Gemma

By: Meg Tilly

Narrated by: Meg Tilly

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Gemma is the story of a child abduction written from two widely divergent points of view: 12 year-old Gemma and Hazen Wook, the 36-year-old man who abducts her. Hazen is a violent pedophile, a sexual obsessive, and Tilly does not white-wash or sanitize his thoughts in any way. This book is scary and not for the faint of heart.

©2006 Meg Tilly (P)2006 Meg Tilly

Critic reviews

"Tilly achieves moments of raw beauty and genuine fierceness while sustaining the intensity of an X-rated thriller and driving this harrowing story all the way to the courtroom." ( Booklist)

Great, sorrowful story

9 out of 10.I found this gripping, sorrowful story almost hard to listen to at times. Enduring and powerful at others. Only small issue I had was the ending was so abrupt. If it would have ended better I would've given it a 10 out of 10.

Disturbing to the extreme...

In the description it states, "Not for the faint of heart" - this is absolutely true. It takes a lot for me to be frightened or "disturbed", but this was definitely disturbing - more so than any other book I've read (or listened to!). Meg Tilly's portrayal of the characters kept it alive, her portrayal of Gemma was heartbreaking. The story itself - extremely disturbing.

I would hope that everyone would have a revulsion to pedophilia, but for those that seriously cannot handle the topic, stay away. While it was a very well-written and well-read book, I doubt I will ever listen to it again.

Disturbing but a must listen... right til the end.

Despite the fact that at times the story was downright difficult to listen to, it is sadly a clear and graphic representation of the sexual exploitation of a child. Tilly does an amazing job narrating. it's incredible how believable she makes it with her dramatic skills. The sad parts are that much more difficult but the happiness when it comes is absolutely beautiful.

Horrifying

Truly this book was not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The graphic details made me wince. I think Meg Tilly wrote this book with performing it in mind because to read it would not have produced the same results. The only criticism I have of the story is that in country today - especially in California - there is no 12 year old girl who would think that being seduced, raped and kidnapped would be cause for her to go to prison. Our children are much more educated and savvy. There were ample opportunities for her to flea this man and she did not. Meg Tilly was and is a wonderful actor and I hope she continues writing but hones her subject material into something with less shock factor and more substance.

graphic fantastic

wow, what a story. You start wishing for redemption in any form for the broken child. The story has simple metaphores,for the complex subject matter. If you liked "The Lovey Bones" you will like this.

Wow!

I like Meg Tilley and decided to go for it with this book. I'm like the others, I really don't know what to say. I couldn't finish it. Meg did an absolutely amazing job narrating. She talked like a 12 year old, and puts you in Gemma's head. I hope for her sake, this story didn't come from personal knowledge. I really wanted to get to the end but couldn't make it because it too close to home. If you can handle it, this is a terrific book!!

Intensely graphic, but engaging.

I bought this book hoping it would keep me awake during a longish road trip - I was not disappointed. The material is disturbingly graphic in its description of the horrors heaped on the main character. What was uplifting was listening to Gemma create methods of coping in a horrific scenario. At times I felt it dragged a little in the length, especially at the 3/4 mark. Meg Tilly was at first a little annoying as a reader, but I quickly got used to her style. Be prepared to squirm in your seat, and laugh at the few moments of brightness and creativity that Gemma can come up with. Go Boxcar!

Outstanding audio performance

This is a very harrowing, ultimately redemptive story. But the audio performance by the author is utterly outstanding, among the best I have ever listened to.

Good Book

Love the book. Kinda tough listening through some parts of it but glad it had a good ending. Wish they would have finished off the case though.

Hardest book I ever read, but glad I did.

This book shook me to my core. I had to stop listening several times to gather myself. I almost stopped altogether, but felt compelled to continue. Part of my career, I served as a child abuse investigator, and when I couldn’t take it any longer, I became a professional counselor. I don’t think the impact this book had on me could have happened had anyone but Meg Tilly narrated it. I definitely feel she poured herself into the telling of this horrific tale of Gemma, the girl who served as a
commodity to her mother, preyed upon by the relentless brutality of the two fiends who abused her in the most sadistic and violent ways imaginable. It is a story that will stay with you for a long time as you wonder with heavy heart how many children in our world are subject to this kind of torture during their young lives and what happens to them if they are not rescued. There is a “not under 15” recommendation for this book, however, I believe it should be age 21.