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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
A fictional account of the true abduction of 11 year-old Sally Horner in 1948 and the two year ordeal at the hands of her captor. This is the story that inspired Nabokov’s ‘Lolita’. Greenwood is careful not to get involved in the sordid details or graphic sexual content, which leaves us to focus on how horrifyingly easy it was then to steal a child and how that whole experience must have stayed with her for all her life. Worse than that is the realization that these things are still happening in our world now. A fascinating and important read!
I loved this book. I listened to the Audible version, narrated flawlessly by Therese Plummer. It was just beautifully written, each lyrical word in its perfect place. I became so emotionally involved with Sally that there were times during the last third of the book I ended up sobbing and gasping like a baby. T. Greenwood has captured all the beauty that she could find in retelling this anguished portrait of a little girl who had to bear so much pain.
Rust & Stardust is a novel that is based on the real-life kidnapping of Sally Horner who was 11 years old at the time. As well as her kidnapper. This is the story that inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write his controversial and iconic book, Lolita. This happened in 1948.
During a game of dare, Sally attempted to steal a notebook from a Woolworths. When she was stopped by a man who said he was an FBI agent. He claimed that she was under arrest. She didn’t know that this wasn’t true and that she wasn’t really under arrest. He actually was an ex-con by the name of Frank LaSalle who had just gotten out of prison. He tells Sally if she does not cooperate, she will go to jail. Scared, she does exactly as he asked.
The next part of the book is the two years in which he mentally, sexually, and physically abuses Sally. They travel from place to place. Moving on when people get suspicious of him. The book allows us to see her doubt, fear and loathing. I think her anger and her resentment. We also see her hope and her strength.
At this point, Amber alerts didn’t exist and people were more trusting. The harsh reality of life was rarely discussed and many children weren’t warned about abusers. This is a sad and heartbreaking book. This is not a happy book. This is a story of pain, loss, fear, and abuse.
The writing in Rust & Stardust is captivating and wonderful. I thought the author did these sensitive subjects justice in a thoughtful way. I thought the authors note at the end was very poignant and extremely educational. I loved the books that causes me to really think about things. It was extremely moving and gripping.
Overall I gave this book four stars because I enjoyed the novel. If I can say enjoyed this hard novel. The topics were well done. I hope you check it out.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
During a game of dare, Sally attempted to steal a notebook from a Woolworths. When she was stopped by a man who said he was an FBI agent. He claimed that she was under arrest. She didn’t know that this wasn’t true and that she wasn’t really under arrest. He actually was an ex-con by the name of Frank LaSalle who had just gotten out of prison. He tells Sally if she does not cooperate, she will go to jail. Scared, she does exactly as he asked.
The next part of the book is the two years in which he mentally, sexually, and physically abuses Sally. They travel from place to place. Moving on when people get suspicious of him. The book allows us to see her doubt, fear and loathing. I think her anger and her resentment. We also see her hope and her strength.
At this point, Amber alerts didn’t exist and people were more trusting. The harsh reality of life was rarely discussed and many children weren’t warned about abusers. This is a sad and heartbreaking book. This is not a happy book. This is a story of pain, loss, fear, and abuse.
The writing in Rust & Stardust is captivating and wonderful. I thought the author did these sensitive subjects justice in a thoughtful way. I thought the authors note at the end was very poignant and extremely educational. I loved the books that causes me to really think about things. It was extremely moving and gripping.
Overall I gave this book four stars because I enjoyed the novel. If I can say enjoyed this hard novel. The topics were well done. I hope you check it out.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a tough read. Knowing that this book was based on a true story was heartbreaking. Thinking about all the children stolen and abused is such a horrible thing.
This book is well written. The characters are fully fleshed out, even the disposable ones. The constant moving and the guilt surrounding all of these people was heartbreaking.
Sally is a character who never had a chance. All of her life was surrounded by one tragedy after another. Watching her try to understand and continue on was devastating.
I appreciate being given the he opportunity to read an arc of this book. .
This book is well written. The characters are fully fleshed out, even the disposable ones. The constant moving and the guilt surrounding all of these people was heartbreaking.
Sally is a character who never had a chance. All of her life was surrounded by one tragedy after another. Watching her try to understand and continue on was devastating.
I appreciate being given the he opportunity to read an arc of this book. .
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars. A riveting story. Had no idea it was based on true events!
I had never heard of Sally Horner’s story. Never read Lolita either. And I fought every fiber of my librarian being to not just throw down the book and google it. That’s the approach I would recommend going in - preferably know as little as possible because you won’t be able to put it down.
Aside from needing a moment to recover from being completely fucking horrified about what’s happening.
It’s a bit like the Pursuit of Happyness, where terrible things keep happening and you’re like, “Surely, this has to get better at some point.” And then it doesn’t.
That said, this book is amazing. It’s just raw, gut-wrenching emotion. The author does a spectacular job of conveying all the sorrow, despair, longing, and heartache of each of the characters and the depths and complexities of their relationships in the wake of the kidnapping.
Check out my full review here.
Also, thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC. I guess. You probably should have sent someone to give me a hug after, too.
Aside from needing a moment to recover from being completely fucking horrified about what’s happening.
It’s a bit like the Pursuit of Happyness, where terrible things keep happening and you’re like, “Surely, this has to get better at some point.” And then it doesn’t.
That said, this book is amazing. It’s just raw, gut-wrenching emotion. The author does a spectacular job of conveying all the sorrow, despair, longing, and heartache of each of the characters and the depths and complexities of their relationships in the wake of the kidnapping.
Check out my full review here.
Also, thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC. I guess. You probably should have sent someone to give me a hug after, too.
some books are filled with such sadness and darkness but need to be read, this was one of those books, following the years sally horner was held captive by a convicted pedophile. it was a tough read but through all the darkness, there was stories of a young girl trying to find light and love, despite the circumstances. i didn’t want to read this but simultaneously i couldn’t put it down.
It was so heartbreaking. Made me disgusted what some men are capable of. Very well written