A Stolen Life
Ratings36
Average rating3.9
Very interesting to hear her side of the story. An intense read that effected me more than I expected.
I'm rating this book a 5 not because it's particularly “good” or enjoyable to read but because how do you rate someone telling their own story in their own words? Is there anyone who could have told that story in a more “correct” way?
The first part of the book retells Jaycee's captivity, sometimes in painfully explicit details that were truly stomach turning and made all the worst by her naïve childlike storytelling. The second part is about her life after. I found the part of the book that focuses on Jaycee's life after more interesting than her account of what was done to her, in that part you can see her coming alive gaining her voice and agency and blossom into a seemingly pretty amazing person.
It was a little difficult to read. But i felt so bad for her, I'm glad she was able to get back home in the end. It was a really good account on how she felt and her confusion.
This was a painful and disturbing listen (read by the author)
I very much admire her strength after hearing what she's been through. Somewhat unexpectedly, I was really able to relate to many of her thoughts and feelings described later on in the book.
5:
This was the hardest and longest I've cried over a book this year, and I am so, so sorry that Jaycee and, unfortunately, so many kids around the world have had to go through such sickening ordeals.
And it was so hard to get through. Jaycee has a very sweet voice, and she is quite descriptive of the cruelty she had to endure. I had to physically step away at times because I couldn't handle it, I just can't understand how there can be people like that just walking around, and HOW society all around the world keeps failing these children, and people in need. I am beyond disgusted.
She had so much taken from her, and it's impossible to stomach the unfairness. But despite it all, Jaycee is such an incredible woman, and a loving, devoted mother. Many of my tears were out of anger, but most were because, when she finally takes that deep breath of relief, I felt it too and it shook my whole body.
I am so glad that she and her daughters are out of reach from those revolting individuals, so glad that justice was served in regards to them, and so happy that she is back with her mom and the rest of her family, that she is moving on, and that she can, hopefully, one day, leave this all behind.
(Also I'm not here to pass judgement but I saw people leaving 1 and 2 star reviews because they expected her to write an in-depth psyschoanalysis of her state of mind through this whole thing and I just have to say: eat a dick.)
This was a quick read and an unbelievable story. It is heartbreaking to hear exactly what Jaycee went through during her time growing up. I hope that this never happens again and I'm glad that she got her story out there and I hope that she has claimed some of her life back and continues to do so. Good book about her life story.
Whoo, this is a difficult read. The mix of wanting to find these monsters and skin them for what they put Jaycee through and the absolute message of hope that is strong throughout this book... it is one that will stay with me for a long time. I have not been reading many memoirs lately, I am not sure why not, but I am so glad I read this one.
Warning, this is water cooler conversation fodder for the entire summer! EVERYONE at my work is reading this right now.