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

A Nightmare Memoir

No one else could have narrated this story. Her brave and mature unburdening of the horrors she lived through are testament to her strength of character. The stark facts were presented unemotionally and concisely but her overwhelming love for her mother and belief she would live through her never ending nightmare shone through like the full moon she so cherished. A future in writing must surely be her destiny.

Powerful story--audio version a must!

What became evident to me was the reasons for Jaycee's writing this book--both therapeutic and a way to maybe keep the reporters/paparazzi at bay. I feel she downplayed the actual abuse, left out many details, and for this, I am very thankful. As it was, it brought tears to my eyes in several places. What fascinated me was the author's voice--very childlike and, understandably so. She missed a huge chunk of her life, did not get to go through 'growing-up' milestones, and sounds very much like a young teen. I applaud her courage in telling the horrific story. It is evident she is receiving excellent ongoing therapy for a trauma that will never really go away.
Jaycee, I wish you the best with your new life!

Amazing story

Although I hate knowing things like this exist in our society, I found her story to be very well written and narrated. With all she went through from such a young age, one would assume she wouldn't be very educated or able to tell her story in such a well written way, but she sure does!! As my grandma always said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.. Jaycee is a great example of that. I'm glad I listened to her story and wish her, and her daughters, nothing but great things for the rest of their lives.. Bless you Jaycee...

Well told by Jaycee Dugard

Would you listen to A Stolen Life again? Why?

It was good to hear the story first hand personally told by Jaycee herself. She knows how she felt and could portray this with her voice. She also kept most of the emotion out of basic story and was clear in her descriptions. I would have liked a chapter at the end of her book telling the thoughts of those who searched the property after Jaycee and the girls were freed.

Wonderful

I loved that Jaycee Dugard narrated her story. This memoir is authentic, relatable, and horrifying. It satiated my curiosity about the life of a kidnapping survivor and I learned a lot about the process rehabilitating after such a trauma. I could also relate to the confusion and unorthodox coping mechanisms associated with living in a toxic environment and appreciate reading this experience.

I loved this book!

I could not stop listening to this book! The fact that Jaycee was brave enough to tell the hell she endured at the hands of her captors speaks in and of itself. Not to mention, reading it herself!
So many other reviews mentioned the many times she could have ran and gotten away. They obviously have never been in the type of situation to have been so manipulated and brainwashed they felt it was safer to stay put and be obedient. Survival for each and every one of us is different. She did what she felt was best for her and eventually her daughters to survive. In my opinion, it was not horribly written, either. I do believe she wrote it well considering almost everything in the book was traumatic.
She was not overly graphic in what happened to her at certain times but explained enough to understand what he was doing to her.

I definitely recommend this book!

A story you will never forget.

Such an incredible story that demonstrates strength, resilience, and hope to all who listen. It’s so special to hear Jaycee narrate her own story, and I’m so proud of her for doing it! You won’t regret buying this.

Was a heartbreaking but amazing read

Ten out of ten, would reccomend. It's a great book with a harrowing yet hopeful story.

Inspirational.

I had already read this book when I was in high school and it has always stuck with me. It is unfathomable how much hardship she had gone through. Listening to her read it kept me captivated and brought me a new understanding. Hearing her words, thoughts and feelings coming from her is very inspirational. I cannot understand how hard this must have been and I thank you for sharing your story with us all.

Jaycee Dugard went through hell

What a life this amazing woman has lived. The things she went through are harrowing and heart wrenching. Her almost child-like voice reading her own words flows from the pages fluidly, telling her story in such an emotional and vivid way. I was hooked on every moment until the end. Jaycee, you are the epitome of strength and struggle. I hope you have found your happiness in this world.

Would recommend to anyone.