ISBN-13: 9781416960591Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: September 2008
170pgs
From the blurb:
When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends - her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.
Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.
This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.
First of all, the protagonist's name is not Alice. Alice is just a name given by her captor, Ray. Ray gave her this name because there used to be another Alice before her; she was perfect in his eyes until she had decided to run away. Ray had no choice but to kill her.
The narrator (as known as the 'current' Alice) had been under Ray's captive since she was ten. She was abducted during a field trip when she was left on her own. She is fifteen now; and throughout these years she had been nothing but a 'good' girl to Ray. She knew there is no way of escaping and if she does, Ray will burn down her parents' house. Alice believes he is capable of doing so; thus she lives her life as if she is a living dead girl, for her heart is already numbed and long dead. Though she feels hopeless, she also knows that time is running out for her as she could not remain as Ray's little girl forever as the days passed, for one day Ray will go out and look for another girl to replace her role and everything will start again like a cycle.
Living Dead Girl is not an easy read, based on the plot but it haunts and intrigues you at the same time. Although there is nothing graphic about the abuse in this story, Elizabeth Scott manages to pull you into the story and make you feel as if you are entering into the narrator's mind and experience her pain and hopelessness. You would wish you could tear Ray into shreds, because that was how I felt throughout reading the book. I have great admiration in Elizabeth Scott's way of writing in putting the sentences simply but yet you could still feel the power (and the hopelessness) in them. Here are some of the examples:
"Once upon a time, that moment was when a little girl's world ended.""Never grow up. Like something out of a story, maybe. Try saying it while a hot, heavy hand pinches, testing to make sure you're still child enough. Try saying it when you can't grow, when you're forever trapped where someone else wants you to be.""I have been smashed and put back together so many times nothing works right. Nothing is where it should be, heavy thumping in my shoulder where my heart now beats."
I could not foresee the narrator's future until there is a turning towards the end. And this is where I saw some hope in her and got to know her real name.
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While I can't say I loved this book (b/c it was so dark) I thought it was brilliant.
Great review, Melody! I'm going to put this book on the top of my wish list (it's been there for a while). :)
Melody, I remember when Trish reviewed this. I thought it sounded like an unforgettable book but a difficult read.
Great review.
How's that precious baby?
Oh, I wish I owned this one...I want to read it now! But it's definitely going on the wish list. Thanks, Melody!
That looks like an interesting book - I'll look out for it.
It definitely doesn't sound easy to read, but I'm glad it was worthwhile in the end!
Amy - I can't say I loved the book either, although I find Elizabeth Scott's writing is great!
Alice - Thanks! :) I'm glad you're going to add this to your wishlist.
Shana - I bought this book after reading Trish's review! This will be a book which I'll not forget... The baby is doing well, thanks for asking! She's longing for our attention nowadays, haha.
Debi - Great! I hope you'll get it soon. :)
Booktrash - Thanks for visiting! Do let me know if you've read it. :)
Nymeth - Yes, I felt like throwing the book away most of the times (blame it on the villian!!), but I was glad it has a hopeful ending.
Just reading about this one makes me sad :( It still sounds like a powerful book though.
Jen - I felt so sorry for the protagonist! It's indeed a powerful book.
Oh wow, this sounds like an intense book. I am curious about it though... Isn't that cover art creepy? Great review Melody. I'm adding this one to the list!
It is, Iliana! I think the cover art is great, although it's creepy.
Great review, Melody. I do want to read this book. A friend of mine read it a little while ago and was quite taken with it. She got into a big debate though with someone who hated the book. It was interesting to hear the two points of view. I think the reason the person didn't like it so much was because of the subject matter--it was just too much for him.
Wendy - Thank you! :) Indeed it isn't an easy read based on the subject matter, but it's worth reading IMO.
I read Becky's review of this a little while ago and thought it sounded interesting. Yours has decided me. It reminds me a little of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones from your description which was not an easy read either.
Rhinoa, I hope you'll enjoy it if you do get the book! I haven't read Alice Sebold's book yet but I've her other book in my pile.