Candy B. (candieb) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 239 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
Hmmmm... The subject itself was fascinating, a look inside of a MBP child. It amazes me what she went through, the lying for her mother, trying to constantly be loved. I felt that it could have used a good editor, I felt several things were skipped or left out or just dropped. I would also liked to know more, as "sick" as it seems on my part, as to HOW her mother did what she did - what was the white "headache" pill? How on earth did she fool the doctors with the heart problems? I got the impression, although it was spelled out, that HER mother did the same type of thing - what is the author's relationship with her mom now? It left too many unanswered questions... hmmm... worth a read, but heartbreaking.
Helpful Score: 4
Absolutely fascinating story of a girl growing up in an abusive family with a mother who has Munchausen by Proxy. The girl lives for years being starved and in other ways sickened so that her mother can get the attention from medical professions that she craves. I read this in one sitting.
Helpful Score: 3
A startling story of an unusual condition called Munchausen by proxy - a little known form of child abuse and how it impacted one woman's life.
Sarah B. (Pixie328) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 391 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
An extremely sad but compelling story. Based on the authors actual life about living with a mother who has Munchausen by proxy (she makes her daughter think she is sick).
Helen B. (hmbeesley) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 63 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I found the book interesting, and quite disturbing. It is amazing that such things happen and nobody notices.
Anna S. (Bustercaesarmom) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This memoir vaguely reminded me of Jeanette Walls' "The Glass Castle," but wasn't as well-written. It touches on various types of child abuse and neglect, including Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome. It lacked a cohesive train of thought, in my opinion. I felt as though the story jumped around, and left many issues unresolved.
Barb S. (okbye) -
Helpful Score: 3
I thought it was pretty poorly written for the most part. It is disjointed and parts don't really make sense. I don't think she's lying about anything but some of the stories didn't quite add up, it may just be the weird writing style. It really falls apart when she gets to her adulthood, it moves even more into incomplete phrases and things that don't make sense. You can't come from that much crazy and be normal yourself so I give her due credit but it really is an incomplete story.
Helpful Score: 2
I had to read this for a class in child abuse and neglect. Very distubing, yet impossible to put down. It's a miracle the author is alive to tell her story.
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked this book. A painful look at horrible childhood. I couldn't put this book down until I was finished with it.
RUTH H. (swaptions) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Fascinating but painful to read, Julie Gregory's autobiographical work tells the story of a wounded, abused mother who seeks the attention, glory, and drama she needs by taking her "sickly" daughter from doctor to doctor. Munchauesen by proxy, as demonstrated in this book, is a complex mix of physical/mental/emotional abuse and manipulation that engulfs generations of a family. Mercifully, the story ends on a hopeful note as Gregory wills herself toward healthy adulthood and seeks to bring an end to the cycle of dysfunction in her family.
Damaris C. (Erinyes) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a true account of a woman whose mother had Munchausen-by-Proxy. She uses medical records in conjunction with her memories to detail how it started and how she finally recognized what had happened to her. This book is riveting. It's unreal that it went on for so long and no one had the courage to say something.
Amanda (RockStarGirl) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Dark look at the child abuse and neglect that the author endured at the hands of her parents, in particular her mother. A chilling account of how children can easily slip through the cracks of child services and how abusers can continue to be allowed access to these children.
Helpful Score: 2
A gripping memoir about a young girl subjected to her mother's psychological disturbance (Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy). Very well written.
Helpful Score: 1
Moving story of one girl's fight for understanding of her lost childhood.
Kaycee D. (iloveyouhecried) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not sure what I expected this to be but it wasn't it. I enjoyed reading it, and the pictures in the book made the memoir come to life.
Helpful Score: 1
This memoir of a survivor of the odd psychological syndrome, Munchausen by Proxy, is a clear look at a dysfunctional family with the children at the center of a war between parents for control. Through it all, Julie stays strong and committed to her own sanity. Amazing new slant on the destruction and havoc in families passed along by the health system and social services.
