“We are free, we love life…” These are the beginning words to Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland, a memoir written by two of the three women who were held captive in Cleveland, Ohio for more than a decade before escaping in 2013.

Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were all held captive in a basement. Bound by chains and a heavy-set man named, Ariel Castro. After kidnapping them between 2002-2004, the 53-year-old would rape the women on a regular basis – Berry even birthed a daughter with him – and torture them, however, that didn’t kill their spirits completely. With the help of a small exit and a man by the name of Charles Ramsey, Berry got the chance to escape, saving herself and the lives of her daughter, DeJesus and Knight.

Depicting their experiences then-and-now, Berry and DeJesus has got together to create this piece … Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland.

JaaiR (JR)
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According to the Associated Press, “Berry kept journals and other writings during her captivity; the book shifts between her and DeJesus’ perspectives and recounts what their families went through and what Castro’s background and life were like.”

Knight on the other hand didn’t want any parts of the memoir. Although she was invited to be a part of the book, she declined. the team did, however, “wish her only the best”. The woman, who legally changed her name to Lily Rose Lee, has actually written her own ‘book of experience’, which was published last year.

Not for nothing, but during their escape, it was obvious that Knight or Lee endured the most trauma. She didn’t want to do any interviews, she didn’t want to be seen at the hospital and pretty much decided to keep a low profile. I can’t blame her, but I do wish them all well.

The book comes out next week.