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Little Girl Gone
Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
299 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
31 people are currently reading
1638 people want to read
About the author
Drusilla Campbell
27 books138 followersDrusilla Campbell lives in San Diego with her husband, the lawyer-poet-professor, Art Campbell, two rescued dogs and four horses. She was born in Melbourne, Australia and came to California when she was six years old. Before that she criss-crossed the United States by train and car with her brave and resourceful mother and mostly adorable baby brother. She had sailed the Pacific Ocean three times before starting first grade and knew how to run down a pitching outside deck and come to a sliding, slamming stop against a bulkhead, laughing the whole time. She grew up in the Santa Clara Valley in the halcyon days before the dot com magnates discovered it, attended San Jose State University, and then started traveling again. She taught in Melbourne, London and at a remote jungle outpost in Panama before settling down and marrying. While living in Washington, DC she got a Masters Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the American University and went to work for NPR's major DC affiliate, WAMU-fm. She has two sons, Rocky and Matt, and three grandchildren who are smarter, more intelligent and entertaining than anyone elses. The dogs, the horses, the family and friends and writing books keep her happily in one place.
Drusilla is an award winning author of 16 published novels, including the best-selling and award winning novels, The Good Sister, Blood Orange, and Bone Lake. Her latest novel, Little Girl Gone from Grand Central Publishing, is available is available January 31, 2012. you.
Drusilla is an award winning author of 16 published novels, including the best-selling and award winning novels, The Good Sister, Blood Orange, and Bone Lake. Her latest novel, Little Girl Gone from Grand Central Publishing, is available is available January 31, 2012. you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
February 27, 2021
This is a very interesting book that draws you in quickly and leaves you wanting more. The character development is superior and I feel like I knew those in the book well. What starts as a story told many times before becomes new and unique in the pages of this book.
June 27, 2012
Grand Central Publishing|January 31, 2012|Trade Paperback
Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora’s world another unexpected person – Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy – she’s forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, LITTLE GIRL GONE explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things…and the courage it takes to make things right.
My Review:
Madora Wells, at twelve years of age loses her father. He walked into the desert one day and put a bullet in his brain. Yuma, Arizona is located on the flats with single-story buildings and a lot of heat and wind. Madora’s Mom, Rachel, told her that Yuma killed her father and was killing her too. Rachel, not dealing well with the loss of her husband soon forgot about Madora and stopped caring for her. Madora never really understood why and no one talked to her about it. This, of course, had huge repercussions on this youngsters developing mind.
Madora was failing in school, drinking and getting herself into the drug craze and at age seventeen tries the drug crank for the first time. Her: “…head exploded in white light and there was no yelling or talking, no music anywhere, just a burning pain as if her head were an egg and someone had thrown it against the wall.” She stumbled out onto a porch where she met Willis Brock who told her: “Willis won’t let anything bad happen to you.” This would be the beginning of five years of hell.
Madora, now twenty-two and Willis were living in the Laguna Mountains in Evers Canyon. The closest town was Arroyo and San Diego lay only 30 miles west of them. They had lived in their three bedroom house at the end of Rock Road for almost four years. Out back of the house was a run-down trailer where Willis kept a pregnant sixteen-year-old girl he had kidnapped and kept tied. Madora’s days were filled with cleaning the girl and feeding her while Willis worked as a health care provider and prior to that as a Medic in the Marine Corps which he figured gave him licence to deliver a baby. Wills wanted to attend medical school and was selling Linda’s baby to lawyer for $25,000 to help fund his education.
Django was a twelve-year-old boy who had just lost both his mother and father in a car accident. His father was a millionaire and one of the best known rock guitarists of all-time. They lived in a sprawling mansion in Beverly Hills. After their deaths, Django ended up living with his aunt, Robin Howard, who he’d never met and she’d never married and wasn’t used to children. She lived in Arroyo.
One day while riding his bicycle, Django comes upon Madora and Willis’s house and begins to visit Madora during the day while Willis is at work. Willis would have a fit if he knew that Madora allowed this young boy, or anyone else for that matter, to visit their home. She had to be extremely careful that no traces of the boy were left behind or that Linda didn’t tell Willis that Madora had company during the day.
