The Girl Next Door

"Definitely didn't know what I was getting myself into. It is dark and there Definitely needs to be a trigger warning. I liked the book. I do recommend but make sure you know what you're getting into before reading. "

"I'm so conflicted on how to rate and review this book. It deals with heavy topics, and it's very disturbing. However, it's haunting, and has a good overall message.<br/><br/>It's based on the story of Sylvia Likens, which I heard about for the first time on My Favorite Murder last year. I listen/watch/read a lot of true crime, and this was one that stuck with me. The Girl Next Door was a pretty good retelling. <br/><br/>Speaking as a reformed mean girl, this book is an excellent representation of the escalation of bullying, and how people feed off of one another's negative energy. This quote from the book is a perfect summary: "I began to learn that anger, hate, fear, and loneliness are all one button awaiting the touch of just a single finger to set them blazing toward destruction. And I learned that they can taste like winning." <br/><br/>This book may be seen as torture **** (think Hostel or Saw), but I think it does show that bullying ends badly, and that's a valuable lesson to learn. I also see it as a good example of how saying silent can be just as bad as the injustices committed by others. Stand up when you see something before it ends in tragedy."

"I am absolutely in love with The Secret History by Donna Tart. It’s a more artsy mythological take on crime and murder and it’s *chefs kiss*@ellaanderson "

"Took me a while to write this review… considering how hard it is to put to words whether someone should or should not read this book. This book definitely is a trigger to abuse, rape, feminism, underage behavior, etc. <br/><br/>The book is honestly greatly written in the most disgusting way. You feel gravitated to the main character but you also find times (as in opinion for me) that you also want to smack the literal f**k out of him. Like SPEAK UP. The main character is a hate-worthy monster/saint. It matters who you ask. <br/><br/>The other characters are disgusting. I absolutely hate all of them. Even Willie being like “nice”????? No that’s not nicety.<br/><br/>We HATE aunt Ruth. Like actually want that dumb ass dead. Like we HATE HATE HATE HER. If you disagree, you should be evaluated.<br/><br/><br/>Either way, I would recommend this book to everyone/no one. It’s just one of those books, like you come across it and want people to read it- but in the back of your mind it can’t feel far from true, and makes you ill. <br/><br/>** I watched the movie after- major TW. Movie actually puts the horrific acts into action. Do not watch if the book affected you."

"I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that made my blood boil as much as this one. Based on the horrible true story of Sylvia Likens, who was placed in the care of a truly sadistic woman alongside her sister, The Girl Next Door takes a look at what this crime might have been like through the eyes of a neighborhood boy, Davy. <br/><br/>As the cruelties escalated, I felt myself getting more and more frustrated, wanting someone (anyone!) to help this girl despite knowing that nobody would. Meg would get no help, because no one saved Sylvia. <br/><br/>The dichotomy between Davy wanting to participate in Meg’s torture and viewing her as an outlet for everyone’s sickest fantasies and then suddenly being ashamed and wanting to help Meg once she spoke and basically “became a person again” in Davy’s eyes made me so angry that I had to put the book down. I caught myself thinking that people couldn’t possibly be cruel enough to do the kinds of things that Ketchum was describing, but then I remembered. People can and are cruel enough to participate in every one of those despicable acts. It was done to Sylvia Likens by those who were supposed to protect her. <br/><br/>Ketchum does a great job of portraying just how quickly things can escalate from snide remarks to unimaginable abuse all while people who call themselves friends of the abused watch and then begin to participate in said abuse. He shows just how cruel even children can be, when spurred on by their peers and the “cool” parent. I definitely left this story with a bad taste in my mouth and a decidedly reduced faith in humanity."

"This book is sadly based on a true story "

"Disturbing on so many levels. Definitely got a reaction out of me and that’s what I look for in a book. Will definitely look at his other books. "

"This book was pretty dang good. I finished it in three days which makes perfect sense because it kept me on my toes! The book has parallel storylines between Emma and the mysterious "Him". The first half of the book was a bit confusing. I couldn't figure out how the two were linked which I'm sure was the point but I didn't like the set up. It wasn't until maybe 3/4 of the way through that "Him" made more sense. Regardless it was still a good story with an interesting ending."

"This book is PAINFUL to read. If you have experienced abuse firsthand, then it is horribly trying to get through. <br/><br/>That being said, it's a well-written book. I've been a horror-reader my whole life and this is probably the most horrific thing I've ever read because it's so REAL.<br/>"

"Interesting. On the one hand I liked the style and the story was compelling. On the other hand, the content was borderline disturbing when my brain reminded me that this was based on a true story. It's sad and confusing and upsetting and frustrating, but really well done. If you have a strong stomach for torture (especially involving teenagers/adolescents) then it's a pretty good read, otherwise I'd steer clear. Not normally my choice of reading but Amazon suggested it, so I figured why not."