Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Stolen



Lucy Christopher's Stolen recounts (in the form of a letter to her captor) the abduction of 16 year old Gemma, held captive in the Australian outback by a man who, it transpires, knows everything about her.

Although utterly creepy and deeply disturbing, this book is more than a simple thriller, providing glimpses of calm and beauty pocketed inside the tension. Christopher cleverly parallels her description of the desert with Gemma’s (and the reader’s) perception of her captor, which is gradually revealed as complex and conflicting; not only the dangerous, stark place we initially picture but also a place of safety, comfort and splendour.

This book will leave you confused, but in a good way; confused about what you should be thinking and feeling, exactly as Gemma is. And like Gemma, you may find the desert and everything that she’s been through, stays with you long after the letter is sealed and the book closed.

Stolen is a fantastically gripping read, dealing sensitively with motive and perception, against a stunning, affecting backdrop: Read it now!

4 comments:

Jake Tupman said...

An excellent review. I thoroughly concur.

The book acts as an ode to the harsh yet stunning Australian outback, whilst also a thilling and heartbreaking story of someone taken against her will, who finds a glimmer of resonance with the world she is pushed into.

I'm glad you enjoyed it Sarah because I did too. A riveting read.

prophecygirl said...

Great review. I LOVED this book! I agree about the confusion - I've just resigned myself to both like and hate Ty. It's the only way!

Sarah Benwell said...

prophecygirl It is definitely the only way :D

Snowbrush said...

"utterly creepy and deeply disturbing"

Whoa, sounds great!

I noted that you list one of your interests as atheism, but I also noted that you listed your sun sign as Leo. I've seen this before, but I've never understood. I mean, are there really atheists who believe in astrology?