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chezler24's review against another edition
3.0
While I do admire the work Jaycee did to process what she went through and provide insight into what people in her shoes have endured, the simplistic prose of the book and some organization with timelines and processing things that went on could have been cleaned up a bit to erase some of the repetitive sections. There were times where I thought I had doubled back and accidentally re-listened to a section. I am, however, conflicted with me saying this because there is a certain rawness that exists with the prose being solely in her voice with minimal to no edits or additional commentary from outside professionals. Some of this could also result from the book being published so soon after she was rescued combined with the therapy session nature of processing 18 years of intense trauma. While not a perfect book, there is a lot of value and information to be gained from such a unique testimony.
(Note: I've been trying to "get better" at audiobook reading, and it seems that I can more easily focus on the material when it's nonfiction rather than fiction. This isn't as pertinent for the review as it is for me noting the influx of audiobook options compared to my comfort zone of physical books.)
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, and Slavery
Moderate: Drug abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Drug use
lottie1803's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Confinement, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Violence, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture
ashpociadlo's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Violence, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Animal cruelty, Drug use, Kidnapping, Animal death, Pregnancy, and Pedophilia
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
2.0
Please note that the star rating is no reflection on the author nor her experiences which are detailed throughout this book. I have the utmost respect and empathy for Ms Dugard — the courage the author showed in penning this book is incredible.
I highly recommend 'A Stolen Life' for those interested in true crime and Ms Dugard's case. This book is incredibly difficult to read but is extremely worthwhile. It is a gift to be able to hear directly from the voice of the survivor of this case and I'm really glad that I listened to the audiobook of this.
My rating stems from the writing of the book itself — the writing style of which could have been stronger and more fully formed. However, I understand the difficulties in editing/altering the voice in a book like this.
Regardless of rating, I would recommend picking this one up. While immensely painful at parts, hearing from Ms Dugard directly — and listening to her speak with the utmost positivity, grace and kindness was very rewarding.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Animal death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Confinement, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Rape, Mental illness, and Domestic abuse
avaree's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal death, Drug abuse, Rape, and Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Addiction, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, and Suicide
shiv91's review against another edition
3.5
It was raw, emotional and disturbing. To go through what Jaycee went through and not only survive, but to actually begin to heal and try to move on in life shows how strong a person she is.
The sheer amount of manipulation and outright horror she endured was awful to read, to try and put myself in her shoes is something that makes me feel sick to even think about.
I realise that the chance at a proper education was taken away from her which I completely understand but I personally found it difficult to follow along with. I know she wanted to write this experience as she remembered it but I feel that perhaps if she waited another while to gather her thoughts more, it would have translated better on paper.
There was a lot of repetition which made me wish there had been some kind of editor involved and I didn't really understand the short addition of those few diary entries.
At the end of the day though, if writing this book was cathartic and helped her through the hell she suffered then it really doesn't matter what I think of the actual writing style/level. I'm not the one who was put through more awful things than anyone should have to endure.
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Rape, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Animal cruelty
marybsimp's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Rape, Blood, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture