THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER

A stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrestles with her faith.

Kurt and Linda Wallheim have hit a rough patch in their longtime marriage. Now that their children are grown and out of the house, Linda, who’s always had a feminist streak, is increasingly restless with the way their religion treats women. Marriage counseling with Dr. Candice Zee makes her want “to light Kurt’s entire wardrobe on fire—no, to burn down the entire house.” Still, it’s not clear that her efforts to become her own person, even if they don’t lead to arson, will have a therapeutic effect in the long run. Her current mission, prompted by her son Joseph’s worried call to tell her that the 15-year-old who babysits his toddler daughter has suddenly disappeared, takes her from her suburban home to the mean streets of Salt Lake City, where she mingles with a homeless population whose lack of access to personal hygiene products may be the least of their problems. When she does locate Sabrina Jensen and learns about the traumatic event that sent the teenager fleeing her home, Linda seems either ignorant of or oblivious to civil laws that require the reporting of crimes and discourage housing minors without their parents’ consent.

No solutions here, and by the end it’s not even clear what the question is.