I was in my early twenties when Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her home and I remember how big a news story this was at the time. Elizabeth endured so much during the time she was held captive. I am glad that her religion helped her get through that horrible ordeal and she has been able to heal and share her story. ( )

Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her own bed at the age of 14 by Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. They lived in tents in the mountains of Utah. Mitchell felt he was he was the a prophet. Food was scarce, as they had no money to spend. Elizabeth was raped by Mitchell everyday. ( )

very good :) ( )

very good :) ( )

I find it difficult to critique someone's personal experience of a very traumatic event and even hesitated to give this only 3 stars because of the sheer difficulty this must have been in writing. But the writing, and I assume most of it was Chris Stewart, not Elizabeth herself, was sub par. In fact, it is obvious in the last few chapters that the writing switched from him to her. If the whole book had been like the last few chapters, this would have been an amazing read. Granted, Chris had only her words to work with, yet it seems there were so many parts that were "garbled", for lack of a better word, that could have been worked on a bit better.

Regardless, the story was interesting regarding her experiences. It wasn't so badly done that I had to put it down, though if I didn't have a deep interest in the situation, I may have had to put it aside. The last few chapters really did save the book for me. Well done, deeply thought out, meaningful and clear. That's the Elizabeth I keep hearing about.

This is not a book I'd recommend in conversation as "you may like this", but it is something I'd recommend if someone wanted to know what Elizabeth went through. It isn't detailed in a way that people may find offensive or titillating. I have heard complaints about that aspect of her story, but I don't mind it at all. A lot was left to the imagination and that was just fine with me. I imagine some details were left out entirely, but that's her prerogative. ( )

such a strength and example ( )

No, I started this audiobook before the social distancing of COVID 19 ;) However, I'm counting it in that category and I'm going to see how many I DO read ;)

Elizabeth Smart and I are the same age. I remember the story of her being kidnapped and my own fears of being kidnapped in much the same manner. I always thought through scenarios and I would ask myself if I really was protected being on the second floor? Also, Utah was a state away from Idaho, and so for me, this felt super close to him.

Fast forward nine months later, and I remember running and telling my mom that she had been found! What a story.

I get why some of the lower reviews on here. She does glance away from the nitty gritty violence she suffered. BUt you know what, I don't need a play by play of the rape she endures or the pornography she was forced to look at. Some people say it's written childlike--might I remind them that she was a child when she was taken?! Listening to Elizabeth read her own words, the reader can't help but feel the agony she faced. The horror she experienced. The longing she had to return home.

Elizabeth's faith is truly how she has been able to move on in her life. While I don't agree with it doctrinally, I recognize the importance it is for her. I know how it can be the only thing you have. And it, and it alone, helps through the stormy times. I'm thankful for my faith. I feel Elizabeth and I could connect on this level. ( )

obviously an intelligent, thoughtful and beautiful (inside and out) woman, who rose above the events that happened to her in order to live her own life.
but reading this didn't change my life, not would I particularly recommend it to anyone I know. ( )

Very detailed account of kidnapping and recovery. I read her story in the papers and saw things on TV but this gets into her feelings. Very good. ( )

Mentioned in a blog post at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2019/10/28/villainathon-wrap-up/

I listened to the Audible version, read by Elisabeth Smart herself. It actually added a lot to the book to have her read it. Despite the tragedy, it is an inspiring story of how her faith in God and love for her family pulled her through.

Read through this story very quickly for book group. Very sad and I'm glad she was found and her kidnapper jailed for life. Amazing that she could come out as well as she has after such an awful ordeal. In that sense, this was inspiring but it was also horrifying that people like her kidnapper do exist in the real world. ( )

Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom and held captive in rural camps around Utah for 9 months. Her kidnapper was a self-proclaimed itinerant prophet who chose Elizabeth as his second wife. Short on details and long on frustrating passificism (e.g., I prayed for a miracle) the book does not succeed as a thriller. Rather, It is a tribute to her faith and perseverance. ( )

I really want to give this book two stars, but I can't stand to do that to poor Elizabeth Smart. Three stars it is.

