Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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Christopher, Lucy - Stolen: A Letter to My Captor "Revisit"- Start Date November 8, 2014
Kim L wrote: "How old do you guys think Ty is? I was thinking he was much older when he saw Gemma for the first time, but they must be closer in age than I was thinking.I also need to go back and read the Hid..."
She said,"You were beautiful in a rough sort of way., but you were older than I realized. Early to midtwenties probably, maybe more."
@KimL It sounds like he's mid 20's or so, so maybe 10 years older then Gemma? at most. Might only be 20. I don't remember the age she described at the airport scene but it was basically college age. @Bianca #3 - good point about him wanting to know when she was trying to escape. If she had run off when he didn't know she could have actually died to the extreme cold and what not. I hadn't thought of it that way.
Bianca ~ I wonder if he has the ability to not take someone else down with him, though. Having a mental illness can prevent you from rational thought. So, really you can't expect him to be able to think through things like you or me. In his mind, he is saving Gemma and doing the right thing. I don't think right now he has the capability of realizing what he is doing is horrible. He needs help that he is not getting. Maybe if he had help, he would be able to start thinking clearly and not do these things anymore. The more I think about it, the more sympathetic to Ty I am.
Lisarenee wrote: "Kim L wrote: "How old do you guys think Ty is? I was thinking he was much older when he saw Gemma for the first time, but they must be closer in age than I was thinking.I also need to go back an..."
Thanks, Lisarenee. So they could potentially be 5 to 10 years apart. I was thinking about 10.
Kim L wrote: "Lisarenee wrote: "Kim L wrote: "How old do you guys think Ty is? I was thinking he was much older when he saw Gemma for the first time, but they must be closer in age than I was thinking.I also ..."
This next section makes it sound like he might be older.
Bianca, I had forgotten he'd said he made art. Good catch and I wholeheartedly agree with you. If he kidnaps someone, unless it was a life and death situation and it was to save a person (which this obviously is not), then there is no way I'm going to start liking him.
Lisarenee wrote: "Bianca, I had forgotten he'd said he made art. Good catch and I wholeheartedly agree with you. If he kidnaps someone, unless it was a life and death situation and it was to save a person (which thi..."I don't like him, but I wonder if he has the capability of knowing what he is doing is wrong. I guess he might, I just think the mental illness makes it not black and white.
Kim L wrote: "Lisarenee wrote: "Bianca, I had forgotten he'd said he made art. Good catch and I wholeheartedly agree with you. If he kidnaps someone, unless it was a life and death situation and it was to save a..."Well since he didn't have any parental supervision, that brings up an interesting question. Does he? Perhaps no one really taught him.
Questions and Comments for third section by Lisarenee1) She's sixteen? I thought she was older. I thought she was maybe 18. Were you surprised?
2) The whole drunk in the park? Creepy. This reminds me a little of a story about a well known actress. I think she was the pretty blonde in that sitcom Bosom Buddies. Where Tom Hanks and his friend dress up like woman so they can live in an all women's boarding house or apartment complex. Anyway, she told some guy he had good taste or some such thing because he had the same car as she did and he ended up stalking her. Sad when little things such as that can lead to some creepy person becoming obsessed with someone.
3) He was stalking her for 6 years. He knew her friends.*shudder* Sounds like he's giving himself kudos for not having feelings for her when she was younger????? Hello. If she's sixteen now, when did these feelings start because he had to be planning this for some time. Do you think her parents knew about him? Wasn't there something about Gemma's mother being a bit paranoid? Maybe it didn't all have to do with the miscarriages? Perhaps they'd noticed him before?
4) I think everyone has heard of Stockholm syndrome. Parts of me wonder if Gemma will end up falling victim to this. The guy is gorgeous, she says he looks like a supermodel, and he possibly saved her from being attacked. Do you find all this information about him a bit confusing?
5) Do you think he lied to her about her parents wanting to send her away and her friend not being comfortable with her because of her feelings about her boyfriend?
6) Gemma keeps taking jabs at him like naming the camel Stolen. Do you think it's wise? Do you think you could reason with someone like him?
7) With Ty having interfered with Josh, do you think someone, if they caught her on video with Ty, might think she knew him and went willingly? Could this complicate the search efforts?
I am absolutely loving this book~! I don't know what it is...probably the gawking factor of I can't believe this guy would do this. It's like watching a train wreck happen...you know it's bad but you have to know what the outcome will be...how will she get rescued?3) Are you surprised that he managed to get away with spiriting her away to another country so easily? Do you think this could actually happen today with all the security measures that have been put into place since 911? That's a scary thought.
Very surprised. Can't see how he pulled it off. How did he get behind the buildings? Why wasn't security alerted by her parents that she was missing? What about cameras positioned throughout airports?
2) Ty seems to have some deep-seeded anger issues, as well as problems with violence. Do you think his control will snap one day and he'll hurt Gemma beyond repair? Or is he determined to prove to her that he can be trusted?I don't think he'll hurt her. I think he is completely infatuated with her and loves her in his sick twisted way.
3) Did you expect Ty to agree to let Gemma go? What did you think of his reasoning behind this statement: "I won't stop you. I'll only save you when you get lost."
Again, I think he thinks of himself as her savior.
7) How did you react to Ty saying he'd watched Gemma for six years?
Extremely creepy!
8) Thoughts on Ty's story about his early life? Do you think his childhood has something to do with his inability to see Gemma's point of view? Do you think he really is "mad," or just a product of his upbringing?
There is definitely a break with reality in that boy's mind. Many people come from divorced homes and bad mothering and fathering, but they don't go around kidnapping someone. He seems so afraid that anyone he loves will leave him; he can only reason that someone who cannot "escape" will stay.
