Helpful Score: 27
What a book. If you saw the Diane Sawyer interview, the first part of this book will be very familiar to you. Jaycee's account of her abduction is harrowing. An 11 year old on her way to school, stun-gunned before she even knew what hit her, thrown into a car, and spirited away.
Jaycee was obviously a very shy and sweet girl. This vulnerability comes through in each part of the story she tells. I have a hard time putting my finger on it, but I think the best way to describe it is to say that her innocence shines through the book. She was isolated and came to rely on the Garridos as her only form of contact with the outside world, so in a way, she had to bond with them. She was afraid because they told her that they could sell her to people who would keep her in a cage, and they told her that they had Dobermans in the yard.
The description of the sexual abuse she endured was very difficult to read. Anything you can imagine, Garrido did to Jaycee. Garrido is truly a sexual deviant, drug addict, and mentally unstable piece of garbage. Jaycee did what she had to do to survive. I cried just thinking of how this innocent girl was tortured and humiliated.
She gave birth in the backyard, and eventually, Nancy Garrido's jealousy meant that Jaycee was her children's "sister". In reading this book, I developed an even greater distaste for Nancy Garrido (if that was at all possible). She treated Jaycee like a rival for her husband's affection, not an abducted child. She lied to Jaycee and exploited her vulnerability. She deserved just as much jail time as her husband got, and I am sad that she only got as much as she did. She videotaped children for her husband in public parks so that he could do disgusting things with the tapes. She is just as awful as he is.
Jaycee's loving heart can really be clearly seen through her love of animals (which Garrido also exploited) and my heart broke each time she had to endure another loss. It is clear that Jaycee has a lot of therapeutic work to do to understand and make sense out of her experiences. But what remains is a vulnerable, kind, loving, strong survivor who deserves every happiness in life. I just wanted to hug her when I finished the book. Compelling, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
To end my review, I will say this (my personal two cents): The Garridos should never, ever even be able to see daylight rom their cells. Jaycee was denied daylight for a long time--they should suffer the same fate. Let them pee in a bucket like Jaycee had to. Let them have no running water. Any human decency they get is more than they gave to their 11 year old captive.
Lastly, I hope she sues the parole department for millions of dollars and wins. (ETA: I hear she got a big settlement from them.) They did not follow their own policies and they were manipulated by the very piece of scum who they were supposed to monitor. Garrido was an expert (Nancy too) in distracting the officers from their job, but they should have done better. If they had, Jaycee would have been out much sooner.
Jaycee is a better human being than both of her captors put together. She seems to be a great mother, and I hope she and her children have a wonderful life together.
Jaycee was obviously a very shy and sweet girl. This vulnerability comes through in each part of the story she tells. I have a hard time putting my finger on it, but I think the best way to describe it is to say that her innocence shines through the book. She was isolated and came to rely on the Garridos as her only form of contact with the outside world, so in a way, she had to bond with them. She was afraid because they told her that they could sell her to people who would keep her in a cage, and they told her that they had Dobermans in the yard.
The description of the sexual abuse she endured was very difficult to read. Anything you can imagine, Garrido did to Jaycee. Garrido is truly a sexual deviant, drug addict, and mentally unstable piece of garbage. Jaycee did what she had to do to survive. I cried just thinking of how this innocent girl was tortured and humiliated.
She gave birth in the backyard, and eventually, Nancy Garrido's jealousy meant that Jaycee was her children's "sister". In reading this book, I developed an even greater distaste for Nancy Garrido (if that was at all possible). She treated Jaycee like a rival for her husband's affection, not an abducted child. She lied to Jaycee and exploited her vulnerability. She deserved just as much jail time as her husband got, and I am sad that she only got as much as she did. She videotaped children for her husband in public parks so that he could do disgusting things with the tapes. She is just as awful as he is.
Jaycee's loving heart can really be clearly seen through her love of animals (which Garrido also exploited) and my heart broke each time she had to endure another loss. It is clear that Jaycee has a lot of therapeutic work to do to understand and make sense out of her experiences. But what remains is a vulnerable, kind, loving, strong survivor who deserves every happiness in life. I just wanted to hug her when I finished the book. Compelling, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
To end my review, I will say this (my personal two cents): The Garridos should never, ever even be able to see daylight rom their cells. Jaycee was denied daylight for a long time--they should suffer the same fate. Let them pee in a bucket like Jaycee had to. Let them have no running water. Any human decency they get is more than they gave to their 11 year old captive.
