56 pages • 1 hour read
Appetite for Innocence
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Chapters 1-17Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of child abuse, substance use, and rape and sexual violence.
Chapter 1 Summary: “Sarah (Then)”
Sarah, a girl who was kidnapped and has been held captive for years, puts in earplugs to block a new girl’s crying. She observes the sedated girl and classifies her as a fighter, anticipating a difficult adjustment period. Sarah and another captive, Paige, watch the new girl, who is bound and gagged. To escape the disruption, Sarah retreats behind her curtained-off space and listens to her CD player.
Chapter 2 Summary: “Ella (Then)”
The new girl, Ella, awakens in the basement, bound and gagged, with fragmented memories of her abduction. Paige offers to get Sarah if Ella promises not to scream. Ella refuses and cries silently. Hearing Ella, Paige begins to cry as well.
Chapter 3 Summary: “Ella (Now)”
The novel jumps forward in time. Ella is in a hospital room. An FBI agent questions her. Overwhelmed, Ella focuses on her mother’s impending arrival. A nurse checks on her, but a medicated Ella declines help. With her arm in a cast, she dissociates while the agents and nurse discuss bringing in a victim’s advocate.
