Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl. Simon Pulse, 2008. 176 pages. ISBN-10: 1416960597. ISBN-13: 978-1416960591.Plot:
When the narrator was 10, a man named Ray kidnapped her, sexually assaulted her, and then took her home with him. He told her that she would now be known as “Alice,” that she was replacing his previous Alice, and that he would kill her family if she ever left him. Five years later, the now 15-year-old Alice has reached the age where Ray tired of her predecessor and killed her. The current Alice knows that she is living on borrowed time. She doesn’t fear her imminent death, however. After 5 years of sexual and physical abuse and starvation designed to maintain her childish appearance, she welcomes an end to her suffering.
When Ray asks Alice to help him find her replacement, she complies, knowing that it will hasten her demise. The years of abuse have numbed her emotions to the point that she gives very little thought to the fate of her replacement but instead looks forward to her own escape. It’s only when a series of complications arise that Alice begins to consider the girl she once was and wonder if there is any of her left inside.
Critical Evaluation:
In this chilling account of an abused kidnapping victim, Scott answers the question so often asked of victims: Why didn’t you run? She opens the story with two opposing views, allowing the reader to see both the publicly presented view of Alice’s life and the actuality of her situation. Though the book is primarily written in first-person, using second-person in the opening of the story sets the tone by grouping the reader in with the rest of the world in refusing to see what is really happening to Alice. By doing so, she emphasizes exactly how hopeless Alice’s situation is.
Scott writes Alice as a numb and detached narrator, really lending credence to her portrayal of an incredibly emotionally scarred child. Her almost unemotional treatment of such appalling events serves to heighten the horror the reader feels as the story unfolds. She manages to keep Alice from being a completely static character, however, and at times even presents her as a monster, herself. Living Dead Girl is a book that the reader will simultaneously want to stop reading and yet be unable to do so.
Reader's Annotation:
Five years ago, Alice had a home, friends, parents, and a different name. Now all she has is the hope that her abusive kidnapper will finally end her nightmare by killing her, but she doesn’t realize that he has worse fate planned for her.
Author Information:
Elizabeth Scott was born in 1972 in a small town in Virginia. Her parents were both school teachers and her town was small enough that she often ended up in classes taught by one or the other. She attended college and graduated with a major in European studies. Prior to becoming an author, she held several jobs including editor, office manager, and salesman. She now lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, whom she met in college.
She has published eight books for young adults. Though many of her books are what would be considered romance, she does often include serious subject matter and several of her novels cover dark subjects. Young adult novels hold a special place in her heart and she has stated that doesn’t see herself ever writing anything else.
Genre:
Realistic Fiction: Abuse
Curriculum Ties:
Psychology: Victim Mentality, Reactions to Abuse, Emotional Deterioration
English: Narrative Structure
Booktalking Ideas:
- Focus on Alice’s claim that no one notices or cares what’s really going on.
- Discuss the implications of Alice gladly helping Ray look for her replacement.
Reading Level/Interest Age
16 and older
Challenge Issues:
Sexual abuse
Violence
Kidnapping
Challenge Defense Ideas:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
My younger sister recommended it. I was intrigued by the premise and insight into victim mentality.
