While reading A Stolen Life, by Jaycee Dugard, I discovered the gut wrenching and mature subject matter of the book. Jaycee describes every detail of her abduction and the sexual abuse she was forced to suffer at the hands of Phillip Garrido, her abductor. I do believe that a warning label should have been included to caution readers of the rape and sexual content, and for this I feel that this is one of the book’s weaknesses.
Jaycee Dugard wrote A Stolen Life, for the sole purpose of exposing her abductors and releasing herself from shame. This book was a vital part of her reconstruction. Simply, it was her speaking the truth that she had not been able to speak for eighteen years. Jaycee’s writing is simple, however, her story is candid, brave, and she writes without self-pity. She focuses on the basic, unadorned human need for freedom and love. Her words are chosen with extreme care, honesty, and for reader understanding. This novel did include several photos that allowed a visual aid to Jaycee’s recollection of events. There was hardly any bitterness in her writing. The book is not about vengeance, though one could easily wish the death penalty for both Phillip and Nancy Garrido. The book is about survival, recovery and even the possibility of redemption. One of the major points of contention is with the inability of the police force in detecting any suspicious activity of persons living in the Garrido backyard and this is indeed a tragedy.
There were times when I asked myself why Jaycee did not try to escape as chances presented themselves, especially when she was older. A family unit had formed and Phillip and Nancy became her family. A definite bond was there, however distorted or damaging they were. After Jaycee’s second child was born, Phillip stopped using Jaycee for sex, and they began to do things as a family, like going shopping and outings at the beach. Jaycee had been isolated from the world for so long that she was probably terrified in being discovered and removed from the people she became so dependent on. After Jaycee Dugard became a mother herself, she knew that she could never leave her daughters behind, even if it meant a lifetime in captivity. The risk of escaping was not worth the loss of her children.
One of the strengths of this book was that it was very inspirational. I was fascinated as to how a positive feeling was evident throughout the book. This energy allowed me to feel that if Jaycee could come to terms with all these horrific events, I too could find the strength to deal with issues that were present in my life. The message she was trying to convey was that for so many years she had been a prisoner, and being found allowed this huge weight to be lifted off her shoulders. Now that she has been reunited with her own family, she could finally live her own life with her daughters – she had found freedom.
When reading and analyzing the book A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard I found the book extremely emotional and intriguing. Although the book reveals stories of pain and personal anguish, it is heart warming how she can continue to tell her story throughout. The biography itself contains many writing structures and language that allows readers to put them into Jaycee’s shoes. For example the imagery she creates through words and descriptions allows us to get a deeper look into her life. The book is written very well in the sense that we can almost place ourselves in Jaycee’s shoes and in her life of horror and terror. There is hardly any anger or sadness in her writing. It is very positive and inspiring.
In her tell-all novel, Jaycee describes every detail of her abduction and the sexual abuse she was forced to suffer at the hands of Phillip Garrido, her abductor. After Jaycee’s second child was born, Phillip stopped using Jaycee for sex, and they began to do things as a family, like going shopping and outings at the beach. Much like Laura mentioned in her previous comment, I too wondered why Jaycee did not try to escape even with all these opportunities presented. I think because Jaycee had been alone with Philip and Nancy for so long, she was terrified of being discovered or removed from the people that she had been so dependent on. Philip and Nancy practically raised Jaycee in her eyes. Also, after having her children she knew she couldn’t leave them behind with Philip and Nancy. She would never leave them even if it meant a lifetime of captivity.
The book was very inspirational over all, I found myself placing myself in Jaycee’s shoes throughout the biography. I do not know if I could have remained as positive. Her attitude and outlook on life is truly inspiring. She doesn’t blame Philip and Nancy, but instead forgives them. Now that her life of terror is over, she can begin a life with her children and begin to heal instead of dwelling on the negative. Jaycee writes of her new beginning and her hope for a brighter future for her and her children. Jaycee Dugard is a strong and inspiring individual, and deserves the new, free life she has.
Jaycee Dugard surprised me! I mostly expected to read the horrible story of what she endured, but she far exceeded that. Truly emotional and heart-wrenching; it gave me inspiration to be happy with my life and a new perspective. I kept remembering her age and it nearly breaks your heart, but there is something beautiful in hope. You could almost hear that 11 year old girl inside, and she was someone you might know and love. What a great spirit!
While reading A Stolen Life, by Jaycee Dugard, I discovered the gut wrenching and mature subject matter of the book. Jaycee describes every detail of her abduction and the sexual abuse she was forced to suffer at the hands of Phillip Garrido, her abductor. I do believe that a warning label should have been included to caution readers of the rape and sexual content, and for this I feel that this is one of the book’s weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteJaycee Dugard wrote A Stolen Life, for the sole purpose of exposing her abductors and releasing herself from shame. This book was a vital part of her reconstruction. Simply, it was her speaking the truth that she had not been able to speak for eighteen years. Jaycee’s writing is simple, however, her story is candid, brave, and she writes without self-pity. She focuses on the basic, unadorned human need for freedom and love. Her words are chosen with extreme care, honesty, and for reader understanding. This novel did include several photos that allowed a visual aid to Jaycee’s recollection of events. There was hardly any bitterness in her writing. The book is not about vengeance, though one could easily wish the death penalty for both Phillip and Nancy Garrido. The book is about survival, recovery and even the possibility of redemption. One of the major points of contention is with the inability of the police force in detecting any suspicious activity of persons living in the Garrido backyard and this is indeed a tragedy.
There were times when I asked myself why Jaycee did not try to escape as chances presented themselves, especially when she was older. A family unit had formed and Phillip and Nancy became her family. A definite bond was there, however distorted or damaging they were. After Jaycee’s second child was born, Phillip stopped using Jaycee for sex, and they began to do things as a family, like going shopping and outings at the beach. Jaycee had been isolated from the world for so long that she was probably terrified in being discovered and removed from the people she became so dependent on. After Jaycee Dugard became a mother herself, she knew that she could never leave her daughters behind, even if it meant a lifetime in captivity. The risk of escaping was not worth the loss of her children.
One of the strengths of this book was that it was very inspirational. I was fascinated as to how a positive feeling was evident throughout the book. This energy allowed me to feel that if Jaycee could come to terms with all these horrific events, I too could find the strength to deal with issues that were present in my life. The message she was trying to convey was that for so many years she had been a prisoner, and being found allowed this huge weight to be lifted off her shoulders. Now that she has been reunited with her own family, she could finally live her own life with her daughters – she had found freedom.
When reading and analyzing the book A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard I found the book extremely emotional and intriguing. Although the book reveals stories of pain and personal anguish, it is heart warming how she can continue to tell her story throughout. The biography itself contains many writing structures and language that allows readers to put them into Jaycee’s shoes. For example the imagery she creates through words and descriptions allows us to get a deeper look into her life. The book is written very well in the sense that we can almost place ourselves in Jaycee’s shoes and in her life of horror and terror. There is hardly any anger or sadness in her writing. It is very positive and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteIn her tell-all novel, Jaycee describes every detail of her abduction and the sexual abuse she was forced to suffer at the hands of Phillip Garrido, her abductor. After Jaycee’s second child was born, Phillip stopped using Jaycee for sex, and they began to do things as a family, like going shopping and outings at the beach. Much like Laura mentioned in her previous comment, I too wondered why Jaycee did not try to escape even with all these opportunities presented. I think because Jaycee had been alone with Philip and Nancy for so long, she was terrified of being discovered or removed from the people that she had been so dependent on. Philip and Nancy practically raised Jaycee in her eyes. Also, after having her children she knew she couldn’t leave them behind with Philip and Nancy. She would never leave them even if it meant a lifetime of captivity.
The book was very inspirational over all, I found myself placing myself in Jaycee’s shoes throughout the biography. I do not know if I could have remained as positive. Her attitude and outlook on life is truly inspiring. She doesn’t blame Philip and Nancy, but instead forgives them. Now that her life of terror is over, she can begin a life with her children and begin to heal instead of dwelling on the negative. Jaycee writes of her new beginning and her hope for a brighter future for her and her children. Jaycee Dugard is a strong and inspiring individual, and deserves the new, free life she has.
Jaycee Dugard surprised me! I mostly expected to read the horrible story of what she endured, but she far exceeded that. Truly emotional and heart-wrenching; it gave me inspiration to be happy with my life and a new perspective. I kept remembering her age and it nearly breaks your heart, but there is something beautiful in hope. You could almost hear that 11 year old girl inside, and she was someone you might know and love. What a great spirit!
ReplyDelete