Lastly, I hope she sues the parole department for millions of dollars and wins. (ETA: I hear she got a big settlement from them.) They did not follow their own policies and they were manipulated by the very piece of scum who they were supposed to monitor. Garrido was an expert (Nancy too) in distracting the officers from their job, but they should have done better. If they had, Jaycee would have been out much sooner.
Jaycee is a better human being than both of her captors put together. She seems to be a great mother, and I hope she and her children have a wonderful life together.
Helpful Score: 17
Jaycee Dugard's book is going to be very hard to read for anyone that has any sense of empathy towards other people. If you know anything at all about her story, you'll know why that's the case. Everything from the writing style to the way that events are recalled will very much put you in the place of that little eleven year-old girl, who will then take you with her as she grows up in captivity, gives birth to and raises two daughters, and then finally regains her freedom after eighteen very long years. Sometimes the journey is told briefly, and sometimes in heartbreaking detail, but it is always painful to read regardless.
You can definitely tell as you read that the book is written by Jaycee Dugard herself. Though she continued to read and attempt to educate herself after her kidnapping, it doesn't change the fact that her formal education stopped at the fifth grade. You can also tell that she had very little in those eighteen years, meaning that a very large part of her life, and among the very few things that she could gain any sense of happiness from, were her various pets and other simple things. So, you shouldn't start reading the book expecting a literary masterpiece full of excitement and adventure. You need to take it for what it is. She wrote the truth of what her life was, and it would be foolish to expect anything more.
I came away from this book, and from the TV interview, with a great respect for Jaycee's courage and determination. Despite everything, she not only survived, but is becoming ever stronger, and now serves as an inspiration for abuse victims everywhere to not be afraid to come forward and speak out. She is also an absolutely devoted and loving mother to her daughters, though they came from the most terrible of circumstances. She deserves our support and our respect, and I can only hope that those who do discover the identities of her and especially her daughters will continue to respect their privacy and treat them the same as they did before. It's the very least any of us could do in such a situation, and perhaps would let Jaycee put her fears to rest and know that her daughters will be allowed to live as normal of a life as possible. I certainly wish them all the best now and in their future. It certainly looks far more hopeful than their past.
You can definitely tell as you read that the book is written by Jaycee Dugard herself. Though she continued to read and attempt to educate herself after her kidnapping, it doesn't change the fact that her formal education stopped at the fifth grade. You can also tell that she had very little in those eighteen years, meaning that a very large part of her life, and among the very few things that she could gain any sense of happiness from, were her various pets and other simple things. So, you shouldn't start reading the book expecting a literary masterpiece full of excitement and adventure. You need to take it for what it is. She wrote the truth of what her life was, and it would be foolish to expect anything more.
I came away from this book, and from the TV interview, with a great respect for Jaycee's courage and determination. Despite everything, she not only survived, but is becoming ever stronger, and now serves as an inspiration for abuse victims everywhere to not be afraid to come forward and speak out. She is also an absolutely devoted and loving mother to her daughters, though they came from the most terrible of circumstances. She deserves our support and our respect, and I can only hope that those who do discover the identities of her and especially her daughters will continue to respect their privacy and treat them the same as they did before. It's the very least any of us could do in such a situation, and perhaps would let Jaycee put her fears to rest and know that her daughters will be allowed to live as normal of a life as possible. I certainly wish them all the best now and in their future. It certainly looks far more hopeful than their past.