The Elizabeth Smart case is certainly bizarre... a beautiful young Mormon girl mysteriously vanishes from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Her younger sister, who was sleeping beside Elizabeth the night she was taken, waited a few hours after the kidnapping to tell her parents that her sister disappeared with a strange armed man. Elizabeth was found nine months later, abused but alive. You know the story. Elizabeth spent those nine months in the company of her captor and his wife in their assorted camps in the wilderness. But what's really bizarre about the case is how Elizabeth was repeatedly taken into public places, occasionally coming face-to-face with police officers, not to mention countless bystanders, and she never did a thing to save herself.

In her memoir, Elizabeth seems to be obsessed with the idea of being rescued and blames fear and guilt for never trying to escape. She explicitly says that she does not have Stolkholm Syndrome. She tries so hard to paint herself as a strong-willed person, a survivor, and never touches on the more difficult subjects, like the rapes or why she never tried to run away. It's understandable that she would want to keep some details private but I was expecting that in a memoir published over a decade after her kidnapping she would at least have some kind of answer to give us.This is a shallow memoir, devoid of the adult reflection that I was expecting.

Elizabeths' parents, in their book [b:Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope|48991|Bringing Elizabeth Home A Journey of Faith and Hope|Ed Smart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422970945s/48991.jpg|47928], give a slightly different version of her rescue including a fairly lengthy exchange (over 45 minutes) between the officers and Elizabeth (on the day of her rescue) where she refused to identify herself. She instead responded that her name was Augustine, identified Mitchell & Barzee as her parents, told them that she was 18 years old and even denied that she was Elizabeth Smart when the officers persisted by showing her a missing persons flyer with her picture on it. It was only when they pushed her further that she started crying and hinted indirectly that she may be who they say she was. Her mom Lois, rightly attributes this in the book Bringing Elizabeth Home to Elizabeth feeling confused, guilty, ashamed, conditioned by Mitchell to say all these things, not wanting to flee from her captors and so on - feelings that would not be uncommon for someone in her situation. Somehow, the recent book "My Story" seems to gloss over these details including any of the raw emotions she felt and her seemingly confused state of mind at the time of her rescue. She instead seems to portray herself as a strong person with a single-minded determination to escape all through her captivity. I just wonder if there have been other details that have been similarly skewed or glossed over in this book.
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This is the frightening story of the abduction and abuse of 14 year old Elizabeth told and narrated in her own words. Her courage and tenacity, faith and love for her God and family kept her sane and alive through 9 months of sexual and emotional abuse, starvation, isolation, as well as hard labor and horrible living conditions. Her rescue and return to her family is moving and joyous. ( )

Writing is not great but book speaks volumes about owning your own story ( )

A survivor, courageous and faithful young woman. She is living proof that miracles happen. ( )

In 2002, Elizabeth Smart was only 14-years old when she was kidnapped from her own bedroom(!!!) in Salt Lake City, Utah. A homeless man who considered himself a prophet kidnapped her and he and his wife held her for nine months before they were caught and she was reunited with her family. Elizabeth tells the story of what happened.

In addition to her own story of what happened over those nine months, Elizabeth tells some of how things were going back home with the search. In fact, for a good chunk of the time, she was kept very close to home, until it got too cold to live in their tent and all three moved to California.

The way the story was told seemed very “simple” to me, maybe to reflect (on purpose or otherwise!) how young she was at the time? There is also a bit or repetition. I certainly remember the story in the news, even here in Canada and always wondered about her. She seems to have come through very well adjusted (despite the daily rape!). She doesn’t go into detail on that. The 4-star rating may also have to do with my interest in the case, generally. ( )

More than ten years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City home, Elizabeth Smart, now 26, tells the story of what she encountered during the horrific months she spent in captivity and how she survived. Elizabeth's memoir does not dwell on the darkness she encountered, but rather focuses on how her faith and love for her family helped her survive and create a wonderful life for herself after her rescue. Elizabeth's story is very inspiring because she never gave up hope or lost her faith despite all the misery Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee put her through. This book is difficult to read at times, but it is also difficult to put down. I would recommend this title to anyone wanting to learn more about this courageous woman.

