Elizabeth Smart is brutally honest in this memoir of her time living with her captors in the mountains near her home. At times I felt that she was trying a little too hard to prove her own innocence in her lack of trying to escape, but I imagine by now she has had so many accusatory comments and barbs thrown at her that she felt she must make the statements she did.

Having read her parents account of her disappearance in the book Bringing Elizabeth Home, it was interesting to get Elizabeth’s perspective first hand, even though at times her account was uncomfortable. Elizabeth is an innocent child when she is first abducted, and her family holds religion dear to them. I was amazed at how loyal the whole family stayed in their faith, even in the midst of such tragedy and horror. This is a perfect read for anyone who wants a more intimate look at the life of Elizabeth, and her inspiring story.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Elizabeth is threatened with a knife when she is kidnapped; Elizabeth describes being bound to her captors by a cord to keep her from running away; the captors threaten to kill her family if she tries to escape; Elizabeth recounts being raped every day for much of her captivity, but gives as little detail as possible.

Sex/Nudity:  Elizabeth recounts being raped every day for much of her captivity, but gives as little detail as possible; she writes of being forced to remove her clothing; her male captor kisses her forcefully several times; sex between her male and female captor is mentioned twice, but not in detail.

Mature Subject Matter:

Abductions; homelessness; sexual abuse.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adults drink alcohol; a child is forced to drink alcohol, even though it is against her beliefs.