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7th out of 67 books
—
52 voters
The Little Prisoner
by
Jane Elliott
An inspirational true story of a 4 year old girl who fell into the power of a man whose evil knew no bounds. She encountered terrifying mental and physical torture from her psychopathic stepfather for a period of 17 years until she managed to break free, her spirit still unbroken Jane Elliott fell into the hands of her sadistic and brutal stepfather when she was 4 years ol...more
267 pages
Published
(first published September 5th 2005)
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Oct 23, 2011
Lissa
added it
How is anyone supposed to rate a book like this?
It was an amazing book. So powerful, and incredibly emotional. It helped me personally, too, for reasons I won't go into it. But I did not like it. I can not bring myself to like it. There is not much to like, and the terrifying thing is that it's a true story.
When I say there is not much to like, I mean the writing itself is fine, it's the memories that are horrible.
Yet I think it is one of those memoirs that a lot of people need to read. Especial...more
It was an amazing book. So powerful, and incredibly emotional. It helped me personally, too, for reasons I won't go into it. But I did not like it. I can not bring myself to like it. There is not much to like, and the terrifying thing is that it's a true story.
When I say there is not much to like, I mean the writing itself is fine, it's the memories that are horrible.
Yet I think it is one of those memoirs that a lot of people need to read. Especial...more
Dec 27, 2010
♥ Marlene♥
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
survival
This was a very hard book for me to read. At first I did not really understand why she let him do that to her even when she was an adult but then I started thinking of her family. Real white trash. They terrorized the neighborhood and everyone was scared of them.
We have families like that in The Netherlands too and people do not dare to complain cause they know they will be punished for it later.
What annoyed me mostly was that the mom got off free. No punishment at all while in truth it was mai...more
We have families like that in The Netherlands too and people do not dare to complain cause they know they will be punished for it later.
What annoyed me mostly was that the mom got off free. No punishment at all while in truth it was mai...more
I'll post the review for this book from my blog:
The little prisoner by Jane Elliot is a true story of a girl who was sexually abused by her stepfather for 17 years.
Jane’s nightmares started when her stepfather showed her how much he hate her & treated her as a slave, beating & shouting on her all hte time.Then the nightmares became worse when he started to have six with her.
Jane kept this horrible secret & didn’t tell any one about it because her stepfather was threatening her all th...more
The little prisoner by Jane Elliot is a true story of a girl who was sexually abused by her stepfather for 17 years.
Jane’s nightmares started when her stepfather showed her how much he hate her & treated her as a slave, beating & shouting on her all hte time.Then the nightmares became worse when he started to have six with her.
Jane kept this horrible secret & didn’t tell any one about it because her stepfather was threatening her all th...more
Honestly, this book didn't make me sad or cry.
Instead.
It pissed me off to no end.
RICHARD YOU BASTARD!!
Urgh! He was a complete asshole to everyone and everyTHING around him. People like him should be tranquilized and put in a cage because they're nothing but belligerent pests to society.
He was a manipulative, sociopathic, sadistic, domineering, jealous, pedophilic, predatory, abusive, violent, belligerent, evil creature that I'm surprised was spawned from a mortal's womb.
The whole time I was rea...more
Instead.
It pissed me off to no end.
RICHARD YOU BASTARD!!
Urgh! He was a complete asshole to everyone and everyTHING around him. People like him should be tranquilized and put in a cage because they're nothing but belligerent pests to society.
He was a manipulative, sociopathic, sadistic, domineering, jealous, pedophilic, predatory, abusive, violent, belligerent, evil creature that I'm surprised was spawned from a mortal's womb.
The whole time I was rea...more
This book was extremely good, just in case you didn't know, this book is based on a REAL life story but the NAMES have been CHANGED so their identities are hidden. This book is basically about a girl, since the age of four who has been told to "please" her step-father in more ways than one, and her family do nothing about it. In fact, by the end of the book they all hate her and try to kill her, even her cousin Tom who says that he loved her a week before. This is heart breaking to think that so...more
When Jane Elliott was four years old, the nightmare began. She became the helpless victim of a sociopath—bullied, dominated, and sexually abused by a man only fourteen years her senior: her stepfather. For nearly two decades she was held prisoner, both physically and emotionally. But at the age of twenty-one she escaped . . . and then she fought back.
The Little Prisoner is the shocking, astonishing, and ultimately uplifting true story of one woman's shattering twenty-year ordeal—and how she triu...more
The Little Prisoner is the shocking, astonishing, and ultimately uplifting true story of one woman's shattering twenty-year ordeal—and how she triu...more
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this novel. The writing was a little disjointed, which I found a little disconcerting, but I understand this is due to the mixed up nature of the author's memories. I don't want to rate it any higher than 3 stars because I did not enjoy this book. It wasn't anything to do with the writing, but the subject matter; it was hard to read. The author writes in the prologue that she 'suspects that the audiences for books like The Little Prisoner fall into two categorie...more
What a heartbreaking story. It is horrifying to think what some people will do to children. The pain, both physical and emotional, inflicted on young Jane Elliot is beyond comprehension. One would not begrudge her a pity party and a lifetime of depression. However, Elliot shows a courage that is both admirable and humbling. It is always an eye-opening experience to read of such bravery and a good outcome coming out of such a horrid situation. As an adult, I can't believe that so many people refu...more
Fantastic, well written book! Heart wrenching, sick tale of a young girl and her life long mental, physical and sexual abuse. It's hard to read because of the terrors it talks about, it's sad and sickening. However you are spurred on to read to the end as you know the main character, Jane, has survived and has broken free of her abuser and become strong enough to write this book. So throughout reading the book you are well aware there is a happy ending which makes you read on. It's also very sad...more
Review ex-posted on my blog on Aug. 3, 2008:
I've recently read the SADDEST book of ALL time! You don't believe me? CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF, THEN!
