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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Very novice writing. I am not judging her education, but this read like a jr high journal. For a second book, you would expect a little more help.
I downloaded this thinking it was her first book. I will still give that book a go.
I downloaded this thinking it was her first book. I will still give that book a go.
I have always been fascinated by child abduction cases- Elizabeth Smart, Lisa Irwin, the three Cleveland women, Madeleine McCann. You always hope and pray that the children get returned, but when they do, especially when it's years later, you are shocked but also so happy that the parents get their baby back. But what happens after the media firestorm subsides? How do they function back into normal society?
Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped in 1991 and was found alive in 2009. I remember the media footage of her and the backyard shack her and her daughters were kept in. Jaycee wrote a memoir about her experience, [b:A Stolen Life|11330361|A Stolen Life|Jaycee Dugard|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1327928284s/11330361.jpg|16258764], which is exactly what you expect: an awful account of what she had to endure in her 18 years of captivity. This follow-up is an interesting account of Jaycee adjusting to being "normal" and trying to learn to do things that we all may be take for granted. Things like learning how to grocery shop, or drive a car. I also liked how you could really see how the world has changed since she was last in public. The story about how a normal shopping mall had drastically changed since the 90s- how there are no longer pet stores in the malls, or how there seems to be a million options for clothing now.
The book isn't all doom and gloom. There are a few funny moments as well. I love how she began the book: "Hi. My name is Jaycee Dugard.... first things first...#1 I am NOT a Duggar, I do not have 18 siblings. #2 I am NOT Elizabeth Smart". Also, the chapter where she gets drunk for the first time and then has her first hangover. Gold.
She narrated the audiobook herself, and my heart just went out to her because it struck me just how immature she sounded. I'm not saying that to be derogatory ; she was kidnapped at age 11 and found at age 29. She missed out on a whole chunk of her life in a normal setting. What she went through must have had an effect on her psyche. But it still struck me as so sad that the book sounded like it was narrated by a teenager rather than a woman in her mid 30s. But I am so happy to hear that she seems to be doing well and is helping others with her foundation.
Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped in 1991 and was found alive in 2009. I remember the media footage of her and the backyard shack her and her daughters were kept in. Jaycee wrote a memoir about her experience, [b:A Stolen Life|11330361|A Stolen Life|Jaycee Dugard|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1327928284s/11330361.jpg|16258764], which is exactly what you expect: an awful account of what she had to endure in her 18 years of captivity. This follow-up is an interesting account of Jaycee adjusting to being "normal" and trying to learn to do things that we all may be take for granted. Things like learning how to grocery shop, or drive a car. I also liked how you could really see how the world has changed since she was last in public. The story about how a normal shopping mall had drastically changed since the 90s- how there are no longer pet stores in the malls, or how there seems to be a million options for clothing now.
The book isn't all doom and gloom. There are a few funny moments as well. I love how she began the book: "Hi. My name is Jaycee Dugard.... first things first...#1 I am NOT a Duggar, I do not have 18 siblings. #2 I am NOT Elizabeth Smart". Also, the chapter where she gets drunk for the first time and then has her first hangover. Gold.
She narrated the audiobook herself, and my heart just went out to her because it struck me just how immature she sounded. I'm not saying that to be derogatory ; she was kidnapped at age 11 and found at age 29. She missed out on a whole chunk of her life in a normal setting. What she went through must have had an effect on her psyche. But it still struck me as so sad that the book sounded like it was narrated by a teenager rather than a woman in her mid 30s. But I am so happy to hear that she seems to be doing well and is helping others with her foundation.
I started this immediately after I finished A Stolen Life about Jaycee's captivity hoping it would be a continuation of her story. It kind of was but really was more like a collection of short stories about her various first time experiences from a speeding ticket, Christmas, to learning to drive and travelling abroad. While enjoyable and funny at times, she was actually mistaken for one of the Duggar clan, it wasn't quite what I was expecting. But I am glad to read and see she is doing better and healing from her ordeal.
It was great to hear Jaycee's story in her own words, but I really wish the editor had done a half decent job before putting this out.
I can't believe how optimistic and "normal" she is after everything she's been through
Love her positivity. Book could have used a bit more editing though, found a typo or two.