9) Does the fact that Ty believes wholeheartedly he "saved" Gemma make him any more sympathetic a character? Why/why not?
NO!! See answers above.
4) I think everyone has heard of Stockholm syndrome. Parts of me wonder if Gemma will end up falling victim to this. The guys is gorgeous, she says he looks like a supermodel, and he possibly saved her from being attacked. Do you find all this information about him a bit confusing?I don't find the information on Ty confusing. I see it as a background to his character; information, nothing more.
I think she will start to see him as her only choice in survival. Literally - he has her imprisoned in a desert - how horrifying that must be...to know you can escape and if you do you will die because there is nowhere to run to...nothing.
I was so mesmerized by the sections describing no sound, no traffic hum, no electricity drone, just silence. I tried to imagine it coming home from work this morning, sitting on our public transit and I just couldn't. Later, I tried to imagine it in the quiet of my house but again realized I can not fathom it. Even with no music playing, no tv on, just the silence of me reading a book, I can still hear traffic on the street outside, sometimes people's voices from a conversation heard through my window, if they are loud or roughousing in the park across the street, etc.
This author has done a wonderful job with this book. Any book that leaves me questioning what if... I wonder what it would be like...etc., is wonderful, even if the wondering isn't for good scenarios but just for life experience even far removed from your own.
6) Gemma keeps taking jabs at him like naming the camel Stolen. Do you think it's wise? Do you think you could reason with someone like him?
I think it's the only way she can hold on to her sanity and remember the truth; she was stolen. Everything in this world he created is a lie based on his perception, which is clearly off. I think it's her way of holding onto the truth and the gentlest safest way she can remind him that she is not his.
7) With Ty having interfered with Josh, do you think someone, if they caught her on video with Ty, might think she knew him and went willingly? Could this complicate the search efforts?
I hadn't thought about that. Very scary thought indeed. Also, when you posed this question, it made me realize how we are so quick to judge and to interpret what we see as facts without knowing most of the details. I hope this doesn't happen.
Cathie said, "I don't find the information on Ty confusing. I see it as a background to his character; information, nothing more."Perhaps I worded that poorly. In some ways he has looked out for Gemma. Even told Josh he was her guardian angel. But at some point his feelings for her changed. At moments he seems quite sane, but what he did is not what a normal person does. Additionally, his reasoning behind what he did, what he uses to justify what he's done, is that he's saving her. He sees himself in her and wants to shield her from what he sees as things that will hurt her. Yet he doesn't see what he's doing to her. I'm glad I'm not a psychologist because I wouldn't know how to reason with someone like him. I guess to me his logic and reasoning is confusing. I've heard of people who can't distinguish right from wrong, but I'm not sure if that is what this is.
Still not sure if I'm explaining myself correctly, but hopefully I did.
Questions and Comments for third section by Lisarenee1) She's sixteen? I thought she was older. I thought she was maybe 18. Were you surprised?
I was very surprised. I pictured her as just about to graduate from high school, not sixteen. In this section it also makes Ty out to be a bit older. I am confused as to what his age is. I wonder if we will ever find out.
2) The whole drunk in the park? Creepy. This reminds me a little of a story about a well known actress. I think she was the pretty blonde in that sitcom Bosom Buddies. Where Tom Hanks and his friend dress up like woman so they can live in an all women's boarding house or apartment complex. Anyway, she told some guy he had good taste or some such thing because he had the same car as she did and he ended up stalking her. Sad when little things such as that can lead to some creepy person becoming obsessed with someone.
It is sad. It almost sounds as if Josh kind of stalked her in a way as well. It makes me wonder a bit more about what she looks like. We really haven't had a description of her and how she carries herself. It makes me wonder too how she dresses. I mean her parents didn't like the tank top she wore at the beginning. I wonder if she dresses provocatively for her age.
3) He was stalking her for 6 years. He knew her friends.*shudder* Sounds like he's giving himself kudos for not having feelings for her when she was younger????? Hello. If she's sixteen now, when did these feelings start because he had to be planning this for some time. Do you think her parents knew about him? Wasn't there something about Gemma's mother being a bit paranoid? Maybe it didn't all have to do with the miscarriages? Perhaps they'd noticed him before?
I am thinking that they had to have noticed him. I mean someone who follows her around for six years, he must have messed up at some point. It is just all so weird. He is getting creepier and creepier to me.
4) I think everyone has heard of Stockholm syndrome. Parts of me wonder if Gemma will end up falling victim to this. The guy is gorgeous, she says he looks like a supermodel, and he possibly saved her from being attacked. Do you find all this information about him a bit confusing?
I think it is entirely possible that she would end up being a victim of this. It would definitely be a twist to the story for sure. I don't really find anything about his looks confusing or about him saving her. I think, regardless of him saving her from Josh or not, his actions have always been creepy because he is stalking her to begin with! I do see your point though, Lisarenee and I agree his logic and reasoning are messed up.
5) Do you think he lied to her about her parents wanting to send her away and her friend not being comfortable with her because of her feelings about her boyfriend?
I don't think he was lying about the friend part, but I am not sure about her parents. They don't really seem to be interested in their child, but I can't see them abandoning her. Who knows though, crazier things have happened.
6) Gemma keeps taking jabs at him like naming the camel Stolen. Do you think it's wise? Do you think you could reason with someone like him?
Its obvious that he has a temper. I don't think he is someone that I would want to prod at in that fashion. I doubt that anyone could make him think rationally, which is what makes jabbing at him all the more dangerous.
