Helpful Score: 3
Along the lines of "Water for Elephants" a look at long hidden family secrets and the dark side of carnival life in the 1930's. Lilly was locked in her family's attic all her life because she wasn't "normal or perfect". Unbeknownst to her father, she is sold to the traveling circus by her mother. The abuse and humiliation and friendship she finds among the carnies is hard to read at times. The focus on animal cruelty, while I'm sure is true, is also difficult. Overall, a good read.
Helpful Score: 3
THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN is the first book by ELLEN MARIE WISEMAN that I've read. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Lilly and Julia, how they were raised and how it affected their lives. I give it 4.5 stars because I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and somewhat vague. But I just found another author to add to my favorites list.
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely hated this book with every ounce in me.
This is literally the most depressing book I've ever read---there is absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. No positive spins, no lighthearted anything, just depression on top of oppression. It's a disgusting story about child abuse and evil-possessed people and I won't even dignify it with details...except for this one that has turned me off this author forever:
At the back of the book, there's an "interview with the author". The second question says, "what looks like a story about child abuse ends up being about animal cruelty too." The author goes on to address the issue of animal abuse. No where in this interview does she ever address child abuse. The discussion questions that come after are flippant about the issue. This book is disgusting and no one wants to talk deeply about it. It's sick that someone could read this and get their kicks.
NEVER will I read or recommend this author. I'm crawling back into my hole---this world disgusts me.
This is literally the most depressing book I've ever read---there is absolutely nothing redeeming about it whatsoever. No positive spins, no lighthearted anything, just depression on top of oppression. It's a disgusting story about child abuse and evil-possessed people and I won't even dignify it with details...except for this one that has turned me off this author forever:
At the back of the book, there's an "interview with the author". The second question says, "what looks like a story about child abuse ends up being about animal cruelty too." The author goes on to address the issue of animal abuse. No where in this interview does she ever address child abuse. The discussion questions that come after are flippant about the issue. This book is disgusting and no one wants to talk deeply about it. It's sick that someone could read this and get their kicks.
NEVER will I read or recommend this author. I'm crawling back into my hole---this world disgusts me.
