This was such a compelling story, made even more so that it is based on a real life story. As someone who was also a naiive 11 year-old I could see myself in the same situation as Sally.

I became very invested in the story of Sally (Florence), her family as they discover something wrong and the many people who try and help her across the country. I found the story written really well in both the perspectives of Sally and as well as everyone else around her. I felt myself drawn into this story and it was a real page turner.

This is a remarkable story. It is fiction based on true events. Girls of a certain age, 11, are full of secrets and wishes and imaginings. They can also be a bit of a mean girl. Only letting certain ones in their click. Making fun, giggling, whispering, snickering. At times these girls have so much power, without even being aware. Sally wants so much to be a part of this group, BFF's. So she's encouraged to join, all she has to do is steal something from Woolworths. She wants so much to belong that she hides a composition notebook under her sweater and heads for the door. She can see the girls giggling. As she almost reaches the door, she is stopped by a hand grabbing her arm. She is an innocent 11 year old. Naive, sheltered. When he claims to be FBI she believes him. When he says she has to go before a judge, she believes him. When he lies to her mother and says he's taking her to meet he friend for vacation, her mother believes him. So starts two years of the most horrific ordeal of this child's life. Through all of this she manages to keep her sense of wonder, and maybe, just a little bit of her innocence. This story broke my heart and made me cry. It's worth it. Incredible!!!

This book is heartbreaking and will stick with you. Every aspect of this story hurts. A great read, but you need to prepare yourself.

Dark and well written. After googling photos, the author did a great job of describing Frank. Heartbreaking story I never heard of.

This was an interesting novelization of a true crime event. As a mother I was horrified of what happened to Sally. And her young death, so shortly after being reunited with her family felt so unfair.

The saddest part was how helpless all of the female characters in this novel were ultimately. None of them felt confident in taking a stand. The only bold female was really that failed abduction near the final 3rd of the book. She spoke out, understanding this was wrong.
My greatest hope is my own children never have to encounter a similar situation and if they do, they will know wrong from right and speak out.

In this story based loosely on real events that influenced Nabokov' s Lolita, T. Greenwood creates a sense of foreboding that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I don't usually read books about raped children, but this drew me in. The various mother figures Sally encounters, although imagined, are well conceived and offer what Sally' s mother cannot. It is easy to see how a young girl could be scared and naive when you read this. Disturbing in content but we'll-written.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

I would rate this a solid 4.5 stars. Definitely not for the faint of heart due to the descriptions of Sally's abduction, this was an excellent read. Sally is a sweet and naive child, which is completely realistic when you consider she's only 11 and the story is set in the late 1940s. I loved this story, not for the plot, but for the characterization. Greenwood does a wonderful job of moving through several narrators and giving their perspective on Sally's abduction. The characters are realistic and sympathetic, and I spent a great deal of the book hoping that this was the point where Sally would be saved. Based on a true story, I highly recommend reading the Hazlitt article that inspired the book (but wait until you finish "Rust and Stardust" because the article will spoil the book). By the end of the book, I'd gone from hope to fear to sadness and everything in between. For those unsure about reading about Sally's abduction, the author does an excellent job of letting you know what's happened to her without going into horrible detail. While the thought of what she experienced is incredibly difficult, the author does not exploit it.

Literary crime fiction at its finest. While the content may be difficult for some to stomach, the writing is just lovely. Highly recommended for all general collections.

Such a ball of emotions after closing this book. The alternating perspectives help immerse you in the "what next" anticipation that rises page after page..

What a heartrending book this must have been to write! This grim story was based on a real-life, 70-year-old kidnapping case. Sally Horner was taken from Camden, NJ in 1948 by a convicted rapist and held for two years.

This is a fictionalized account of the case, and the waters are further muddied by the reference to Lolita, another novel apparently inspired by this girl's kidnapping (Nabokov made a reference to Sally Horner in his famous book.) The title of this novel is also taken from a Nabokov quote.

The writing is strong and skillful. My only frustration was with the pacing. It seemed the author felt compelled to include all the known details of Horner's cross-country odyssey. It should have intensified the dread, but I found myself bored at several junctures.

A tiny, trivial nitpick: Sally considered shoplifting a Matchbox car on that fateful day in 1948 -- but Matchbox cars were first put on the market in England in 1953, and didn't make it to the States for several more years.

Aside from that, the authentic period feel permeated the book. Another thing I appreciated is that, while T. Greenwood had to focus on the monstrous kidnapper, she portrayed other male characters as gentle, principled and protective.

While Rust and Stardust is neither true crime nor historical fiction, it should appeal to readers of both genres. (I received an advance reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I was excited to have the opportunity to obtain an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book through NetGalley.

RUST & STARDUST is the fictionalized account of the abduction and subsequent abuse of 11 year old Sally Horner by pedophile Frank LaSalle, their journey from New Jersey to California, and the aftermath. Sally Horner’s story helped inspire Vladimir Nabokov’s classic novel LOLITA. Unlike Nabokov’s tale, told in Humbert Humbert’s point of view, RUST & STARDUST does not include LaSalle’s point of view, nor does it pick apart his motivations and machinations. Instead the story highlights Sally’s struggles through her eyes. Also included are the points of view of members of Sally’s family and people (both real and those created from the author’s imagination), who affected and were affected by Sally. Many of whom suspected Sally was in trouble, but could not or would not help the child.

