Review: Rust & Stardust

Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1948, Sally Horner was taken from Camden, New Jersey by a man who she would quickly come to find out had evil intentions. This is a fictionalization of Sally's story and the things that she may have endured during the time she was a kidnapping victim.

Sally's story is little known, other than her name appearing in Nabokov's Lolita when Humbert is worrying about what he is doing to a young girl himself. This book is a fictionalized account of a true story that appeared in a novel, but it stands on its own, even if you know nothing about the true Sally Horner or have ever read Nabokov.

It is a tragic story, not only for the things that she might have endured while in the presence of Frank LaSalle, but also tragic in that there were so many people that may have put a stop to it much sooner than they did. The idea she could be going to school and still not be found for almost two years speaks to the time in which this story happened. It was a time in America where you didn't meddle in people's personal lives; you could gossip, but you certainly wouldn't approach anyone even if you had the slightest bit of evidence; you may also not have heard a story because it stayed local, and she could have been someone's neighbor who wouldn't have a clue as to her real identity because they didn't pick up the right newspaper to read.

Because of all these instances potential, the story paints Sally as a strong little girl who stayed tough, even while she was being abused and tormented both physically and mentally. It may be difficult for some to read, but a narrative that is necessary.

*Book provided by NetGalley


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