A Stolen Life

A Memoir

By: Jaycee Dugard

Narrated by: Jaycee Dugard

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller—Jaycee Dugard’s raw and powerful memoir, her own story of being kidnapped in 1991 and held captive for more than eighteen years.

In the summer of June of 1991, I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother that loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen.

For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse. For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.

On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim, I simply survived an intolerable situation. A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.

A Nightmare Memoir

No one else could have narrated this story. Her brave and mature unburdening of the horrors she lived through are testament to her strength of character. The stark facts were presented unemotionally and concisely but her overwhelming love for her mother and belief she would live through her never ending nightmare shone through like the full moon she so cherished. A future in writing must surely be her destiny.

Powerful story--audio version a must!

What became evident to me was the reasons for Jaycee's writing this book--both therapeutic and a way to maybe keep the reporters/paparazzi at bay. I feel she downplayed the actual abuse, left out many details, and for this, I am very thankful. As it was, it brought tears to my eyes in several places. What fascinated me was the author's voice--very childlike and, understandably so. She missed a huge chunk of her life, did not get to go through 'growing-up' milestones, and sounds very much like a young teen. I applaud her courage in telling the horrific story. It is evident she is receiving excellent ongoing therapy for a trauma that will never really go away.
Jaycee, I wish you the best with your new life!

Amazing story

Although I hate knowing things like this exist in our society, I found her story to be very well written and narrated. With all she went through from such a young age, one would assume she wouldn't be very educated or able to tell her story in such a well written way, but she sure does!! As my grandma always said, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.. Jaycee is a great example of that. I'm glad I listened to her story and wish her, and her daughters, nothing but great things for the rest of their lives.. Bless you Jaycee...

Well told by Jaycee Dugard

Would you listen to A Stolen Life again? Why?

It was good to hear the story first hand personally told by Jaycee herself. She knows how she felt and could portray this with her voice. She also kept most of the emotion out of basic story and was clear in her descriptions. I would have liked a chapter at the end of her book telling the thoughts of those who searched the property after Jaycee and the girls were freed.

Not an easy listen

I love true crime shows and that’s how I heard about Jaycee and her story and decided to come listen to her book. Some details are gut wrenching and hard to listen to. It’s not easy to get through this book but ultimately was a good listen. I’m sorry for what Jaycee went through and so happy she is free now.