Willis is a strange, strange man who closes himself off to the people closest to him but acts the part of an intelligent and friendly person during his work hours. Is he prone to extreme mood changes and one just never knows what exactly he is thinking. He is one sick individual. However, Madora puts up with him because she feels that was the price she paid for being loved and knowing that Willis would never leave her, she thought that he needed her as much as she needed him. Madora wasn’t the smartest bulb in the pack and Willis was able to manipulate her mind and get her to do anything he wanted. That is until Django happened upon the scene.
Django is an extremely intelligent boy who pours his heart and soul out to Madora but she thinks half the stories he tells herare bogus and a figment of his imagination. Well, she soon finds out that what Django presented himself as was completely true and the stories that he told her were also true.
This was a remarkable story and reads like a work of non-fiction. We’ve read so many news stories about the very issues presented in this book that you have to keep reminding yourself that the story is really fiction. Drusilla Campbell certainly knows her way around penning a dramatic page-turner. This is one novel you won’t want to miss reading!
Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora’s world another unexpected person – Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy – she’s forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, LITTLE GIRL GONE explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things…and the courage it takes to make things right.
My Review:
Madora Wells, at twelve years of age loses her father. He walked into the desert one day and put a bullet in his brain. Yuma, Arizona is located on the flats with single-story buildings and a lot of heat and wind. Madora’s Mom, Rachel, told her that Yuma killed her father and was killing her too. Rachel, not dealing well with the loss of her husband soon forgot about Madora and stopped caring for her. Madora never really understood why and no one talked to her about it. This, of course, had huge repercussions on this youngsters developing mind.
Madora was failing in school, drinking and getting herself into the drug craze and at age seventeen tries the drug crank for the first time. Her: “…head exploded in white light and there was no yelling or talking, no music anywhere, just a burning pain as if her head were an egg and someone had thrown it against the wall.” She stumbled out onto a porch where she met Willis Brock who told her: “Willis won’t let anything bad happen to you.” This would be the beginning of five years of hell.
Madora, now twenty-two and Willis were living in the Laguna Mountains in Evers Canyon. The closest town was Arroyo and San Diego lay only 30 miles west of them. They had lived in their three bedroom house at the end of Rock Road for almost four years. Out back of the house was a run-down trailer where Willis kept a pregnant sixteen-year-old girl he had kidnapped and kept tied. Madora’s days were filled with cleaning the girl and feeding her while Willis worked as a health care provider and prior to that as a Medic in the Marine Corps which he figured gave him licence to deliver a baby. Wills wanted to attend medical school and was selling Linda’s baby to lawyer for $25,000 to help fund his education.
Django was a twelve-year-old boy who had just lost both his mother and father in a car accident. His father was a millionaire and one of the best known rock guitarists of all-time. They lived in a sprawling mansion in Beverly Hills. After their deaths, Django ended up living with his aunt, Robin Howard, who he’d never met and she’d never married and wasn’t used to children. She lived in Arroyo.
One day while riding his bicycle, Django comes upon Madora and Willis’s house and begins to visit Madora during the day while Willis is at work. Willis would have a fit if he knew that Madora allowed this young boy, or anyone else for that matter, to visit their home. She had to be extremely careful that no traces of the boy were left behind or that Linda didn’t tell Willis that Madora had company during the day.
Willis is a strange, strange man who closes himself off to the people closest to him but acts the part of an intelligent and friendly person during his work hours. Is he prone to extreme mood changes and one just never knows what exactly he is thinking. He is one sick individual. However, Madora puts up with him because she feels that was the price she paid for being loved and knowing that Willis would never leave her, she thought that he needed her as much as she needed him. Madora wasn’t the smartest bulb in the pack and Willis was able to manipulate her mind and get her to do anything he wanted. That is until Django happened upon the scene.
Django is an extremely intelligent boy who pours his heart and soul out to Madora but she thinks half the stories he tells herare bogus and a figment of his imagination. Well, she soon finds out that what Django presented himself as was completely true and the stories that he told her were also true.
This was a remarkable story and reads like a work of non-fiction. We’ve read so many news stories about the very issues presented in this book that you have to keep reminding yourself that the story is really fiction. Drusilla Campbell certainly knows her way around penning a dramatic page-turner. This is one novel you won’t want to miss reading!
February 21, 2021
3.5 stars!
