Lucky
13 journalers for this copy...
From the back of the book:
In a memoir hailed for its searing candor and wit, Alice 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.
In a memoir hailed for its searing candor and wit, Alice 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.
Within the first month of my freshman year in college, six girls reportedly had been raped. I’m sure that similar statistics continued for the remainder of that year and the year that followed until, as a junior, one of my roommates became part of those statistics. As is usually the case, she didn’t pursue matters. She was lucky to be alive, and she knew it.
I’ve never read a book with a more appropriate title.
While telling her story, Alice Sebold mentions she’d rather be raped than killed any day. It means she’d rather be unwillingly physically violated by a stranger, who might or might not be carrying a disease, who might or might not get her pregnant, who might or might not beat her until she is unrecognizable, and to live with the emotional burden that such a forceful act carries, than die. It’s a strong statement made by a strong woman who wasn’t given the choice.
Rape victims, regardless of whether they follow through the motions to prosecute their aggressors, are brave just for having survived. Because everyday they'll wake up just as scared and nervous as they were when they went to bed the night before. It hasn't gotten any easier for my friend, who was violated two years ago, or my mother's friend, who has had more than 30 years to try and forget. And though she might have gotten better at talking about it, it's been hard for Alice Sebold, too.
I’ve never read a book with a more appropriate title.
While telling her story, Alice Sebold mentions she’d rather be raped than killed any day. It means she’d rather be unwillingly physically violated by a stranger, who might or might not be carrying a disease, who might or might not get her pregnant, who might or might not beat her until she is unrecognizable, and to live with the emotional burden that such a forceful act carries, than die. It’s a strong statement made by a strong woman who wasn’t given the choice.
Rape victims, regardless of whether they follow through the motions to prosecute their aggressors, are brave just for having survived. Because everyday they'll wake up just as scared and nervous as they were when they went to bed the night before. It hasn't gotten any easier for my friend, who was violated two years ago, or my mother's friend, who has had more than 30 years to try and forget. And though she might have gotten better at talking about it, it's been hard for Alice Sebold, too.
I saw this on a fellow Bookcrosser's wish list and thought I'd send it along with a bookring book. RABCKs make my day -- I hope this makes yours! :o) Happy reading, Weeblet!
Delivery Confirmation Number:
0304 0370 0000 5415 3492
Delivery Confirmation Number:
0304 0370 0000 5415 3492
thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!
it really did make my day- i loooove suprises :)
it really did make my day- i loooove suprises :)
i can really see where she needed to write this before delving further into 'the lovely bones'.
what struck me most was her sense of humor. she really *is* funny, and i think she and i would have a hoot :)
another thing that struck me was her reporting of the particulars in an almost clinical manner- that must have been extremely difficult.
i'm going to start a book ray with this one! i wish some men would join.....
what struck me most was her sense of humor. she really *is* funny, and i think she and i would have a hoot :)
another thing that struck me was her reporting of the particulars in an almost clinical manner- that must have been extremely difficult.
i'm going to start a book ray with this one! i wish some men would join.....
as this was a generous suprise RABCK, i'll share the love and do a book ray :)participants, in order, are:
LaurieS-NH
stardustedangel-NC
huntersmith-GA
sweetpea0678-FL
nicole4-IL (US pref.)
yourotherleft-PA (US)
dnsvm-CO
bethieb-KY
Suebo
nwadel-ID (US)
MollyGrue-WA (US)
greenfrog03-WA
lyraness -CA<------here
gill846-CAN (US/Can)
lilkandystar-CAN (anywhere)
PrairieFirefly-CAN (anywhere)
ann-718my -Malaysia (Asia/Oz/Europe)
Brujula-France (Europe pref.)
Jebbie74-CAN
kicking off the ray today- sending to LaurieS!
Received today and will begin tonight if my family will leave me alone for a few minutes!Update 8/12/04: I'm a quarter of a way through this and it is grueling. Sort of makes you stand back and take a long at yourself. Would I be able to go on in the face of such a devasting event? I can't imagine the strength it took for Sebold to put all of this down on paper . . . I'll write more as I finish up.
