Author: Lucy Christopher
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: May 4, 2009
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Review:
I don’t know what it is about books written in letter form
but I love them! Actually, I take that back. I do know why I love them. Reading
them feels like you’re spying on someone else’s life. And honestly, I’m kind of
a nosey person; so I like the opportunity to be a bit of a snoop without
actually digging in to someone’s personal letters.
In books written in letter form I also feel a strong
connection to the narrator, the person writing the letter. Gemma is the
narrator of Stolen. She is kidnapped from a Bangkok airport and taken to a remote house
in the Australian desert. This novel is her letter to her captor, Ty. The
majority of the letter is Gemma’s conflicting feelings about Ty. At first she
hates him. He stole her from her family and forced her to live in a completely
new and dangerous place. I love that Gemma was feisty and constantly looking
for a way to escape. It was also interesting to see how her opinion of Ty
changes as she gets to know him.
The thing that stood out to me the most in Stolen was the
vivid descriptions of the Australian desert. Christopher has a way with words
because as I was reading I could feel the sun beating down on me. I read this
book in December, in South Dakota .
It was impressive that she could transport me so fully to this place.
I also love the way the story dealt with Stockholm Syndrome.
It doesn’t happen all at once. It was a very gradual softening toward Ty, that
lad to sympathy. Ty was a sympathetic character even though he shouldn’t have
been. He stole Gemma and yet even at
the end of the story you can’t help but feel sorry for the guy.
Stolen is a wonderful book. The plot is engrossing, and
heartbreaking. It leaves you feeling confused on your own feelings about Ty and
the entire situation. It also gave me a new understanding of Stockholm
Syndrome. Stolen is my first Lucy Christopher novel but it will definitely not
be my last!
I loved this book too! The descriptions were amazing, and even though I hate the desert, I definitely fell in love with the Australian desert. I actually read this when it first came out, and reading this review, I think I may need to read it again. Great review Emily :)
ReplyDeleteWe are considering this book for our book club. Good to see that you love d it.
ReplyDeleteThis one's definitely on my list. And just so you don't feel like you're alone in being nosy - I've been obsessed with letters and journals for as long as I can remember. I definitely have a voyeuristic nature. I don't look in people's medicine cabinets or anything, but if I'm honest, I do *want* to!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too! The descriptions were so vivid. And the exploration of Stockholm Syndrome was really interesting. I'd never read a book about it before, and I was really excited to finally be exposed to the love affair with one's kidnapper.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Killing Woods also my Lucy Christopher and I have to admit that the descriptions are amazing, but it's kind of slow xD Just thought I'd put that in here!
T
YA Book Queens (:
I love this cover and it has been on my list for awhile. Thanks for the review! I'm def going to have to read this one! New follower via bloglovin
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so interesting and different from anything I usually read. I usually read dystopian and paranormal and fantasy and if I read contemporary, it's usually the light and fluffy contemporary. Your review makes me want to pick this one up, though! ~Pam
ReplyDelete