The Girl Next Door
A teenage girl is held captive and brutally tortured by neighborhood children. Based on a true story, this shocking novel reveals the depravity of which we are all capable.
This novel contains graphic content and is recommended for regular readers of horror novels.
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Community Reviews
A tragedy for sure...
But it's meant to mess with your brain. You're supposed to feel sorry for the main character. It's meant for you to forget what happened to this poor girl. People forget this was based on a true story. There was not a single one of the tormentors that felt bad throughout the Sylvia Likens case.
In this take, we are made to believe that someone (David) was a victim as well. That is so far-fetched from the truth. It does not bring anything to this case. The description of "Meg's" body when she is stripped of her dignity and the strong description of her abuse. We, as readers, are forced to feel sorry for Sylvia's abusers. Read into this case, and I guarantee you will not feel what you did coming out of this poor excuse of a novel.
I gave it a four star because any other way Sylvia's case would be buried deep down, and her piece of shit tormentors would be victimized.
I regret purchasing this novel. This was nothing but a monopoly on a put child's real-life horrific events.
But it's meant to mess with your brain. You're supposed to feel sorry for the main character. It's meant for you to forget what happened to this poor girl. People forget this was based on a true story. There was not a single one of the tormentors that felt bad throughout the Sylvia Likens case.
In this take, we are made to believe that someone (David) was a victim as well. That is so far-fetched from the truth. It does not bring anything to this case. The description of "Meg's" body when she is stripped of her dignity and the strong description of her abuse. We, as readers, are forced to feel sorry for Sylvia's abusers. Read into this case, and I guarantee you will not feel what you did coming out of this poor excuse of a novel.
I gave it a four star because any other way Sylvia's case would be buried deep down, and her piece of shit tormentors would be victimized.
I regret purchasing this novel. This was nothing but a monopoly on a put child's real-life horrific events.
God, this book is disturbing on a whole new level. I'm giving it 4 stars because it's well written and definitely draws you in, but before diving in I would recommend reading some trigger warnings.
will re-read to see if my thoughts have changed but i remember the most disturbing elements of this book were not earned and just there to shock
Honestly this was a hard one to rate. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this, it’s not really a book you enjoy, but it was well written and truly disturbing. Especially if you’re familiar with the true crime case this book is based on, the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens.
From the perspective of one of the teen bystanders who is not necessarily completely innocent, the reader has an interesting perspective as the narrator explains why and how he was able to standby without intervening when such horrific things were being done.
This is not for the faint of heart, or for anyone that’s looking for a happy ending. The Girl Next Door is very bleak, and exposes the horrors that are present in our neighborhoods which should be safe. Definitely recommend this to horror fans or those interested in true crime, not for your everyday best seller reader!
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