Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 12/3/2019 + 596 more book reviews

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner was my last book for Nonfiction November - such an incredibly moving memoir. I read it in just two days because it was so compelling, and it was very poignant to read it on Thanksgiving Day.

Ruth was raised in the polygamist LaBaron family, her mother's 4th child and her father's 39th. Throughout her chaotic childhood, she lived in deplorable conditions in various locations, primarily rural Mexico, El Paso Texas, and California. At times, I found myself wishing this was a novel because it was heartbreaking to know actual people experienced the events outlined in this story.

Ms. Wariner is an incredibly strong woman, and I appreciated the honesty yet restrained emotion of her story. Although she was certainly "entitled" to a "oh poor me" attitude, the book never goes there.

I'm grateful she and her siblings built a life for themselves away from their negative past, but my heart aches for children who currently live in conditions as those described in this memoir. Even when we feel we're having a tough day/week/year, we have much to be thankful for. If you haven't read this yet, put it on your TBR list.

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