The book responsible for aggressively pulling at my heart strings is titled THE LITTLE PRISONER. It comes out in August, but I was able to get an advanced copy because I'm a intern at HARPERCOLLINS, who are the publishers of the book.
This book is a written memoir of the horrors a woman went through for 17 years of her life. It traces the life of a girl wh...more
I've recently read the SADDEST book of ALL time! You don't believe me? CHECK IT OUT YOURSELF, THEN!
The book responsible for aggressively pulling at my heart strings is titled THE LITTLE PRISONER. It comes out in August, but I was able to get an advanced copy because I'm a intern at HARPERCOLLINS, who are the publishers of the book.
This book is a written memoir of the horrors a woman went through for 17 years of her life. It traces the life of a girl wh...more
This was an amazing, but sad book, but it ended great. Jane is very brave and should be commended on how she came out after such a horrible life. Her step-father and mother should be shot for their behavior and so should her brothers and sisters. IT is horrbile for a child to find out when they are an adult that the people that were in their lives new about what was happening to the child and did nothing to stop it because they were "afraid" of the peratrator is a double whammy and it makes it h...more
This book makes a truly harrowing read and caused me to tear-up on a number of occasions. The abuse this poor women went through for 17 years of her life is absolutely horrific, but at the same time it is an inspirational story about a brave young women who not only survived the terrible sexual, physical and emotional abuse by her stepfather, but also had the guts to do something about it and tell the authorities what was going on, despite the threats she was getting from the rest of her family....more
Apr 02, 2012
Stacey
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoir-real-life
This book was actually given to me to read by one of my students who chose it for her book report in my class. This book was difficult to read in parts because it's sad to think of a child enduring the abuse and humiliation that she experienced. The writing is very detached which I believe is partly a defense mechanism which allows the author to get through it without being overwhelmed by the emotion. Every time I read one of these stories I am amazed that people knowingly turn their backs on ab...more
Someone previously wrote about the difficulty in rating a book like this. I couldn't agree more. The resiliency the author demonstrated is remarkable. The tragedies and suffering this woman endured is not fathomable. This is not a book for everyone but if you enjoy reading about people overcoming tremendous obstacles, I would recommend it. Lastly, other reviewers stated that they couldn't understand why she didn't just leave or stop the abuse. You are fortunate that you cannot understand. Trauma...more
This was a book club selection; it spent a lot of time on the best seller list. One book club member said it was a truly awful read, a second refused to read it.
It is an easy read, like maybe three hours, easy to read in terms of quickness. It is hard to read in terms of content and style. The author is unlikable. Her story is awful, a story of abuse, physical, emotional and sexual, at the hands of her stepfather.
In my head, I know that kind of abuse does terrible things to a person, and proba...more
It is an easy read, like maybe three hours, easy to read in terms of quickness. It is hard to read in terms of content and style. The author is unlikable. Her story is awful, a story of abuse, physical, emotional and sexual, at the hands of her stepfather.
In my head, I know that kind of abuse does terrible things to a person, and proba...more
This book is sickening. No, I do not mean the book. What I read in there is sickening. And it smells profoundly of reality at the same time. I have not thought often about sexual abuse and domestic violence, but now I have to face a reality in which a happy ending might never exist. At the same time, the author is not without hope or courage, which inspires me tremendously. This book deserves more stars, but not for the fact that I would never recommend it to anyone else. The emotional response...more
This was a really inspiring story and i understand why Jane wanted to get her story out; sicne it was books like this that helped her through her own issue. I did however find some of the content very hard and distressing to read. She in parts compares her life to that of Dave Pelzers. I hope she realises (not that its a competition) that her ordeal was more dire and much more terrifying!
A real eyeopener but not for the faint hearted.
please note i give it only a 3 star as although gripping i fou...more
A real eyeopener but not for the faint hearted.
please note i give it only a 3 star as although gripping i fou...more
A very meaningful book. It only took me a day to read it. Although it probably not the best subject becasue it is about child abuse, it was not explixit but it conveyed the hardship this girl went and the strength it took to survive it and to finally go to the police and have her step father charged. It showed me the resilience of the human race and how people can come out the other side of adversity. I hope this girl lives for the rest of her life a happy, peaceful and safe existence becasue sh...more
This book was amazing yet sad and emotional at the same time.
I struggle reading about these kinds of issues as I work with children and young adults but on the other hand I feel everyone should know and try to understand. I am so inspired and in awe of these people.
