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Description edit
From a luminous storyteller, a highly anticipated new novel about the American family writ large. Golden Richards, husband to four wives, father to twenty-eight children, is having the mother of all midlife crises. His construction business is failing, his family has grown into an... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Trish: Golden's fourth wife who has trouble bearing children and desperately wants another child. Has only one daughter. Supposed to be Golden's final wife, but who knows?
- Ted Leo: Owner of the strip club Golden is contracted to build. Has the personality of an eccentric, slightly off kilter gangster.
- Rusty: One of Golden's sons, who's considered to be the biggest trouble maker in the house. Isn't given much attention by anyone that's positive, and is constantly picked on by his siblings and 'aunts'.
- Nola: Golden's second wife, and Rose-of-Sharon's sister.
- Golden Richards: The polygamist husband married to Beverly, Trish, Nola and Faye. He does construction for a living mostly in the Las Vegas area. Lives in multiple houses depending on which wife he's scheduled to stay with and has 24 children (I think). Very big and strong but hardly considered intelligent. He walks with a limp due to an old football injury to his knee.
- Faye: Trish's daughter from her first marriage. She is deeply religious, and considered creepy by many other children.
- Nestor: A driver and general lackey that works for Ted Leo.
- Nelson: Add a description of this character.
- Rose-of-Sharon: Golden's third wife, Nola's sister, and Rusty's mother. She lives in the Big House with Nola and their kids, and is known for her timid demeanor.
- Huila: Ted Leo's wife.
- Raymond: The ostrich that lives behind the Old House.
- Maureen Sinkfoyle: A member of the Virgin community that has been put forth as a potential fifth wife for Golden Richards.
- Leonard: A member of Golden's work crew that struggles to control his urges inspired by the proximity of the Pussycat Manor
- Brother Spooner: A neighbor to the Old House, and the owner of Raymond, the ostrich.
- Herschel
- Mr. Baugh
- Billy
- Clifton: One of Golden's sons.
- Todd Freebone: A lackey that works for Ted Leo.
- Royal Richards: Golden's oil-seeking absentee father.
- Jack: Golden and Trish's son that was stillborn.
- Louise
- Uncle Chick: The son of the Prophet, and a leader among the Virgin polygamist community.
- Nels Jensen: A Swedish immigrant that settled into the Virgin community.
- Dr. Darkly
- Pauline
- Nephi
- Joseph Smith: The founder of Mormonism.
- Teague
- Sister Barbara
- Janine
- Cooter: Golden's dog.
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Fredy
- June Haymaker: A man that befriends Rusty, does home-repair for Trish, and creates fireworks as a hobby.
- Sister Meisner
Setting & Locations edit
- Old House: The house that Beverly runs.
- Big House: A house shared by Nola and Rose-of-Sharon.
- Nevada
- St. George
- Mexican Town
- Skate Palace: The nearest skating rink to the Richards family, and Rusty's requested birthday party setting.
- Louisiana: Golden's home state.
- Utah
- Arizona
- Doll House
- Virgin
- Tower: The nickname of the bedroom Rusty is assigned to in the Old House.
- Guatemala: Huila's home country and where her son and other family still live.
- Cedar City
First Sentence edit
To put it as simply as possible: this is the story of a polygamist who has an affair.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in NPR Summer Books 2010. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Brady Udall (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: May 3, 2010
ISBN: 0393062627
Page Count: 602
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: May 3, 2010
ISBN: 0393062627
Page Count: 602
Awards edit
- Amazon Best of the Month (May 2010, #3)
- Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (2010: Top Ten)
- Indie Booksellers Choice Awards (Finalist, 2011, shortlisted)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
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