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A review by kimball_hansen
Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland by Amanda Berry
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.