A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book for 2011 A Globe and Mail Best Books of the Year 2011 Title Tiger, Tiger is a Publishers Weekly Best Nonfiction title for 2011 A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction of 2011 title One summer day, Margaux Fragoso meets Peter Curran at the neighborhood swimming pool, and they begin to play. She is seven; he is fifty-one. When Peter invites her and her mother to his house, the little girl finds a child's paradise of exotic pets and an elaborate backyard garden. Her mother, beset by mental illness and overwhelmed by caring for Margaux, is grateful for the attention Peter lavishes on her, and he creates an imaginative universe for her, much as Lewis Carroll did for his real-life Alice. In time, he insidiously takes on the role of Margaux's playmate, father, and lover. Charming and manipulative, Peter burrows into every aspect of Margaux's life and transforms her from a child fizzing with imagination and affection into a brainwashed young woman on the verge of suicide. But when she is twenty-two, it is Peter-ill, and wracked with guilt-who kills himself, at the age of sixty-six. Told with lyricism, depth, and mesmerizing clarity, Tiger, Tiger vividly illustrates the healing power of memory and disclosure. This extraordinary memoir is an unprecedented glimpse into the psyche of a young girl in free fall and conveys to readers-including parents and survivors of abuse-just how completely a pedophile enchants his victim and binds her to him.
This book is a stunning insight into a dark topic that many aren't willing to talk about. Although it can be a bit all over the place, the way Fargoso tells her own story is astounding. I've never read an author whose work enveloped my mind the way her has, and this is the #1 memoir I recommend to anyone looking for something interesting.
An important read.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 7 years ago
This book is one of the best I've ever read. Her recounting of events in this book is heartbreaking but also educational. It's easy to relate to her through her many phases in life. I would recommend this book to anyone.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.