From Housewife to Heretic

First of all, to everyone who deems it necessary to attack the author of this book: shame on you. This is a place for reviews on the BOOK, not the author.On that note, I found Sonia's book to be a delightful read. It's nice to finally read Mormon literature from a woman's perspective. Although a bit outdated, I felt that I could relate to most of what she wrote (both concerning the Mormon church, and not). She did get a bit out of hand with the "labeling" of ALL men. I'm sure that from her experiences, men have been less-than-human. Not all men are that way, though.Not once does she attack the doctrine of the religion; only the hypocricy of most of the members [with whom she came into contact]. Her story may seem a bit exaggerated, but I don't believe it is. I went ahead and did some research on Sonia, the ERA, etc., and I found her book to be dead on the facts.I've found myself treating Sonia's book like I would a history book. I've learned things about the Mormon church that I never even knew of when I was a member; all of which rings of some form of truth.If you're looking for an interesting, compelling book based on one woman's experience within the Mormon church, you needn't look any further.

Sonia's story is a look into the experience of an individual's religious background. Sonia realized that she wasn't going to stand to be treated like she wasn't equal and did something about it only to be met with judgements and accusations of insanity, instability, and other very negative, unchristian actions. This is the sad part about the book, the very same people that went to the Church, who preached and listened to the good word about being a good christian, did not practice it after they left the parking lot. Just look at the strong words used in the "reviews" of this book. This is a story written by one person sharing their experience with the world. There may be more people out there who feel the same way. If so, who cares? Why would someone waste their energy to fill out reviews completely attacking the PERSON instead of giving a straight review of the BOOK? If you feel that you aren't being treated well and see hipocrisy around you, read this book. It will inspire you to be brave and get out. Get out and move on and find something that works for you. I did, and it feels great and I found comfort knowing that someone went through such a horrible ordeal and had the courage to change their situation and write about it. Good show; well done!

This books rings so true to me. Her experiences as a Mormon directly correspond to what I have seen in the Mormon church - the belittling and disempowermemt of women - amounting almost to unconcern with what women really want or need. After her feminist awakening, Sonia was completely non-tolerant of being treated as less-than-human. This is where she ran into trouble with the Mormon church - who basically wanted her to sit down and shut up (i.e. follow the prophet blindly, not report church hypocrisy to the press - specifically in their attempts to cover up the fact that (male) church leaders were organizing Mormon women to lobby against the ERA and then requiring the women to say that they were just concerned citizens - not an organized group). The depths to which her church leaders sank (blantantly lying; attempting to discredit her by saying she was insane, mentally unstable, merely publicity-hungry; using women to front for male decisions) are depressing but completely believable.

I originally read this book when I was ten years old, and a Mormon. God only knows how I actually got ahold of it. I suppose I didn't really know what to make of it at the time. Each time I have read it since, it has more resonance. Most people simply have no idea of what really goes on in the Mormon church. They think it's a nice, sunny, family-oriented religion. They do not know that the ideas of natural inferiority of women and superiority of men are integral parts of the religion, perhaps THE most integral. They do not know that African-Americans were not admitted into the Aaronic priesthood until 1979. They do not know that men are still allowed to store away multiple wives for the afterlife (and that sounds bizarre because it is.) Even many converts do not necessarily know these things. Sonia does come across as bitter and angry throughout much of this book, I agree. But if we don't get angry about certain things, exactly what are we on this earth for? Now, more than ever, this classic book reminds us that there is a time to be angry. I really wonder what Sonia is doing now, and I hope to hear her voice on the current political situation.

Sonia Johnson is a brilliant, incredibly courageous and insightful feminist, as this book (as well as all her subsequent books)reveals. Her powerful sense of personal integrity and authenticity is remarkable, standing unshaken in the face of numerous untruths, betrayals, and manipulations by her spouse, the Mormon church, and society at large. Most of us travel through life taking baby steps, inching forward slowly and with trepidation -- but, in one short life, Sonia has traveled a million miles, taking many bold, daring leaps into the unknown, revealing a depth of character -- and an originality -- that few have ever achieved. And yet, she does not claim to be special; rather, she says we all have this capacity. What she truly is is a catalyst, a trailblazer, showing us women by her example what is possible when we have faith in ourselves and love for ourselves: that we too can scale the heights and walk new roads with our heads held high, courageously testing the waters of our hearts and souls. Through reading this book, I have come to resonate with Sonia's grand vision of life -- for she is a true visionary, a heroine, a Joan of Arc of the present day. Certainly she is the most original, far-seeing -- even mystical -- feminist I have ever encountered in writing. My life has been immeasurably enriched by the wonderful ideas contained in this unique book. Whenever I feel self-deprecating, discouraged and depressed (about life in general, and especially about being female in a patriarchal world!), I reread Sonia's words, and I always feel so much better -- heartened, even exalted and ennobled. Her words gently remind me I am not crazy, contemptible, and "less-than" --that what I am has beauty and power. This is what we women the world over desperately need to hear and to believe about ourselves (lord only knows we have internalized enough terrible lies about who we are, and I for one am sick of it. I now completely refuse to listen to sexist nonsense about who I am...and I have Sonia in part to thank for this wonderful sense of self-empowerment). Sonia Johnson's life has profoundly reached out and touched mine, and for that I am deeply grateful. I highly recommend this wonderful read to all those who truly care about women -- to those who dare to believe we can have a beautiful, magical, and noble world.