What a horrifically engaging suspense novel, yet tragically it is based loosely on the fact of an incredible child abuse case from the 60s. This is the third book by the author that I have read and be warned that you must have a strong stomache to read the graphic prose that depict such suffering. It’s s true testament to Jack Ketchum that he is able to construct a terrifying novel with such amazing facets of human emotion making his books truly engrossing. The Girl Next Door was at times sad, disgusting, perplexing, and thought provoking. I suggest it highly to those of you who enjoy true crime even though it is fiction based closely on fact.
Mr. Ketchums focus for this story is David, a 12-year-old who is the witness of an entire neighborhoods violation and dehumanization of Meg. Ketchum puts his story in a 1950s context where although the crime is no less outrageous the naivite of this period in America gives a contrast that shocks the reader into wondering how such heartless child abuse could happen with half the neighborhood participating or knowing about it. It is a wakeup call in many ways that these blatant horros could be happening right around the corner from your house or mine this very instant.
Sylvia Likens is the real life 16-year-old that was tortured and ultimately murdered by the woman who was suppose to be caring for her. It’s a heartbreaking case that is featured in the Crime Library. When her body was found she had over 100 cigarette burns and multiple bruises from months of torture by one adult woman and various children who lived in the area (some as young as 11). The sick brutality that happened in this case makes me wonder at human nature and I’m reminded of my visit to the London Dungeon which contains numerous instruments of torture from the middle ages. It’s depressing to find that people are still hurting eachother, let alone children in this fashion. However, I will remain unpolitical at this time and not make mention of the many violations of the Geneva Convention that have occurred in recent times.
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4 comments:
You gotta love a book by the writer Stephen King would be if he had a little less restraint. TGND is the second Ketchum book I've read, and what turned me on to Ketchum (aside from a mutual friend of ours) was the quote on the book that said, roughly, "Jack Ketchum is who I read when I want to be scared!" - Stephen King!
I LIVE HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT THE SYLVIA LYKINS MURDER BY MY MOTHER BEFORE AND I WENT TO THE LIBRARY AND STARTED LOOKING FOR INFO ON HER AND AM CURRENTLY READING A BOOK CALLED "THE BASEMENT" BY KATE MILLETT AND I WISH THAT PEOPLE WOULD REALIZE THIS WASENT A ONE TIME INCIDENT THIS HAPPENS ALL TO OFTEN.YESTERDAY MARKED THE 40 YEAR ANNIVARSARY OF SYLVIA'S DEATH AND ITS SO SAD LIVING RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM WHERE THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE. I HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL READ HER STORY AND TAKE A STAND IF THEY KNOW OF A CHILD BEING ABUSED OR MISTREATED,ITS SUCH A COMMON THING IN OUR SOCIETY TO SEE PEOPLE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WITH THEIR KIDS WOLLERING IN THE BACKSEAT "NO CARSEAT" OR TO SEE SOMEONE SNATCH THEIR KID UP IN FRONT OF ANY BODY. FOR GOD'S SAKES WE NEED TO DEFEND OUR CHILDREN FROM MONSTERS LIKE GERTRUDE BASWENSKI,AND THEY ARE ROMING AROUND EVERYDAY AND EVERY WAY. SO PLEASE REPORT CHILD ABUSE DONT BE AFRAID,YOU COULD NEVER BE AFRAID AS THAT KID WHO IS GETTIN BEAT TONIGHT!!!
LAURA
i belive and also think that anybody who has f***ing common sense would not do this to anybody ,like how is is possible for somebody to do something so horrorfing as this to a person ,and listen up all you crazy psycho paths,are going to hell
i belive that anybody who has the guts to do this to any person is fucking crazy and that 2o yrs isnt enough for that bitch who did this to a innocent who didnt have anybody to defend her. and all those kids who cooperated in torturing are rotting in hell.
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