7) With Ty having interfered with Josh, do you think someone, if they caught her on video with Ty, might think she knew him and went willingly? Could this complicate the search efforts?
Hmm...that is an interesting thought. Even if she did though, I think they would realize after she didn't contact them for a few weeks that there was something wrong.
@ CathieI agree, I love the way this author uses words. I have enjoyed this book simply for that alone.
Laura said, "Hmm...that is an interesting thought. Even if she did though, I think they would realize after she didn't contact them for a few weeks that there was something wrong."I guess I'm wondering if Ty saw her arguing a lot with her parents if others did too. They might just think she ran away, but I would hope that because she's in a foreign land at an airport they would take the disappearance more seriously. That would really be a scary place to lose a child.
Cathie ~ #8 ~ Many people do come from divorced homes and have bad parents, but many people don't get abandoned for years at a young age and have to live off the land eating lizards with no human contact. I would expect him to have a break from reality at his young age. He didn't even know other kids existed. He thought he was just smaller than everyone else. Of course, I don't think what he is doing is right at all and I think Gemma should do whatever she can to get away from him, but if I had the life he had, I think I would be screwed up too. I think the guy is creepy as can be, but I feel like he never really had a chance in life.
Part 31) Actually not really, I pictured her to be about 15 years old.
2 Agreed.
3)I am surprised no one noticed him. He mentioned he even was living in the neighbors house while they were away on vacations. I don't know how no one ever picked up on him sitting in the tree outside her window or anything. That is weird to me.
4) It is a weird concept, yes. But I agree about the Stockholm Syndrome. It seems to me she may end up as a sufferer of this mental illness.
5) No I don't think he is making it up but it is possible he took it out of context or exaggerated it.
6) I don't think you can reason with him but I think you have to try or you might end up crazy yourself. If you didn't try to reason with him I feel like it would be like giving up; surrendering to the situation.
7) I didn't think of that but I suppose it could look that way. I think they would still try to find her though even if she looked to be going willingly. She is only 16 and he is older. It is probably agaist some laws still.
Questions for Fourth Section1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.
2. How do you think having his hopes crushed at not being able to find his mom has affected Ty?
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
4. What do you think Ty is planning to do with those snacks, spiders, scorpions, etc. in the second shed? Yuck!!!!
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
Thanks for doing questions Kim.Questions for Fourth Section
1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.
I think he feels he can do the same to her. It might explain a lot too. He's never been a people person of felt he fit in. He's more comfortable with animals and he's applying what he knows to Gemma. Creepy, but I think that's how his mind sees it. It's that crucial line between right and wrong that is blurred for him.
2. How do you think having his hopes crushed at not being able to find his mom has affected Ty?
I think it hardened him even more against people. Everyone let him down. This betrayal, left him in a bad place. Alone in a foreign country with no money.
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
I didn't think the needle was the best plan. It just shows how desperate she's become.
4. What do you think Ty is planning to do with those snacks, spiders, scorpions, etc. in the second shed? Yuck!!!!
No idea, but it's creepy.
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
Yes, I think that's why she wrote the letter. She got away and is trying to deal with everything by writing it down.
Thank you so much, Kim! Great questions! :-DI don't have time to answer them, or respond to everyone's answers right now, but I've loved reading everyone's responses and points. This is definitely a thought-provoking book.
Questions for Fourth Section1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.
I hope she keeps fighting as well, but it does look like he is trying to break her spirit. I agree with Lisarenee about what he must be thinking. It doesn't seem like he has much experience with people.
2. How do you think having his hopes crushed at not being able to find his mom has affected Ty?
I don't know that it was not being able to find his mom so much as the thinking he found her and her being in the same condition his dad was in. He thought he might of finally found her, but she sounded wasted. I am sure that really hurt. I agree with Lisarenee in that the whole experience harneded him.
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
I think she was doing what she felt she had to do. It sounds like she was desperate and just trying the only option she was able to find.
4. What do you think Ty is planning to do with those snacks, spiders, scorpions, etc. in the second shed? Yuck!!!!
I have no idea. Its creepy that he would even keep them.
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
I am not sure anymore, at first I thought she got away, but now I am not so sure. I am worried that at the end we are going to be surprised by the outcome.
1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.Yeah, I got that feeling too. When he was talking about breaking the camel's spirit I thought he was using the conversation to also include how he viewed Gemma's resistance to him.
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
My heart kind of knew that she wasn't going to make it to anywhere safe. They were in the middle of a desert with nothing around. I thought, oh no, she's not going to make it and he'll come and rescue her and then she will know she has to depend on him or not survive.
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
While reading this I had no idea how she was going to get away from him, or even if she would.
I have finished the book, so I'm not going to say anything more :-)
1) How long do you think Ty planned Gemma's kidnapping? How did he find out so many details about her? Did he follow her everywhere, or stalk her online? She did say "There was a strange familiarity about you. I'd seen you before...somewhere." and "You'd been with me since London."I've actually almost finished the book and didn't have internet service for a few days so am a couple of days behind.....but it was over many years. This wasn't a random decision for him.
2) "Your only escape route is through me. And that's bad luck for you, I guess, since I've already made my escape by coming here." What is Ty escaping? Is he running from something in particular?
He's had a pretty bad life, basically has no family and has created this new life for himself and Gemma.
3) Are you surprised that he managed to get away with spiriting her away to another country so easily? Do you think this could actually happen today with all the security measures that have been put into place since 911? That's a scary thought.
I was thinking this myself and thought there would be no way that he'd be able to get away with something like this today with all the security measures in place. Although the scary thing is that people probably do know how to get away with things like this and do it.
4) Has anyone tried damper?
