Rating: 
Summary: Stop whining!
Review: I read this book in one sitting, which tells you something about how thought-provoking it is. I found the information about the rituals of the church both fascinating and distasteful - I have no argument with people questioning or leaving their faith, but to reveal secrets which one knows are held sacred, simply for the sake of sensation, smacks of self-serving meanness. She could have accomplished the same end by discussing her disagreements with the theology, without exposing the secrets.I also found her extended wallows in self-pity to be quite tiresome. I know it can be hard to leave the faith you were raised in, but once she realized that she was in an untennable position with regard to the teachings of the church, she could have made her break a lot sooner. By not doing so, she appeared to blame everyone but herself for her problems. I hoped for an intelligent discussion of the theology of the church and her problems with it. What I got was a mean-spirited whine on paper. I rank this book on the same level as the tabloids I glance at in the checkout line - fascinating but somewhat repellant.
Rating: 
Summary: superbly written, quite troubling
Review: I have an academic interest in the culture of Mormonism, and I found this book to be riveting and deeply compelling. Laake developed an eloquent, reflexive consciousness about herself her surroundings, and her book is quite a quite a tour de force. It superbly communicates the paradoxes and travails of Mormonism to non-Mormon audiences. Naturally, many Mormon women have responded strongly to this book and their reviews appear here on Amazon. But read this book for the voice - and the brutally honest way in which Laake deals with the most intimate injustices meted out by the Mormon male leaders who hold so much power.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Sad
Review: Deborah Laake's story is a very sad one. As a roughcontemporary of hers, I was in many of the same places and situationsthat she talks about -- and her portrayal of them rings false to me at every point. I don't doubt that she sincerely felt the way she says she did, but I do very much doubt that the fault was altogether where she placed it. Her recent suicide suggests, unfortunately, that her unhappiness was internal, not caused by external factors. I'm saddened, too, by the eagerness with which some readers (as evidenced by several of the reviews below) seized upon this unfortunate woman as a focus for their own anger against Mormons and Mormonism. But I'm not surprised. There are people out there, some of them in print, who even hate Mother Teresa of Calcutta, for heaven's sake. END
Rating:
Summary: The Truth
Review: I have read the reviews of this book and I am not suprised. The first instinct a LDS member has is to defend "the only true and living church" Hogwash Ms. Laake's book hits the church right on the mark. After reading it I was once again glad that I left the church and am living my own life. The only thing young women are taught is how to be good wives and mothers. They are taught to submit to men. This is the 21st century, not the 18th. It took tremendous courage to write this and tell the truth about the state of women in the LDS church. Right on Deborah!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Biography-Woman Living in Utah & Mormonism
Review: I found "Secret Ceremonies" Deborah Laake's book of her life in Utah quite interesting and enlightening. I had lived in Utah myself for 15 years with my being a non Mormon and seeing myself the manners the Mormon men treat the women. Ms. Laake's book helped me a great deal after I had relocated to Southern California, as to the understanding of the dilemma's I had faced in the culture of such a predominate religion, women subservient to the male class. It aided me tremendously in the understanding which I wish I had of known 20 years prior. Excellent biography and I believe totally Ms Laake's book is a true story.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: This book will disappoint those expecting information on the bizarre world of Mormon practice and belief. It reveals few "secrets" except to describe the Temple initiation ceremony in superficial detail. It is primarily about the author's love life. Those drawn to Harlequin romance may choose to consider her the tragic victim of a repressive cult; others may consider that even a repressive cult is not an entirely satisfactory explanation for being shallow, vain, and not terribly bright.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for those with open minds
Review: I read this book in one day. It is a very fast read and quite entertaining. Many of the reviews have been critical of her, saying if you want to find the truth about Mormons you shouldn't read this book. Apparently, they do not realize that that is not what this book is all about. This little book is a freshly honest look at one person's life within her religion. The stories are frightening, uplifting, and very fascinating. The only thing I didn't like, is that a lot of it is about sex. You get tired of that after a while. But overall, this is a great book. If you are a Mormon yourself, I would definitely recommend it (so long as you are prepared for someone to be bold with you.) And for former Mormons, this book is really good because she articulates many of the things we feel. As for thoes investigating Mormonism, this is a good book as far as the sociological and psychological aspects are concerned. For a more complete documentation on the actual doctrines of Mormons, I recommend just doing a little internet research, since it's free and easy to do. But do them both, for heaven's sake! This is a book not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Sad and pretty subjective
Review: What Laake portrays as Mormon doctrine is not that at all. Non-Mormon readers of this book are not going to get an objective, realistic portrayal of the Mormon Church--but they will hear the sad story of Deborah Laake. Frankly, if she would just have exercised her own good judgment (as the Mormon Church recommends), she would have much better luck. Obviously I'm Mormon, and I admit that church members aren't perfect, but this book gives the church and its members a bad rap they don't deserve. Search elsewhere to find out what the church is really like.
Rating: 
Summary: a raw attack on pomposity and elitism
Review: About 20 years ago or so, I had a run in with Mormon missionaries. I told them that I can probably accept the story of Nephi and his family but not that of Jared and his brother. Jared and his brother came to America ahead of Nephi after the destruction of the tower of Babel. Well, they told me to pray about it, and assured me that the Heavenly Father would clear my doubts. I replied that suppossed my Heavenly Father did not agree with their Heavenly Father. After two more visits, they stopped coming; I asked them if I became a bad person just because I did not agree with them. I was lucky because I was already an adult when I chanced upon Mormonism. Miss Laake was not so lucky because she was raised as one. They tell you that you have free agency(choice) but you have to behave yourself and follow every edict coming from Salt Lake City. These reminded me of the Middle Ages when you disagree with the established Church and you are declared a heretic. Of course, Miss Laake is lucky because she was not burned at the stake. I find her experience very typical of people who just got tired of others who dictated to her how to live their lives. There are a lot of do-gooders out there, but if you really quiz them to the bone, they are also just blind followers. I guess Miss Laake got tired of being a lemming.
Rating:
Summary: a raw attack on pomposity and elitism
Review: About 20 years ago or so, I had a run in with Mormon missionaries. I told them that I can probably accept the story of Nephi ans his family but not that of Jared and his brother. Jared and his brother came to America ahead of Nephi after the destruction of the tower of Babel. Well, they told me told to pray about it, and assured me that the Heavenly Father would clear my doubts. I replied that suppossed my Heavenly Father did not agree with their Heavenly Father. After two more visits, they stopped coming; I asked them if I became a bad person just because I did not agree with them. I was lucky because I was already an adult when I chanced upon Mormonism. Miss Laake was not so lucky because she was raised as one. They tell you that you have free agency(choice) but you have to behave yourself and follow every edict coming from Salt Lake City. These reminded me of the Middle Ages when you disagree with the established Church and you are declared a heretic. Of course, Miss Laake is lucky because she was not burned at the stake. I find her experience very typical of people who just got tired of others who dictated to her how to live their lives. There are a lot of do-gooders out there, but if you really quiz them to the bone, they are also just blind followers. I guess Miss Laake got tired of being a lemming.
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