Lucky: A Memoir
Registered by classicfox on 11/1/2006
14 journalers for this copy...
TBR and released.
"In a memoir hailed for its searing candor and wit, Sebold reveals how her life was utterly transformed when, as an eighteen year old college freshman, she was brutally raped and beaten in a park near campus. What propels this chronicle of her recovery is Sebold's indomitable spirit--as she struggles for understanding..."
This was an amazing book. I totally respect Sebold for putting this to paper. It took tremendous guts and bravery--as she omits no detail--I imagine that writing this book was a healing process for her and I certainly hope she has made her peace with what happened to her.
She says she changed some names to protect privacy but I do hope the bastard's name was his real name so anyone reading this book will know it.
AVL and highly recommended.
"In a memoir hailed for its searing candor and wit, Sebold reveals how her life was utterly transformed when, as an eighteen year old college freshman, she was brutally raped and beaten in a park near campus. What propels this chronicle of her recovery is Sebold's indomitable spirit--as she struggles for understanding..."
This was an amazing book. I totally respect Sebold for putting this to paper. It took tremendous guts and bravery--as she omits no detail--I imagine that writing this book was a healing process for her and I certainly hope she has made her peace with what happened to her.
She says she changed some names to protect privacy but I do hope the bastard's name was his real name so anyone reading this book will know it.
AVL and highly recommended.
Journal Entry 3 by classicfox at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, December 22, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (12/22/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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Mailed today to oliviapoolside for postage.
Mailed today to oliviapoolside for postage.
Just received in the mail, thanks!
Gruesome and extremely disturbing. It was so emotionally difficult to take in that by the end I was thinking trite things like, "Her college years were terrible". As the book began to sink in I began to pace my kitchen and cry. I was so angry at Alice Sebold, I still am, and I don't know why; because she is a victim, a woman, a winner, a loser, a human being, a heroin user, because she drank, because she lost Lila's friendship, because she slept with men who weren't her one true love???? All I know is in my tears, my brain doesn't understand it yet. A day later: I don't want to give the impression that I am judging Alice. The problem is that in reading her story and identifying with her I struck a very sensitive nerve in myself. I am working it out. To Alice, only love.
Journal Entry 6 by BooksandMusic at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in Seattle, Washington USA on Monday, March 26, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (3/26/2007 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in Seattle, Washington USA
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Was actually sent awhile ago to KayJay33
Was actually sent awhile ago to KayJay33
I was offered this book by Oliviapoolside because I had it on my wish list. It arrived today and I am so very happy to get it. Her book, The Lovely Bones made such a big impression on me that I can hardly wait to begin reading this one.
Thank you so much Oliviapoolside.
Thank you so much Oliviapoolside.
This was a shocking,powerful story. Alice went through every woman's nightmare. The brutal rape and subsequent aftermath of a life turned upside down. Any woman who has endured rape will emphasise with her and the ones of us who are truly lucky not to have suffered this indignity will likewise feel indignant and saddened for her.
I hope to turn this book into a bookray because I feel it should be required reading, not just for women but for men as well.
I hope to turn this book into a bookray because I feel it should be required reading, not just for women but for men as well.
I have loaned this book to my sister but am still thinking of making a bookray with it. So she will read it and hopefully remember to bring it back to me.
This book is going to travel on a short bookray. The order of participants will be(subject to any new members)
Mochagirl..UK....The book is here but ready to move on.
DivineSelene ...Greece...Skipped.
Pepita-di-Corfu...Greece..Finished
Liz-z ...Ohio USA ..Arrived in the USA
Caridad ...Florida USA... Skipped On the way to Dabercro
Dabercro ...Utah,USA ...Finished.
BooksnBeer ...Virginia,USA....Book is on the way to New Zealand
Discoverylover...NZ The book is here.
Captainsdoxy ...NZ..The book is here and will go to Australia next.
Chicklitfan.....NZ Finished,
Shelly3110 ...AU The Book is here
Briz-cowgirl...Au The book has reached the end of it's journey.
Mochagirl..UK....The book is here but ready to move on.
DivineSelene ...Greece...Skipped.