I had never even heard of it until reading this.
5) "Camel meat? That's mad," I said.
I caught the warning look in your eyes immediately, saw the way your shoulders tensed. It made me shut up, made me grip hard on the back of a chair."
Do you think he was diagnosed as being mad or am I reading to much into his reaction?
I don't think he was diagnosed with anything, considering his upbringing (or lack of!).
6) What do you think Ty does every day in the other building?
I think he's building something....not sure what though.
Questions and Comments for the second section by Mary:1) What did you think of Ty's painting / art project? Did you expect anything like that to be behind the door? Thoughts on his emotional reaction when Gemma fought against him and messed the painting up?
No, I was surprised about that! Not sure why he was SO into it and got made when Gemma messed up his painting.
2) Ty seems to have some deep-seeded anger issues, as well as problems with violence. Do you think his control will snap one day and he'll hurt Gemma beyond repair? Or is he determined to prove to her that he can be trusted?
I don't think he will hurt her. Then he would be alone and it would defeat the purpose of him kidnapping her.
3) Did you expect Ty to agree to let Gemma go? What did you think of his reasoning behind this statement: "I won't stop you. I'll only save you when you get lost."
I didn't expect him to let her go, but he knows that she won't be able to get anywhere. They are out in the middle of nowhere so she'll need rescuing or probably die.
4) When Ty fenced Gemma in and brought her back, did you see the act more as saving, or as capturing? Has your opinion of him changed at all since the start of the book?
I still think that he's a psycho!
5) What did you think of Gemma's dreams? I thought the Hide-and-Seek dream was sad.
Like others have said, they're just very sad.
6) What do you think are in those glass vials? Could Gemma be onto something with the drug theory?
He definitely had drugs at some point to be able to kidnap her, but not sure if that's what in those vials.
7) How did you react to Ty saying he'd watched Gemma for six years?
I thought he was psycho stalker!
8) Thoughts on Ty's story about his early life? Do you think his childhood has something to do with his inability to see Gemma's point of view? Do you think he really is "mad," or just a product of his upbringing?
He's definitely had a very sad upbringing, however, that does not make one kidnap somebody to keep them company. He has to have some sort of mental disease.
9) Does the fact that Ty believes wholeheartedly he "saved" Gemma make him any more sympathetic a character? Why/why not?
I think it's part of his mental illness. From his observations over the years she did not seem happy and he thinks he's helped her. It makes me feel sad for him, but he's still in the wrong.
Questions and Comments for third section by Lisarenee1) She's sixteen? I thought she was older. I thought she was maybe 18. Were you surprised?
I figured she had to be in high school but I wasn't sure of the age.
2) The whole drunk in the park? Creepy. This reminds me a little of a story about a well known actress. I think she was the pretty blonde in that sitcom Bosom Buddies. Where Tom Hanks and his friend dress up like woman so they can live in an all women's boarding house or apartment complex. Anyway, she told some guy he had good taste or some such thing because he had the same car as she did and he ended up stalking her. Sad when little things such as that can lead to some creepy person becoming obsessed with someone.
3) He was stalking her for 6 years. He knew her friends.*shudder* Sounds like he's giving himself kudos for not having feelings for her when she was younger????? Hello. If she's sixteen now, when did these feelings start because he had to be planning this for some time. Do you think her parents knew about him? Wasn't there something about Gemma's mother being a bit paranoid? Maybe it didn't all have to do with the miscarriages? Perhaps they'd noticed him before?
Gemma didn't even realize that she'd seen him already all of those times until he tells her. Then she realizes that he looked different and was kind of always on the outskirts of things. And since he was stalking Gemma and she didn't realize it, I doubt anyone else noticed him.
4) I think everyone has heard of Stockholm syndrome. Parts of me wonder if Gemma will end up falling victim to this. The guy is gorgeous, she says he looks like a supermodel, and he possibly saved her from being attacked. Do you find all this information about him a bit confusing?
I am a little confused. I thought it was mentioned that when she first saw him she thought he was good looking and her friend wanted to ask him out. And then we find out that he saved her from the attack so not sure where this is going. At some point, if you don't believe you're going to be saved (and at this point it doesn't seem likely) you'd think you'd make the best of the situation.
5) Do you think he lied to her about her parents wanting to send her away and her friend not being comfortable with her because of her feelings about her boyfriend?
No, I don't think that he lied. I think she believed him and thought it possible. They did seem to be preoccupied with themselves.
6) Gemma keeps taking jabs at him like naming the camel Stolen. Do you think it's wise? Do you think you could reason with someone like him?
I don't think you can reason with him. I think the jabs are her way of showing disapproval at what he's done and to show she's not happy.
7) With Ty having interfered with Josh, do you think someone, if they caught her on video with Ty, might think she knew him and went willingly? Could this complicate the search efforts?
I can't imagine what kind of search efforts are going on. She doesn't look like herself and she's in the middle of nowhere in Australia. It seems so hopeless to me right now.
1. I hope she can keep fighting but you can only do that for so long. If i was in her position I would eventually be broken I think. He plans to have her there forever.2. I think it made him more mentally unstable.
3. I thought for a second maybe she would escape but deep down I think I knew this wasn't going to work. I think she should have thought the plan out a little better it seemed a bit spur of the moment.
4. That creeped me out a lot. I hate scorpions and spiders (despite being a scorpio). I can't think of what they would be for but it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
5.I don't know. The only reason I think she might get away is because she is writing a letter to her captor. I suppose this could be a letter before she committed suicide or before she tried to run away again. I'm just not sure.
Anyone else a little paranoid someone is watching them now? I know I keep thinking about it haha.
