During the blizzard in February, I knew that we would lose power. So to avoid udder 18th century induced boredom, I stocked up on some good books from the libby and made sure I had plenty of batteries for my flashlight. When we did lose power (right in the middle of TMZ) I whipped out my trusty flashlight and picked up my first suitor, Jaycee Dugard's haunting memoir A Stolen Life. The 2011 memoir tells the horrifying and somewhat inspiring story of the kidnapping and life of Jaycee Dugard.
Dugard was kidnapped at the age of 11, by Phillip & Nancy Garrido and was held hostage by them for 18 years. Victims in these circumstances very rarely come forward and talk about their experience, let alone do it so eloquently and with a perspective like Jaycee's. She takes you into the hell that became her life for years, and you feel every moment of it. I believe her intention was not only to get her story out there and told, but to also help other people who may have been in similar situations.
I hated reading about the rape she was forced to endure, but was also shocked at the moments of sometimes "kindness" of her kidnappers. I don't know how kind someone who is charged with rape, kidnapping, and imprisonment can be, but at times Garrido showed that towards Jaycee. I was even shocked to learn that Garrido's wife and accomplice was the closest thing Jaycee had to a friend for some years during her ordeal. He even allowed her outside to play, keep pets, and to use the computer. He showed her a side of humanity, but then would go on drug binges and continue to rape and sexually assault her, sometimes for days. For Jaycee though there was two good things that came out of the nightmare and that was her two daughters with Garrido. What was heartbreaking about their story was that she was forced to pretend to be their sister, and that they called Nancy Garrido "mom".
When Jaycee is finally rescued after 18 years, you feel a sense of relief with her. Unlike the book, the ordeal doesn't end and Jaycee still deals with these issues everyday. She even states that its not an overnight thing for it just to go away, but that it will take sometime to heal.
I haven't delved into the world of memoirs much, but this one certainly opened my eyes to this wonderful genre. I originally was just so fascinated by this story on the news and couldn't wait to read the book. It took me a couple of years, and a blizzard to force it, but I did enjoy it. I loved the roller-coaster of emotions that she took you on throughout the book and I'm happy to see that she had somewhat of a happy ending She states in the book that she never had beyond a 5th grade education and apologized to everyone reading her book if the words, grammar, or structure weren't up to par for an adult.
I had no problem reading it or even picking out anything to critique. Anyone who does is just a jerk, because she went through a lot and she's a survivor and a victor. Overall Jaycee gets 5 stars from me! I think it was an engrossing read, and is exactly why I read it in 2 sittings (about 8 hours total). Please do read this and expect to get emotional (if not you have some problems) and know that Jaycee is not a victim she is a victor and a survivor of this hellish ordeal.
I have a ton of posts to write, also some reviews for some new cosmetics I purchased! Going to try something new and also do a couple of lists (just for my own personal amusement and yours). I hope you took away from this post two things, Jaycee Dugard is a survivor and that you should go and read A Stolen Life!
Until next time,
<3's Laterz
Dugard was kidnapped at the age of 11, by Phillip & Nancy Garrido and was held hostage by them for 18 years. Victims in these circumstances very rarely come forward and talk about their experience, let alone do it so eloquently and with a perspective like Jaycee's. She takes you into the hell that became her life for years, and you feel every moment of it. I believe her intention was not only to get her story out there and told, but to also help other people who may have been in similar situations.
I hated reading about the rape she was forced to endure, but was also shocked at the moments of sometimes "kindness" of her kidnappers. I don't know how kind someone who is charged with rape, kidnapping, and imprisonment can be, but at times Garrido showed that towards Jaycee. I was even shocked to learn that Garrido's wife and accomplice was the closest thing Jaycee had to a friend for some years during her ordeal. He even allowed her outside to play, keep pets, and to use the computer. He showed her a side of humanity, but then would go on drug binges and continue to rape and sexually assault her, sometimes for days. For Jaycee though there was two good things that came out of the nightmare and that was her two daughters with Garrido. What was heartbreaking about their story was that she was forced to pretend to be their sister, and that they called Nancy Garrido "mom".
When Jaycee is finally rescued after 18 years, you feel a sense of relief with her. Unlike the book, the ordeal doesn't end and Jaycee still deals with these issues everyday. She even states that its not an overnight thing for it just to go away, but that it will take sometime to heal.
I haven't delved into the world of memoirs much, but this one certainly opened my eyes to this wonderful genre. I originally was just so fascinated by this story on the news and couldn't wait to read the book. It took me a couple of years, and a blizzard to force it, but I did enjoy it. I loved the roller-coaster of emotions that she took you on throughout the book and I'm happy to see that she had somewhat of a happy ending She states in the book that she never had beyond a 5th grade education and apologized to everyone reading her book if the words, grammar, or structure weren't up to par for an adult.
I had no problem reading it or even picking out anything to critique. Anyone who does is just a jerk, because she went through a lot and she's a survivor and a victor. Overall Jaycee gets 5 stars from me! I think it was an engrossing read, and is exactly why I read it in 2 sittings (about 8 hours total). Please do read this and expect to get emotional (if not you have some problems) and know that Jaycee is not a victim she is a victor and a survivor of this hellish ordeal.
I have a ton of posts to write, also some reviews for some new cosmetics I purchased! Going to try something new and also do a couple of lists (just for my own personal amusement and yours). I hope you took away from this post two things, Jaycee Dugard is a survivor and that you should go and read A Stolen Life!
Until next time,
<3's Laterz
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