Greenwood doesn’t shy away from the abuse in this sad story, but she doesn’t highlight every gory imagined detail. In the afterward, the author discusses her fascination with Sally and the people the girl left behind. Regret is a primary theme in RUST & STARDUST, but so is hope, infusing the story with a heartbreaking sense of humanity.

4.5 stars
Sally is 11 years old and steals a notebook to be accepted into a group of girls. However, a man catches her, tells her he is with the FBI, and convinces her to go off with him for a supposed court hearing. The story follows Sally on this journey with the man who turns out to be an ex-convict. We watch Sally's family come to different realizations and feelings as various clues or ideas pop up. We realize the tribulations that Sally goes through as the man's true colors start to appear. And we feel lots of emotions as the story evolves. I found myself not wanting to put the book down until I knew how it ended.

4.5 stars. The only thing keeping me from a 5-star review is that I think that true crime stories always have to contain some element of fictionalization. A lot of the characters, by the author's admission, were fictionalized. The true story by itself is riveting. If you think in terms of life in 1948, it would have been somewhat easy to go under the radar and disappear. That being said, I don't think the police were as astute as they could have been in finding Sally. The ending was sad but true so the book ended on a low note. If you enjoy true crime novels, this is one you'll enjoy.

Sally Horner's story breaks my heart.
I realize that the kidnapping of Sally Horner by Frank LaSalle occurred in the late 1940s, but I cannot believe how long he was able to elude capture and how many times he was almost discovered. Without the internet, news and information do not travel as quickly or widely. While technology could have been used to find Sally sooner in today's world; unfortunately, that same technology can be used by the criminal minded like Frank LaSalle to lure and tempt innocent children like Sally and the other girls he preyed upon.
Sally grows from a fearful, doubting 11 year old to a tortured but courageous 13 year old who finally tells the truth to Ruth, whom she trusts and who helps her escape the abuse of Frank LaSalle.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the early release copy.

I hesitated to read this book because of the subject matter but I'm glad that I did. Eleven year old Sally Horner steals a notebook and is convinced by a former convict, Frank, that he is an FBI agent and he's her only way to stay out of prison. For the next two years, Frank mentally, physically, sexually, and emotionally assaults Sally while they hide from those who are looking for her. This story is actually based on what happened to a real life Sally Horner and the story is heartbreaking.

The chapters are told from the point of view of a variety of people and I liked that feature. It helped to know how many people really cared about Sally, while Sally was thinking she was all alone in the world, with this horribly abusive man. Frank's crimes hurt so many people, not just Sally, and this book shows how much everyone who knew Sally suffered. Sally's mother was already a sick women due to her arthritis and loss of two husbands, one who abandoned her and other other who committed suicide. The book is full of despair but Sally is able to find some good in parts of those two years.

I especially liked Sally's brother-in-law Al, who was determined to not give up on finding Sally. Even when his wife, Sally's sister, wanted to give up hope, and felt that her mom's depression was dragging them down, Al would jump to the defense of Sally's mom, understanding what the loss of a child could do to a person. There was also Ruth, a childless woman who knew her mission in life was to save Sally from Frank. Both these people went out of their way to help Sally and knowing that they cared for her so much, made the story easier to read.

Thank to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Slight trigger warning. Sexual violence mentioned, but certainly not explicitly.

One sentence plot summary: Based on real events, this is the story of Florence “Sally” Horner, a thirteen year old girl whose kidnapping and assault served as part of the inspiration for Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita.


Wow.

There is a lot I want to say about Rust & Stardust, but I think I have to focus on Greenwood’s ability to create a character. With the slightly overused (in my opinion) shifting perspectives form, Greenwood alternates between the perspectives of Florence “Sally” Horner, her mother, Ella, her sister, Susan, Ruth, a neighbor who nurtures Sally during her hellish experience, and several other connected characters. I won’t lie; I didn’t love this at first. There’s something about taking on the voice of someone who really lived, who actually walked through these experiences, without a nod to the fact that you are trying the voice on. I guess it’s certainly not the first time, but something about it, especially with the voice of a thirteen year old girl who was kidnapped and raped over nearly two years, seemed gimmicky and disrespectful. Even a bit exploitative. I now believe that, in this case, my gut was totally wrong.

Greenwood paints Sally Horner as a vibrant, curious, flickering flame that begins to be extinguished by trauma. The character could not have been handled more sensitively, more authentically, more deeply. Greenwood has a real gift with character, in general. Perhaps even more so than Sally, Ella really propelled the story. Her battle with loss, with her bitterness, with her resentment, created complication and depth to what could have potentially been just another crime story. Ella is poised to be a sympathetic character from the start. She’s a mother who is facing a situation that could only be described as hell for any mother: her daughter has been kidnapped and isn’t found for nearly two years. How can you not empathize with her story? How can you not imagine the longing, the declining hope, the imaginings and fixations of a mother without her child? Should be a pretty simple character, right?

