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Rust & Stardust
by T. Greenwood
"She believed that if she did what she was told that he'd eventually let her go home. He couldn't keep her forever."
This book is why there are trigger warnings.
The title and cover may look like some flighty YA fantasy. It is not. Don't be fooled. This is a punch in the gut historical fiction based on a true story, the spark that ignited Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. That alone should give you enough info to decide whether or not you can handle reading this book.
It's a fictional account of the kidnapping of 11 year-old Sally Horner in 1948 New Jersey. Each chapter is told through the prospective of one of the characters: Sally, her mother, her sister, and sometimes the women Sally encounters during her two year imprisonment by Frank La Salle across America. In the Sally chapters the reader gets insight to how a victim can fell powerless and unable to help themselves, or worse see themselves as the problem. Her fear is so evident the reader can't escape it or forget it for long. It's an underlying current, constantly there. Greenwood builds upon Sally's desperation and reinforces La Salle's control - no one will help her. Even those who want to help her don't know how.
I was born in the 80's and take for granted the programs in place to protect children. While reading this book, I wanted to yell at the characters to call CPS. That's when I looked up that Child Protective Services didn't start in the US until 1974! This story, based on a real story, took place in 1949. How were children protected from adults? The answer is they didn't have advocates like they do today.
I'd like to believe that today children Sally's age would never fall for La Salle's bullshit unless the parents purposely sheltered and controlled their children to the point where they'd believe anyone and just follow orders. But that's most likely not the case. I can only hope that as a society we're progressing towards protecting the innocent. No one should ever want to go back to a time when marginalized people were so voiceless they felt they couldn't stop something bad from happening to them.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Story: 4 stars
It's based on a true story, so the author didn't have much room to explore but the tension is well structured.
Character Development: 4 stars
Sally changes over her time away, and not for the better. A wounded bird is returned home to a bitter and angry mother.
Writing/Prose: 3 stars
The writing is good. Nothing amazing, but also not bad. It's very clear and to the point.
This book is why there are trigger warnings.
The title and cover may look like some flighty YA fantasy. It is not. Don't be fooled. This is a punch in the gut historical fiction based on a true story, the spark that ignited Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. That alone should give you enough info to decide whether or not you can handle reading this book.
It's a fictional account of the kidnapping of 11 year-old Sally Horner in 1948 New Jersey. Each chapter is told through the prospective of one of the characters: Sally, her mother, her sister, and sometimes the women Sally encounters during her two year imprisonment by Frank La Salle across America. In the Sally chapters the reader gets insight to how a victim can fell powerless and unable to help themselves, or worse see themselves as the problem. Her fear is so evident the reader can't escape it or forget it for long. It's an underlying current, constantly there. Greenwood builds upon Sally's desperation and reinforces La Salle's control - no one will help her. Even those who want to help her don't know how.
I was born in the 80's and take for granted the programs in place to protect children. While reading this book, I wanted to yell at the characters to call CPS. That's when I looked up that Child Protective Services didn't start in the US until 1974! This story, based on a real story, took place in 1949. How were children protected from adults? The answer is they didn't have advocates like they do today.
I'd like to believe that today children Sally's age would never fall for La Salle's bullshit unless the parents purposely sheltered and controlled their children to the point where they'd believe anyone and just follow orders. But that's most likely not the case. I can only hope that as a society we're progressing towards protecting the innocent. No one should ever want to go back to a time when marginalized people were so voiceless they felt they couldn't stop something bad from happening to them.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Story: 4 stars
It's based on a true story, so the author didn't have much room to explore but the tension is well structured.
Character Development: 4 stars
Sally changes over her time away, and not for the better. A wounded bird is returned home to a bitter and angry mother.
Writing/Prose: 3 stars
The writing is good. Nothing amazing, but also not bad. It's very clear and to the point.