Genre: YA FictionCopyright: 2008
Pages: 170
Book Source: Own Audio
Synopsis:
"Once upon a time I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time I didn't know how lucky I was."
When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends -- her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.
Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.
This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.
Review:
This is without doubt, the saddest, darkest, most horrifying story I have ever read. And unfortunately the synopsis doesn't lie ... I don't think I will ever forget it, as much as I wish I could.
The content is so disturbing I actually felt dirty, it revolted me, saddened me and made me very angry. I wanted to jump into a steaming shower and scrub my skin clean. I wanted Ray to be punished, I wanted him to die a slow, painful death. I even imagined myself inflicting that slow, painful death. The overwhelming emotions this story evoked in me are a testament to Elizabeth Scott's writing.
I don't agree that this story should be read carte blanche by young adults but I do think it should be read. Elizabeth Scott intended this book to be read by teens and I agree that most teens are aware of the evil existing in our society, but in saying that, I was shocked by the writing and I'm an avid reader of graphic horror. The 'realness' of this story was way scarier than any horror novel. Sadly in our world sexual predators like Ray exist and children are abused, abducted, threatened and murdered every day.
Many of you are aware of my review backlog, the fact that I'm reviewing Living Dead Girl minutes after finishing it should give you some indication of how deeply it affected me. Living Dead Girl is physically and emotionally painful to read but my discomfort pales into insignificance in the face of the unspeakable acts faced by 'Alice', leaving her a damaged shell, a living dead girl.
The content is so disturbing I actually felt dirty, it revolted me, saddened me and made me very angry. I wanted to jump into a steaming shower and scrub my skin clean. I wanted Ray to be punished, I wanted him to die a slow, painful death. I even imagined myself inflicting that slow, painful death. The overwhelming emotions this story evoked in me are a testament to Elizabeth Scott's writing.
I don't agree that this story should be read carte blanche by young adults but I do think it should be read. Elizabeth Scott intended this book to be read by teens and I agree that most teens are aware of the evil existing in our society, but in saying that, I was shocked by the writing and I'm an avid reader of graphic horror. The 'realness' of this story was way scarier than any horror novel. Sadly in our world sexual predators like Ray exist and children are abused, abducted, threatened and murdered every day.
Many of you are aware of my review backlog, the fact that I'm reviewing Living Dead Girl minutes after finishing it should give you some indication of how deeply it affected me. Living Dead Girl is physically and emotionally painful to read but my discomfort pales into insignificance in the face of the unspeakable acts faced by 'Alice', leaving her a damaged shell, a living dead girl.
Caution: this book contains graphic verbal, physical, and sexual abuse towards a child.
Visit Elizabeth Scott's website to find out more about this author and her work.
Visit Elizabeth Scott's website to find out more about this author and her work.
This month on The Eclectic Reader one lucky reader will win one of four books. Check this blog post for details. International entrants welcome.
I don't think I could read a book like this. It would definitely upset me too much. Especially having young girls myself, it would be too upsetting for me. There seems to have been a move towards this style of novel lately and more and more seem to be coming out.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great review Sheree, but definitely not a book for me to read. Although I agree, that people need to be aware of the horrors that exist in our world.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review. I don't not know if I could read this one, the truth of what happens in the world is just too much sometimes
ReplyDeleteI love Elizabeth Scott's ability to write such different books.She really takes risks which I admire. This book was difficult to get through, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou captured my feelings that I experienced when I read this one too. Excellent review of this disturbing book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Teddyree. I have to say like some of the other commenter's that this book is not for me. I feel it is important that we know that such horrible things actually do happen in our world but for me it is not to read about.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound powerful.
ReplyDeleteI see your point about not giving this book indiscriminately to teens. I think if an adolescent chooses to read a book like this, she should have a supportive adult to discuss it with, every step of the way.
Wow! You have made me want to read this and avoid it like the plague. Not sure which one I'll decide on. I do like books that push boundaries.
ReplyDelete