Helpful Score: 1
An account of growing up with a mother with Munchausen by Proxy (MBP, now known as medical abuse). Very engrossing for about three-quarters of the book, but the end just seemed to drag on for me. Amazing what a parent will do to their child to get attention...chilling!
Elizabeth (celeria) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 174 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fascinating subject matter, but the writing style is often hard to follow.
Wonderful story. Great read. Hard to believe she survived to tell her story. I laughed, cried and was in total shock while reading about her life.
Unfortunately the books was very poorly written, though the subject is fascinating.
I don't think she's exagerating about her experiences but the stories didn't quite add up, it may just be the weird writing style. The book staggers around and is such a hardship to read. It is sad that it does not invoke the kind of feelings in the reader she obviously wanted to. Her storytelling reads like a dry UN report on the atrocities comited in some foreign country we barely heard off but cant quite bring our selves to care that much, no matter how horrible they might be, though we are appalled by them. It is disjointed and parts don't really make sense. It really falls apart when she gets to her adulthood, it moves even more into incomplete phrases and things that don't make sense.
Im sorry for being so critical but has she done better job of telling her story this book had the potencional to be amazing!
I don't think she's exagerating about her experiences but the stories didn't quite add up, it may just be the weird writing style. The book staggers around and is such a hardship to read. It is sad that it does not invoke the kind of feelings in the reader she obviously wanted to. Her storytelling reads like a dry UN report on the atrocities comited in some foreign country we barely heard off but cant quite bring our selves to care that much, no matter how horrible they might be, though we are appalled by them. It is disjointed and parts don't really make sense. It really falls apart when she gets to her adulthood, it moves even more into incomplete phrases and things that don't make sense.
Im sorry for being so critical but has she done better job of telling her story this book had the potencional to be amazing!
disturbing yet interesting account of her childhood. her childhood was truly horrifying.
I could not put this book down so emotion in this book and the sad thing is it is a true story of a young lady. If she writes a sequel to this book I am going to buy it immediately.
I can not believe also that a mother is the predator on her own child. How could a parent do such things to a child just to get attention. This disease is a true disease that needs to be looked into more "Munchausen by Proxy".
I can not believe also that a mother is the predator on her own child. How could a parent do such things to a child just to get attention. This disease is a true disease that needs to be looked into more "Munchausen by Proxy".
Teresa K. (oct1970) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 205 more book reviews
very good
A touching story by a victim of MBP.
Not since Sybil have I read such a horrible case of child abuse. One wonders how someone can treat a child that way, & wonders why the other parent does not stop it.
Most of the abuse consisted of her [Julie's] mother poisoning her mind as well as her body by brainwashing her into believing she was ill. But there was more still: constant threats & verbal abuse, mind games, & false accusations with beatings as a result. All the while the mother playing the victim to gain pity from anyone that would listen.
It is amazing that the writer was able to escape such abuse.
Most of the abuse consisted of her [Julie's] mother poisoning her mind as well as her body by brainwashing her into believing she was ill. But there was more still: constant threats & verbal abuse, mind games, & false accusations with beatings as a result. All the while the mother playing the victim to gain pity from anyone that would listen.
It is amazing that the writer was able to escape such abuse.
Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 473 more book reviews
What a horrible story about a mother who intently makes her child sick.
Child abuse autobiographies are always difficult and heart wrenching to read but so very necessary to inform and educate the public. However disturbing and outright horrifying, her account is relentlessly riveting. She's lucky to be alive. 4 stars.
I cant understand how anyone can do this to their child.
Carla W. (rpwilson) reviewed Sickened : The True Story of a Lost Childhood on + 84 more book reviews
true story with pictures
From Early childhood, Julie Gregory was continually x-rayed, medicated and operated on in the vain pursuit of an illness that was created in her mother's mind. Munchausen by proxy is the world's most hidden and dangerous form of child abuse - but Julie Gregory not only survived, she escaped the powerful orbit ofher mother's madness and rebuilt her identity as a vibrant, healthy young woman.
from back cover: "With stark grace and startling humor, [Gregory] has created a thing of grace from a childhood of horror." Entertainment Weekly (Tom Ten Books of 2003)
