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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
That was so good and so difficult to read, subject-wise.
If you have a young daughter, you might not want to go there.
I think I need to read something light and fluffy to dispel the darkness.
If you have a young daughter, you might not want to go there.
I think I need to read something light and fluffy to dispel the darkness.
A very quick - riveting, one day read.
Rust & Stardust is based on the real-life kidnapping of 11-year-old Sally Horner, and her kidnapper, in 1948 whose story inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write his controversial and iconic book, Lolita.
Rust & Stardust is based on the real-life kidnapping of 11-year-old Sally Horner, and her kidnapper, in 1948 whose story inspired Vladimir Nabokov to write his controversial and iconic book, Lolita.
This book had difficult content to read but I couldn’t put it down.
RUST AND STARDUST is a devastating, fictionalized re-telling of the famous Sally Horner case. An eleven-year old girl is kidnapped by Frank LaSalle, a serial pedophile and criminal who uses aliases to prey on young children. In the unfortunate case of Sally Horner, he pretends that he is an FBI agent after he catches her attempting to steal a notebook in order to impress a group of girls she goes to school with.
What ensues is a tale full of grief, menacing buildup, and the shattering portrayal of Sally's family as they come to terms with a nightmare scenario!
This was also the true crime case that inspired Vladmir Nabakov's LOLITA. Greenwood is a skilled writer, and has a deft ability to string the tale along respectfully, without conceding to censorship or cheap tactics that another author might have tried as a scapegoat to the subject matter.
Greenwood left me dazzled albeit disturbed, and this book is one that should find its way onto reading lists and book clubs--it begs to be discussed!
The one star I docked off was for pacing--at times the story lagged and dipped its toes into the mundane nature of day-to-day life. Given that the day-to-day for Sally Horner was anything but, makes Greenwood's delicacy warranted. My personal preference is for a quicker pace. What a fantastic piece of fiction, for all that.
What ensues is a tale full of grief, menacing buildup, and the shattering portrayal of Sally's family as they come to terms with a nightmare scenario!
This was also the true crime case that inspired Vladmir Nabakov's LOLITA. Greenwood is a skilled writer, and has a deft ability to string the tale along respectfully, without conceding to censorship or cheap tactics that another author might have tried as a scapegoat to the subject matter.
Greenwood left me dazzled albeit disturbed, and this book is one that should find its way onto reading lists and book clubs--it begs to be discussed!
The one star I docked off was for pacing--at times the story lagged and dipped its toes into the mundane nature of day-to-day life. Given that the day-to-day for Sally Horner was anything but, makes Greenwood's delicacy warranted. My personal preference is for a quicker pace. What a fantastic piece of fiction, for all that.
With a book such as this one, it’s not quite right to say I loved it. It’s captivating and horrifying. It brought me to tears for more than one reason. If I had been reading a non e-book version I would have flung it across the room. I did not know any history of Sally Horner before starting this book. I was not expecting the conclusion and I had to grip onto my phone to keep from throwing it. Her story is so sad because she was so close to be saved so many times. If only there had been our modern day police investigations and alert systems maybe her story could have been different. The afterward filled me in on the true crime and now I’ll have to go investigate more. The writing and pacing was good and I sped through this in a couple of days.
5 sensitive stars to Rust & Stardust! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 And Happy Publication Day!
Even though I knew this would be a heart-rending book, I trusted Greenwood to write in a respectful way without being sensationally graphic, and somehow, even knowing the devastating ending ahead of time, there were peeks of hope that kept this from being an overwhelmingly bleak book.
In Camden, New Jersey in 1948, 11-year old Sally Horner is desperate to be seen and have friendships, to be part of the group. In order to be initiated into a group of girls, she is told she has to steal a notebook from Woolworth’s. Frank LaSalle, a seedy and convicted felon recently released from prison, catches her in the act and misleadingly portrays himself as an FBI worker.
What follows is the two tragic years Sally spends with LaSalle, as they travel cross country, and he repeatedly abuses her.
Even though I knew how it would unfold because it is a story based on true events, at each step, I was hoping, practically pleading, for a different outcome for Sally. There are opportunities for help and near misses, and each time, I kept hoping.
T. Greenwood uses a deft and sensitive hand along with beautiful writing to paint this somber story with respect to Sally Horner and her family and to give them a voice in these disheartening and devastating events. The Author’s Note is not to be missed and shows the heart of the author.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Even though I knew this would be a heart-rending book, I trusted Greenwood to write in a respectful way without being sensationally graphic, and somehow, even knowing the devastating ending ahead of time, there were peeks of hope that kept this from being an overwhelmingly bleak book.
In Camden, New Jersey in 1948, 11-year old Sally Horner is desperate to be seen and have friendships, to be part of the group. In order to be initiated into a group of girls, she is told she has to steal a notebook from Woolworth’s. Frank LaSalle, a seedy and convicted felon recently released from prison, catches her in the act and misleadingly portrays himself as an FBI worker.
What follows is the two tragic years Sally spends with LaSalle, as they travel cross country, and he repeatedly abuses her.
Even though I knew how it would unfold because it is a story based on true events, at each step, I was hoping, practically pleading, for a different outcome for Sally. There are opportunities for help and near misses, and each time, I kept hoping.
T. Greenwood uses a deft and sensitive hand along with beautiful writing to paint this somber story with respect to Sally Horner and her family and to give them a voice in these disheartening and devastating events. The Author’s Note is not to be missed and shows the heart of the author.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
The author's note at the end made it scary since I had not realized it was based on a true story. Well written and tragic story.
I love this author. She can't go wrong. There is a wonderful way Greenwood places words, that helps you see through all the pain of the story and find the joy in it. I loved this book and am excited to move on to another from Greenwood. Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
Wow. This story will rip your heart out and smash it to pieces. Based on the real life kidnapping of Sally Horner, the author explains that many of the events and characters are in fact made up BUT that doesn’t prevent you from feeling the pain (and some of the joy) that Sally must have experienced over the course of her captivity.
This book is a really dark read. I don’t often cry when reading a book but this one had me chocking back tears. Really powerful and painful. I dare say that this story will remain with me for a while (and I’ll probably think of it when something sparks a memory). I recommend it highly but proceed with caution. Like I said above, it will break your heart when you finish it!
This book is a really dark read. I don’t often cry when reading a book but this one had me chocking back tears. Really powerful and painful. I dare say that this story will remain with me for a while (and I’ll probably think of it when something sparks a memory). I recommend it highly but proceed with caution. Like I said above, it will break your heart when you finish it!
This is a well written and engrossing book but it was so heavy I could only give it three stars. I am not one to shy away from difficult books but this one had such little hope and when that hope was presented was immediately slapped down. Maybe in such tough times, it was just too much. I will read more by the author, her writing was good.