June 8, 2011
I thought this book was rather timely considering everything that has been going on with the Dugard Case. Whenever I hear of a couple taking part in a kidnapping I always wonder what goes through the mind of the woman involved? How does she reconcile her actions? For the most part, it seems pretty obvious what the man's intentions are. They usually suffer from some sort of mental illness and their actions are sexual in nature. The woman, however, may have no signs of a mental illness and it's not always clear whether or not she has any sexual intentions towards the victim.
This book leads the reader through the mental turmoil a young girl goes through after her boyfriend kidnaps a girl and keeps her prisoner. It was a very interesting read. It didn't rely on shock value of the crimes committed. It was more invested in the thought process of each of the characters. I enjoyed this aspect of the book very much.
This is the first book I've read from Campbell and am definitely interested in reading others.
This book leads the reader through the mental turmoil a young girl goes through after her boyfriend kidnaps a girl and keeps her prisoner. It was a very interesting read. It didn't rely on shock value of the crimes committed. It was more invested in the thought process of each of the characters. I enjoyed this aspect of the book very much.
This is the first book I've read from Campbell and am definitely interested in reading others.
June 2, 2013
I chose to read this book because it's synopsis hit kind of close to home when it said it was about a troubled teen. The novel is well written and engaging, the only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is due to language content. The storyline is engaging and the reader can't help but cheer on Madora as well as pray for Django. I love a storyline that lays out all the puzzle pieces and chapter by chapter fits them together. If you are looking for a good read and don't mind some of the language, I recommend reading it!
February 2, 2012
Read for the Manic Mommies Book Club, we had a wonderful author chat!
Available on iTunes, below is the link to listen directly from the host site:
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-903...
Available on iTunes, below is the link to listen directly from the host site:
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-903...
August 13, 2024
2.5 stars. I’ve read other books about people held in captivity (Room) which in my opinion were better written. Towards the end when each chapter started to switch who was narrating threw me at first. Plus the ending felt incomplete/ rushed.
February 20, 2017
I have to confess to skipping passages of descriptive proes - they bore me, and I make no apology for that.
However, the story was a story to keep you reading despite that.
I have a feeling this isn't going to be a favourite author, but she does manage to write what turns out to be worth reading, and she hasn't managed to make it to my "started, not finished" Collection as yet.
The ending gave me a tear to my eye, and that's my measure of having enjoyed a book - it either makes me smile or cry. A great book can do both :)
However, the story was a story to keep you reading despite that.
I have a feeling this isn't going to be a favourite author, but she does manage to write what turns out to be worth reading, and she hasn't managed to make it to my "started, not finished" Collection as yet.
The ending gave me a tear to my eye, and that's my measure of having enjoyed a book - it either makes me smile or cry. A great book can do both :)
February 6, 2012
“Little Girl Lost” by Drusilla Campbell
Drusilla Campbell is a long time writer with several books in print. She is very talented in winding stories with strong women finding their voices and proves that she knows what she is doing with “Little Girl Lost.”
Seventeen-year-old Madora is on a downward spiral into drugs and alcohol after falling in with the wrong crowd. High and barely clinging to consciousness Madora is rescued by her knight in shining armour, Willis. Fast forward five years and Madora is now a young woman living an isolated life miles from the closest town of Arroyo, San Diego. Completely devoted to Willis her every waking moment is spent doing what pleases him. Willis is a demanding man with a checkered past. He presently is working as a home health care provider who begs, borrows, and steals to save enough money for medical school.
Willis abducts a young pregnant girl named Linda and imprisons her in an old trailer in the yard behind their ramshackle house. When Linda delivers her baby, Willis sells it to a lawyer for money to use toward his schooling. Madora begins to question her view of Willis and her life with him. In a chance meeting with a twelve-year-old boy named Django she finds a friend. Django has been orphaned recently and is living with his aunt Robin. Although she is worried Willis will find out about Django being around the trailer and finding out their secret, Madora and Django spend hours each day together. Django is intrigued by the odd Madora and her newly adopted pit-bull pup Foo. He tells Madora stories of his life with his famous parents and the wealthy lifestyle he had before coming to Arroyo.
Eventually Django helps Madora find enough courage to leave Willis and save Linda from captivity. The escape is interrupted by Willis and mayhem ensues causing Madora and Django to flee to San Diego.