Pepita-di-Corfu...Greece..Finished
Liz-z ...Ohio USA ..Arrived in the USA
Caridad ...Florida USA... Skipped On the way to Dabercro
Dabercro ...Utah,USA ...Finished.
BooksnBeer ...Virginia,USA....Book is on the way to New Zealand
Discoverylover...NZ The book is here.
Captainsdoxy ...NZ..The book is here and will go to Australia next.
Chicklitfan.....NZ Finished,
Shelly3110 ...AU The Book is here
Briz-cowgirl...Au The book has reached the end of it's journey.
Journal Entry 11 by 
kayjay33
at Controlled Release (at Langley) in -- By post or by hand-ie ring, trade, RABCK, meet, British Columbia Canada on Friday, October 5, 2007
kayjay33 at Controlled Release (at Langley) in -- By post or by hand-ie ring, trade, RABCK, meet, British Columbia Canada on Friday, October 5, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (10/5/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release (at Langley) in -- By post or by hand-ie ring, trade, RABCK, meet, British Columbia Canada
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I am finally sending this book off on a journey, as a Bookray,first to the UK and then to Greece before it returns to North America.
Sent by Canada Post.
I am finally sending this book off on a journey, as a Bookray,first to the UK and then to Greece before it returns to North America.
Sent by Canada Post.
Journal Entry 12 by Mochagirl from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, December 9, 2007
This is such a powerful book, which is why it's taken me a while to get around to journalling it. I received it a couple of weeks ago (and I sent DivineSelene a PM last week for her address, but haven't yet heard from her ;) ), and I've been trying to work out what to say.
I was amazed by how open Sebold was about her rape and her experience afterwards. I was astonished by how strong this writing shows her to be. I have so much respect for her for surviving the rape, surviving the trial, surviving all the other aftermaths - including the drug and alcohol abuse - and coming out the other side. And even more respect for being able to write about it.
I think the more we talk about rape and things like it, the better. Thank you, Alice Sebold, for showing us how to start, even if that wasn't your intention in writing the book.
I was amazed by how open Sebold was about her rape and her experience afterwards. I was astonished by how strong this writing shows her to be. I have so much respect for her for surviving the rape, surviving the trial, surviving all the other aftermaths - including the drug and alcohol abuse - and coming out the other side. And even more respect for being able to write about it.
I think the more we talk about rape and things like it, the better. Thank you, Alice Sebold, for showing us how to start, even if that wasn't your intention in writing the book.
Journal Entry 13 by Mochagirl at Post Office, St Aldates in Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (1/7/2008 UTC) at Post Office, St Aldates in Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom
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Ooops! Forgot to journal on Monday, but I released it then - skipping DivineSelene at her request and sending straight to Pepita-di-Corfu. Send by air, so it should be there by the end of the week.
Ooops! Forgot to journal on Monday, but I released it then - skipping DivineSelene at her request and sending straight to Pepita-di-Corfu. Send by air, so it should be there by the end of the week.
Journal Entry 14 by pepita-di-Corfu from Thessaloniki - Θεσσαλονίκη, Thessaloniki Greece on Thursday, January 10, 2008
i just received the book! Thank you both Mochagirl for sending it and kayjay33 for organising the bookray. Lucky has been in my wish list ever since i read Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones so now i'm getting down to it straight away!
Journal Entry 15 by pepita-di-Corfu from Thessaloniki - Θεσσαλονίκη, Thessaloniki Greece on Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I just finished reading Lucky and the phrase that came in my mind is one i had read in an online journal quite some years ago: "A life shattered is a life in need of healing." The only feeling i can have for Alice Sebold is admiration. I hope this was the last time i read a book of hers with tears filling up my eyes. I have shared thoughts with other people about Sebold's writing and still cannot find one author whose work has spoken to my heart as much as hers. It's superfluous to say that she's become my favourite author. I admire her for her bravery to share her experience that has been a milestone in her life, and how couldn't it be?My life was over; my life had just begun.
I admire her for her talent in describing so vividly events that other people would be ashamed of even just mentioning. I admire her for the strength of her character, for eventually being able to move on with her life. I admire her for reasons that cannot be put into words and form sentences.
