Discuss ... :D

M.

I couldn't put this book down!  I don't think I would have liked to have read it had I known the subject matter, somehow, it is always a topic about which I tend not to want to read!  I felt whilst reading this book that I was 'snooping' into Confidential Medical Records, I also felt that the teacher i.e. Tory Hayden was very slow to act on her suspicions leaving a child in danger.  Maybe it is different in the 'States' but I am not sure that a teacher in this country would have put themselves in the vulnerable postion of being with such a disturbed little girl after school hours, on a one to one basis, in such a secluded environment viz. locked in the store room!  The final pages left me of the opinion that Jadie had been embroiled in the pornographic film industry and that some of the events she related to the teacher were not actual events but actors taking part in the film, and as it is a true story, I think that the child should have been made aware of this and not just left to think it had all actually happened!  Does anyone agree or disagree with me?

edited

Yes, I had many of the same thoughts as you, although as the parents seemed fairly innocent (as in naive), I was more inclined towards the ritual side than the pornographic industry - felt that was something that people could be sucked into a bit easier, IYSWIM.

I also felt it wasn't an entirely appropriate book to have written, and don't think I'd read her other books particularly on that basis. I definitly don't think a teacher in the UK would dare put themselves in that position, although perhaps if I was more aware of anyone working with disabled/disadvantaged children I might have a different view on it.

I found it very interesting but, from a selfish point of view, very unsatisfying with the lack of answers at the end.

M.

Yes, I don't think I will read any more of her books either.  I felt somehow that she was 'breaking a confidence' and it left me feeling uncomfortable for that reason.  I do think though, that it was a good Book Club choice as I feel that the whole point of book clubs is that we get to read books which we wouldn't necessarily choose ourselves.  What are we reading next month?

I agree entirely that the point is to read books that 'stretch' us a bit - whether that's with knowledge of different countries, traditions, difficult subjects etc.

We had a couple of suggestions on the thread earlier this week, but we don't seem to be getting much feedback.
http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=703065;hl=;hlm=uid#pid703065

M.

I read 'One Child' and vowed never to read another Torey Hayden book again, feeling very much the same way as you Oldilocks.  I felt that the children she writes her book about aren't all able to give their informed consent for her to write their tragis stories in this 'novelised' way.

I kind of feel like the rest of you.

I found the book gripping but only because I was anxious to get to the end to find the 'answers' so was disappointed when I reached the end and there weren't any.

I certainly won't be rushing out to buy any more of her books.

This was my first book club book and I read it in two days.  I couldn't put it down.  Like the rest of you I was gripped because I wanted the asnwers.  I found it difficult to think of the story as a real life occurence because of the way Tory Haden had written it and I had to keep reminding myself that it had actually happened.  I was appalled that she had taken so long to act upon the knowledge she'd gained from the child. 

I also found it very disturbing that she'd written about another persons personal story.  All that said I must admit that it had me gripped, even to the point of doing the ironing with one hand and reading with the other

So...what are we reading next month then?  :)

I'd read several Torey Hayden books years ago and had recently bought more including some I'd read previously. I remember really enjoying them but on rereading one I didn't like it, can't say why

Found Ghost Girl quite compulsive but felt that nothing was resolved at the end felt a bit let down as I like things resolved but life isn't like that. I think I agree that it was a bit voyeuristic

I have just finished Ghost Girl and like others I couldn't put it down. I wasn't going to read it as I feel I have over done the abuse books (Hayden, Peltzer etc...). Too sad - no real resolution. :(

Im glad people enjoyed my first contribution to the book club! I hadn't read it when I suggested it so I was pleasantly surprised also and couldnt wait to get to the end but I must admit that I felt an anti-climax once I reached the end because there were no answers. I have bought Torey Hayden's other books (Tiger's eyes (I think) and One child) because like I said I found it really gripping.

At the end Hayden comments on what the girl is up to nowadays so I wonder if she does get permission from these children before she starts on exposing their stories???

This seems to be the next choice:

Stuart - a Life Backwards by Alexander Masters

Have ordered my copy from Amazon :D

As i have been away i missed the discussion, but agree with the majority i couldn't out the book down as i wanted to find out answers, but found it a little shocking to say the least, and also the ending i felt there was a lot left unanswered. Again it's not a book i would have chosen but i found it very interesting. Sorry it's a bit late!!

I had read this book before you chose it for the book club.

I also couldn't put it down, but was left in a dunno what you'd call it, anti climax?? as there was no conclusion to the book. However I have also read One child and Tigers child and I found them again um-put downers too and enjoyed them far more.

If you go to her website she gives an update on how these kids are now, and they are all grown up women that agreed for her to write the books. Also you have to remember this happened in the 70's I think, when teachers reacted completly differently to hearing of child abuse than they do now-a-days.

And I found it slow in the sense that it seemed to take forever for Jadie to open up properly to her, I suppose it shows how hard it is for a child to learn to be completly trusting of an adult, it doesn't happen in a week or a month.

That's an excellent point which hadn't registered with me, Ioxia - there WOULD have been a totally different attitude to the situation in the 70s, that does make more sense now.

M.

Is the next book stuart a life backwards?? i have bought that one but am finding it hard to get into.

Which website is it? as when you torey hayden it brings up a few, i would be interested what the adults had to say about the book.

OK, brace yourself - my first contribution :D :D

I didn't enjoy this book. I found it lengthy (almost to justify the story being turned into a book!), sensationalist and really quite nasty. It was an anti-climax at the end and really, the whole story seemed rather pointless. It was also frustating in the length of time it took for her to get Social Services involved and was a difficult read as a result of that.

I also think it was exploitative of the girls story and there were things written in it I would rather not have read. I think it should carry a bit of a warning at the beginning!

Next!

>I think it should carry a bit of a warning at the beginning!

Along the lines of Warning! This book drags on a bit and may cause extreme disappointment :D :D