“Little Girl Lost” is an enjoyable read that keeps you engaged in the story of Madora’s life and wishing she would find herself and break free.
Drusilla Campbell is a long time writer with several books in print. She is very talented in winding stories with strong women finding their voices and proves that she knows what she is doing with “Little Girl Lost.”
Seventeen-year-old Madora is on a downward spiral into drugs and alcohol after falling in with the wrong crowd. High and barely clinging to consciousness Madora is rescued by her knight in shining armour, Willis. Fast forward five years and Madora is now a young woman living an isolated life miles from the closest town of Arroyo, San Diego. Completely devoted to Willis her every waking moment is spent doing what pleases him. Willis is a demanding man with a checkered past. He presently is working as a home health care provider who begs, borrows, and steals to save enough money for medical school.
Willis abducts a young pregnant girl named Linda and imprisons her in an old trailer in the yard behind their ramshackle house. When Linda delivers her baby, Willis sells it to a lawyer for money to use toward his schooling. Madora begins to question her view of Willis and her life with him. In a chance meeting with a twelve-year-old boy named Django she finds a friend. Django has been orphaned recently and is living with his aunt Robin. Although she is worried Willis will find out about Django being around the trailer and finding out their secret, Madora and Django spend hours each day together. Django is intrigued by the odd Madora and her newly adopted pit-bull pup Foo. He tells Madora stories of his life with his famous parents and the wealthy lifestyle he had before coming to Arroyo.
Eventually Django helps Madora find enough courage to leave Willis and save Linda from captivity. The escape is interrupted by Willis and mayhem ensues causing Madora and Django to flee to San Diego.
“Little Girl Lost” is an enjoyable read that keeps you engaged in the story of Madora’s life and wishing she would find herself and break free.
September 26, 2016
A young girl thinking she found love ends up with a "monster". She even has to take care of Willis "prisoner". but the only way to escape Willis' evil ways, is to attack him one time only and make a clear run for it. My thought is though, how could she not have ran away knowing what Willis was doing?
For me, this story happens fast, and is an easy read. I was hoping to hear a little bit about Willis' jail time, but that was skipped over. I also found it good that the book came full circle, of not knowing where ones mother is, to finding her in the end. Also, Django proves to be a great friend, even if he is years younger. Sometimes we need to take advice from others, regardless of their age. All in all, was good book, though I did find some parts of it boring. I have never read any of Drusilla Campbells's books, but I might consider reading another to see if she carries the same type of writing with more of her work.
For me, this story happens fast, and is an easy read. I was hoping to hear a little bit about Willis' jail time, but that was skipped over. I also found it good that the book came full circle, of not knowing where ones mother is, to finding her in the end. Also, Django proves to be a great friend, even if he is years younger. Sometimes we need to take advice from others, regardless of their age. All in all, was good book, though I did find some parts of it boring. I have never read any of Drusilla Campbells's books, but I might consider reading another to see if she carries the same type of writing with more of her work.
June 11, 2020
Madora met Willis when she was seventeen. After her father had committed suicide when she was younger, Madora was living with her widowed mother and not making the best choices. At a party she attends with a friend, she has a bad reaction to drugs and is "rescued" by a man named Willis. She ends up starting a life with Willis that she believes is based on love. But with Madora secluded at home everyday, and a teenage girl that she has to take care of locked in their trailer, it takes a twelve-year-old boy to help her see her life for what it is.
When the story first started, I thought it was going to be more of a thriller. As I continued reading though, it just felt a little surface level to me. I thought the story line had potential, but it lacked feeling. There are two stories happening really, Madora's story, as well as Django's story, and how they intertwine. It could have felt more real, but ended up feeling predictable in my opinion. It was fine, but not my favorite.
https://mrsjamis.wixsite.com/misslibr...
When the story first started, I thought it was going to be more of a thriller. As I continued reading though, it just felt a little surface level to me. I thought the story line had potential, but it lacked feeling. There are two stories happening really, Madora's story, as well as Django's story, and how they intertwine. It could have felt more real, but ended up feeling predictable in my opinion. It was fine, but not my favorite.
https://mrsjamis.wixsite.com/misslibr...