Helpful Score: 9
This was an amazing story. Most of us can never imagine the hell she went through and the daily tasks she had/has to deal with. What a strong woman to have endured what she did and to become the woman she is today is so truly amazing to me. I won't lie about how hard it was to read this book because it was very sad and depressing. She dealt with so much at such a young age. Everything from being abused in every way to experiencing so much loss (several animals she had, either died or were taken away, aside from her very own life that had been stolen from her). In the end which was a relief of happiness and tears both in her life and me reading about it. I wish her all the best in her future with her family and much success to her foundation. I do recommend this book even though it was one of the hardest books I have ever read.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a very hard book to read and it's even tougher to rate it. Written in a style that puts you in Jaycee's life as these events unfolded is disturbing to say the least. I honestly felt invaded myself as she described her abduction and her life afterwards. I think she is one of the bravest souls ever born into this world to have not only survived what she did but to speak of it as she does. I'm truly amazed by this child/woman. And I do believe that is who and what Jaycee is, she was never allowed to grow up or be herself, speak for herself or make her own decisions. What was done to her is beyond the imaagination of any normal human being. This is painful reading and yet so inspiring.
Helpful Score: 2
Very hard to read. Writing style understandably very juvenile. I learned some things I didn't know about the Garridos. The most interest part to me was how Jaycee recovered and the things that worked to teach her.
Helpful Score: 2
How Jaycee was able to sit down and write this book is something I can't imagine. Her courage and inner strength are what brought her through. She shares her horrific journey in great detail.
This is a difficult read, due to the subject. However, I pray it will help her financially and as therapy. She is a remarkable young lady.
Kidnapped as a young girl, held captive and abused in so many ways then YEARS later was found. A story of hope , even with the horrible sexual and emotional abuse.
This is a difficult read, due to the subject. However, I pray it will help her financially and as therapy. She is a remarkable young lady.
Kidnapped as a young girl, held captive and abused in so many ways then YEARS later was found. A story of hope , even with the horrible sexual and emotional abuse.
Helpful Score: 2
Phillip Garrido is a monster. What is wrong with people?? The things he put Jaycee Dugard through are unimaginable to any normal, sane person. It makes you want to never let your children out of sight. Jaycee is a survivor, and she is one of the few who actually got lucky and got to go home, even if it was 18 years later. This is not a easy book to read as far as how heart breaking it is. Me being the sappy Mom I am, shed tears a couple times, thinking how horrible it was for her Mom and Jaycee.
Jaycee explains life before and after the kidnapping, as well as her life in between. She not only came out as a survivor, but a mother of two girls. This is a must read for anyone!
http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2011/12/book-review-stolen-life-memoir-by.html
Jaycee explains life before and after the kidnapping, as well as her life in between. She not only came out as a survivor, but a mother of two girls. This is a must read for anyone!
http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2011/12/book-review-stolen-life-memoir-by.html
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! I honestly didn't expect to think much of this book since I knew the whole story from reading news reports but I found Jaycee to be truly inspiring. Talk about someone who has suffered, lived to talk about it, but chooses to not live in the past. Even while still captive her writings showed her positive spirit. I can't even imagine what she had to endure as a young 11 year old, and throughout the 18 years that were stolen from her but she does not seem nearly as bitter as I think I would be. Very honest account of her ordeal.
Helpful Score: 1
It was very sad and traumatic but really well written by her.
Helpful Score: 1
Well written but very hard to read due to graphic nature.
Helpful Score: 1
Since Jaycee was found I wanted to know her story. Not from tabloids or some other author giving ideas but only from her. I was thrilled when I heard she had decided to write a book about her story. The story is heart wrenching. Jaycee doesn't hold back and let's us know, in detail, what she went through. She lets us understand how manipulated she was and why escape didn't feel possible. I thought she did a wonderful job at conveying her feelings and thought that the reflections she put at the end of chapters where very helpful in seeing how things were and how she sees them now. Near the end of the book where she is reunited with her mother made me cry so hard that I had to put the book down.
I'm so proud of Jaycee. Not because she survived physically but because she survived mentally. That is a task in itself. I don't know if I could have been able to. I also loved reading about all of the wonderful people who were there for her and her daughters when she was rescued. To know that these caring people all chipped in and helped her out warms my heart. A wonderful book and highly recommended.
