Rating: 
Summary: "To each his/her own"
Review: A few years ago, my mother in-law sent me the hardcover version of "Secret Ceremonies," wanting to know how I, as a former Mormon, felt about it. While I found parts of it "inaccesible," others were certainly resonated with my experiences as a woman in the LDS church.My husband thought my own stories might be slightly exagerated, until we went to Utah for a wedding and he had difficulty finding a place where he could get a cup of coffee. We finally found a tiny coffee house, reminiscent of a prohibition-era "speak-easy," owned and patronized by the town's few defiant java-loving rebels. He was also amazed as we stood outside the temple, watching couples and families swarm in and out, "like a marriage assembly-line," as he put it. In my opinion, the LDS "perfection is not only possible in this lifetime, but expected" doctrine, as well as the minute demands on every aspect of one's life, contributes to serious problems for a significant portion of its membership, particularly among those who are perceived as "different" in any way. this includes strong-willed women, who are seen by some LDS men as needing to be "broken". In spite of these things, I don't generally reguard Mormons as "bad" people. Rather,(again, "in my opinion") many of them are caught up in thier doctrinal and cultural views to such a degree that they are incapable of understanding how insensitive, unreasonable and offensive their behavior can seem to "outsiders." If you're a "recovering Mormon," you might find "Secret Ceremonies" worth reading, even healing. If you have little or no experience with the LDS church, it could provide an alternate, "unauthorized" glimpse into a very different American culture. If you're a practicing Mormon you'll likely only be upset by this book, so my advice would be to spare yourself the pain and anger.
Rating: 
Summary: The truth from a Mormon wife...
Review: I picked up this book to see how accurate this author tells the story of a true "Mormon wife". Wow, was she off base. There are certainly parts of the book that are accurate as far as doctrine. But alot of it was obviously her perception of Mormonism and not true Mormonism. Please, if you are not LDS and are looking for more information as to what we truly beleive, contact an LDS missionary for the facts. Ms. Laake stated many things that happen in our temples that simply are not true, which makes me question her motive in writing this book in the first place. It is one thing to be angry about what she perceives to be unfair treatment, but it is entirely different to make up things to make your book more sensational to readers. If you are not LDS, this is not an accurate portrayal of true Mormonism and this is not the book to teach you any truths about the Mormon way of life. I am guessing, however, that most of the people reading Ms. Laake's book are not looking for truth, but a sensational story about one of the fastet growing churches in the world. Do you really think that millions of people are mindlessly following a religion that aims to control it's members? Think again...
Rating:
Summary: Disheartening
Review: This book is an insight into the thoughts and experiences of a woman who participated in the ceremonies in an LDS Temple. Having been there myself, there are a few points in this book which are misleading to the uninformed. However, I don't blame Deborah for feeling the way she does if indeed EVERYTHING in this book is indeed factual. After all, perception IS reality. Additionally, I don't mind if someone doesn't appreciate what one religion or culture does or does not do. But to take what's sacred to a culture, step on it publicly, and then smear on the wall for all to see is simply disgraceful, and in bad taste - regardless of the intent. I found this book to simply be a slam against a bad experience the author had, and advise anyone considering reading it to regard it as such. It is NOT a good source for anyone wishing to learn more about Mormons or the LDS faith. Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: You've got to be kidding me
Review: (I'm quoting from the review, because I don't have the book in front of me) I'm not sure where to begin, except to say that the kind of "Mormonism" the author describes is nothing like the "Mormonism" I've observed and experienced. In the "Mormonism" I'm familiar with (and thousands of others like me), nobody is "sent" to BYU, although although some women go just to find a husband -- people with priorities like that, male or female are a waste of space at any university. There's no "one true wedding partner destined by God". Not just Americans, but even Mormons would consider a life "that included the recycling of condoms through vigorous washing" to be a "bizarre life" indeed. It was a mistake for the author to blame her problems on a religion she so thoroughly misunderstood, and it's a mistake for anyone to judge the Mormon church one way or the other based on the version of Mormonism presented in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great and Brave Book
Review: A fascinating and vividly-told story that shows a side of the Mormon experience that most people don't hear about. I don't know what book some of these other reviewers were reading -- this book is interesting, clearly written and very easy to understand. Secret Ceremonies has gotten a lot of harsh criticism, mainly because most Mormons prefer not to question their religion or the reasons they practice it (which I might add is stupid and dangerous for ANYONE to do, Mormon or not). The fact that this book is now difficult to find is no coincidental accident -- the Mormon Church has a powerful hold in the media world, and certainly doesn't want you to read it. The story itself deals with Ms. Laake's coming of age, depression, and difficulty with self-image because of guilt installed by her religious beliefs. Although Deborah's life is not a typical Mormon experience, stories like this one occur more than you think. I think Ms. Laake was very brave to publish her memoir -- knowing that she would be threatened and harassed by people who didn't agree with her viewpoint. What makes the story even more sadly powerful is that Deborah Laake actually commitment suicide a year or two ago. If you are open-minded and curious about Mormon culture as it was (and still is in some ways), this is an excellent read. If the frank discussion of religion and sex bothers you, you'd be better off going to back to church where you can enjoy your ignorance.
Rating:
Summary: How did she win any writing awards?
Review: I just finished this book, after picking it up in a used bookstore. Thank goodness I didn't pay full price for this piece of tripe. Apart from her blaming everything on Mormonism, which I won't go into, this is a terribly written book. Threads of narrative are picked up and dropped. Many times I had to go back and re-read the same sentences several times before I was able to make any sense of them. Her obsessive-compulsive recounting of her obsessive-compulsive masturbating should have been edited out. Not really knowing anything about LDS, I can't comment on the veracity of her experiences. But I think this book has more value as an autobiography of a very troubled person, than as a specifically Morman person.
Rating:
Summary: Get a life! Move on!
Review: The fact that this book is out of print and people are still previewing reviews means that either Ms. Laake has no life or her relatives and friends have no life (or someone has a pitiful agenda). Farewell to a terribly written book....
Rating:
Summary: Victimization strikes again!
Review: Please Ms. Laake - enough of your boring antics of being a victim to religion. Stating that your sole purpose in attending BYU was to gain a husband shows your lack of sense in obtaining a marketable profession while paying a substantial amount of tuition - what a waste of time for you (and your poor parents who probably paid the bill!). And the fact that you married a man you didn't know or love is by most accounts YOUR fault. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love my faith and my beliefs - which this book does not accurately represent. I adore and love my husband - a marriage ceremony that has nothing to do with how Laake described it. I guess what I'm trying to say to you Ms. Laake is that I am not a victim - I am fully adept at making decisions apart from finding a man. Dont let those other religions vicitmize you as well - Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Not to be rude but..
Review: I don't doubt this book, for many stranger things have happened in this world...lol..hence the springer show... Though I feel the referal to mormonism as a bit of a shocker. There are a couple bad eggs, but thats true for every group of people,and in reading these pages I have to say she got pushed through a whirlwind cuz her family was mentally confused to some degree, maybe even just misunderstanding the religion. I mean no disrespect but to delegate some of this to mormonism just shows how she doesn't even understand the religion at all and what makes it up. Thankyou.
Rating:
Summary: Good insight to Mormons. Good book.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I am not Mormon, but live in a Mormon dominated community and this book enlightened me and opened my eyes to their culture. It helped to answer questions and rumors that I have heard about Mormons and it also helped me to understand them more. If you would like to know more about Mormon life and culture, read this book.
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