June 21, 2025
This book explores the profound impact of loss on life decisions. Still reeling from her father’s suicide, sixteen-year-old Madora Wells finds herself sinking into a life of depression and drugs until, one night, she meets a handsome man named Willis who wants to save her from herself. Two years later, Madora is living in a desolate shack in the desert, where she discovers Willis has another agenda. When Django, a bright and inquisitive twelve-year-old boy, loses his parents and happens upon her, he immediately senses something is off. With courage and determination to find something they’re missing, these two bravely decide to change their lives by seeking the unknown. I found this book to be a fascinating exploration of how grief and fear can hold us back and how trusting yourself can set you free.
October 11, 2020
5 stars mainly because I’m still in the story, even though it’s finished. As I was reading, I was aware that I had my biases and felt myself mentally rolling my eyes toward one character or the next. I found myself wondering if this was a “same story different author” experience. I don’t believe it was. One minute I was annoyed, the next I was hoping, then disappointed, then cautiously optimistic. The story wasn’t long. It was an exceptionally easy read, but the “questions for discussion” provide new dimensions to the story for those who might otherwise miss them.
September 5, 2017
This was an interesting book. The main character loses her dad to suicide and heads down the wrong path when her mom is not strong enough to give her the time and attention she needed. She is "rescued" from a bad situation by a guy that is almost Jeckyl and Hyde. Some appealing qualities but clearly a line of violence and mental illness as well. She participates in a kidnapping and hostage situation until a chance encounter with an orphan boy sets her course to freedom.
July 18, 2018
A compelling story of how seriously at-risk teenagers fall prey to manipulative predators and become enslaved. While the predator is well drawn, the plot is a bit of a stretch with the intertwined story of the troubled, orphaned 12-year-old boy and his coincidental, yet strong influence over the girl. It is a good middle-grade, YA story of how one gains the courage to save yourself and make things right.
Read
September 11, 2018I thought this book was a real page turner for me, I'm not use this kind of genre of book, but it was really good and the fact it was a page turner for me, that I want to read more by this author just have to find the books by her. Anyway I recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it, and to anyone who likes a twist in books like this one, not going to give any spoilers but its a real page turner.
October 14, 2022
In a Little Girl Gone, it was a tragic book about someone being kidnapping, but thankfully all of them gain freedom at the end. I was worried about what was going to happen to Madora if she got caught talking to other people and the final escape. I really appreciated the lengths Django Jones, a twelve-year-old boy in this story, went to help Madora learn she should escape. It really makes you think how far you would go for justice and helping someone else.
May 14, 2017
I had a hard time choosing between a "3" and a "4" but in the end, I thought it was enjoyable enough to warrant giving it a "4."
June 14, 2017
I'm only giving this book a 1 because it pulled me in enough that I had to finish it to see how the story ended. It lacked depth, sense or anything good.
December 17, 2017
A compelling page turner, told in simple language. The characters are believable and the story unusual.
August 25, 2018
Started off good. But the ending left me feeling like a lot was left unresolved. The ending felt rushed.
December 27, 2020
I picked this one up because of the description on the back--any story that involves a dog catches my eye! It was an intriguing story, and I was rooting for this young woman and her dog immediately.
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July 21, 2025Other than ending rather abruptly it was intersteresting
March 24, 2017
Really enjoyed this intriguing, suspenseful story! I think the main antagonist was especially well drawn with unusual, but very believable motivations. I will definitely be looking to read more from Drusilla Campbell.
March 5, 2012
Goodreads Description- Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
Madora Welles is seventeen and bent on living a wild, free life. She is still reeling after losing her father to suicide at the age of twelve. Madora and her best friend, Kay Kay, attend a party at night that is rife with alcohol and drugs. Madora is given a puff of a new-to-her drug called crank and is immediately wiped out. That is when her savior appears. Willis is a strong and calming influence and treats her with respect and Madora believes that he really loves her and can protect her. Madora fights her mother about the relationship and finally ends up leaving to go live with Willis. They go to live an an old abandoned shack in the mountains. For a short time, Madora is a waitress at a local restaurant. After a period of time, Willis insists that Madora stay at home and take care of the house. At this point in the book, the reader truly feels Madora's lonliness. Her only companions are stray animals she has cared for, among them her favorite, Foo, an abandoned pit bull.
