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Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland by Gina DeJesus, Kevin Sullivan, Mary Jordan, Amanda Berry
lolloreads00's review against another edition
4.0
Amanda, Michelle and Gina were all kidnapped, tortured and kept locked up for a decade. Amanda and Gina decided to open up about their horrific years spent in captivity being manipulated, chained up and continually assaulted by a monster. The reader also get to hear about what was going on with the investigation and the time after their eventual escape.
I just had to read this one after finishing Michelle’s memoir, she was invited to co-write this one but decided to go it alone. I’m not complaining, more books for us. Again this is very graphic, beware the triggers because there are a lot. But it’s also a story of hope and survival, these women are truly an inspiration. I really liked the multiple pov approach. Amanda and Ginas personal struggles during those years, being pitted against each other and manipulated. And how they kept hope alive. As well as the police investigation chapters, it’s really interesting (and infuriating) to hear about what was done to try and find the girls.
I wish they included more of their background stories, how their lives were before the kidnappings. And Michelle, it’s like she’s not even there most of the time which is unfortunate. And their stories differ a bit on some occasions.
I just had to read this one after finishing Michelle’s memoir, she was invited to co-write this one but decided to go it alone. I’m not complaining, more books for us. Again this is very graphic, beware the triggers because there are a lot. But it’s also a story of hope and survival, these women are truly an inspiration. I really liked the multiple pov approach. Amanda and Ginas personal struggles during those years, being pitted against each other and manipulated. And how they kept hope alive. As well as the police investigation chapters, it’s really interesting (and infuriating) to hear about what was done to try and find the girls.
I wish they included more of their background stories, how their lives were before the kidnappings. And Michelle, it’s like she’s not even there most of the time which is unfortunate. And their stories differ a bit on some occasions.
lilredkmd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
emily554's review against another edition
5.0
As I said in my review of Michelle Knights' memoir, I don't feel comfortable rating memoirs because who am I to rate someone's story, but I didn't not want to give it any stars. This was a fantastic memoir, though and it was great to hear the experiences of Amanda and Gina after reading Michelle's accounts of these horrible events.
sarings's review against another edition
4.0
Holy shit I am SICK TO MY STOMACH!!!! Ariel Castro I hope you burn in hell for eternity.
In absolute awe of Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus resilience and bravery. Reading their story had me crying and feeling nauseaus, but at the same time I was so inspired by their hope and motivation to keep going. I know I would not be able to survive a situation like that, I would simply k*ll myself! I read this for my trauma informed counseling class and I’m gonna need my own trauma counseling after reading this lol. I spent day and night thinking about Amanda and Gina and their suffering. Mad on their behalf, mad at Castro, mad at the police for not finding them, mad that there are people in this world like Castro.
In absolute awe of Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus resilience and bravery. Reading their story had me crying and feeling nauseaus, but at the same time I was so inspired by their hope and motivation to keep going. I know I would not be able to survive a situation like that, I would simply k*ll myself! I read this for my trauma informed counseling class and I’m gonna need my own trauma counseling after reading this lol. I spent day and night thinking about Amanda and Gina and their suffering. Mad on their behalf, mad at Castro, mad at the police for not finding them, mad that there are people in this world like Castro.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
5.0
Where to begin.
I almost feel bad giving it five stars because I feel like I'm endorsing/approving what has happened in this book. Hope was a very appropriate title for the book and I needed it just to finish reading it. It got so dark and twisted but just like train wreck, you can't look away. That's how I felt with this. Even towards the end of the book I almost started to pity Ariel Castro and feel sorry for him. It was like I was his abductor too. Dang. I want everyone to read this but then again I don't think it's for everyone and there are many that can't handle it because it could actually be detrimental to them if they do read it. Just like how those three girls were strong enough to survive the ten years in that Ariel's house, not everyone could have been that strong and endured.
It was neat that Amanda had hope because of what happened with Elizabeth Smart. It makes me wonder if the Lord allowed Elizabeth's incident to happen in order to help these three girls. The Lord works in mysterious ways afterall.
I used to scoff/mock those missing people ads that show people have been missing for years on end. I never thought that people could still actually be rescued after all this time. And to think that they could be your friendly neighbor too.
After Googling Ariel's image I was picturing someone different. I liked that the authors did such a good job researching his history and family history. I love details.
I just love how the girls never blamed God and still stayed true to the faith after enduring this. It's great knowing that people are still strong when there are many others who give up a lot more for a lot less. I also like that they are willing to move on with their lives and be a regular person (and even get married) and not just be some shut-in. So commendable. I feel bad for Michelle. Seems like she had no one to return to after it all ended. And we didn't get to hear her story.
The funny part though was that they still acted like girls even under these crappy circumstances. I found that strange but then again I'm not a girl. Maybe it's normal for them.
There should be a better way to let more people know of these abductions and crimes. I never heard anything of these cases until I read this. Maybe that's because I don't live in that area. I wonder how much Cleveland has been affected economically/touristly since all this has happened.
This set the bar so high that there just can't be excuses for anything anymore.
It's also a reminder to refrain from judging.
I almost feel bad giving it five stars because I feel like I'm endorsing/approving what has happened in this book. Hope was a very appropriate title for the book and I needed it just to finish reading it. It got so dark and twisted but just like train wreck, you can't look away. That's how I felt with this. Even towards the end of the book I almost started to pity Ariel Castro and feel sorry for him. It was like I was his abductor too. Dang. I want everyone to read this but then again I don't think it's for everyone and there are many that can't handle it because it could actually be detrimental to them if they do read it. Just like how those three girls were strong enough to survive the ten years in that Ariel's house, not everyone could have been that strong and endured.
It was neat that Amanda had hope because of what happened with Elizabeth Smart. It makes me wonder if the Lord allowed Elizabeth's incident to happen in order to help these three girls. The Lord works in mysterious ways afterall.
I used to scoff/mock those missing people ads that show people have been missing for years on end. I never thought that people could still actually be rescued after all this time. And to think that they could be your friendly neighbor too.
After Googling Ariel's image I was picturing someone different. I liked that the authors did such a good job researching his history and family history. I love details.
I just love how the girls never blamed God and still stayed true to the faith after enduring this. It's great knowing that people are still strong when there are many others who give up a lot more for a lot less. I also like that they are willing to move on with their lives and be a regular person (and even get married) and not just be some shut-in. So commendable. I feel bad for Michelle. Seems like she had no one to return to after it all ended. And we didn't get to hear her story.
The funny part though was that they still acted like girls even under these crappy circumstances. I found that strange but then again I'm not a girl. Maybe it's normal for them.
There should be a better way to let more people know of these abductions and crimes. I never heard anything of these cases until I read this. Maybe that's because I don't live in that area. I wonder how much Cleveland has been affected economically/touristly since all this has happened.
This set the bar so high that there just can't be excuses for anything anymore.
It's also a reminder to refrain from judging.
nuclearranter's review against another edition
It doesn't feel right to give this book a star rating. This was their story and and only they know how to tell it. That said, I found the book to be raw, powerful, emotional, and informative. It's not an easy read, but one I would definitely recommend.
samgann's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
4.5