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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
So sad, so heartbreaking. I almost decided not to read it. Sadder because it's a fictional telling of the real kidnapping of Sally Horner by Frank LaSalle, a convicted child rapist at the time he took her. Written from the points of view of Sally, her mother, sister., brother-in-law, and from one of the girls who ran away when she saw Sally taken. What hell Sally must have endured at this man's hands. Raped art 11. Unreal. All I can say is don't Google her story if you don't already now it. It will ruin it for you. I did and wish I waited until I finished the book. The writing was amazing. I think it really did Sally justice. I would definitely recommend the book but it's a hard read because it's just so sad...
Wow. I truly have no words. I absolutely loved . Hated. And blown away by this book. More people should read this and look up the real story. This was written beautifully. I was truly amazed on the relationships sally met. You never know who can really change your life. If I can give this 10 stars. I would.
MUCH better than others in this genre that I've read. A lot of the time it was unbelievable that someone had to go through all of this and I had to keep reminding myself that this really happened. It was dark and creepy and sad and not something I usually read, which is why it took me so long to get through, but I'd definitely recommend it.
It took everything I had not to google Sally Horner so I didn't spoil the ending for myself. I had not heard of this story before reading this book, and it was so heart breaking for all the women in the book (even though some are fictitious).
I think I rate higher than most people on here, but I give this book 5 stars because I could not put it down! I liked how we got to hear different voices each chapter - what they were thinking, feeling during Sally's absence, and while the author admits some people were her vision, I would like to believe Sally did meet and come to trust these women in the trailer parks that helped save her life.
Now, to read or not read Lolita?
I think I rate higher than most people on here, but I give this book 5 stars because I could not put it down! I liked how we got to hear different voices each chapter - what they were thinking, feeling during Sally's absence, and while the author admits some people were her vision, I would like to believe Sally did meet and come to trust these women in the trailer parks that helped save her life.
Now, to read or not read Lolita?
So sad. I was totally caught off guard by the ending of this “based on real events” novel.
Riveting would be a good word to describe this book. It’s clear the author became fascinated with the Sally Horner kidnapping and used known facts to fictionalize the entire experience for her, her family, and the people she met along the way. The book that resulted is heartbreaking and impossible to put down. I felt the end went on a bit long, but I know that was to make this as true to Sally’s own ending as possible.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
11 year old Sally Horner just wants to join her classmates in their secret club when they ask her to steal something from the Woolworth's first. She manages to steal a notebook but then is arrested on the spot by FBI agent, Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner says that he has to take her to court immediately and she is caught up in a whirlwind and ultimately becomes a fugitive of justice. Her family thinks she's on vacation with a friend, and the FBI agent now says he's her father and Sally doesn't know what to believe. She just wants to go home to her mom and family.
This is quite the story that wastes no time in getting started. Sally is a child that the reader can immediately identify with and sympathize for. Sally Horner's story is sadly not a fictional creation but was a real girl who existed, was kidnapped and eventually rescued and returned to her family. Her story is remembered because it is widely believed to have been the basis of the classic story, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. The author did take some liberties with her story, but the general gist of Sally Horner's tragic story is here. There are some references to suicide and to pedophilia throughout this book; if this triggers you, you probably don't want to read this book. I am giving this book four stars.
This is quite the story that wastes no time in getting started. Sally is a child that the reader can immediately identify with and sympathize for. Sally Horner's story is sadly not a fictional creation but was a real girl who existed, was kidnapped and eventually rescued and returned to her family. Her story is remembered because it is widely believed to have been the basis of the classic story, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. The author did take some liberties with her story, but the general gist of Sally Horner's tragic story is here. There are some references to suicide and to pedophilia throughout this book; if this triggers you, you probably don't want to read this book. I am giving this book four stars.
This was a tough book to get through. The material is difficult (child kidnaping and sexual assault) and the story and characters are all very sad (in 1950s New Jersey, a low-income family is rocked when 11-year old Sally is kidnapped by Frank La Salle, a criminal who convinces Sally he works for the FBI and is arresting her for shoplifting). Told through alternating perspectives, the book shows how each character (Sally, mom Ella, sister Susan, brother-in-law Al, school teachers and friends) are each affected by the kidnapping.
As much as a slog it was to get through this book, i was riveted by it. The writing was suspenseful and extremely sad (Sally’s plight is very, very sad) and i was on the edge of my seat at the end hoping everything was going work out for Sally and her family. SPOILER: I also appreciated that once Sally was rescued and reunited with her family, the author showed the aftermath of the kidnapping and how the family didn’t go back to normal, but was deeply affected by the whole situation.
Readers who like historical fiction and true crime will most likely enjoy this book.
As much as a slog it was to get through this book, i was riveted by it. The writing was suspenseful and extremely sad (Sally’s plight is very, very sad) and i was on the edge of my seat at the end hoping everything was going work out for Sally and her family. SPOILER: I also appreciated that once Sally was rescued and reunited with her family, the author showed the aftermath of the kidnapping and how the family didn’t go back to normal, but was deeply affected by the whole situation.
Readers who like historical fiction and true crime will most likely enjoy this book.