You probably remember hearing the story of Jaycee Dugard, the girl who was abducted on
her way to school by a disgusting sexual and emotional abuser and his wife, Phillip and Nancy Garrido.
A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard is the story in her words, as she remembers it. She tells her story of abduction all the way to her current life. Throughout the story, she has intermixed some reflections of how she feels at this time about what happened in the past, or other information that she had learned.
This is not an easy story to read because it’s heartbreaking. Jaycee was held captive in tents and backyard housing for 18 years, and in that time gave birth to two children.
But Jaycee and her children were rescued (this is not a spoiler, this was national news), and it’s her honest, true story. She’s also an inspiration. If Jaycee can get through this horrific time in her life, can’t we also do the same? She’s so strong and motivated to do the best for others and her family. She even started the JAYC Foundation, which focuses on reuniting families that have been separated as well as with therapy and workshops for children.
I enjoyed reading it, even though it was tough. It’s a real-life version of Room by Emma Donoghue, and all the more moving because of that.
rscaglione.wordpress.com 
Wow. Another one to add to the list!
LikeLike
It’s a quick read, too!
LikeLike
I like those! 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on bnfblogs.
LikeLike
Rebecca, I’ve been reading your link to Wikipedia because I didn’t know anything about the case, and well, I’m astonished. Poor woman (girl, teen, then woman)
I really would like to read her book.
By the way, I’ve just taken “Room” out from the public library (in English!!).
LikeLike
Isi, I hope you love Room. That book..wow.
LikeLike
Oh, I just asked you, Jennifer, if you had read it! And now I see you have!
Talk about an emotional read. Amazing for sure!
LikeLike
I didn’t even think of how the story would not travel internationally! It really was a sensational story, and it’s just amazing that Jaycee is back with her family and trying to live as much of a normal life as possible.
Room, oh Room. . . what an AMAZING book. Heartwrenching for sure, which is why some people I know stopped reading, but keep going. It’s very emotional but it’s well worth the read. I actually burst into tears once the book ended!
LikeLike
I hace to say that perhaps I didn’t read it, but I have found an article in a newspaper. But only one, so you read it or you don’t read it but I suppose it is a case that wasn’t very famous here.
I started Room today, but you know I’m very slow, so only a few pages. I found strange how the boy call the things for their names, I mean “I went to Door”, not “I went to the door”. 5 years 😦
LikeLike
Room is so incredibly heart-wrenching. I loved his innocence but it made me cry and hurt my heart a lot. But it was worth it. Even though Room is a fictional version of the story, it’s based on events that really do happen, and while reading it is so hard, it’s kind of like something you should do because of the fact that it happens. We can’t turn our backs on actual events that are tragic.
LikeLike
I’ve been curious about this one. I especially wonder what it was like her for after she was rescued and back to her “real” life.
LikeLike
She does explain that, not as completely as her old life, but it’s really interesting to hear some of her philosophies on keeping her children safe now, and all. I read it really quickly, too.
Have you read Room?
LikeLike
I kindled this one and read it when it came out and just cried so much. Its so heartbreaking to read about what she has had to endure, but she is so inspiring (her strength and courage is amazing!). Definitely a tearjerker, but well worth reading. As far as Room goes – ugh! I hated that book! Couldn’t stand the book being told from the child’s perspective – I felt it made the book fall flat.
LikeLike
I agree with you on A Stolen Life but I have to disagree with you about Room. I liked that it was told from a child’s perspective because it was an innocent take, and to me, made it all the more heart-wrenching! But it does sound like people either loved Room or couldn’t stand it because I have friends who stopped reading it because they felt similarly to you!
LikeLike
Jaycee was rescued around the same time that I read Room, which made the story so much scarier! It’s one thing to read a scarily plausible novel about a woman being abducted and another thing entirely to be watching stories about the real thing on the news. I honestly don’t know if I could handle this book, but it sounds really powerful and heartbreaking.
LikeLike
Leah, I think you could handle the book. There were some REALLY tough moments, but in all, Jaycee pops in to give “updated” insight and info about her life. While some parts might be harder to get through, she also tells the story in a slightly clinical way at times, which I think is because of what she experienced and how she can deal with the situations.
LikeLike
I haven’t read the book (I probably couldn’t handle it), but I watched an interview she did (I’m thinking Dateline), and I was absolutely impressed with how eloquent and positive she was. After going through all of that trauma, she still managed to talk about it in a composed manner and with a smile on her face. She’s very inspiring.
LikeLike
She is inspiring. I actually was surprised at how positive she was throughout the book and how positive she is now. She’s not terrified to be outside alone, she’s breaking out of being a victim and actually being a free individual.
LikeLike
I have debated about reading this book but keep walking away. Perhaps its time to be brave like Jaycee. Did she reflect on how her life is now?
LikeLike
Yes she does. It is a tough read at times, but it’s honest. And she explains what she is doing now, but that’s not as prominent as her telling her story.
My suggestion is to go to a bookstore, grab the book, and start reading. If you feel like you can handle it, you can always buy the book or get it from the library. But if you feel like it might be too much, this would be a good “trial run.”
LikeLike
I really want to read this one because I remember hearing about it all over the news when she was found. Plus, you liked it.
LikeLike
You’ll like it. I don’t think you’ll be blown over by it, but you’ll enjoy it like I did. And I got through it quickly because I wanted to know all of the details.
LikeLike
Pingback: February Mini-Reviews | Love at First Book
Pingback: Room, by Emma Donoghue | From Isi
Pingback: Above: "Room" with a view - Love at First Book