No matter how many stars i give to my rating they cannot be bright enough to show how much i value this work.
Journal Entry 16 by pepita-di-Corfu at given in hand in a bookray, to the next reader -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 18, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (1/18/2008 UTC) at given in hand in a bookray, to the next reader -- Controlled Releases
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RELEASE NOTES: i just returned from the post office where i mailed the book off to Liz-z who's already waiting for it. I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as i did!
Postal ID: RE475351908GR
Just received today. This will be next in my TBR pile. Thank you for sharing!
I just finished reading this memoir. I give Alice Sebold a lot of credit for being able to write so vividly about her rape and how it affected her life. The way she honestly writed about her life and tells the dark side of the story is amazing.
I will be pm'ing Caridad and I will send this book on to her as soon as I get her address.
Thanks for sharing!
I will be pm'ing Caridad and I will send this book on to her as soon as I get her address.
Thanks for sharing!
After receiving no answer from Caridad, I pm'd the next person in line. I have received Dabercro's address and I am sending the book on to her today.
Received in the mail today. I am reading another bookring book now so should be able to start this book in about a week.
I guess what struck me the most is how Alice was not only victimized by a brutal rape but then had to defend herself against her attacker in the court system. They tried to make it somehow her fault that this happened to her. I can understand why so many rape victims don't want to relive their nightmare over and over publicly to put their attacker away. That one night changed her life forever.
I still wonder, too, if Lila's rape was somehow in retribution for Alice testifying against Madison. There were too many connections to Alice that it is hard for me to believe it was all coincidence. I think Lila at least subconciously believed that, too, and that is why she no longer wanted Alice in her life.
After reading her memoir, it makes me understand a little better some of her characters in her fictional novels. She is writing what she knows.
Thank you kayjay33 for sharing. I have BooksnBeer's address and will be sending this book on in the next few days.
I still wonder, too, if Lila's rape was somehow in retribution for Alice testifying against Madison. There were too many connections to Alice that it is hard for me to believe it was all coincidence. I think Lila at least subconciously believed that, too, and that is why she no longer wanted Alice in her life.
After reading her memoir, it makes me understand a little better some of her characters in her fictional novels. She is writing what she knows.
Thank you kayjay33 for sharing. I have BooksnBeer's address and will be sending this book on in the next few days.
On its way to BooksnBeer in VA today.
Received this last night. It is at the top of my pile. I will begin it as soon as I finish Harry Potter - I'm finally getting around to reading the last one.
Wow – What a strong person Alice is – from her fighting her rapist to taking it to trial. Most people would do just as Lila did, and walk away. Another Bookcrosser mentioned that the book made them angry – Me too. I am angry at Lila. I am angry with the Police Officers who took Alice’s statement. I am angry that the Police Officers who handled Lila’s case put little value in the connection.
This book taught me some things that I won’t forget. I will recommend this to others.
I have the next address and will try to get this into the mail to New Zealand on Monday (4/14/08).
Thanks for sharing the book.
This book taught me some things that I won’t forget. I will recommend this to others.
I have the next address and will try to get this into the mail to New Zealand on Monday (4/14/08).
Thanks for sharing the book.
Journal Entry 25 by discoverylover from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Received today! Will just finish the book I am reading atm and then will start this one.
Journal Entry 26 by discoverylover from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, May 6, 2008
This took me longer than expected to read, I kept having to put it down and go to something a bit lighter. I thoroughly 'enjoyed' it, although I'm not sure enjoyed is the right word for it. I found it to be a very moving story that made me think. Will definitely be recommending it to others.
Captainsdoxy and Chicklitfan are both regular attendees of our Wellington meetups so I will pass it on to either Captainsdoxy or if she isn't there then Chicklitfan next tuesday when we meet.
Captainsdoxy and Chicklitfan are both regular attendees of our Wellington meetups so I will pass it on to either Captainsdoxy or if she isn't there then Chicklitfan next tuesday when we meet.
Journal Entry 27 by discoverylover from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, May 18, 2008
Passed on to Chicklitfan last tuesday
Journal Entry 28 by chicklitfan from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, May 23, 2008
Found this story riveting but apalling at the same time - it wasn't just the rape that Alice had to endure but fighting the stigma of other college students attitudes, her own struggles to put the experience behind her by drinking too much, smoking pot, taking heroin and writing poems and this book to try and forget/remember/put the experience behind her. It was particularly moving the way she told her story and the story of meeting her rapist again and going through the court process. The police process including her hospital examination for evidence, the lineup which she incorrectly identified her rapist and the court system where you as the victim are cross-examined seemed to be stacked in favour of the attacker who was guilty until proven innocent. It all seemed a very dehumanising process in which only the strongest victims would survive. I believe that Lila was mistaken for Alice and her rape was an act of revenge by a friend/associate of Alice's rapist who had somehow organised it from behind bars. I hate to think what would have happened to Alice if she had been home that night.
Will pass on to CaptainsDoxy when I see her next.
Will pass on to CaptainsDoxy when I see her next.
Journal Entry 29 by chicklitfan from Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, July 13, 2008
Passed onto Captainsdoxy at the last bookcrossing meetup on the 8th of July 2008. Apologies to those bokkcrossers in Australia who are waiting on this book - I finished the book quickly, then Captains Doxy was away overseas and I had to wait till she returned to pass it onto her.
Journal Entry 30 by Captainsdoxy from Waikanae, Wellington Province New Zealand on Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sorry for the delay, I'm just back from Europe and have read it as quickly as possible so it can continue it's journey.
A powerful book and one that makes me angry at the injustice of people suffering a terrible crime and then having to fight again against the justice system. No wonder most rape victims either don't report the attack, or abandon the case part way through as it's just too traumatic.
Like some of the other readers, I have no doubt that the attack on Lila was not conincidence. Rather that it was vengeance organised by Madison, and I think had Alice been there not Lila it is unlikely she would have survived.
A powerful book and one that makes me angry at the injustice of people suffering a terrible crime and then having to fight again against the justice system. No wonder most rape victims either don't report the attack, or abandon the case part way through as it's just too traumatic.
Like some of the other readers, I have no doubt that the attack on Lila was not conincidence. Rather that it was vengeance organised by Madison, and I think had Alice been there not Lila it is unlikely she would have survived.
Journal Entry 31 by Captainsdoxy from Waikanae, Wellington Province New Zealand on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sent on its way to Shelly3110 - hope you enjoy it (if enjoy is the right word)
Book arrived today. Thanks captainsdoxy for posting. I will start reading right away.
Journal Entry 33 by Shelly3110 from Newcastle, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, September 14, 2008
Credit to Alice to be able to write such and honest account of her rape and the affect it has on her life years after, probably forever. Difficult to read, had a very emotional effect on me.
Posted to Briz-cowgirl on Friday 12 September.
Posted to Briz-cowgirl on Friday 12 September.
Journal Entry 34 by briz-cowgirl from Brisbane, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Received from Shelly3110 on Monday 15/09, thank you! I have actually finished the book already, once I started I was hooked. Just need to gather my thoughts about it before I post my JE.
ADDIT 26/9/08: What a powerful book. I was blown away by Alice's frankness and openness about her ordeal, I literally couldn't put the book down. She was so strong in the way she handled herself and fought the prejudices surrounding her rape. Thank you for sharing this bookray kayjay33. Waiting to see where "Lucky" goes from here...
ADDIT 26/9/08: What a powerful book. I was blown away by Alice's frankness and openness about her ordeal, I literally couldn't put the book down. She was so strong in the way she handled herself and fought the prejudices surrounding her rape. Thank you for sharing this bookray kayjay33. Waiting to see where "Lucky" goes from here...
Journal Entry 35 by briz-cowgirl at Brisbane, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Monday, November 3, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (11/4/2008 UTC) at Brisbane, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
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Sending to juli2007 who has this in her wishlist - hope you enjoy it!
Sending to juli2007 who has this in her wishlist - hope you enjoy it!
Oh, thank you so much for this well travelled book! I will read this asap and let this beautiful book continue its travels, thanks again for thinking of me! Happy Holidays!
