A Stolen Life

A Memoir

By: Jaycee Dugard

Narrated by: Jaycee Dugard

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 dont 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."

©2011 Jaycee Dugard (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Audio

Hard to read - sad!

What made the experience of listening to A Stolen Life the most enjoyable?

It was a good book but as a mother it was hard to read all of what this poor girl went through.

This is true human strength

She may have been young and naive but her instincts and strength are to be admired.

nice!

loved it!! so many details that were hard to listen to but i loved it!

Inspirational

Jaycee is an inspiration. For someone who has gone through such terrible things and survived, she is positive. Her voice is confident and the book was well written. The story was hard to hear due to what she had gone through, but she inspires herself to stay positive so she could survive.Thank you Jaycee for Sharing!

Happy ending

So sad for the life Jaycee endured . Both him and his wife were sick and twisted. Thrilled Jaycee and her girls get a happy ending!

A bizarre story indeed

i was naturally curious how this girl survived her kidnapping and subsequent 18 years of captivity. I was not disappointed as she describes in great and sometimes cringe worthy detail. Still questioning why she could not seek help and flee her captors baffles me somewhat but she does her best to clarify and leaves you feeling nothing but delight in her and her children's freedom.

Wonderful book

Wish it was longer because I loved it so much. Truly emotional and full of love and growth.

All I can say is, wow.

What did you love best about A Stolen Life?

What I love best about this book is that the content was so raw and "unpolished," that I felt as if I was with Jaycee in the "back yard" the entire time. I felt her fear, her pain, her loathing and submission to the inevitable, and finally, her numbness, disorientation and joy after her recovery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Jaycee, of course. I can't adequately put into words just how affected I am by her strength and resilience, but most of all, her ability to stay "true to herself" after her ordeal, even if she isn't completely sure who "she" is all of the time. From all indications, she managed to keep a grip on her own morality and basic principles where many people would have surrendered the goodness of their souls. I can recall several times throughout the book when Jaycee mentioned certain TV shows or music she enjoyed, and that, combined with her love for animals and the outdoors, her tendency to keep a small but tight circle of friends, and her shyness and struggling self-esteem, made me think that she and I would have probably been great friends if the opportunity had presented itself.

What about Jaycee Dugard’s performance did you like?

It was raw, pure and simple. I can't possibly imagine *any* other person telling her story. I am so very glad I chose to listen to the book, rather than just read it in text format.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't put the book down. I listened to around three hours worth last night immediately after buying it, and I finished the rest in one long run this morning.

The strength of the human spirit is incredible!!!

What made the experience of listening to A Stolen Life the most enjoyable?

It was a upsetting sad story with a wonderful empowering ending.

What other book might you compare A Stolen Life to and why?

It reminded me of Room by Emma Donoghue

What about Jaycee Dugard’s performance did you like?

It was nice to hear her words from her mouth. I don't think she is the best actor or uses that much emotion at times but she was good.

Not an easy listen

I love true crime shows and that’s how I heard about Jaycee and her story and decided to come listen to her book. Some details are gut wrenching and hard to listen to. It’s not easy to get through this book but ultimately was a good listen. I’m sorry for what Jaycee went through and so happy she is free now.