Victoria T. (justicepirate) reviewed on 7/26/2016 + 350 more book reviews

This book tells the story of girl (Michelle Knight) growing up in homelessness and poverty, sometimes roasting hot dogs on a radiator to survive with her siblings. She talks about being 4'2" and often being mistaken for a little kid, the lack of education she received, the stench of herself while growing up, causing no one to befriend her; the years of sexual abuse received from a man her parents let stay in a house they had for a while, the time she ran away from home living underneath a bridge, her first love and the child she loved as a result, and eventually her last day being able to explore the world freely as a 21 year old before being kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery for 11 years as a prisoner in "the dude's house" (bringing in two other girls in the mix after her first year).

Her story is also about her faith. Her story is one that is raw and yet so positive despite how awful it is. There are things in this that should upset us, yet she has nothing but forgiveness for those who hurt her. She shares how God spared her life and how she has no doubts of Him being with her all those years.

There is some graphic content in this book, considering rapes, torture, beatings, and things I don't want to give away that are also horrific. She does use some strong language here and there as well, but it is more sporadic if anything.

I really could not put this book down. I read it throughout a day because I was so interested in learning more about what was happening. So much of this woman's life had been taken from her. It is really great, though definitely sad.

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