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My Story cover art

My Story

Written by: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart
Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
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Publisher's Summary

For the first time, 10 years after her abduction from her Salt Lake City bedroom, Elizabeth Smart reveals how she survived and the secret to forging a new life in the wake of a brutal crime.

On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.

Now for the first time, in her memoir, My Story, she tells of the constant fear she endured every hour, her courageous determination to maintain hope, and how she devised a plan to manipulate her captors and convinced them to return to Utah, where she was rescued minutes after arriving. Smart explains how her faith helped her stay sane in the midst of a nightmare and how she found the strength to confront her captors at their trial and see that justice was served.

In the nine years after her rescue, Smart transformed from victim to advocate, traveling the country and working to educate, inspire and foster change. She has created a foundation to help prevent crimes against children and is a frequent public speaker. In 2012, she married Matthew Gilmour, whom she met doing mission work in Paris for her church, in a fairy tale wedding that made the cover of People magazine.

©2013 Elizabeth Smart (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

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Riveting and Honest!

An unbelievably honest portrayal of her 9 months of horror, at the hands of pure evil.
What a strong woman, with so much to teach us all about our reactions to life experiences.

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Detailed and sad

It's a sad story and Elizabeth details all of it. She is extremely brave and I hope this writing was cathartic for her.
Elizabeth was able to tell a terrible story with occasional humor thrown in the mix which balanced the horror of her story.
However, there were some areas that showed a very judgemental side. When they were in California, walking around on Thanksgiving, she commented that "there seemed to be a lot of homeless people walking around. Or maybe Mitchell just attracted people like him." There is a huge difference between someone who is down and out or struggling with mental illness and a kidnapping pedophile POS.
At a party, a boy, aged 19, with blue hair and piercings said she had "beautiful eyes." Elizabeth is clad in a robe with a veil covering her head to toe. This party goer cannot tell her age but she says "did he even know I was 14? Judging from the looks of him, I would say it wouldn't have made a difference."
As we know, Elizabeth is a mormon. Throughout the book she repeats that god didn't get her kidnapped and god would never allow a child to go through this, but god WAS going to get her home. The magic glass of water was humorous but not in the way she intended.
Overall, it was a read I enjoyed because she doesn't lack details. I'm always left wanting more details with most true story books and this is where she doesn't disappoint. She is a very good narrator too.

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repetitive

though my heart goes out to her and her family for the horrors they survived.... the story was long and repetitive.
I found myself skipping through the chapters about half way through.

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Strongest woman

Love her strength, and courage. Just enough details to get the idea, without being too graphic.

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This really moved me

I was hesitant to read this book because I thought it would be horrific. The story is one we all know as well as the ending. What impressed me was Elizabeth's resilience, if she can cope with what happened to her and thrive in her life now that left me both impressed and inspired which is not what I expected reading this book. She is very forthcoming about everything but keeps some details private which was a good decision. Bless you Elizabeth.

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Simply inspiring

I remember Elizabeth Smart's abduction when it happened, as well as the startling revelations when she was rescued, that she had spent time on the streets in her home town, behind a veil, controlled by her captors. Elizabeth tells the story of her kidnapping, her captivity and rescue with courage and unapologetic honesty. Its a compelling story, made especially meaningful by the telling in her own voice. How one moves on after such incredible trauma is fascinating to me. I am endlessly curious about why some crumble and stay in the grips of their trauma, while others ultimately emerge strong, resolute and determined to embrace their second chance at life. The latter certainly describes Elizabeth, and she tells it well.

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never heard anything like it

what a crazy experience. very well read and written. I was completely enveloped the whole time

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