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emileeandherbooks's review against another edition
I don’t know what to rate this. Elizabeth has gone through hell and back, and she deserves ultimate happiness and freedom. And she’s very cool to share her story and be an advocate for children in abusive situations.
On the other hand, the way she reflected on her experience made me feel troubled. Elizabeth handled everything that happened to her solely through religion. When she got home, she didn’t go to therapy or anything like unto. She said it’s because she didn’t need it and her therapy was music and animals, which are both very powerful healing tools! But I couldn’t help feel like the whole time she felt she had to prove that she was strong mentally and nothing broke her in any form. She never deterred in her faith and she never needed anything more than her faith. It read like she wanted us to know that she was unfazed by her experiences and that she chooses joy. And though I think happiness is something we have to practice a little, it all just felt off. It felt almost as if Elizabeth decided that being upset meant lingering on the painful past and that she was not moving forward if she allowed herself to grieve, feel hurt, sadness, anger, or fear.
I wouldn’t recommend this to other survivors/current victims of abuse. The way it is written makes it feel like a very singular experience that was mostly LDS faith-based. Also, she comes from a wonderful home with a family that never failed her, which is so moving and lovely, but I’m pretty sure that’s rare. I guess it didn’t feel relatable to others going through similar things? She also said that what she went through was something so so so many others have gone through, so she wasn’t special or unique. And though I think I understand her meaning, I couldn’t help but feel like all victims deserve to tell their story like it is one in a million, and then afterwards find camaraderie amongst other survivors.
Once again, Elizabeth went through something no one should ever experience. I’m happy for her if she is happy. She’s an intelligent, strong woman who has a life she loves despite her trials, and that’s amazing. The miracles she experienced during her capture are touching. I don’t understand miracles at all, but I was moved to hear how her personal prayers were answered.
On the other hand, the way she reflected on her experience made me feel troubled. Elizabeth handled everything that happened to her solely through religion. When she got home, she didn’t go to therapy or anything like unto. She said it’s because she didn’t need it and her therapy was music and animals, which are both very powerful healing tools! But I couldn’t help feel like the whole time she felt she had to prove that she was strong mentally and nothing broke her in any form. She never deterred in her faith and she never needed anything more than her faith. It read like she wanted us to know that she was unfazed by her experiences and that she chooses joy. And though I think happiness is something we have to practice a little, it all just felt off. It felt almost as if Elizabeth decided that being upset meant lingering on the painful past and that she was not moving forward if she allowed herself to grieve, feel hurt, sadness, anger, or fear.
I wouldn’t recommend this to other survivors/current victims of abuse. The way it is written makes it feel like a very singular experience that was mostly LDS faith-based. Also, she comes from a wonderful home with a family that never failed her, which is so moving and lovely, but I’m pretty sure that’s rare. I guess it didn’t feel relatable to others going through similar things? She also said that what she went through was something so so so many others have gone through, so she wasn’t special or unique. And though I think I understand her meaning, I couldn’t help but feel like all victims deserve to tell their story like it is one in a million, and then afterwards find camaraderie amongst other survivors.
Once again, Elizabeth went through something no one should ever experience. I’m happy for her if she is happy. She’s an intelligent, strong woman who has a life she loves despite her trials, and that’s amazing. The miracles she experienced during her capture are touching. I don’t understand miracles at all, but I was moved to hear how her personal prayers were answered.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Islamophobia, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
thebookhunter13's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure how to rate this book... I thought it was well written but repetitive in some aspects. Elizabeth takes us with her on her horrific journey with the man and women who kidnapped her. I couldn't put the book down. I had to just get to the part where she is rescued and all was okay. I can't begin to imagine all that she endured for those nine months. I kept asking myself how I would handle it or would I even be able to. My favorite life lesson from Elizabeth Smart... "Life is a journey for us all. We all face trials. We all have ups and downs. All of us are human. But we are also the masters of our fate. We are the ones who decide how we are going to react to life." And boy is that a true statement!
readthesparrow's review against another edition
Read by the author and unfortunately it is clear she is not a trained voice actor/audiobook narrator.
Sometimes read by the author works but in this case I just couldn't do it. Hopefully I’ll read the book someday instead.