I'm so proud of Jaycee. Not because she survived physically but because she survived mentally. That is a task in itself. I don't know if I could have been able to. I also loved reading about all of the wonderful people who were there for her and her daughters when she was rescued. To know that these caring people all chipped in and helped her out warms my heart. A wonderful book and highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
I have seen Jaycee Dugard on a few specials and always admired her outlook on life. I knew I wanted to read about her captivity and what she over came.I believe she was very frank in this book and reported everything as she could remember it. She is now 31 years old and she was abducted at 11. There are some pretty explicit passages in the beginning of this book, but they are kept in context as to what she was going thru at the time. It is obvious that she was brain washed by this monster and his sick wife. These people had to be mentally ill to abduct and hold her hostage for 18 years. They were both sick sick disgusting people.
Toward the end of the book she begins to finally get back a shred of self worth and confidence and she takes you thru the process.
I really admire the out look she has on life and her method of forgiveness. After reading this book, any problem that I have seems like a pebble on a mountain in comparison.
Toward the end of the book she begins to finally get back a shred of self worth and confidence and she takes you thru the process.
I really admire the out look she has on life and her method of forgiveness. After reading this book, any problem that I have seems like a pebble on a mountain in comparison.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the story of Jaycee Dugard in her own words. She was kidnapped in 1991 and was found in the Summer of 2009. She was abducted while on her way to the bus stop. Her Stepdad witnessed the abduction but nothing ever became of those leads. She was kept captive for 18 years and the backyard of a convicted rapist. She became dependent on her captives and knew no other life then that backyard. She worried for her girls and was too shy to ever fight for herself. Finally some astute U Berkley employees did not ignore and finally questioned. When she was found her daughters were aged 11 & 15.
I found this book was very easy to read. I cringed as I read the book but kept pushing forward. The Journal entries give you a sense of her at that time in her life, they were difficult for me to get through. She does a very good job of writing her story and you feel like you are in the room and she is telling you her story. You become a captive audience. I like the way she tells her story and does not sugarcoat it for anybody.
I found this book was very easy to read. I cringed as I read the book but kept pushing forward. The Journal entries give you a sense of her at that time in her life, they were difficult for me to get through. She does a very good job of writing her story and you feel like you are in the room and she is telling you her story. You become a captive audience. I like the way she tells her story and does not sugarcoat it for anybody.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was written by Jaycee Lee Dugard, who was kidnapped at the age of 11 and kept captive in the backyard of her kidnapper for 18 years! She reviews her time before she was kidnapped, during her first memories as a captive, through the crazy abuse (sexual & mental & verbal) which she received. I really love her attitude throughout the book. She seems very caring and loving despite all she went through, and harbors no hate, but just continues to live her life with whatever she goes through. It is definitely something we can all learn about. You can truly see what a lonely life she lived, but she has a feeling she has been blessed regardless. That's awesome.
Helpful Score: 1
I started reading this and could not put it down. I love that she wrote this in her own words. It is amazing that she survived being captive so long. Loved IT!
Helpful Score: 1
This is such a great book. Jaycee did a very great job in writing this. I admire her for being so honest in writing her experience. Having to relive those awful memories to write a book takes courage. She is a strong woman and an inspiration to those who have been abused.
Helpful Score: 1
I have to say that this is one of the most disturbing books that I have ever read. I can not believe that human beings could treat another human being like was described in this book. I think that it is horrible that one young girl had to be plucked from her ordinary life to be abused and tortured for eighteen years. I can not believe that the system failed her and her family in such way over the years. Why did no one ever step foot in that back yard?
The book itself is written on a lower level that is evident that Jaycees words come through. There are parts that came straight from her diary. The exerts include drawings and scans of her actual writings. She states that the book were her words and a reminded that she only had the education of an eleven year old girl.
I think that it is amazing that she survived and raised two children in horrible situations. I am surprised that she can forgive I know that she cant forget. I am happy that she is now home with a family that loves her even though she states that they really no longer knew her especially her half sister who was a toddler when she went missing.
I think overall she is an inspiration of how a human can overcome more than others can even imagine. I just hope that she can continue to overcome and move on to be an inspiration to others and especially those that have lived through similar situations.
The book itself is written on a lower level that is evident that Jaycees words come through. There are parts that came straight from her diary. The exerts include drawings and scans of her actual writings. She states that the book were her words and a reminded that she only had the education of an eleven year old girl.
