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Colleen Stan: The Simple Gifts of Life: Dubbed by the Media "The Girl in the Box" and "The Sex Slave"
Throughout my captivity, I was never told what was going to happen next or why. This lack of knowledge was used by Master to maintain a continuous element of fear and control over me. Anytime I was taken out of the box, I never knew what to expect. Fear of the unknown was always with me as I was kept in the dark both physically and mentally.This lack of knowledge may have been a good thing in one sense. If I had known the length of my entombment after returning from Riverside, I'm not sure I would have survived. Of course, I'm not sure even Master knew how long he was going to keep me in the box.A few days passed then a few more. Then weeks passed followed by months. Months slowly turned into years. I would spend the next three years of my life (1981-1984) in the box sleeping, dreaming, and praying.I have to assume my lengthy confinement in the box came about because Master was concerned he had given me too much freedom. Maybe he felt he was losing control of his slave. Too many neighbors had seen me, and questions about my status in the Hooker household were surely to arise. A fast thinking family member in Riverside may have copied down his vehicle tag number. What if the police knocked on his door on day looking for Colleen Stan? What if they searched the mobile home? Would anyone think to look under a waterbed for the girl in the box? Master wanted to keep me out of sight until the heat had passed.The other reason for putting me into storage was Ma'am. I'm sure she wanted me out of her life, out of her children's lives, and out of her husband's life. Master was not ready to let his slave go. Cloistering was the only answer.My daily routine soon became predictive as I was allowed out late in the evening after the girls had gone to bed. I emptied my bedpan, drank a large glass of water, and ate cold leftovers in the front bathroom. Sometimes the leftovers were true leftovers that had been out all day and the family didn't want.
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 1, 2013
Wow! I have read many books on kidnap, abuse, etc but NEVER have I come across one so terribly graphic and heart-wrenching as this one! I actually after every few pages had to take a few breaths before continuing reading, it affected me that much! The only reason for the 4 stars and not 5 was possibly the worst case of typo's I have seen. Terrible editor. Still a brilliant read!
October 13, 2014
I had just previously read Perfect Victim which was written from the point of view of the prosecuting attorney in the trial of the sick and evil Cameron Hooker (Colleen’s tormentor), and although I found that angle of the story interesting, I much more preferred this book; not only because it comes forth from Colleen, but because I think it gives a more complete picture.
I would have liked to have given this book (Kindle version) five stars, but I had to knock off a star for typographical errors. The editors should turn in their pencils and make an apology to Colleen for not doing their jobs. However, please don’t let less than stellar editing prevent you from reading this book; the typos are not such that they will leave you confused as to what is being expressed, nor so often that they will distract you from the story.
I’m around Colleen’s age and I grew up in the Los Angeles area. The atmosphere of the time during which Colleen was first kidnapped was such that hitchhiking was not uncommon, and, although I would say that most young women that hitchhiked would have a companion with them, it was not all that rare to see a young woman alone with her thumb out. In fact, just a year or so before Colleen’s abduction, my wife (before we were married) had hitchhiked from Oregon along the same route as Colleen, heading to Los Angeles. She had a bad experience along the way in Northern California when a man that was giving her a ride suddenly, after pointing to a gun that was wedged in the front seat near him, told her, in no uncertain terms, what he intended to do to her, and saying that there was nothing she could do about it. She jerked open the car door and leaped from the moving car, getting pretty banged up in the process. A truck driver saw her jump from the car, and, as quickly as he could, he brought his truck to a stop and ran back to her. Fortunately, she hadn’t broken any bones nor suffered any deep cuts, and she made the rest of the trip in safety as the truck driver took her all the way to L.A. That was the last time she hitchhiked, except with me a couple of times.
I had heard about “the girl in the box” when it first hit the news. I remember thinking, “What? Damn, that’s twisted!” I thought it was especially twisted since it was a married couple involved. I mean, it would be sick enough if it was just some psycho guy acting on his own. But the wife too? That just sounded extra sick. Anyway, although I had first heard about it from the news in late 1984 or early 1985, I really didn’t know much about the story till just recently, after reading Perfect Victim. After I finished it, I went online to see what other information I could find about the case. I found things, but I was still wishing I could read something more in-depth from the victim’s perspective, and soon I came across Colleen Stan: The Simple Gifts of Life. And I wasn’t disappointed in reading it, despite the editing errors. It did, as I had hoped and as I have said, give a more complete picture.
Hooker was a sadist that derived pleasure, sexual arousal, and power to his ego by imprisoning, humiliating, degrading, and torturing Colleen. He lusted for and fed off the complete control and domination he had gained over her. He is also a murderer in the brutal death of Marie Elizabeth Spannhake. He was evil, truly evil. And as for his wife, well, I suppose she was also victimized by Hooker and her mind was somewhat warped, but I just can’t find it in myself to say anything good about her.
