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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
fast-paced
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Wow, fantastic storytelling from both Liz and Molly. (This is a review of the newest edition which I think was so necessary to the story.)
Read it in less than 2 days. The writing is ok. But her story is really moving, she describes him in a way that you can see why she fell in love with him. It was interesting “seeing” another side from one of the most horrific serial killers.
However, the appendix of the daughter, Molly, telling her story, makes you realize how disconnected from herself and reality Elizabeth was.
However, the appendix of the daughter, Molly, telling her story, makes you realize how disconnected from herself and reality Elizabeth was.
I read the newly reprinted version of this book, which includes an afterword and a section written by Molly, the author's daughter. Without those updates, this book would be incredibly disturbing, not so much because of anything Ted Bundy did (that certainly doesn't need any help to be horrifying), but because Elizabeth clearly couldn't let go of the image she had of him as warm and caring, and prioritized her comfort with their relationship over the horrific assaults and murders that he committed over and over again. I have no idea what her purpose in writing this was. She never really denounces him in the original text, even when her suspicions lead her to call the police. Her denial could be seen from space. It was nauseating. At least with the new conclusion, and the parts of the story filled in by her daughter, we can see that she did eventually come to understand the reality of what had happened. Still, nothing much is gained by reading this.
Quite honestly this book is gross, Liz Kendall is still a bad person and a worse mom, and the only reason to read it is for the afterword by her daughter who has somehow, miraculously, come out of all of this as a loving, empathetic person. Watch the new documentary on Prime instead.
With last year's Netflix releases of both a film and a documentary about serial killer Ted Bundy (and a new Prime documentary coming at the end of this month), it makes sense that Elizabeth Kendall would re-release her 1981 memoir [b:The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy|482198|The Phantom Prince My Life with Ted Bundy|Elizabeth Kendall|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1269587043l/482198._SY75_.jpg|470556]. While Ms. Kendall did not edit the original text of her book, this new release includes a forward and afterward by her, as well as a final chapter written by her daughter.
As a true-crime junkie, I immediately picked this book up when I found out it was available. The original book went out of print years ago and is difficult to find. It is interesting to read about Elizabeth and Ted's relationship, which started when they met in 1969. I think when Ms. Kendall wrote her original account, she was still too close to the events and was looking through some rose-colored glasses.
Liz wanted nothing more than to get married, and Ted strung her along while she helped to support him. As an outsider reading this it seems pretty obvious that while their love story may have started off well, ultimately (even if Ted Bundy were not a serial killer) he would have left Liz for greener pastures sooner or later. It seemed that right when Liz had enough, he was just really good at telling her exactly what she wanted/needed to hear. And even when she had her doubts about whether or not Ted was "the Ted" the police were looking for (and after his arrest in Salt Lake City), she still stood by him, convincing herself he was innocent.
This is a fairly quick read of an ultimately doomed (for many reasons) relationship. It was nice to read Ms. Kendall's new updates that indicate that she has been able to come to terms with her past and move forward. She has a unique voice and point of view that no one else can provide. While she doesn't have answers for Ted Bundy and why he committed his horrible crimes, this book is not really about him but about Ms. Kendall and her story.
This book is probably a must-read for true crime fanatics and those still interested in Ted Bundy. However, if you are not into the true crime genre, I don't think this book will resonate with you.
As a true-crime junkie, I immediately picked this book up when I found out it was available. The original book went out of print years ago and is difficult to find. It is interesting to read about Elizabeth and Ted's relationship, which started when they met in 1969. I think when Ms. Kendall wrote her original account, she was still too close to the events and was looking through some rose-colored glasses.
Liz wanted nothing more than to get married, and Ted strung her along while she helped to support him. As an outsider reading this it seems pretty obvious that while their love story may have started off well, ultimately (even if Ted Bundy were not a serial killer) he would have left Liz for greener pastures sooner or later. It seemed that right when Liz had enough, he was just really good at telling her exactly what she wanted/needed to hear. And even when she had her doubts about whether or not Ted was "the Ted" the police were looking for (and after his arrest in Salt Lake City), she still stood by him, convincing herself he was innocent.
This is a fairly quick read of an ultimately doomed (for many reasons) relationship. It was nice to read Ms. Kendall's new updates that indicate that she has been able to come to terms with her past and move forward. She has a unique voice and point of view that no one else can provide. While she doesn't have answers for Ted Bundy and why he committed his horrible crimes, this book is not really about him but about Ms. Kendall and her story.
This book is probably a must-read for true crime fanatics and those still interested in Ted Bundy. However, if you are not into the true crime genre, I don't think this book will resonate with you.
Absolutely amazing, I couldn’t put the book down. It was moving and also gave me my fill for getting the actual details. I have many words to say and none all at once. As a Seattlite, it was very interesting to read about what I’ve been familiar with my whole life, but it also made me sad for the victims and this family that everyone (including myself) is so obsessed with this stuff. However, I’ll admit it’s easy to be intrigued by things that we don’t understand and that impacted how women grew up and learned to be careful in society etc. Must read!
