Because of Ruth’s amazing writing I felt like I was living through the pain, horror and success with her and her family. Thank you for sharing your story! I am so happy that *spoiler alert* you and your family have been safe for upwards of 20 years. You deserve every ounce of success, praise and joy you are/will receive and just know your courage is enlightening and inspiring people all over.

Gripping, raw, must-read. I couldn't put this down. An honest, gripping, heartbreaking tale. Your will laugh, cry and feel everything in between.

Amazing. This is a page turner! Well written and incredible. Many of the people in the author's life are easy to dislike and hate, yet she helps the reader to see all aspects of the individuals. Many times while reading, I forgot it was a true story. Fiction is not nearly as fascinating. Its also nice to have a happy ending.

The Sound of Gravel. Sad story.

Very engaging. This well written biography will have you cheering at how well these children turned out considering what they went through.

Soo good. Very good book && like the reviews said, hard to put down. I haven’t read a whole book since twilight my senior year, I’m now 27 and a mother of 4 (3 in heaven 1 on earth). So many moments I could relate too and many moments that were new and heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing your story

Outstanding!. An incredible heart felt exceptionally written amazing life story.

Must Read. An excellent reporting in what it was like growing up in a fundamentalist polygamist family.

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Heartfelt. This is a truly heartfelt story that keeps you interested. Enjoyable reading.

Heart wrenching. Beautifully written story of complicated family

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Great book. I could not put it down!

Sound of Gravel. Very good book.

Incredible book. This book tells an unreal, riveting and heartbreaking story. The writing and story telling is among the best I’ve ever read. I was so incredibly moved by Ruthie’s journey. Thank you to the author for writing this and giving us all the gift of your truth in the world.

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Summary of The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

The The Sound of Gravel book written by Ruth Wariner was published on 05 January 2016, Tuesday in the Biographies & Memoirs category. A total of 1,298 readers of the book gave the book 4.5 points out of 5.

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