When Willis brings home a girl, Linda, who is pregnant. He places this girl in an abandoned trailer on the lot and ties her to the bed, the story takes a major turn. He has Madora feed and take care of her while he is working. Madora highly dislikes the girl, but takes care of her because that is what is expected. As the reader, I couldn't understand why Madora goes along with this crime. It made me wonder if she had some kind of mental defect or if she was just plain brainwashed by Willis, who she sees as her saviour and lifeline.
Then comes Django Jones, who is suffering the loss of his parents in a sports car accident. His father was a well-known rock musician and Django has always had a life of luxury. He has been brought to live with his aunt, Robin, and Django and Madora connect at this point through Foo, the pet dog of Willis and Madora. Django comes to understand what is going on in the trailer and house out in the desert mountains, and tries to find a way to help Madora. But Madora just can't think for herself. She has always been directed by Willis.
This book makes you understand the longings of lost souls and brings to light the manipulations of predators who prey on such individuals and the abilities they possess to brainwash them.
The fine line between Madora's reality and Django's reality is drawn and hard to cross. The real world is as far from Madora as we are from Pluto. Drusilla Campbell does a great job of drawing you into Madora's unreality.
I felt different feelings about the book depending on what I was reading. At some points I liked it and was fascinated by Madora's lack of reality but at other points I found myself skimming and not caring what was going on. I also am a reader that likes a concrete ending and this book didn't have it. When I finished it, I felt dissatisfied and confused as to exactly what the plotline was meant to "teach" the reader. I have loved Campbell's other books, but this one just fell pretty flat. It was just ok. 3 stars.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
Madora Welles is seventeen and bent on living a wild, free life. She is still reeling after losing her father to suicide at the age of twelve. Madora and her best friend, Kay Kay, attend a party at night that is rife with alcohol and drugs. Madora is given a puff of a new-to-her drug called crank and is immediately wiped out. That is when her savior appears. Willis is a strong and calming influence and treats her with respect and Madora believes that he really loves her and can protect her. Madora fights her mother about the relationship and finally ends up leaving to go live with Willis. They go to live an an old abandoned shack in the mountains. For a short time, Madora is a waitress at a local restaurant. After a period of time, Willis insists that Madora stay at home and take care of the house. At this point in the book, the reader truly feels Madora's lonliness. Her only companions are stray animals she has cared for, among them her favorite, Foo, an abandoned pit bull.
When Willis brings home a girl, Linda, who is pregnant. He places this girl in an abandoned trailer on the lot and ties her to the bed, the story takes a major turn. He has Madora feed and take care of her while he is working. Madora highly dislikes the girl, but takes care of her because that is what is expected. As the reader, I couldn't understand why Madora goes along with this crime. It made me wonder if she had some kind of mental defect or if she was just plain brainwashed by Willis, who she sees as her saviour and lifeline.
Then comes Django Jones, who is suffering the loss of his parents in a sports car accident. His father was a well-known rock musician and Django has always had a life of luxury. He has been brought to live with his aunt, Robin, and Django and Madora connect at this point through Foo, the pet dog of Willis and Madora. Django comes to understand what is going on in the trailer and house out in the desert mountains, and tries to find a way to help Madora. But Madora just can't think for herself. She has always been directed by Willis.
This book makes you understand the longings of lost souls and brings to light the manipulations of predators who prey on such individuals and the abilities they possess to brainwash them.
The fine line between Madora's reality and Django's reality is drawn and hard to cross. The real world is as far from Madora as we are from Pluto. Drusilla Campbell does a great job of drawing you into Madora's unreality.
I felt different feelings about the book depending on what I was reading. At some points I liked it and was fascinated by Madora's lack of reality but at other points I found myself skimming and not caring what was going on. I also am a reader that likes a concrete ending and this book didn't have it. When I finished it, I felt dissatisfied and confused as to exactly what the plotline was meant to "teach" the reader. I have loved Campbell's other books, but this one just fell pretty flat. It was just ok. 3 stars.
March 8, 2017
In the early stages, I was so drawn into this story. It was disturbing and horrifying. But as the book progressed, it seemed that the author rushed the storyline. There could have been so much more character development. As written, it was hard to really "feel" anything. The ending was a let down. Really disappointed!