Bianca wrote: "Anyone else a little paranoid someone is watching them now? I know I keep thinking about it haha."Yes! I've got the same feeling I had after watching The Truman Show.
Questions and comments for section 5 by Lisarenee1 So it seems like Ty really did a lot of planning for living out in the middle of nowhere. The creepy crawlies were used to make antivenom. Interesting that this guy with little to no education seems pretty intelligent. His spelling, however, is quite atrocious. Makes you wonder what he could have been with the proper upbringing and education. Any thoughts on this?
2. What did you make of his nightmare? Definitely sounds like the guy could use some counseling. Seems his being taken was quite traumatic. Too bad he doesn't realize he did the exact same thing to Gemma.
3. "Creatures aren't so dangerous when you understand them." Do you think knowing what makes Ty tick makes him appear less dangerous?
4. I applaud and love Gemma's spirit in such an awful situation. Do you think Ty would stand by their agreement if she wished to go home after 4 months?
5. I don't know if the eBooks have it in them, but my book has the silhouette of a snake on the second or third page of the book. After reading this section I now know why. Do you think this will lead to her rescue?
6. What do you think of the stars and the story of the two sisters being pursued by a man? Even if Gemma escapes will she ever truly be free of Ty?
My copy of this finally showed up in the mail today! Now to get caught up, it's been killing me not to read the answers to the questions.
It's a great book Stefani! 4. I applaud and love Gemma's spirit in such an awful situation. Do you think Ty would stand by their agreement if she wished to go home after 4 months?
I think so. I truly believe in his mind that he loves Gemma and would live up to any promise he made to her.
5. I don't know if the eBooks have it in them, but my book has the silhouette of a snake on the second or third page of the book. After reading this section I now know why. Do you think this will lead to her rescue?
I have the hardcover copy, borrowed from the library, and mine doesn't have that in it?
6. What do you think of the stars and the story of the two sisters being pursued by a man? Even if Gemma escapes will she ever truly be free of Ty?
I think Ty will be forever with Gemma now. How do you escape your memories? He is now part of her life, part of her experiences.
Questions and comments for section 5 by Lisarenee1 So it seems like Ty really did a lot of planning for living out in the middle of nowhere. The creepy crawlies were used to make antivenom. Interesting that this guy with little to no education seems pretty intelligent. His spelling, however, is quite atrocious. Makes you wonder what he could have been with the proper upbringing and education. Any thoughts on this?
I agree, he does seem extremely smart. It is kind of scary how much he planned and how much he seems to know about everything. It is also very sad to know that his potential is being wasted due to his childhood and poor choices he is making.
2. What did you make of his nightmare? Definitely sounds like the guy could use some counseling. Seems his being taken was quite traumatic. Too bad he doesn't realize he did the exact same thing to Gemma.
I am wondering just exactly how they took him. The way he is having nightmares and things makes me think it wasn't your normal Child Protective Services or orphanage that took him in. I wonder if he is ever going to realize that he has done the same thing to Gemma.
3. "Creatures aren't so dangerous when you understand them." Do you think knowing what makes Ty tick makes him appear less dangerous?
I don't think he is dangerous really. I think he is just crazy in love with Gemma and wants her to himself. I do think that now that Gemma has seen multiple sides of what has molded him that she is having different feelings for him, which is really sad. It almost sounds like she is ready to fall for him.
4. I applaud and love Gemma's spirit in such an awful situation. Do you think Ty would stand by their agreement if she wished to go home after 4 months?
I don't think he will. He even stated after that conversation that he could never let her go. Although, I could be wrong.
5. I don't know if the eBooks have it in them, but my book has the silhouette of a snake on the second or third page of the book. After reading this section I now know why. Do you think this will lead to her rescue?
I think it could be possible. I doubt she will be silent and not say anything to the people at the mine. The ebook does have the snake or at least the Kindle version does.
6. What do you think of the stars and the story of the two sisters being pursued by a man? Even if Gemma escapes will she ever truly be free of Ty?
I thought it was an interesting story and it kind of made me think that Ty was the man and Gemma was the woman. I don't think Gemma will ever truly escape from Ty. She will have memories of her capture that will haunt her for the rest of her life. I doubt it will be something that she will fully be able to leave behind.
Wow Lisarenee...if my book had that in the front I probably wouldn't have read it! I'm such a wuss when it comes to spiders and snakes. Don't even like reading about them.I'm glad my book didn't have that in it.
Cathie wrote: "Wow Lisarenee...if my book had that in the front I probably wouldn't have read it! I'm such a wuss when it comes to spiders and snakes. Don't even like reading about them.I'm glad my book didn'..."
lol I did kind of cringe a little when I first saw it, but then curiosity got the better of me. I'm trying to figure out if there was a passage with a butterfly since there is a butterfly on the cover.
Another interesting thing about my book is that the copyright and acknowledgement pages were at the end of the book instead of the beginning. I've never seen that before in a book.
Gah! My copy finally became available at the library today! I need to get caught up! I've tried to stay away from this thread!
Stefani I think you now have a buddy you can read with.
Lisarenee, there is a passage about the moth...maybe that's the butterfly? (copper moth)
Questions for Fourth Section1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.
I think he will be able to break her because I feel like she'll have the "if you can't' beat 'em, join 'em mentality."
2. How do you think having his hopes crushed at not being able to find his mom has affected Ty?
I think it's made him this angry, withdrawn person.
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
I didn't think that Gemma was going to be able to get away. I don't think she had put much thought into the plan. She was able to get the needle and acted upon it.
4. What do you think Ty is planning to do with those snacks, spiders, scorpions, etc. in the second shed? Yuck!!!!
I had no idea (before reading) what he was going to do with those things!