I think you should see the world as it is and unfortunately it's not always a good sight and understand the struggles of others, these issues should not be ignored, even if it is hard to read.
This book is inspirational as they all...more
I struggle reading about these kinds of issues as I work with children and young adults but on the other hand I feel everyone should know and try to understand. I am so inspired and in awe of these people.
I think you should see the world as it is and unfortunately it's not always a good sight and understand the struggles of others, these issues should not be ignored, even if it is hard to read.
This book is inspirational as they all...more
Това е мемоар на едно момиче, което в продължение на 17 години е малтретирано физически, психически и сексуално от доведения си баща. Както и след като прочетох The Girl Next Door, така и след тази книга, се убеждавам, че малко хорър книги могат да са толкова зловещи, колкото книгите по истински истории.
Apr 10, 2013
Kendra saunders
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any who are brave enough to tackle a heart wrenching story
Recommended to Kendra by:
A friend
Do not read this if you cannot handle HEARTBREAK! It is a terribly sad story in which some people may have found had a happy enough ending. I do not agree, I feel that this poor woman has been robbed her entire life, not just the seventeen years she was abused. No punishment that anyone could ever think of for the monster who caused the abuse, will ever make up for the pain she has had to endure. I will never forget this heart wrenching story that will possibly give me nightmares but for which I...more
The Little Prisoner is the book that i have the interest to read on and have been looking forward to the ending.
Jane's parentes had divorce when she was young and her mother married to another man and gave birth to three sons. Richard, the stepfather wanted to have his own daughter but unfortunately he does not have.
at the age of 4, Jane was treated as a slave of her stepfather, Richard. she was bullied and sexually abused by her stepfather and all these continue for 17 years even until she had...more
Jane's parentes had divorce when she was young and her mother married to another man and gave birth to three sons. Richard, the stepfather wanted to have his own daughter but unfortunately he does not have.
at the age of 4, Jane was treated as a slave of her stepfather, Richard. she was bullied and sexually abused by her stepfather and all these continue for 17 years even until she had...more
It was a difficult read. I had to stop myself several times because the descriptions of abuse were hard to read. I forced myself to finish the book because, as a middle school counselor, I thought "my students might go through this" and "Maybe it will help me learn how to help them". The very week I finished the book, I learned the sister of a student had been experiencing similar abuse at the hands of her father. It hurts my heart. I gave it three stars because I didn't find it particularly wel...more
Not having read Pelzer's books, the only thing I have read to compare with reading this book is Jennings Michael Burch's "They Cage the Animals at Night".
Is difficult to believe that one that suffered every form of abuse (verbal, mental, physical, & sexual) to such a degree could survive for so long.
All forms of child abuse are horrible, & made worse when the other parent, relatives, or neighbors, turn a blind eye. That her stepfather held such fear & control over not only the fami...more
Is difficult to believe that one that suffered every form of abuse (verbal, mental, physical, & sexual) to such a degree could survive for so long.
All forms of child abuse are horrible, & made worse when the other parent, relatives, or neighbors, turn a blind eye. That her stepfather held such fear & control over not only the fami...more
I don't know how I acquired this book. It's not one of those that I go out of my way looking for but somehow they end up in my possession. Jane's story is all too familiar; a step-dad who abuses her in every possible way at every available opportunity whilst others turn a blind eye or are intimidated by him. It goes on far, far more often than we care to acknowledge in our safe little worlds. Easily read, but not easy to read. Rather like being at work whilst at home in far too many ways.
Without a doubt, the most detailed and horrific book I've read about child sexual abuse. The survivor, "Jane", uses a ficticious name because she continues to live in fear despite her abuser being unable to reach her.
In this memoir, "Jane" painstakingly describes the abuse she received at the hands of her step father - which was subconsciously or consciously condoned by her mother. The abuse continues long after Jane is well into womanhood....
In this memoir, "Jane" painstakingly describes the abuse she received at the hands of her step father - which was subconsciously or consciously condoned by her mother. The abuse continues long after Jane is well into womanhood....
May 11, 2010
Allison Relyea
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
advisory-09-10
This was a great book. At first it was slightly boring and dull. But once I got into the middle of it, it became really good. What I liked about this book was, the author allowed the reader to really get into her mind and feel what she was going through. Her stepfather raped and abused her for 17 years, holding her captive as his prisoner. She never told anyone about it and kept it deep inside. Years later she moved in with her husband, by whom she had 2 daughters with and finally decided to tel...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This was a difficult read. Because this is a true story, the drama is hard to read. The girl in this story suffered unspeakable atrocities. It is hard to imagine someone enduring what she endured and escaping with her spirit intact. If I had not been reading this for my continuing education, I would not have been able to finish it, but it is great to see the triumph of the human spirit.
this book is really sad and touching.Alot of emotions run through your mind when you read the book. You also realise how lucky you are to have a family that loves you. I think the step dad in this story is very cruel and he treats his step duaghter really badly. he abuses her sexual and beats her for no reason.in my own opinion i think the little grl was treated more than a prisoner.
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Apr 02, 2012 06:40am