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Book Review: Daddy Love #100Books

May 30, 2013 by Kenna Griffin

Don’t read this amazingly well-written book.

Strange advice, I know, but Daddy Love by Joyce Carol Oates is the most disturbing book I’ve ever read. What’s worse is that, once I started, I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened to the main character, even if it meant enduring horrific child abuse scenes to get to the story’s conclusion.

Daddy LoveThe book opens with Dinah Whitcomb and her son, Robbie, being attacked in a mall parking lot. Robbie is stolen. His abductor hits Dinah with his van when she tries to run after her child.

The kidnapper, a part-time preacher named Chester Cash, puts Robbie in what seems like a small coffin in the back of his van. He renames the boy “Gideon.” Gideon learns to know of his captor as “Daddy Love,” the man who traumatizes him into believing that he loves him more than anyone on the earth and who heinously punishes him if the boy does wrong.

Gideon begins growing older and losing his “father’s” interest, much as he figures also happened to the other boys Daddy Love abducted, traumatized and raped. He begins to fear for his life as he becomes convinced that Daddy Love is looking for a younger replacement for him.

Disturbing doesn’t even begin to describe this book. Although the writing is amazing and the storyline unique, I don’t recommend this book. I just don’t think most people want to read this type of thing, no matter how sadly realistic it may be.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

Please let me know what resources you need or topics you wish you better understood. If I don't know the information, I'm happy to seek out someone who does.

Contact me via email at kennagriffin@gmail.com.

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Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.

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About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

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