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  • The Sound of Gravel

  • A Memoir
  • Written by: Ruth Wariner
  • Narrated by: Ruth Wariner
  • Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (115 ratings)

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The Sound of Gravel

Written by: Ruth Wariner
Narrated by: Ruth Wariner
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Publisher's Summary

"The narration by Wariner compliments the candid nature of her story...A captivating and emotional story delivered in a straightforward way without an ounce of self-pity." (Library Journal)

A riveting, deeply-affecting audiobook memoir of one girl's coming-of-age experiences in a polygamist cult.

Ruth Wariner was the 39th of her father's 42 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 audiobook resonant with triumph, courage, and resilience.

©2016 Ruth Wariner (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Sound of Gravel

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Loved this!!

Great storyteller and touching story. Had my interest from beginning to end. Recommend this book!

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  • 2021-05-05

Great book!

Amazing how one cannot see how their behaviour impacts the lives of others. Tragic and remarkable!

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Riveting and Powerful

This memoir kept me up listening, deep into the night, and left me in tears. What a powerful story of survival, selfless love, and hope! I highly recommend it.

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Captivating and fast paced

An incredibly well written memoir. The details, the honesty, I was mesmerized throughout. Bravo Ruth ♡

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Heartbreaking

A captivating book about a family dealing with poverty, abuse, religion and love. So sad and so heartbreaking.

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Disturbing Story

Definitely worth the read but a very disturbing story of a childhoods that were tragic.

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Could not stop!

Wow what a riveting story of ones journey through horrific abuse. I was captivated!

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Engaging story

I really enjoyed this book. Raw without being too disturbing. I looked forward to continuing to listen. Recommended.

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Heart Wrenching

heart wrenching. beautifully written. couldnt put it down. ruth is a wonderful story teller.

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Months later, I still think of this story

An incredible story that had me feeling every emotion. At the end, I mainly feel proud of this woman. What an accomplishment to survive the life she was forced to endure and I am so thankful you shared your story with us, Ruth.

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