November 18, 2011
Madora Welles is seventeen and bent on living a wild, free life. She is still reeling after losing her father to suicide at the age of twelve.
Madora and her best friend, Kay Kay, attend a party at night that is rife with alcohol and drugs. Madora is given a puff of a new-to-her drug called crank and is immediately wiped out.
That is when her savior appears. Willis is a strong and calming influence and treats her with respect and Madora believes that he really loves her and can protect her.
Madora fights her mother about the relationship and finally ends up leaving to go live with Willis. They go to live an an old abandoned shack in the mountains. For a short time, Madora is a waitress at a local restaurant. After a period of time, Willis insists that Madora stay at home and take care of the house.
Madora adots and cars for stray animals, including a baby coyote and a Pit Bull puppy that she names Foo.
Willis is attempting to get into medical school to become a doctor. He works with teh elderly and does work in convalescent homes and also has private clients.
Willis brings home a girl, Linda, who is pregnant. He places this girl in an abandoned trailer on the lot and ties her to the bed. He has Madora feed and take care of her while he is working. Madora highly dislikes the girl, but takes care of her because that is what is expected.
We now meet Django Jones, who is suffering the loss of his parents in a sports car accident. His father was a well-known rock musician and Django has always had a life of luxury and the ability to have a lot of material possessions. He has been brought to live with his aunt, Robin, and Django and Madora connect at this point through Foo, the pet dog of Willis and Madora.
This book makes you understand the longings of lost souls and brings to light the manipulations of predators who prey on such individuals and the abilities they possess to brainwash them.
The fine line between Madora's reality and Django's reality is drawn and hard to cross. The real world is as far from Madora as we are from Pluto. Drusilla Campbell does a great job of drawing you into Madora's unreality.
Madora and her best friend, Kay Kay, attend a party at night that is rife with alcohol and drugs. Madora is given a puff of a new-to-her drug called crank and is immediately wiped out.
That is when her savior appears. Willis is a strong and calming influence and treats her with respect and Madora believes that he really loves her and can protect her.
Madora fights her mother about the relationship and finally ends up leaving to go live with Willis. They go to live an an old abandoned shack in the mountains. For a short time, Madora is a waitress at a local restaurant. After a period of time, Willis insists that Madora stay at home and take care of the house.
Madora adots and cars for stray animals, including a baby coyote and a Pit Bull puppy that she names Foo.
Willis is attempting to get into medical school to become a doctor. He works with teh elderly and does work in convalescent homes and also has private clients.
Willis brings home a girl, Linda, who is pregnant. He places this girl in an abandoned trailer on the lot and ties her to the bed. He has Madora feed and take care of her while he is working. Madora highly dislikes the girl, but takes care of her because that is what is expected.
We now meet Django Jones, who is suffering the loss of his parents in a sports car accident. His father was a well-known rock musician and Django has always had a life of luxury and the ability to have a lot of material possessions. He has been brought to live with his aunt, Robin, and Django and Madora connect at this point through Foo, the pet dog of Willis and Madora.
This book makes you understand the longings of lost souls and brings to light the manipulations of predators who prey on such individuals and the abilities they possess to brainwash them.
The fine line between Madora's reality and Django's reality is drawn and hard to cross. The real world is as far from Madora as we are from Pluto. Drusilla Campbell does a great job of drawing you into Madora's unreality.
January 23, 2012
From the back cover -
Medora was seventeen and heading for a load of trouble when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from friends and family, she ran away with him and for five years they lived alone in near isolation. When Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenage girl and imprisons her in a truck trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him, her fear of the world, and her sense of right and wrong. A pit bull named Foo brings Djano Jones a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy, into Madora's life. As Django struggles to understand his place in the world, he helps Madora discover the personal and moral courage to free herself and the girl from Willis's control, and learn to stand on her own.
My Review
Drusilla Campbell, author also of the Good Sister brings to the reader a heart-wrenching story of troubled teens and tweens and a man who exploits them.