I think that it is amazing that she survived and raised two children in horrible situations. I am surprised that she can forgive I know that she cant forget. I am happy that she is now home with a family that loves her even though she states that they really no longer knew her especially her half sister who was a toddler when she went missing.
I think overall she is an inspiration of how a human can overcome more than others can even imagine. I just hope that she can continue to overcome and move on to be an inspiration to others and especially those that have lived through similar situations.
Hard to read in spots. Jaycee really tells all in this book. I remember this abduction being on the news when it happened. It was touching to read what Jaycee and her family have done since she was found. Jaycee's situation was certainly one of something horrible turned into something good! She is now doing so much to benefit others. Well worth reading.
I tried hard to read her book but I couldn't. I was molested at age 9 and I started nearly reliving it and I had to put it down. Very graphic & heart-wrenching. She's amazing for being able to do this book, God bless her!
I remember when I was growing up (being a few years younger than the author) and hearing about the story of her disappearance. I saw television shows that discussed it, saw her parents on television. And I was watching the news when she was discovered in Concord, California, just a mere twenty minute drive from my own house. I was filled with hope and apprehension for her, wondering how she would fare now that she was free from nearly two decades of imprisonment. That was when I knew that I needed to read this memoir. And I was not disappointed.
Ms. Dugard writes with a freedom that is rare to find in a writer. She is uninhibited and gives you the air of her eleven year old self. You are literally transported into her mind and her feelings through the whole experience. It was heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. I wanted to reach through the book so many times and embrace that little girl and keep her safe. I was filled with rage at the willingness of everyone to not ask any questions and just accept what they were told. She was seen by law enforcement on more than one occasion! And no one asked the easiest question! The question that could have ended the whole ordeal. I was enraged at this level of laziness and willingness to just look the other way. But ultimately I was introduced to a woman who is experiencing life for the first time at age thirty. She is experiencing life through the eyes of her children who are now in high school and middle school.
This memoir is inspirational and saddening. But it ends on a high note, the note of freedom and justice.
Note: All reviews are cross posted at my profile on Goodreads.
Ms. Dugard writes with a freedom that is rare to find in a writer. She is uninhibited and gives you the air of her eleven year old self. You are literally transported into her mind and her feelings through the whole experience. It was heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. I wanted to reach through the book so many times and embrace that little girl and keep her safe. I was filled with rage at the willingness of everyone to not ask any questions and just accept what they were told. She was seen by law enforcement on more than one occasion! And no one asked the easiest question! The question that could have ended the whole ordeal. I was enraged at this level of laziness and willingness to just look the other way. But ultimately I was introduced to a woman who is experiencing life for the first time at age thirty. She is experiencing life through the eyes of her children who are now in high school and middle school.
This memoir is inspirational and saddening. But it ends on a high note, the note of freedom and justice.
Note: All reviews are cross posted at my profile on Goodreads.
This book had many parts that were very hard to read. However, she has overcame many struggles and this books recollects her past, and a good portion of her life.
On Monday morning, June 10th, 1991, Jaycee Dugard is eleven and waiting for her mom to come give her a kiss goodbye before going to work. There are always kisses & hugs from mom and Jaycee had really wanted that on this particular morning, even having reminded mom the night before.
Jaycee gets dressed and is walking to catch the school bus when a car pulls up behind her. The driver pulls up and asks for directions. The drive is holding something black in his hand and Jaycee finally hears a crackling sound. She staggers backwards and attempts to get herself into some bushes. Her hand connects to something hard & sticky, a pinecone, which she clings to. She has been shot with a stun gun and dragged into the man's car.
She is then covered with a blanket and taken to a location that she does not know. This is the tragedy that befell Jaycee Dugard and stole 18 years of her life from her.
Phillip and Nancy Garrido then proceed throughout these 18 years to hide Jaycee and all of the disgusting things that Phillip does to this young lady. Surprisingly, Phillip and Nancy are able to hide Jaycee in their back yard, which is enclosed by bushes and fencing.
Jaycee is "raised" by the couple, but Phillip also abuses Jaycee sexually. This leads to the birth of two children, both girls. The children are raised as if Nancy is their mother and Jaycee is their sister.