Laura W. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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There are really no words to describe how I feel about this book. Elizabeth is so strong and brave to have lived through such a horrific time, and then to relive it by sharing her story with the world. It is well written, and I applaud her for sharing.

I hate that this happened. I hate that this book was written. I am glad that her tormentors are in prison. I am glad that Elizabeth is strong and brave and happy. ( )

I made the mistake of reading other reviews before I did my own.
They make me angry. Nosey people expecting too much. There is no reason to pick the book apart because she didn't share in the exact details of her torture and rape. Good job humans.

She doesn't owe anyone anything. The fact that she even wrote a book for the public to read is a great leap and very brave. She doesn't need to tell us anything. Were all reading this book because were nosey, some are just more nosey then others I guess.

I see nothing wrong in her writing style. She's not a "professional" author. Never claimed to be, she can write however she wants. She was a kid when this happened, she's going to remember it like a kid.

I think the book was fine. It was written just fine. It's easy to read and understand. What she went through was horrible and I'm glad to know she lives a happy life now. And that's all people should be concerned about. Is that she's happy. ( )

I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Smart a few years ago for a local newspaper when she visited the area to give a few talks. I was amazed by her poise and demeanor when faced with ridiculous questions that frequently begin with "Why didn't you..." She was was an abducted, brutalized, terrorized teenager who focused on surviving. Her recovery from all that she endured is remarkable. After hearing her speak, I decided to pick up "My Story."

The book tells the story of Elizabeth's kidnapping, torture and eventual homecoming. I thought it did a good job of portraying the facts of the case and how Elizabeth managed to survive -- mainly through her belief in God, memories of her family and an internal reservoir of strength.

I didn't necessarily like the way the book was written... it really attempted to put an emphasis on her being a little girl (and I get why the book is written in the way it is, but it's a bit jarring.) The book also lacked that spark that Elizabeth possesses when she speaks (I've covered lots of guest speakers over the years and few of their speeches have really stuck with me like Elizabeth's did.) Overall, this book is a fine read if you want to know more about what happened to Elizabeth during her nine months of captivity. ( )

I remember when Elizabeth was taken. It was horrific at the time and horrific again to listen to Elizabeth read her book about what happened to her. What a strong individual Elizabeth has become and I'm so glad she is living her life with joy and happiness so she doesn't give anymore power to her captors. I know she says no one knows what she went through, that the fear can paralyze you but I still wonder why she didn't yell her name when the police officer confronted them at the library and was quiet when they were caught. I understand she didn't want to cause her family harm, but it's too bad she didn't have faith that the police would keep her safe. I do know because of listening to this book, I'm going to look a little closer at people as I walk by and see if they are sending signals with their eyes or body language. And I hope Elizabeth's story helps children who do happen to get taken to have strength to survive. ( )

Narrated by the author. Typically, when I see an audiobook is performed by the author, it doesn't bode well for my experience. Very few authors can get away with it. This is a pleasant surprise however. At first Smart starts out sounding too pert for this horrifying account. But as she gains her momentum her voice becomes a highly compelling part of the story. Her voice is strong and confident and the moments when she sarcastically refers to her captors or ironic situations are actually funny. She even changes her voice to portray her captors. When you hear her document abuses such as daily rapes and quote the awful words said to her, the miracle is not just that she survived the abuse, but that she had the inner fortitude to rise so very, very high above it. Astonishing and inspiring. ( )

Such a great and inspiring story! I highly recommend this. I listened to the audio which is narrated by Elizabeth Smart which made it even more powerful. ( )