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
I already finished the book, so I already know!
Questions and comments for section 5 by Lisarenee1 So it seems like Ty really did a lot of planning for living out in the middle of nowhere. The creepy crawlies were used to make antivenom. Interesting that this guy with little to no education seems pretty intelligent. His spelling, however, is quite atrocious. Makes you wonder what he could have been with the proper upbringing and education. Any thoughts on this?
Some people aren't "book" smart but are "street" smart. It seems like Ty became knowledgeable by living, probably by trial and error, rather than reading/studying.
2. What did you make of his nightmare? Definitely sounds like the guy could use some counseling. Seems his being taken was quite traumatic. Too bad he doesn't realize he did the exact same thing to Gemma.
I was thinking possibly PTSD, but did he have those nightmares previously and Gemma never heard, or was that the first time. But yes, very ironic that he was traumatizing Gemma.
3. "Creatures aren't so dangerous when you understand them." Do you think knowing what makes Ty tick makes him appear less dangerous?
Yes. I think in his mind he really didn't think that he was doing something wrong. I think Gemma at the end started to understand and like him, knowing where he was coming from.
4. I applaud and love Gemma's spirit in such an awful situation. Do you think Ty would stand by their agreement if she wished to go home after 4 months?
Yes, I really think that he would stand by his promise.
5. I don't know if the eBooks have it in them, but my book has the silhouette of a snake on the second or third page of the book. After reading this section I now know why. Do you think this will lead to her rescue?
I finished the book and understand how it's related.
6. What do you think of the stars and the story of the two sisters being pursued by a man? Even if Gemma escapes will she ever truly be free of Ty?
I don't think Gemma will ever be free of Ty. After going through an experience like that she will always have some reminders of him.
** closes eyes not to be spoiled **I had a few problems with getting the book - seriously, I'm in dire need of a good library system - but finally the audio version is working on my reader.
The only problem is that I'm like a week behind, but, I'll try to answer the DQ's anyway, if that's ok.
Nancy said, "Some people aren't "book" smart but are "street" smart. It seems like Ty became knowledgeable by living, probably by trial and error, rather than reading/studying."Very true, but he still surprises me by what he knows. He must pick things up fast.
Questions and Comments for the Sixth Section by Mary:1) Were you surprised at the depth of Ty's feelings for Gemma, that he would give her up to potentially save her life? What did you think of the ring he gave her?
2) Did you expect Ty to go with Gemma on the plane? Do you think Gemma realized the consequences at the time of grabbing onto his hand?
3) "And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them." Do you think the author's intent was to make the reader experience Stockholm syndrome, in a way? Gemma seems adamant that she doesn't have it, but is she in denial? Or is it just more complicated than that?
4) What are your own feelings about Ty?
5) Do you think Ty lied about Gemma's mother and father wanting to move? And Gemma's friends? Was it all manipulation?
6) What do you think of Gemma's decision to tell the truth in court? Do you think she chose wisely? Do you think she ever truly considered giving an alternate story on what happened with Ty? Why/why not?
7) What would Ty's reaction to this letter be?
8) What's next? Will Ty get a shorter sentence because of Gemma's testimony? Will he try to see Gemma when he's out of prison? Where would you have the story go?
9) What did you think of the book overall? How did you rate it? Any thoughts not covered in the DQs?
Questions and Comments for the Sixth Section by Mary:1) Were you surprised at the depth of Ty's feelings for Gemma, that he would give her up to potentially save her life? What did you think of the ring he gave her?
I am not surprised. I knew that he truly cared for her, otherwise he would have hurt her and done cruel things to her while he had her captive and maybe even killed her. I thought the ring he gave her was interesting. I know he was eventually planning on giving it to her as a wedding ring though, so its creepy.
2) Did you expect Ty to go with Gemma on the plane? Do you think Gemma realized the consequences at the time of grabbing onto his hand?
I was surprised that he got on the plane with her, even knowing that this would cause him to be captured. He had already given all the information they needed to save her to the people that were flying her away, so it wasn't like he needed to be with her. I don't think Gemma realized the consequences of her actions. I think she was too poisoned and scared to realize what would happen to him afterwards.
3) "And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them." Do you think the author's intent was to make the reader experience Stockholm syndrome, in a way? Gemma seems adamant that she doesn't have it, but is she in denial? Or is it just more complicated than that?
I read this in a review and I thought, hmmm.....it makes sense. It definitely would describe how I felt while reading the book. I started to think that it wouldn't be so bad if they ended up together in the end....I know, crazy. I think Stockholm syndrome is probably way more complicated than the definition. Only someone who has been through something like that could truly know what they are feeling and what is happening to their emotions.
4) What are your own feelings about Ty?
He did something wrong and needed to be punished, even though he had a horrible childhood. Maybe in prison he can get the counseling that he needs to be a better person and to free him from the demons of his past. I feel sorry for him, but he is a danger right now to others and to himself.
5) Do you think Ty lied about Gemma's mother and father wanting to move? And Gemma's friends? Was it all manipulation?
It definitely sounds like it could be manipulation. I feel like it was. I just can't picture someone who wanted a child so much to want to place her in a boarding school and leave her. It also sounds like Anna was having a difficult time with it all.
6) What do you think of Gemma's decision to tell the truth in court? Do you think she chose wisely? Do you think she ever truly considered giving an alternate story on what happened with Ty? Why/why not?
I think she made the right decision. Its obvious that she considered both options, otherwise, I don't think she would have mentioned the second way she could spin the story.
7) What would Ty's reaction to this letter be?