It is so hard to believe that all of this took place without someone realizing what was happening. Phillip Garrido had parole officers who visited the house. Jaycee refers to all of the drugs that were sometimes involved with the relations between her and Phillip and his "runs".
I think the scariest part of this whole thing is that Phillip and Nancy Garrido acted as if they were doing the right thing and creating a family with a young girl who was only trying to survive long enough to be reconnected to her mom and baby sister.
When the part comes about finally revealing who she is to a parole officer, Jaycee must have felt so much fear and joy in equal measures.
Jaycee Dugard probably has a long road to healing and becoming independent-thinking. Kudos to her for forming her foundation and acquiring the courage to find herself after having been restrained for so long, and at such a young age.
Also, how courageous and generous of her for writing her story to help us understand the pain and heartache she and her family have been through. This book is must read for Jaycee's sake.
Jaycee gets dressed and is walking to catch the school bus when a car pulls up behind her. The driver pulls up and asks for directions. The drive is holding something black in his hand and Jaycee finally hears a crackling sound. She staggers backwards and attempts to get herself into some bushes. Her hand connects to something hard & sticky, a pinecone, which she clings to. She has been shot with a stun gun and dragged into the man's car.
She is then covered with a blanket and taken to a location that she does not know. This is the tragedy that befell Jaycee Dugard and stole 18 years of her life from her.
Phillip and Nancy Garrido then proceed throughout these 18 years to hide Jaycee and all of the disgusting things that Phillip does to this young lady. Surprisingly, Phillip and Nancy are able to hide Jaycee in their back yard, which is enclosed by bushes and fencing.
Jaycee is "raised" by the couple, but Phillip also abuses Jaycee sexually. This leads to the birth of two children, both girls. The children are raised as if Nancy is their mother and Jaycee is their sister.
It is so hard to believe that all of this took place without someone realizing what was happening. Phillip Garrido had parole officers who visited the house. Jaycee refers to all of the drugs that were sometimes involved with the relations between her and Phillip and his "runs".
I think the scariest part of this whole thing is that Phillip and Nancy Garrido acted as if they were doing the right thing and creating a family with a young girl who was only trying to survive long enough to be reconnected to her mom and baby sister.
When the part comes about finally revealing who she is to a parole officer, Jaycee must have felt so much fear and joy in equal measures.
Jaycee Dugard probably has a long road to healing and becoming independent-thinking. Kudos to her for forming her foundation and acquiring the courage to find herself after having been restrained for so long, and at such a young age.
Also, how courageous and generous of her for writing her story to help us understand the pain and heartache she and her family have been through. This book is must read for Jaycee's sake.
This book is so amazing. I cried and felt uplifted.
Interesting story of how bad things can get, even in today's society.
Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped from her bus stop at 11 years old and held prisoner for 18 years during which time she was abused, raped, and manipulated by the pedophile Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy. Here in her memoir, Jaycee recounts how she survived and who she is today.
Most of the chapters are set up starting with telling an event from the younger Jaycee's perspective. Jaycee then ends the chapter with a "reflection" section where she discusses what happened from her adult, free perspective. I enjoyed this as it removed the focus from the horrors and placed it on her survivor's mentality.
This book really is not a book about the abuse so much as about how Jaycee survived and her passion now for encouraging victims of abuse to speak up and speak out. Jaycee could have wound up completely destroyed, but she grew into a strong, selfless woman. I applaud her bravery and commitment to not letting hate and bitterness take over her heart.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs and survival stories and can handle scenes of a disturbing nature.
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on August 18, 2011).
Most of the chapters are set up starting with telling an event from the younger Jaycee's perspective. Jaycee then ends the chapter with a "reflection" section where she discusses what happened from her adult, free perspective. I enjoyed this as it removed the focus from the horrors and placed it on her survivor's mentality.
This book really is not a book about the abuse so much as about how Jaycee survived and her passion now for encouraging victims of abuse to speak up and speak out. Jaycee could have wound up completely destroyed, but she grew into a strong, selfless woman. I applaud her bravery and commitment to not letting hate and bitterness take over her heart.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs and survival stories and can handle scenes of a disturbing nature.
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on August 18, 2011).