I would have liked to have given this book (Kindle version) five stars, but I had to knock off a star for typographical errors. The editors should turn in their pencils and make an apology to Colleen for not doing their jobs. However, please don’t let less than stellar editing prevent you from reading this book; the typos are not such that they will leave you confused as to what is being expressed, nor so often that they will distract you from the story.
I’m around Colleen’s age and I grew up in the Los Angeles area. The atmosphere of the time during which Colleen was first kidnapped was such that hitchhiking was not uncommon, and, although I would say that most young women that hitchhiked would have a companion with them, it was not all that rare to see a young woman alone with her thumb out. In fact, just a year or so before Colleen’s abduction, my wife (before we were married) had hitchhiked from Oregon along the same route as Colleen, heading to Los Angeles. She had a bad experience along the way in Northern California when a man that was giving her a ride suddenly, after pointing to a gun that was wedged in the front seat near him, told her, in no uncertain terms, what he intended to do to her, and saying that there was nothing she could do about it. She jerked open the car door and leaped from the moving car, getting pretty banged up in the process. A truck driver saw her jump from the car, and, as quickly as he could, he brought his truck to a stop and ran back to her. Fortunately, she hadn’t broken any bones nor suffered any deep cuts, and she made the rest of the trip in safety as the truck driver took her all the way to L.A. That was the last time she hitchhiked, except with me a couple of times.
I had heard about “the girl in the box” when it first hit the news. I remember thinking, “What? Damn, that’s twisted!” I thought it was especially twisted since it was a married couple involved. I mean, it would be sick enough if it was just some psycho guy acting on his own. But the wife too? That just sounded extra sick. Anyway, although I had first heard about it from the news in late 1984 or early 1985, I really didn’t know much about the story till just recently, after reading Perfect Victim. After I finished it, I went online to see what other information I could find about the case. I found things, but I was still wishing I could read something more in-depth from the victim’s perspective, and soon I came across Colleen Stan: The Simple Gifts of Life. And I wasn’t disappointed in reading it, despite the editing errors. It did, as I had hoped and as I have said, give a more complete picture.
Hooker was a sadist that derived pleasure, sexual arousal, and power to his ego by imprisoning, humiliating, degrading, and torturing Colleen. He lusted for and fed off the complete control and domination he had gained over her. He is also a murderer in the brutal death of Marie Elizabeth Spannhake. He was evil, truly evil. And as for his wife, well, I suppose she was also victimized by Hooker and her mind was somewhat warped, but I just can’t find it in myself to say anything good about her.
August 4, 2015
Wow. What a book. A book I feel may be getting overlooked due to it's off balanced and slightly unattractive front cover. The old adage 'Never judge a book by it's cover' definitely applies here.
If the word 'survivor' were ever to be used in relation to a story of abduction/captivity and abuse then Colleen Stan would definitely be a more than worthy candidate for the term. How she survived a day - let alone over seven years in the captivity of Cameron Hooker and his accomplice wife Jan, I will never truly be able to comprehend.
Colleen Stan was a 20 year old free spirited woman, hitchhiking to a friend's house in the 1970's (when hitchhiking was largely accepted) when she accepted a lift from a couple carrying a child. Colleen was automatically, from the moment of seizure, forced to wear a 'head box' to muffle her screams and restrict her. Upon entering the house of the Hooker's she was taken to the basement where acts of sadism were performed on her. These includes acts of torture by restraint, hangings, whippings and being chained,to say the least. (I won't mention graphic details in the review) However let it be said that the description given of all tortuous acts and emotions accompanying them as well as description of the devises themselves- are very well written and described, but are not easy to read if you are someone who upsets easily.
During her seven year captivity, Colleen describes the events of being locked in a box, tied to a stretcher, and the torture devices she was made to use, as -well as being placed in a 'new' box (which is the reference to the 'girl in a box')in which was kept under a water bed for three years.
What makes this books so well written (although there are a fair few typos) as-well is the before and after sequences, providing a summery of pre and post kidnapping, including the court case from all of the key witnesses points of view, which is written in an interesting talkative way, not in legal speak. It also incorporates photos and tells stories about neighbours in the street where she was being held, relocation to a mobile home and looking after the hooker's children amongst other things.
In stories of this nature I always feel like I want to learn of more details of the survivors time in confinement, reading The Simple Gifts of life, I found myself needing to know how she got away!.
Very interesting story, well written, horrific yet remarkable.
I wish Colleen and her family well and hope she has found happiness in life.
Colleen Stan shows amazing bravery and courage by surviving her ordeal and telling her story - her way.
Link to documentary :'The Girl in the Box' with Colleen Stan (Official not propaganda)WARNING- Mature audience advised. Some people may find disturbing.
Interview and story of her abduction/captivity BY Colleen Stan broadcast via the UK, for anyone who may be interested.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlm4...