Update 8/18/04:
I'm reading this book rather slowly because it is such a grueling and painful read. It's funny but wherever I take this book someone has to stop and chat to me about what I think about it. Me, the introvert, am forced to converse with folks! The dental hygenist, the pizza server, the teacher's at the YMCA. I didn't realize how popular of a book this was until now.
Update 8/19/04:
I finished up this book last night and am still stunned by the amount of violence and tragedy in Sebold's young life. I grew up in a rough city that is now filled with gangs and drugs but I was lucky enough to escape relatively unscathed. I shudder to think of what could've happened & am awed by the author's courage and will to go on.
Thanks for sharing. I've PM'd the next in line who is just now returning from vacation. I'll make another entry when I've heard back.
PS Almost forget to make mention of the pad stealing bassett hounds. My dogs have a gross infatuation with them too and this made me LOL.
I'm reading this book rather slowly because it is such a grueling and painful read. It's funny but wherever I take this book someone has to stop and chat to me about what I think about it. Me, the introvert, am forced to converse with folks! The dental hygenist, the pizza server, the teacher's at the YMCA. I didn't realize how popular of a book this was until now.
Update 8/19/04:
I finished up this book last night and am still stunned by the amount of violence and tragedy in Sebold's young life. I grew up in a rough city that is now filled with gangs and drugs but I was lucky enough to escape relatively unscathed. I shudder to think of what could've happened & am awed by the author's courage and will to go on.
Thanks for sharing. I've PM'd the next in line who is just now returning from vacation. I'll make another entry when I've heard back.
PS Almost forget to make mention of the pad stealing bassett hounds. My dogs have a gross infatuation with them too and this made me LOL.
Journal Entry 10 by BarkLessWagMore at Bookring 2 in bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, August 23, 2004
Released on Monday, August 23, 2004 at Bookring in n/a, Bookring Controlled Releases.Mailed off to stardustedangel
I received this in the mail last week, and have actually finished it. It took a few sittings...I had to put it down several times, especially getting through the first section, which was a little overwhelming. I admire her strength.
I'll mail this out as soon as I find out the address to send it to!
I'll mail this out as soon as I find out the address to send it to!
Journal Entry 12 by stardustedangel at post office at Pineville -- controlled release! in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings , web, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Released 19 yrs ago (9/15/2004 UTC) at post office at Pineville -- controlled release! in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings , web, North Carolina USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
sorry the release took so long, but things have been more than hectic and i haven't had the chance to get to the post office...
happy reading!
sorry the release took so long, but things have been more than hectic and i haven't had the chance to get to the post office...
happy reading!
Just recieved this book ring.
At first I didn't think I would be able to read this.
Then I couldn't put it down.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book. It is a bold, honest, heart wrenching, bald, and bare account of one of the most traumatic events that can occur to a woman. I found that the most painful part wasn't that the rape happened, but that the court system is set up to convince a woman it isn't worth it to see the rape charges through.
It doesn't sound like something that can be recovered from, but Ms. Sebold does seem to done it.
Brava!
Then I couldn't put it down.
I honestly don't know what to say about this book. It is a bold, honest, heart wrenching, bald, and bare account of one of the most traumatic events that can occur to a woman. I found that the most painful part wasn't that the rape happened, but that the court system is set up to convince a woman it isn't worth it to see the rape charges through.
It doesn't sound like something that can be recovered from, but Ms. Sebold does seem to done it.
Brava!
Arrived Safely here in Florida. Will read this ASAP.
WOW what a book, and to know its a true story. WOW. I started it a few weeks ago and then had to take a break from it and read something happy and then I came back to it. Was glad that she pursued going after the rapist. What a life growing up and what a way to lose your virginity. Alice Sebold must be a very strong woman after all this.
I also really liked her book The Lovely Bones. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
PMed Nicole4 for her address will mail out on Friday.
I also really liked her book The Lovely Bones. I hope to read more by this author in the future.
PMed Nicole4 for her address will mail out on Friday.
Journal Entry 17 by sweetpea0678 at Book Ring in book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Released on Wednesday, December 01, 2004 at about 11:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Book Ring in Bookring, Postal Release Controlled Releases.
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to next participant in bookrelay.
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to next participant in bookrelay.
Will get to very soon!
I thought this was a great story of triumph! I didn't find it as dark and hard to read as I thought I would based on the previous journal entries. I got through it pretty quickly and easily. Sebold really made me reflect on what battles we choose in life and how much we take for granted. She is an incredibly strong woman and I admire her drive and determination. Very good book!
Mailed to yourotherleft 12/28/04
Mailed to yourotherleft 12/28/04
This came in the mail today. I'll read it and pass it on as soon as I can. Thanks!
I found this hard to read at first as some of the rest of you did. But then I grew to appreciate Sebold's strength and honesty in writing this account. Her ability to take the case to trial and hold up on the stand amazed me. It's sad how the process of bringing a rapist to justice seems to be almost as hard on the victim as enduring the crime. It was good to see the process carried out right, but also difficult to see that that doesn't always fix the problems that come from such a crime.
Thanks for sharing, weeblet. Sorry for holding it up so long. It's on to dnsvm as of today.
Thanks for sharing, weeblet. Sorry for holding it up so long. It's on to dnsvm as of today.
I just got the book today and will add it to the TBR pile! I can't wait to read it as I loved Lovely Bones!
I finished this book this morning and was struck by the brutal honesty with which Sebold writes. The beginning of the book definately was hard to read. It got even worse when Lila was raped as well. However, I am glad I read it and would definately recommend it as the way she deals with the rape and aftermath is a rare glimpse into the world of sexual assaults.
I will send it on tomorrow!
I will send it on tomorrow!
This just arrived. I'm in the middle of a library book right now (which happens to make me feel quite serene), and I think I need to finish it before I try this one. Thank you to wyldanthem and weeblet for offering this book.
I finished this in the middle of the night then I went to look out the window at my sleeping neighborhood. It looked so peaceful and quiet; but the book reminded me of the violence underneath. I've lived my life in a fairly fearless manner, and I've always said I was lucky. I was lucky, not because I survived a rape, but because the violence didn't find me in spite of myself.
I think that this is an important book, not because I feel that Alice Sebold is a shining example of survival. She turned to drugs and alcohol for years to cope. I think it's important because it will make people talk. The one survivor of rape which I know intimately has never been able to talk about it openly, and it's torn his life apart. Like the mother in the book who kept her secret for years, I hope that people read this book and that it allows them the opening they need.
Mailed to Suebo on 8/15.
I think that this is an important book, not because I feel that Alice Sebold is a shining example of survival. She turned to drugs and alcohol for years to cope. I think it's important because it will make people talk. The one survivor of rape which I know intimately has never been able to talk about it openly, and it's torn his life apart. Like the mother in the book who kept her secret for years, I hope that people read this book and that it allows them the opening they need.
Mailed to Suebo on 8/15.
Book arrived safe and sound in Philly, PA.
Finished this one up today and I had to say it was a great book. Ms. Sebold has so much courage to be able to spill her heart out to the world in this book. I am so glad I was able to read it.
Reserved for nwadel-ID
Finished this one up today and I had to say it was a great book. Ms. Sebold has so much courage to be able to spill her heart out to the world in this book. I am so glad I was able to read it.
Reserved for nwadel-ID
Journal Entry 27 by Suebo at -- By Post Or Hand, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Tacoma, Washington USA on Monday, September 19, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (9/19/2005 UTC) at -- By Post Or Hand, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Tacoma, Washington USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to MollyGrue who is next on the bookring
Sending to MollyGrue who is next on the bookring
This was lost in my house for a time...sorry. I will try to read this as soon as I can and get it to the next person.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Very powerful story that needed to be told. It was difficult for me to get through the first section; where she tells about her rape, but after that it got easier to read for me as I really wanted to know how someone copes with this. I also appreciated the stories of the various rape victims she came across during her recovery. I think I felt saddest for the roommate.
Reserved for the next reader.
DC# 03041070000256435334
Reserved for the next reader.
DC# 03041070000256435334
Journal Entry 30 by MollyGrue at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, March 4, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (3/4/2006 UTC) at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Thank you for passing this book along to me. March is a pretty crazy month for me, but I'll try and read it and pass it along as soon as possible.
I read the first fifty pages or so. I think it's well-written, but I don't have the time or emotional fortitude to finish it right now. Perhaps I'll check out a copy from the library and update the review at a later date, but I'd like to send this copy along. Sorry to take so long.