I am not sure that he would understand. He will definitely be hurt because I think he felt like he was finally getting through to her back in the desert.
8) What's next? Will Ty get a shorter sentence because of Gemma's testimony? Will he try to see Gemma when he's out of prison? Where would you have the story go?
I think he would have gotten a shorter sentence and then I think he would have disappeared. I don't think he would try to contact her afterwards and I don't think I would want the story to go that way either.
9) What did you think of the book overall? How did you rate it? Any thoughts not covered in the DQs?
I loved this book! I thought it was beautifully written and tugged at so many different emotions. I gave it five stars.
Questions and comments for section 5 by Lisarenee1 I didn't think about it but I suppose he is pretty smart naturally. An education could have made him very smart.
2. That was creepy how his eyes were open but he didn't register Gemma as herself. He definitely needs a looooot of therapy
3. maybe a little bit. Still, if someone can kidnap a girl I don;t think you can ever predict how he will act.
4. It seems like he is serious but again, I don't think I will ever completely trust this guy.
5. Perhaps. I think the snake has played a big part in the book. I forget where it was now, but there was something else that made me think of the snake on the cover earlier. Maybe it is because Ty himself is kind of like a snake.
6. Even if you escaped that kind of a situation I think the aftermath would be something you would deal with forever, especially the paranoia of thinking someone was stalking you. I don't think Ty will ever be completely out of Gemma's life.
Questions and Comments for third section by Lisarenee1) She's sixteen? I thought she was older. I thought she was maybe 18. Were you surprised?
Not really. If she was older she probably wouldn't have been traveling with parents or talked so much about living at home. Parents were too much of a priority in her life for her to be much older.
2) The whole drunk in the park? Creepy. This reminds me a little of a story about a well known actress. I think she was the pretty blonde in that sitcom Bosom Buddies. Where Tom Hanks and his friend dress up like woman so they can live in an all women's boarding house or apartment complex. Anyway, she told some guy he had good taste or some such thing because he had the same car as she did and he ended up stalking her. Sad when little things such as that can lead to some creepy person becoming obsessed with someone.
I've never seen the show you're referring to. I think Ty was already obsessed with Gemma before that moment, it was just the moment he decided to take action on it. It went from watching to saving in his eyes. He wanted to own her instead of just be near her.
3) He was stalking her for 6 years. He knew her friends.*shudder* Sounds like he's giving himself kudos for not having feelings for her when she was younger????? Hello. If she's sixteen now, when did these feelings start because he had to be planning this for some time. Do you think her parents knew about him? Wasn't there something about Gemma's mother being a bit paranoid? Maybe it didn't all have to do with the miscarriages? Perhaps they'd noticed him before?
It sounds like her parents are kind of in the limelight, they may be paranoid because of that? I wonder what it is they do exactly. At least he's not like 40...that would be creepier. Only a 10 year difference :-P
4) I think everyone has heard of Stockholm syndrome. Parts of me wonder if Gemma will end up falling victim to this. The guy is gorgeous, she says he looks like a supermodel, and he possibly saved her from being attacked. Do you find all this information about him a bit confusing?
I could see it happening, especially as she hears more and more of his story and realizes that she can't escape. She'll grow comfortable there and get used to it.
5) Do you think he lied to her about her parents wanting to send her away and her friend not being comfortable with her because of her feelings about her boyfriend?
I don't think he lied. He might not have had all of the information though. Maybe the parents had a brief discussion about the possibility of moving away but never would have acted on it, or maybe there was a really good reason for doing it. He couldn't listen to everything all the time.
6) Gemma keeps taking jabs at him like naming the camel Stolen. Do you think it's wise? Do you think you could reason with someone like him?
I think a part of Gemma still has a death wish or doesn't think that she's going to survive long no matter what she does. She obviously doesn't understand that he won't hurt her otherwise she wouldnt' be trying to run away into the dessert where she obviously won't find anything or get anywhere useful.
7) With Ty having interfered with Josh, do you think someone, if they caught her on video with Ty, might think she knew him and went willingly? Could this complicate the search efforts?
Josh would have to have been able to see Ty well enough to identify him in that situation and he would have to willingly give information about the situation. No one else would have seen it. I don't foresee Josh telling anyone about that night or really about anything.
Questions for Fourth Section1. It almost seems like Ty is trying to "tame" Gemma just like he is trying to tame the camel. He seems to think he will be able to eventually break her down. Do you think he will be able to? I hope she can keep fighting.
That's his hope. He's getting tired of her need to escape and her not understanding there is no where to go, but he has to let her run for her to understand she's better where she is.
2. How do you think having his hopes crushed at not being able to find his mom has affected Ty?
I think that was the last straw that broke him. He already had such a horrible life and that just topped it all off.
3. Did you think Gemma was going to be able to get away? Did you think using the needle was a good idea or do you think she should have come up with a different plan?
Horrible idea. There was no way she was going to get anywhere. It's obvious that there is no place near by to run to and running into the dessert alone does not sound smart unless you have a death wish. At this point she either has to decide if it's better to live with Ty or die in the dessert.
4. What do you think Ty is planning to do with those snacks, spiders, scorpions, etc. in the second shed? Yuck!!!!
Maybe it's just a hobby? Collecting animals? Or maybe he'll use them for cooking? Who knows.
5. Predictions for the rest of the book? Do you think Gemma will be able to finally get away?
I think Gemma finally realizes how stuck she is. Running away isn't getting her anywhere. She now just has to learn to cope. There may be a big rescue scene, or maybe she'll convince Ty to return to civilization in the end.