Sometimes read by the author works but in this case I just couldn't do it. Hopefully I’ll read the book someday instead.
metawho2010's review against another edition
Future readers, please do not criticize this book. This book will not give you the nitty-gritty details of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping and release. Elizabeth tells her story from an almost child-like perspective, providing broad stories of what her and her captures day to day lives were like, vague descriptions of the abuse she experienced and her obvious disdain for those people. There are A LOT of sarcastic statements, A LOT sections of which she tries to defend herself for not trying to escape, and A LOT of sections of statements she repeats over and over. This was a very, very poorly written book, which by no means gives you a sense of the gravity of her situation. That being said, being held captive for 9 months and forced to live in an isolated tent, there isn't much to say. Not ever being in a situation such as hers, we cannot condone the material of this book for being lacking, because we cannot understand nor sympathize with her experience. Read the book for what it was, a book to tell us first hand what she experienced, and perhaps a way for her to finally stop having to answer the same questions over and over.
anahammack's review against another edition
3.0
I remember when Elizabeth Smart got abducted in 2002. I was nine years old and completely obsessed with the little blonde girl who got kidnapped from her bed. I watched the Lifetime movie they made after her over and over and over again. My earliest memories are probably crying over the pictures of JonBenet Ramsey that were plastered on the covers of every magazine in every grocery store my mom dragged me to as a kid. The only explanation I can think of for my infatuation with crimes committed against children was that I thought, for sure, I would be next.
This book is really hard for to critique because it is such a personal story. A lot of what happened to Elizabeth during the 9 months she was held captive is skimmed over, just enough to give you a glimpse at how horrible it must have been. I can't really blame Elizabeth Smart for not wanting to rehash all the abuse and trauma she experienced in detail, but the result was that her story felt diluted and incomplete.
Elizabeth Smart's perspective as someone who is highly religious is also a factor that is just so blatant in her story. On one hand, I want to criticize how much focus was put on her faith over her tangible experiences or the details of her case. But, on the other it is hard to expect someone to separate themselves from something so key to their identity, especially when that thing is primarily how they have coped with the horrors they have experienced. At certain points though the religious angle really lost me. For instance,
Overall, I'm glad that I read this (despite it not really being the comprehensive crime memoir I was expecting.) Elizabeth's Smart story remains just as heartbreaking as I remember it, and as someone who has this weird nostalgic connection to her case, it was worthwhile to sit down and read. However, I don't know how satisfying it would have been had I not been familiar with Elizabeth Smart beforehand. Generally, this was an average, albeit tragic, memoir.
This book is really hard for to critique because it is such a personal story. A lot of what happened to Elizabeth during the 9 months she was held captive is skimmed over, just enough to give you a glimpse at how horrible it must have been. I can't really blame Elizabeth Smart for not wanting to rehash all the abuse and trauma she experienced in detail, but the result was that her story felt diluted and incomplete.
Elizabeth Smart's perspective as someone who is highly religious is also a factor that is just so blatant in her story. On one hand, I want to criticize how much focus was put on her faith over her tangible experiences or the details of her case. But, on the other it is hard to expect someone to separate themselves from something so key to their identity, especially when that thing is primarily how they have coped with the horrors they have experienced. At certain points though the religious angle really lost me. For instance,
Spoiler
Elizabeth mentions waking up one night after going days without water at the remote campsite where she was held captive and finding a glass of ice cold water. At first I thought this was a metaphor for her faith, but she references the experience several times throughout the book as a sign that God was protecting her. She believes that God actually physically manifested a cup full of cold water for her.Overall, I'm glad that I read this (despite it not really being the comprehensive crime memoir I was expecting.) Elizabeth's Smart story remains just as heartbreaking as I remember it, and as someone who has this weird nostalgic connection to her case, it was worthwhile to sit down and read. However, I don't know how satisfying it would have been had I not been familiar with Elizabeth Smart beforehand. Generally, this was an average, albeit tragic, memoir.
brielleevans47's review against another edition
2.0
I think Elizabeth is an incredible woman and I am beyond impressed with what she’s accomplished with the Elizabeth Smart foundation. However, I had a hard time with this book. I just typed out the longest review and deleted it all. What I really think it boils down to is that she and I have very different beliefs about God and religion. Her coping mechanisms and reasoning in a lot of parts left me feeling uneasy. I am glad I read it though, and will always admire her.
kizaface's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read from May 2016.
Just... very tasteful handling of horrific abuse. Can't believe this was real life. Elizabeth Smart is one of my heroes, first for not flinching away from what she endured and making sure it's HER story by being intentional about what she is more or less graphic about, and second for all she does for other victims.
Just... very tasteful handling of horrific abuse. Can't believe this was real life. Elizabeth Smart is one of my heroes, first for not flinching away from what she endured and making sure it's HER story by being intentional about what she is more or less graphic about, and second for all she does for other victims.