Excellent memoir that really highlights the horrors the brave Jaycee Dugard suffered for 18 years. She really opens her heart and relives her experiences at the hand of Philip Garrido. Be forewarned, there are some explicit details.
I was horrified when I first learned about Jaycee's kidnapping in 2009. I watched her interview with Diane Sawyer and ordered the book shortly thereafter. She writes every chapter followed by a reflection.
After 100 pages I found this bbok too disturbing to read. I flipped to the last 60 pages, read those and called it done. I keep thinking of all the opportunities missed in locating and identifying Jaycee. Shame on ...
What really stands out to me about this book is the childlike innocence--if that's possible under her circumstances--of her writing. It is obvious that Jaycee Dugard was frozen in time due to her horrific abduction and captivity. How she was able to remain so sweet is a marvel.Hope she is able to continue to heal. She has a great start!
The story of Jaycee Dugard and what happened to her is really sad and heart-wrenching. I remember hearing about this on the news when Dugard was found after being in captivity for 18 years and I really couldn't imagine the horrors she must have gone through. In 1991, Jaycee was kidnapped on her way to catch her school bus in South Lake Tahoe. She was only eleven years old. She was taken by a man named Phillip Garrido using a taser and was assisted by the man's wife, Nancy. They took Jaycee from Tahoe to Antioch, California, and kept her imprisoned in makeshift shelters in the backyard of the Garrido's mother's house there. On her arrival, she was forced to shower with Phillip and a week later she was raped by him. The rapes went on repeatedly over the years and resulted in Jaycee having two daughters by him, the first when she was only fourteen. Garrido not only abused her sexually but also mentally by using guilt complexes and narcissistic behavior toward her. At some points, Jaycee actually felt sorry for him. She survived by caring for her daughters and her pet cats although Garrido got rid of many of them without Jaycee's consent. After 18 years, she was finally freed when Garrido took her and her daughters to see his parole officer. She was reunited with her mother, sister, and aunt, but was unsure of what her acceptance would be. Since then, she had been in therapy and eventually was able to make a life for herself and her daughters.
Jaycee was a very strong person to have been able to survive her ordeal. After her release she started the J A Y C Foundation to provide support and services for families recovering from abduction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences. This book was very enlightening and shows the horrors of what abducted children may go through. However, it really didn't tell the whole story of what happened after her kidnapping and the history of Garrido and his wife and their subsequent prosecutions. There is an article on Wikipedia that provides more details. It is really hard for me to understand the motivations of people that could commit such an atrocious crime; I especially couldn't understand how Garrido's wife would assist him in his depravities. There were times when she could have helped Dugard escape but failed to do so. Overall, this was a very intense and harrowing look at what can happen to young victims of abuse.
Jaycee was a very strong person to have been able to survive her ordeal. After her release she started the J A Y C Foundation to provide support and services for families recovering from abduction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences. This book was very enlightening and shows the horrors of what abducted children may go through. However, it really didn't tell the whole story of what happened after her kidnapping and the history of Garrido and his wife and their subsequent prosecutions. There is an article on Wikipedia that provides more details. It is really hard for me to understand the motivations of people that could commit such an atrocious crime; I especially couldn't understand how Garrido's wife would assist him in his depravities. There were times when she could have helped Dugard escape but failed to do so. Overall, this was a very intense and harrowing look at what can happen to young victims of abuse.
After enduring and being held captive for eighteen years, Jaycee Dugard has still managed to grow into a strong, amazing woman. Every chapter evokes the emotion of a little girl not understanding what is happening to her and being totally dependent on the people who kidnapped her. After each chapter, the adult Jaycee reflects on what she endured during that time.
Difficult to read, this brought tears to my eyes at every turn.
Difficult to read, this brought tears to my eyes at every turn.
This was a pretty good book, didn't go into as much detail as I thought it would. I do feel bad for Jaycee & her family.
I don't think this book is something on my "like" to read list or really anyone's. It was curiosity thing for me and a support the author is why i read it. It was very sad and i was disturbed by it when i finished it. I am glad she is now home but her life will never be normal as if she was never taken nor her children's life. Would i recommend it? Yes! So everyone can appreciate the things in life we take advantage of; material things and family. Yes, read the book. My rating is in the middle because it was good but not- how would you rate a real story like this one?
great book, unbelievable true story
This is an amazing story. I can't begin to imagine how she survived and persevered through years of abuse. She's an amazing young woman. This story can be hard to read at times when she describes what happened throughout the years. I'm so glad the campus officers recognized her and brought her back to her family.