Told in the third person point of view, the story follows Medora as she is devastated by the suicide of her father, abandoned emotional by her mother, and accepted by her peers into a group of drugs and alcohol, and then by Willis. Druscilla explores the possibility of how a seventeen year old girl could be enthralled with an older man and fall prey to his control. The story is well told, describing so well the area where the old trailer was that when I went to Yuma after reading this book I wondered if I was looking at the canyon where Medora used to live. I not only felt the dust of the red soil as it covered everything, I also felt the anxiety of Medora as she faced her conscience, and Willis' anger. I saw the squalor of the place they called home, the loneliness as Medora sat on the rock, isolated from everyone else.
This is a very well written story I will not forget.
I received this Advanced Reader's Copy book free from the author, Drusilla Campbell for the purpose of review. She did not ask for a postive critique, just an honest one, which I have tried to do. The opinions stated in here, are my own. Thanks, Drusilla.
March 29, 2012
Madora is the women captured/rescued by Willis barely a woman at 17. Into drugs and men, Willis rescues her. He brainwashes her constantly with the fact that he rescued her and saved her from herself.
Five years later he rescues a pregnant women and puts her in the trailer in the back yard. He has Madora so brainwashed she will even feed and wash the girl and take care of her baby until he takes it away! She is constantly making wrong decisions that will help Willis and not the girl in the trailor. She makes friends against her better judgement with a boy and a dog and those are woven into the store also.
The author makes this a good read in telling the though process of Madora and the boy. She doesn't delve much into what hte girl in the trailer feels, she kind of leaves taht be, I think I might have wanted more of that, but then the story may have taken a different direction. The story is well written and kept my interest. I picked it up whenever I had extra time and finished it rather quickly in two days. I think most will like it!
From Good Reads the description of the book:
Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
Five years later he rescues a pregnant women and puts her in the trailer in the back yard. He has Madora so brainwashed she will even feed and wash the girl and take care of her baby until he takes it away! She is constantly making wrong decisions that will help Willis and not the girl in the trailor. She makes friends against her better judgement with a boy and a dog and those are woven into the store also.
The author makes this a good read in telling the though process of Madora and the boy. She doesn't delve much into what hte girl in the trailer feels, she kind of leaves taht be, I think I might have wanted more of that, but then the story may have taken a different direction. The story is well written and kept my interest. I picked it up whenever I had extra time and finished it rather quickly in two days. I think most will like it!
From Good Reads the description of the book:
Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
February 21, 2012
LITTLE GIRL GONE by Drusilla Campbell
Published by Grand Central Publishing,
Division of The Hachette Book Group
ISBN-10: 0446535796
ISBN-13: 978-0446535793
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from publisher): Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Unfortunately, this story reminded me of some real life stories that we hear on the news too often. And because of that, the characters, the settings, the emotions, the "brain washing" techniques read like a true story by the writer's descriptive words. I read this book in a matter of days because it felt so real and I HAD to know how it would turn out. There is also a psychological subplot of parallel lives, that have similar beginnings, damaged psyches and different outcomes. This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being, The Good Sister, and she is a master at writing about relationship dynamics. A poignant, heart wrenching, disturbing at times, read. Definitely recommend!!
My Rating: 4
Published by Grand Central Publishing,
Division of The Hachette Book Group
ISBN-10: 0446535796
ISBN-13: 978-0446535793
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from publisher): Madora was seventeen, headed for trouble with drugs and men, when Willis rescued her. Fearful of the world and alienated from family and friends, she ran away with him and for five years they have lived alone, in near isolation. But after Willis kidnaps a pregnant teenager and imprisons her in a trailer behind the house, Madora is torn between her love for him and her sense of right and wrong. When a pit bull puppy named Foo brings into Madora's world another unexpected person--Django Jones, a brilliant but troubled twelve-year-old boy--she's forced to face the truth of what her life has become.
An intensely emotional and provocative story, Little Girl Gone explores the secret hopes and fears that drive good people to do dangerous things . . . and the courage it takes to make things right.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Unfortunately, this story reminded me of some real life stories that we hear on the news too often. And because of that, the characters, the settings, the emotions, the "brain washing" techniques read like a true story by the writer's descriptive words. I read this book in a matter of days because it felt so real and I HAD to know how it would turn out. There is also a psychological subplot of parallel lives, that have similar beginnings, damaged psyches and different outcomes. This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being, The Good Sister, and she is a master at writing about relationship dynamics. A poignant, heart wrenching, disturbing at times, read. Definitely recommend!!
My Rating: 4
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