Jaycee Lee Dugard

a memoir

A stolen life

This book made me feel so many emotions - anger, disgust, extreme sadness, repulsion, and happiness and relief towards the end. This poor woman’s journey reminds me of the evil that surrounds us. 

Alicia Evans

Jaycee Dugard

A raw and powerful memoir of Jaycee Lee Dugard's own story of being kidnapped as an 11-year-old and held captive for over 18 years On 10 June 1991, eleven-year-old Jaycee Dugard was abducted from a school bus stop within sight of her home in Tahoe, California. It was the last her family and friends saw of her for over eighteen years. On 26 August 2009, Dugard, her daughters, and Phillip Craig Garrido appeared in the office of her kidnapper's parole officer in California. Their unusual behaviour sparked an investigation that led to the positive identification of Jaycee Lee Dugard, living in a tent behind Garrido's home. During her time in captivity, at the age of fourteen and seventeen, she gave birth to two daughters, both fathered by Garrido. Dugard's memoir is written by the 30-year-old herself and covers the period from the time of her abduction in 1991 up until the present. In her stark, utterly honest and unflinching narrative, Jaycee opens up about what she experienced, including how she feels now, a year after being found. Garrido and his wife Nancy have since pleaded guilty to their crimes.

A Stolen Life

Lamia Hajani

I almost don't want to rate this book, because it just feels awful to be that person. But, as I rate the other books I read, I will rate this one. It's a fine book. The story is terrible and no person should have to go through that. I actually liked the way Dugard laid out her story with reflection chapters after most of the story chapters. However, Dugard didn't go to school past the 5th grade (obviously) and her writing reflects that. I also am not sure Dugard was ready to write this book when she did. It may have been beneficial to wait a little while, as you can tell she is very uncomfortable writing the book.

Nonetheless, a quick read and a good reminder that the world can be a crappy place - but it can also be a lovely one. Jaycee and her daughters were completely let down by our system, and I hope that their experience serves as a lesson to all.

This book was so incredible. The real story of a girl held in captivity for 18 YEARS and how she survived it. How it was never easy but the thing that got her through it was knowing she would see her mom and sister one day. Jaycee Dugard you are inspiring 

Lauren Dale

Stephanie Honour

Unbelievably poignant perspective that allows one to forgive the run on sentences and neglected punctuation.

Kendall Munson

Melissa Schwartz

This is definitely a heavy story, but was written and edited well. Jaycee was so brave to share her tragic story and relive these painful moments in her life. I nearly broke down in tears on the Long Island Railroad once she is reunited with her mother. The subject matter can be difficult to read, but I truly recommend it.

Destiny J Tamayo

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.

laura

Fast read! heartbreaking but so emporing to women and victims of rape! like the way the story was told!

Shawna Gavas

This book was defenitely a theraputic exercise for Jaycee. I cannot believe the abuse she endured and still came out with such a positive, optimistic outlook which is truly inspirational. At times the book made me absolutely sick to my stomach to the point at that I wasn't sure if I could read on...however I then felt guilty because here I was feeling sick reading it, while this child actually lived it. I read on because this woman deserved to be heard. Certainly makes you want to hold your child close and never let them go....

Aurora

not really the one to read non-fiction but this was worth. I couldn't imagine how terrible and scared she might have felt during those 18 years held captive. This book is really worth giving a chance.

A Memoir

taylor

In the summer of 1991 I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother who loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen. For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse. For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation. On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim. I survived. A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it. --- The pine cone is a symbol that represents the seed of a new beginning for me. To help facilitate new beginnings, with the support of animal-assisted therapy, the J A Y C Foundation provides support and services for the timely treatment of families recovering from abduction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences—families like my own who need to learn how to heal. In addition, the J A Y C Foundation hopes to facilitate awareness in schools about the important need to care for one another. Our motto is “Just Ask Yourself to . . . Care!” A portion of my proceeds from this memoir will be donated to The J A Y C Foundation Inc. www.thejaycfoundation.org

A stolen life a memoir

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