Bibliographic
Information
Living Dead Girl by
Elizabeth Scott. Simon Pulse. (2008).
Price: $17.99 in hardback
Pages: 170 in hardback
Plot Summary
Fifteen-year-old Alice has lived with Ray for five years.
Kidnapped at the age of ten she is forced not only to wait on Ray hand and foot
but must allow herself to be constantly raped by him. Existing on yogurt and
water Alice suffers from malnutrition as Ray does not want her to be over 100
pounds never mind that she is 5’7”. She knows that her days are numbered as Ray
desires young girls not teenagers. Additionally, Ray constantly reminds her
that he killed the last girl he kidnapped when she turned fifteen. Now Alice
must find a way to escape Ray or face her inevitable death. Things become more
complicated when Ray decides that he would like to start a family with Alice by
having Alice kidnap a little girl. What will Alice decide to do? Will kidnapping
the girl allow her a measure of freedom or will it just herald her demise?
Critical
Evaluation
One has only to read the dust jacket to know that this
book is going to be heart-wrenching, disturbing, and sickening. I must confess that
I skimmed it because I couldn’t handle reading about Ray’s treatment of Alice
over and over again. While this may be a great book for survivors of kidnapping
to read it definitely will leave most readers feeling hollow, empty, and sick
inside. Surveying other readers’ reviews I noticed that several felt that the novel
served no purpose as there is little hope of recovery for Alice. This can be
seen throughout the novel as Alice continues to believe that she was a stupid,
bad little girl. She also starts to exhibit some of Ray’s abusive traits such
as taking pleasure in hurting Lucy’s feelings or having sexual power over Jake.
However, these situations do serve to show that horrific abuse can be cyclical.
During the course of the novel readers learn that Ray was sexually and
physically abused by his mother which is what led him to murder her and kidnap
little girls. In turn, Alice begins to develop Ray’s sadistic, abusive traits
as he has broken her spirit and left her with few happy memories of her former
self.
I cannot agree with those who believe this novel does not
serve a purpose. In an interview with blogger Becky, author Elizabeth Scott states
that part of the reason why she wrote Living
Dead Girl was to remind readers that people often overlook those in need
simply because they don’t want to deal with anything that makes them feel
uncomfortable. “Alice could have been saved,” Scott points out, “but no one
ever saw her. Or rather, no one ever let themselves see her”. Living Dead Girl serves as a powerful
reminder that there are children out there who are suffering abuse so horrific
that most cannot comprehend it. Isn’t it our responsibility to at least keep
our eyes open and try to spot those in need of help? While I did not enjoy this
novel (who could?) it did help me finally realize that I need to make changes
in my own life so that I can help those who are in need.
Elizabeth Scott quotation is from the following interview
Reader’s
Annotation
Fifteen-year-old Alice knows her days are numbered as her
captor Ray killed the last girl he kidnapped and abused when she turned
fifteen. Now Alice must find a way to escape his clutches once and for all.
About the
Author
Elizabeth Scott has had a number of jobs before becoming
an author including editor, office manager, and hardware saleswoman. Author of
eleven young adult books she is currently working on Heatbeat which is set to be published in September 2013.
To learn more about Elizabeth Scott visit her website here
Genre
Horror?, Realistic fiction
Readalikes
Such a Pretty Girl by
Laura Weiss
·
Also about rape as well as incest
Stolen by Lucy
Christopher
·
Also involves kidnapping, winner of the Printz
Honor
Identical by
Ellen Hopkins
·
Also about sexual abuse, more specifically
incest
Tags
15 yr. old, child rape, culture of silence, horrific, kidnapping,
rape, torture, victim blaming
Awards
Won/Lists On
2008—ABC Best Books for Children: Teen Selection
2008—ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2008—BCCB Blue Ribbon Award Winner
2008—VOYA Editor’s Choice for Teens
2009—Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
Nominee
2009—Amelia Bloomer Project Young Adult Fiction Pick
2009—YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
2009—YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
2010—International Reading Association Young Adults’
Choices Pick
2010—YALSA Amazing Audiobook
2010—YALSA Popular Paperback
2011—Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Gold Star Award for Excellence at Teensreadtoo.com
Professional
Reviews
The Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books
Booklist
(starred review)
KLIATT
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
School Library Journal
VOYA
Booktalk Ideas
Alice’s Backstory
·
Kidnapped when 10 on field trip (chapter 7)
·
Tried to escape
·
Allowed to leave for waxing, laundry
·
Now must find a way to escape
Culture of Silence
·
No one does anything (chapter 7)
·
Hope (93)
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
This could be useful for rape survivors or for those who
were kidnapped or abused as children. However, it could also be very
triggering.
Reading
Level/Interest Level
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
Attempted murder (drowning)
·
Blowjobs
·
Child rape
·
Culture of silence
·
Drug usage
·
Kidnapping
·
Murder
·
Physically abusive parent
·
Sexually abusive parent
·
Threats of violence
·
Torture
·
Victim shaming
Librarians can point out that while this is a difficult
book to read it can help readers consider how each of us participates in a
culture of silence and victim blaming and what we can do to help victims of
abuse and violence.
Why Was This
Included?
I included this because it is required. I can see how
some teens would be fascinated by this topic and I do understand the value of
this novel but honestly I hope I never have to read a book like this again.
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