It was truly amazing what little 11 year old Jaycee went through. No amount of money would ever make-up for what she endured and survived. I hope that man and his wife rot in jail and even that is not enough. May God bless Jaycee and her daughters and her mother and sister.
Written in a very honest, child-like tone because she was a child when it all happened. Heart breaking. Stuns you that these things still happen all around us.
incredibly moving story! read it in 2 days!
i loved this book, once i started reading i could not put it down, what this man did to her was horrible but the fact she still thinks about others is amazing, i hope she has a wonderful fullfilled life
Miss Jaycee has written a touching memoir of her capture and life with her kidnappers. This is a powerfully emotional book, so keep some tissues nearby! You won't want to set this book down until you've read the last page!
At 11, Jaycee is abducted by a stranger and held in captivity for 18 years. This is the story of her kidnapping, her time in "the backyard," and her rescue and recovery.
I thought this memoir was very well done. It's a little all over the place at times, but she starts the book with the explanation of why she wrote the book the way she did. It was hard to read at times, because she went through a horrible ordeal. I commend her bravery to tell her story. It can't be easy to put some of this stuff out there for the whole world to see, but she doesn't want to protect her abuser by keeping quiet about what he did. Great memoir.
I thought this memoir was very well done. It's a little all over the place at times, but she starts the book with the explanation of why she wrote the book the way she did. It was hard to read at times, because she went through a horrible ordeal. I commend her bravery to tell her story. It can't be easy to put some of this stuff out there for the whole world to see, but she doesn't want to protect her abuser by keeping quiet about what he did. Great memoir.
Hard to put down!
Finding it difficult to write a review about this book. My curiosity regarding what could have happened to this girl/woman during the 18 years of her captivity kept me reading past the gruesome account of the abduction and the sexual attacks of an 11 year old girl. Beyond those first few chapters, is an account of what can happen to the mind that helps to keep one prisoner by our own infallibilities, for much of the time that Jaycee was a prisoner was because she was unable to act on her own behalf to free herself or alert others of her dilemma. She seems to be still much a "little girl", but is growing probably daily. I know that most feel the probation department failed her, but after reading this, I also feel that she helped in that regard. Not by her own will to do so, but by her mind and inability to act when opportunity presented itself. She had ample opportunities to alert the public and the officers that she needed help and did not take the opportunities when they presented themselves. The book shows that Jayee is still allowng outside influences to run her life by not interacting with her daughters because she does not want to be hounded by the news reporters. Hope she gets past this before she looses time with her daughters as it is said that "yesterday's news line today's wastebaskets" and that is generally true.
The Dugard's have sucessfully sued the California probation enforcement agency for 11 million dollars (which I really feel is sad, because those that pay are the general public). She has a best selling book to help with more money, and I have read that she now has a suit against the Federal Government (do not remember the reason given for that one). How much money does this one person need to help her to move forward? I needed to know whether the suit was warranted...one needs to read to figure it out for oneself.
The Dugard's have sucessfully sued the California probation enforcement agency for 11 million dollars (which I really feel is sad, because those that pay are the general public). She has a best selling book to help with more money, and I have read that she now has a suit against the Federal Government (do not remember the reason given for that one). How much money does this one person need to help her to move forward? I needed to know whether the suit was warranted...one needs to read to figure it out for oneself.
Interesting, but disturbing also.
I read this in one evening! What an account of true evil - to abuse and enslave another human being for most of her life. Must read! Jaycee is an amazing woman, mother and most of all a survivor who has not allowed her abusers to ruin her life for one moment longer!
Such a well written overwhelming detailed story of the trauma Jaycee endured.An extremely strong woman.
Sad and tragic story. Greatly admire her stamina and perseverance.
Very compelling read.
Very quick read, interesting and quite disturbing story.
A very sad story. Shame on officials for not catching this sick couple when they had so many opportunities.
