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

Why would anybody criticize this young woman?

I found the story of Jaycee's captivity truly compelling and hearing this unique and disturbing story in her own voice made it even more powerful. From pure disgust at the actions of her kidnappers to overwhelming joy at her recovery and healing this book will take you to both ends of the emotional spectrum.

I am dismayed by some of the negative reviews that I have seen posted here. Yes, her narration is not "professional" and she does not sound like a 30 year old.Get over it!! Let's not forget the horrors she endured and maybe we can then understand how that affected her development. But unlike most victims she shows a strength beyond imagination. No whining from her, folks.No other professional could have read this, no other professional could have written this, and there are very few of us who could have survived this. I hope that Jaycee and her family are able to live a rich and fulfilling life from here on. They deserve that...not petty criticism about narration and choppy sentences.

What a story!

Writing and reading this memoir must've been part of the therapy, I don't know why else Jaycee would've done this book. It was hard to listen to at times as it was very descriptive as to what happened to her. You wonder how the kidnapper could've done the things he did, it was remarkable she handled it as well aas she did. It is an incredible story!

A Stolen Life

Sad story- - It could have closed sooner or been more dramatically presented. There was so much but it sometimes I felt like it was the same thing over and over again. She sure did have a long time of sadness and abuse.

Miracle

Wow is all I can say, for what Jaycee was put through and her family, this story is encouraging and amazing for what good can come out of a terrible situation. Thank you to Jaycee for reading your story.

Can fiction ever be better then life?

What did you love best about A Stolen Life?

This is not a story I loved. It is a fascinating story of a piece of life that actually happened to someone. Fortunately, the author has excellent verbal abilities and the ability to analytically think. She describes the details very well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course the victim of the story Jaycee Dugard.

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

No, this is another book that is good paced.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing example of a young child using her innate human intelligence to survive.

Horrible Yet Uplifting

This story was riveting. Jaycee Dugard's experiences would be unbelievable if not known to be true! I enjoyed her telling her story in her own voice, and I am amazed at the strength of her spirit. But I would NOT recommend it for everyone, as there are detailed descriptions of some of her abuse that could be very disturbing to sensitive listeners.

No one else could have narrated this.

Despite being a month or so younger than Jaycee, I never remembered hearing about her kidnapping at the time. On the morning of June 10, 1991, she was abducted from the bus stop within sight of the home where she lived with her mother Terry, her stepfather Karl and her baby sister. This is a candid and often shocking memoir of that time and the unspeakable cruelties that were visited upon her by a convicted sex offender and his wife, right under the noses of his parole officers, none of whom ever suspected a thing. Jaycee is no professional narrator but in spite or even because of that the story is even more rivetting. She leaves out no detail, even describing, albeit usually only once, the sexual perversities to which she was subjected and the conflicting emotions that raged through her constantly. But one also has a sense of the indomitable spirit and love for her mother that carried her through until the fateful August day, now approaching two years ago, when she was finally reunited with her family after eighteen years of hell. She's a woman to be respected, not merely because she survived this ordeal and later found the courage to write it down and even narrate it herself, but because of the fact that in her own words she's chosen not to pollute her body and spirit by allowing herself to hate the ones who stole her life from her. Because if I had gone through a similar experience I don't think I'd have it in me not to hate those who took away my life and to hate them bitterly at that. After hearing this I can say that Jaycee Lee Dugard is someone I can look up to and would be honored were I ever to have the chance to meet her.

Mommy of Angels

Inspiring and raw. I personally have gone through my own trauma and lost recently and this book touched me in n many ways. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.

Unbelievable

This book is so intriguing and gives you a front row seat into the devastating effects of manipulation. I was captivated by how we, as humans, are able to adapt in order to survive. This book will truly make you appreciate all that you have that brings you comfort. Jaycee is truly a hero and an inspiration to all who think they can’t rebuild and move forward in this life. Although sickening and so very sad at times, this book is more of an encouragement to those who struggle more than anything else. Absolutely loved it and have the utmost respect for Jaycee.

Amazing! Eye Opener!

I Loved this book , it was life changing and a big eye opener to how ungrateful we can be sometimes