Not so much. Ella, instead, is multi-layered; she resents the world around her for taking Sally, but at times she resents Sally herself; she says horrible things that victim blame her daughter; she is cold and distant when her daughter returns. But even as we hate Ella’s behaviors, we always understand the force working behind the behavior in a way that keeps her sympathetic.

As I read, of course the plot kept me fascinated. It’s a compelling story. I longed for Sally to be taken home, to escape, and felt true grief each time her hopes were dashed. I rooted for her. It was a good plot and it was written with beautiful language. It won’t be plot or language that keeps your pages turning, though: it will be the connection you build to these deeply human characters that keeps you moving forward.

5/5. Beautiful, haunting work.


Thank you to Net Galley and publishers for the ARC of this brilliant book.

http://bibwithblog.blogspot.com/2018/06/review-of-rust-stardust-by-t-greenwood.html?m=1

“….and the rest is rust and stardust”

Rust & Stardust is a heart breaking true story of a real life Lolita. I got this copy from NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press in exchange of an honest review.
Every parents’ worst nightmare is losing his/her baby. And knowing she is being damaged beyond repair physically and mentally while you failed to protect her? I think it’s beyond our imagination what that parent goes through..
This story is a story of a real life “Lolita“, Sally. Sally was taken away from her mother when she was just a 11 year old little girl. It’s a story of a lost girl, forced into her womanhood in the worse way possible. It’s a story of a mother who failed her little girl over and over again. It’s a story of a brother-in-law who fought for her sister-in-law when no one else did, not even her own sister!!

I was so hesitant starting this book, due to the fact that its a real life story of a little kid being raped, repeatedly. Pedophilia always triggers some memories that I prefer to be left alone. Still I wanted to know what actually happened to Sally, I wanted to know her story, so I picked it up..

The book is narrated from different POV’s. You get to know about the thoughts of her, her mother, her sister, people she came across during those horrifying days. You get to learn their hopes.. and fears.. Desperations.. and frustrations. I wanted to hug that child tight every time she blamed herself, I wanted stroke her hair and tell her its not her fault that the world is a cruel place. I wanted to shake Ella, I wanted to argue with her, I wanted to force her to fight a little more, for her little girl!! I wanted to shout at everyone who was around Sally those years to make them really SEE!! It anguished me to see that so many people turned a blind eye while this little girls face practically screamed, save me!! The only one who really fought for her was AL and RUTH. And I really adored them both!

I hoped for a happy ending for that child’s sake, but I knew life ain’t a fairy tale. I cried for an hour after finishing the book.

Beautiful narration, heart breaking story…

Good book, very quick read. The writing was different... I cant put my finger on it.

This story is difficult and it could cause some triggers to people due to the content.

The struggle victims go thru is scary.
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This is the story of a young girl Sally Horner. A terrifying story. I always make sure to never add spoilers. With that being said, I'll make this review as vague as possible. I'm thankful that I was able to get a copy of this book to review. What happened in this story could very easily happen to anyone's kid. Sally is only 11 when she makes a terrible mistake trying to fit in with a group of girls, this mistake leads to horrifying actions. That forever change the life of Sally and those around her. Ps Moms keep your children close.

Book Description
Camden, NJ, 1948. When 11-year-old Sally Horner steals a notebook from the local Woolworth's, she has no way of knowing that 52-year-old Frank LaSalle, fresh out of prison, is watching her, preparing to make his move. Accosting her outside the store, Frank convinces Sally that he’s an FBI agent who can have her arrested in a minute—unless she does as he says.

My Thoughts
Rust & Stardust is based on the true story of the kidnapping of a young girl named Sally Horner. It is 1948 and Sally is 11 years old. Her older sister is now married and has left the home Sally shares with her mother, Ella. With her first husband long gone and her second husband's suicide, Ella is in a dark place mentally and her body is failing her as she is wracked with pain from physical ailments. Ella doesn't have much and Sally is definitely not one of the cool or popular girls at school. The chance to be friends with several of these popular girls leads Sally to take a shoplifting dare that puts her in the path of Frank LaSalle.He is a con man recently released from prison, who convinces Sally that he is with the FBI and if she doesn't do as he asks, he will have no choice but to have her arrested for the shoplifting he witnessed.
This is a gut-wrenching tale set in a simpler time when parents weren't as aware of stranger danger and is all the more heartbreaking since it is based on an actual crime. I was raised with Amber Alerts and cellphones and parents who knew where I was and who I was with 24/7. Not only was I taught from an early age to be wary of strangers, but also friends and family since abuse often comes from those we know. As I was reading, I had to shed my own childhood awareness and as I did, I could see how an innocent girl trying to save her mother pain as well as saving herself from jail could be so thoroughly deceived by a man she viewed as an authority figure. The author did a wonderful job telling this sad tale and while Rust & Stardust wasn't a book I finished with a light heart, it was thought-provoking. I had a hard time putting it down as I just wanted to know if Sally could escape from her abuser and get back home.
Thank you T.Greenwood, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the DRC.