If the word 'survivor' were ever to be used in relation to a story of abduction/captivity and abuse then Colleen Stan would definitely be a more than worthy candidate for the term. How she survived a day - let alone over seven years in the captivity of Cameron Hooker and his accomplice wife Jan, I will never truly be able to comprehend.
Colleen Stan was a 20 year old free spirited woman, hitchhiking to a friend's house in the 1970's (when hitchhiking was largely accepted) when she accepted a lift from a couple carrying a child. Colleen was automatically, from the moment of seizure, forced to wear a 'head box' to muffle her screams and restrict her. Upon entering the house of the Hooker's she was taken to the basement where acts of sadism were performed on her. These includes acts of torture by restraint, hangings, whippings and being chained,to say the least. (I won't mention graphic details in the review) However let it be said that the description given of all tortuous acts and emotions accompanying them as well as description of the devises themselves- are very well written and described, but are not easy to read if you are someone who upsets easily.
During her seven year captivity, Colleen describes the events of being locked in a box, tied to a stretcher, and the torture devices she was made to use, as -well as being placed in a 'new' box (which is the reference to the 'girl in a box')in which was kept under a water bed for three years.
What makes this books so well written (although there are a fair few typos) as-well is the before and after sequences, providing a summery of pre and post kidnapping, including the court case from all of the key witnesses points of view, which is written in an interesting talkative way, not in legal speak. It also incorporates photos and tells stories about neighbours in the street where she was being held, relocation to a mobile home and looking after the hooker's children amongst other things.
In stories of this nature I always feel like I want to learn of more details of the survivors time in confinement, reading The Simple Gifts of life, I found myself needing to know how she got away!.
Very interesting story, well written, horrific yet remarkable.
I wish Colleen and her family well and hope she has found happiness in life.
Colleen Stan shows amazing bravery and courage by surviving her ordeal and telling her story - her way.
Link to documentary :'The Girl in the Box' with Colleen Stan (Official not propaganda)WARNING- Mature audience advised. Some people may find disturbing.
Interview and story of her abduction/captivity BY Colleen Stan broadcast via the UK, for anyone who may be interested.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlm4...
September 11, 2021
After reading the book by the prosecutor of this case I figured it would be much better reading the story from the person who actually experienced it. This book is graphic often difficult to read, but so worth it. Colleen Stan is an example of what a survivor is. Despite all the trauma she went through she survived, forgave and tried to move on with her life by living the best she could and never losing her faith in God.
August 22, 2016
From the victims perspective. Horrific story. Most interesting book I've read in years. However, lots of typos.
July 11, 2018
Shocking true story
This happened in an area where I grew up. Makes you realize how close to home bad things can happen
This happened in an area where I grew up. Makes you realize how close to home bad things can happen
March 3, 2017
Intensely scary
scary to think a human can do this to another human. I use the term (human) loosely when speaking in reference to the Hookers'.
scary to think a human can do this to another human. I use the term (human) loosely when speaking in reference to the Hookers'.
March 19, 2021
Its rare that I give 5 stars; it's also weird to rate a story told by a survivor of sadism and sex slavery. So in that regards, I give 5 stars because Colleen Stan's spirit is just that, 5 stars. 1 star for courage, 1 star for perseverance, 1 star for strength, 1 star for prosperity, and 1 star for eternal happiness. This woman's story is remarkable.
August 27, 2019
Such sincerity and candeur is what I’m looking for in a book these days. And I was fully satisfied. Her story is amazing. What a destiny. Fascinating
June 30, 2024
This novel was explicit and raw, which is nothing compared to what Colleen Stan actually endured. Getting to read her own recounting of what she endured and survived was really hard to comprehend because it is not something that happens so often. To hear the story right from the ine who experienced it is even more harrowing. It really shows that something so vile and evil can happen to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2015
Absolutely full of grammar errors and typos. This book was clearly never edited and was written by someone obviously not a writer. The story, while interesting tended to go off on a tangent and veer into boring territory in order to fill pages. It was ok but Perfect Victim was better.
August 19, 2013
What a book. Katie Beers is a survivor. Just an amazing woman. The abuse from the time she was two years old is unbelievable. Where were the people who should have helped her. But in spite of her ordeal she became a NORMAL person (her words). So happy for her.
January 25, 2015
From her very own words she describes in detail the horrific live she led under the capture of a man and a women who made here there slave. She tends to be repetitive which got a but annoying. Cant imagine the life she led for these years.
September 29, 2016
A compelling read, and a first person perspective that is usually lacking. I had a hard time putting it down.
October 6, 2016
An amazing book by an amazing woman, so inspired by her resilience and courage to survive a living hell for 7+ years.
April 3, 2017
A haunting story about a young girl who was kidnapped and kept in wooden box for 7 years by a sadistic couple.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews