Scan barcode
ashleejade's review
4.0
I was fascinated by this book. It made me sick, sad, cry, and be so grateful. She did a great job describing her miserable 9-month ordeal. I would love to hear law enforcement's side of the story. They questioned her parents, had another person of interest who ended up passing away before they were do e questioning him (I believe), his attempt at kidnapping her cousin, and all the police tips along the way from the library to the bus patrons. I remember the day she went missing and I remember when she was found. Truly an amazing story.
mandalikescats's review
3.0
I admire her for telling her story, and wish her (and her family) only happiness and joy after what Elizabeth went through. She is one strong lady.
dreaday's review
2.0
Sanctimonious and preachy. Seemed to imply that being naked in front of others is equivalent to rape. Talks a lot about her “positivity” and how she “chooses to be happy.” In reality, she was a young, pretty white girl with a rich family.
ljzsreadsandreviews's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Elizabeth Smart’s story is an infamous one so I find it hard to believe people don’t know the general idea of this story but if you don’t, be very cautious before picking this memoir up. This story is devastating and the fact that anyone would have to go through what she did is heart breaking. I was excited to read Elizabeth’s side of her tragedy but I ended up being a little disappointed. I don’t disagree that the story is miraculous and having the opportunity to hear Elizabeth tell it is beautiful. What I didn’t enjoy was the way it was told- It felt almost childish and although Elizabeth was a child when it happened, the retelling felt more naive than I would’ve liked. I’m not a religious person, not that I have an issue with it or don’t have my own beliefs, I just wasn’t raised religious, and with so much of this story revolving around Elizabeth’s faith in God I had a tough time relating. I’m glad she was able to lean on that for her survival but it seemed misplaced to put so much faith on someone who would allow all of that to happen to her. It was miracle based and didn’t always seem healthy or real for me. As I mentioned, not bad and is still an incredible story I think I was hoping for a bit more depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
kessler21's review
4.0
I am glad I read this book. I remember when Elizabeth Smart was found. I remember reports of Stockholm Syndrome. I believe this book was partially written to refute some of the false claims of Stockholm Syndrome as well as answer the critics who ask why Smart didn't do this or didn't do that.
Smart tells the story tastefully and tactfully, choosing to leave out gruesome details and specific acts. Because of this, she is limited in describing some of her experience, so parts are repetitive, but her account shows not only the physical, but the mental abuse and turmoil of a scared and abused child taken from her family.
Smart tells the story tastefully and tactfully, choosing to leave out gruesome details and specific acts. Because of this, she is limited in describing some of her experience, so parts are repetitive, but her account shows not only the physical, but the mental abuse and turmoil of a scared and abused child taken from her family.
bookishraereads's review
4.0
I listened to the Audible.com version of this audio book in which Elizabeth narrates it herself. I was surprised at how she makes light of most situations and read with a certain humor. She truly is a survivor and not just physically. Hats off to you, Elizabeth Smart.
spellboundbibliophile's review
2.0
I was curious to see how this young lady survived the horrific ordeal of her abduction, however I can't say this is a well written book. To much of it is just repitition and trying to convince us that she had no emotion for her captors. It just seemed very naive throughout. I did connect with her on a faith level though. My belief in God closely matches her.
nayskers's review
4.0
I remember when Elizabeth went missing and then was found alive 9 months later. My heart always went out to her for the ordeal she endured. She is a strong girl with a great outlook on life. I read this book out of morbid curiosity of how much she might tell. A lot of it was things that were already made public, but she did go into more details such as him raping her. Overall it was simply written and had a juvenile feel to it. Kudos to her for telling her story.
heatherems's review
3.0
A remarkable story in many ways, Elizabeth Smart is an admirable woman. Her strength as an abused, kidnapped child is amazing to hear of.
That she has been able to move beyond that event is a testament to her faith, her strong and loving family and community, and her formidable will.
As a speaker, she is compassionate and articulate, filled with a passion for helping stolen children. Elizabeth Smart gets 5+ stars in my eyes.
The three star rating is due to the actual writing and language of the story. While the ghost writer seems to have events chronicled in the correct order, his style of writing is often redundant and childish. (Yes, I know the story is from the viewpoint of a child.) The use of phrases like "pretty much" and "boring", for example, occur so often that one begins skimming along until the repetition ends. The writing keeps us emotionally distanced from Elizabeth and her captors. Perhaps this was intentional, but I found it strange to feel as if I were reading a newspaper account of Elizabeth's hardships when I was reading her authorized biography. I do appreciate that the book didn't go into graphic detail about the sexual abuse, keeping those terms more general.
I remember when Elizabeth was taken, as well as the celebration that occurred when she was recovered. I wish her well in her journey.
That she has been able to move beyond that event is a testament to her faith, her strong and loving family and community, and her formidable will.
As a speaker, she is compassionate and articulate, filled with a passion for helping stolen children. Elizabeth Smart gets 5+ stars in my eyes.
The three star rating is due to the actual writing and language of the story. While the ghost writer seems to have events chronicled in the correct order, his style of writing is often redundant and childish. (Yes, I know the story is from the viewpoint of a child.) The use of phrases like "pretty much" and "boring", for example, occur so often that one begins skimming along until the repetition ends. The writing keeps us emotionally distanced from Elizabeth and her captors. Perhaps this was intentional, but I found it strange to feel as if I were reading a newspaper account of Elizabeth's hardships when I was reading her authorized biography. I do appreciate that the book didn't go into graphic detail about the sexual abuse, keeping those terms more general.
I remember when Elizabeth was taken, as well as the celebration that occurred when she was recovered. I wish her well in her journey.