Questions and Comments for the Sixth Section by Mary:1) Yes in the end I think I was surprised. The ring was a bit creepy. It was like he was proposing to her or something. You could tell how attached she became to ty by how much she cared about the ring.
2) Ya once he brought her to the mine I thought he would stick with her since he obviously cared what happened to her.
3) I think she has it for sure and I felt like I was starting to have it by the end of the book. I think Ms. Christopher wanted the book to have that effect.
4) Don't like him but I guess I am starting to feel bad for how mentally sick he really is.
5) I still think it is possible he took it out of context or exagerated. I think we all say things we don't mean about loved ones from time to time. He may have heard it and then used it against her/ to help his plot.
6) I think she chose widely to tell the truth. If she hadn'tand he had got away with the crime and then did the same thing to another girl she would feel terrible. I think she was helping him in a way because maye now he will get the mental health help he needs.
7) I think he would be happy he had the effect he wanted on her.
8)I dont think he will get a shorter sentence because I am sure the prosecution will make a case and tell the jury about Stockholm Syndrome. I don't know. I think it depends if he got mental help or not.
9) I liked it. I gave it four stars. I would definitely recommend it to others.
Questions and Comments for the Sixth Section by Mary:1) Were you surprised at the depth of Ty's feelings for Gemma, that he would give her up to potentially save her life? What did you think of the ring he gave her?
I wasn't surprised that Ty would save Gemma's life. He's been following her for so long I don't think he could bear it if she died.
2) Did you expect Ty to go with Gemma on the plane? Do you think Gemma realized the consequences at the time of grabbing onto his hand?
I didn't expect Ty to go on the plane with Gemma. It would definitely be "game over" for him if he did and he was willing to do that for her. I don't think Gemma realized the consequences of grabbing his hand. At that point she did end up caring for him and she was scared.
3) "And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them." Do you think the author's intent was to make the reader experience Stockholm syndrome, in a way? Gemma seems adamant that she doesn't have it, but is she in denial? Or is it just more complicated than that?
I don't know much about Stockholm syndrome, but it seemed like Gemma had it. However, based on that statement alone it can be said for a lot of things.....maybe not hate someone once you understand them, but you can pity them/sympathsize with them.
4) What are your own feelings about Ty?
I thought Ty was a crazy pscyho. I know he meant well and thought he was saving Gemma....but abducting her to go live with him alone in the desert.....who does that?!!! And if she didn't get bit by the snake, I don't think she'd ever be rescued!
5) Do you think Ty lied about Gemma's mother and father wanting to move? And Gemma's friends? Was it all manipulation?
I forget if when Gemma confronted her mother if she denied the accusations or just blew the question off and didn't answer her......I'm thinking that he wasn't lying.
6) What do you think of Gemma's decision to tell the truth in court? Do you think she chose wisely? Do you think she ever truly considered giving an alternate story on what happened with Ty? Why/why not?
I think she had to tell the truth in court to heal properly and aknowledge what she went through. By making excuses and lying she'd be giving Ty the opportunity to do something like that again.
7) What would Ty's reaction to this letter be?
I'm not sure. I'd hope he would finally see how wrong he was to do what he did and understand what Gemma was going through.
8) What's next? Will Ty get a shorter sentence because of Gemma's testimony? Will he try to see Gemma when he's out of prison? Where would you have the story go?
I don't think Ty will get a shorter sentence. That was a pretty serious crime that he committed. I definitely think he will attempt to see Gemma when he's out of prison. But I think that her parents will possibly move somewhere else, maybe give her a new start. Since he was following her for so long and she has so many different memories of Ty in different places in the neighborhood I think it would be harder for her to heal.
9) What did you think of the book overall? How did you rate it? Any thoughts not covered in the DQs?
I loved this book and gave it 5 stars! I am so glad I joined the group and the read! I had never even heard of it before. It reminds me of the book Still Missing by Chevy Stevens.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
A Stolen Life (other topics)The Fan Club (other topics)
Room (other topics)
A Stolen Life (other topics)
The Good Girl (other topics)
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1. I only thought it was art because he said he made art in a way to Gemma while they were in the airport. It does seem like a strange form of art though. I mean, most people don't paint on the floor.
2. I just can't trust a guy that kidnaps a girl from an airport. I hope he doesn't try to hurt her but I wouldn't be surprised of he did.
3)I guess he figured it was impossible for her to get away so she should try while he knew about it and could save her. Otherwise she may try while he was sleeping and get bit by a snake or something and end up dead. I think he wants her to realize there really is no hope for her so she will submit to living the life he has planned.
4) I see it as capturing. He stole her from an airport against her will. I don't think I will ever think highly of a person that does something like that.
5) I can't imagine what she is going through. It sounds like she may have had family problems and now she is probably wishing she fixed them before never seeing them again. I'm sure it is hard to think about the fact that your last conversation with your parents was a fight.
6) I'm not sure but I wouldn't put it past Ty to have drugs on stock. He clearly is not afraid to use them to make his plans work out.
7) I figured he watched her for a while but 6 years! Oh my goodness that is so creepy to think about. He stalked her for 6 years without her knowing. How disturbing.
8) I think that his chiildhood may have made a mental illlness you was predisposed to worse. He may have been likely to have psychological problems and then with the difficult life he lead it manifested in the way we see through the story. I think it is definetly the reason he has trouble seeing Gemma's point of view.
9) For me, no it doesn't make him a more sympathetic character. Maybe I'm being to harsh but I just can;t warm up to a person who does this. If you have problems, fine you can't help that, but don't take down others with you. If you don't want to live in a city that is okay but don't force someone else to do it too. In my opinion, you can do all the crazy things you want to yourself but don't force them upon someone else.