Rating: 
Summary: This book is a dangerous hoax
Review: "Michelle Remembers" was written in 1980 and was primarily responsible for the triggering of a massive "Satanic Panic" which is only now showing signs of abatement. The book has been independently investigated by three different groups and found to be a hoax. It is a riveting book which contains many terrifying scenes of events that never happened. I suppose that it can be a worthwhile book to read if you approach it as a work of fiction
Rating: 
Summary: Who is fooling who?
Review: A fascinating book to say the least. It is a story of a little girl who is given up to satanists for all kinds of abuse. The book has some of the most lurid and sickening things I have ever read. Is it true? After looking through the internet and finding it is supposedly a hoax made up out of delusion and desire for money, I had serious doubts about it being a hoax. Intresting how most of the claims for a hoax come from satanic and witchcraft sites. Claims of hoax also come from the false memory foundation, a foundation in which one of the founders advocates child molestation. While these sites and people present the evidence against such abuse, what about the evidence for it? These supposedly objective people never bring it up. Why? Oh, and it does exist. Are we supposed to believe that Michelle Smith, Lauren Stratford, Doreen Irvine, Mike Warnke, Roberta Blankenship and others who were either directly involved or participated in these cults all hoaxers? This must include the leaders in Rome and other ancient countries who ordered witches to be imprisoned or killed. This must also include all the judges in the middle age witchcraft trials who were fooled in all that time. Demonologists like Remy, Bouget, and others who were judges or transcribed the witchcraft trials and wrote books on it were hoaxers too. That must include the modern researcher Montague Summers. If one is truly looking at both sides, I wonder who is fooling who? As the satanist Adolf Hitler said,"What a wonderful thing for leaders that most people don't think."
Rating: 
Summary: Fact or Fiction, Who Cares?
Review: Alright, everyone who has reviewed this book is caught up on whether or not it was a true story but why does it really matter? Even books and movies written about real occurences are edited a little to make the story more intersting, and the special effects more exciting.If you are reading this book purely for pleasure and don't care whether or not it was true then it was a great book, and I would suggest it to any unbiased reader. But if you are reading it purely because you think it is a "Real Story" then you should be shopping for a Biography or History book. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed Michelle's story and I think most readers will too.
Rating:
Summary: I feel very disturbed after reading this book!
Review: First of all; I was under the impression that it was in fact a true story. If it wasn't; then what was the point? I would love to talk to Ms. Smith in person because I am sure she is a remarkable person. I would be very hard pressed to know that it was made up because once again; what's the point? Is it so hard for people to believe that Satan is a real threat to anyone? Least of all innocent children? Maybe those that doubt the story to be true;should re-read the last few chapters when all the filth pours from his mouth. It took not only a truely poetic mind to come up with these words but also a very cleaver one. I am not at all a naive person. I also feel due to the graffic nature to which the poor child was treated;wasn't it a little over-kill if it were meant to be fake? Makes you think.
Rating:
Summary: What a crock! ZERO STARS! Not even good FICTION!
Review: I bought this book because it seemed like the catalyst for the entire SRA phenomenon that began with it's publication. I could only read about 140 pages into it before becoming completely disgusted with it's portrayal of a woman's disturbed confabulations under hypnosis as truth. Other than the blatant instances of contradiction (such as Michelle having no religious upbringing, which factually isn't true, but yet she "knew" that a bible and crucifix were "good & powerful") there's HUGE flights of fancy (she actually SEES the devil himself). It's no small wonder that when she and the good doctor give no factual correberation to back up their tall tale, that it would be completely disproved 10 years after its publication as a FAKE. How is it you may ask that "thousands" of satanists go unnoticed in Canada, especially when they're all missing the middle fingers on their left hands? Good queston. Other great "facts" the book tells about satanists include this little snippet from page 127: Michelle-"You mean they've been together for a while? But who could they be? It's hard to believe that people could carry on like that right here in Victoria."
DrPazder-"The only group I know of that fits your description is The Church of Satan."
Michelle-"My God, you mean, like Satanists?"
DrPazder-"Yes, exactly."
Michelle-"You know, I never quite believed they really existed."
DrPazder-"Well, they do. There's a lot in the psychiatric literature about them. Most people think they're strictly Dark Ages, but the fact is, The Church of Satan is a worldwide organization. It's actually older than the Christan Church. And one of the areas they're known to be active is the Pacific Northwest." As anyone who takes 5 minutes to do a web search (or even consult common sense) knows, the "Church of Satan" was founded in or around 1969-1970 by Anton LaVey in San Francisco, they have a membership estimated at around 5,000 - 7,500. Predating them, and this is a stretch, would be the Hellfire Clubs of the 1700's, which were more of fraternal social clubs than anything devoted to "devil worship". As a matter of fact, only one modern day "Satanist" group even believes in the "Devil" as an entity, that being the Temple of Set, founded in 1985, or thereabout. Last time I checked, (and my Christian Brother teacher's from High School can correct me on this if I'm wrong) none of those, or any other "satanist" group predates the christian church. Dr. Pazder IMPLANTED these suggestions in Michelle's mind during "therapy". He admits in the book the "remarkable similarity" of the rituals she describes and one's he witnessed in Africa earlier. The use of the word "God" by Michelle in the whole book, both as an adult, and speaking in her "child voice" is telling for someone who "was devoid of any religious upbringing." These are just SOME of the awful inconsistincies revealed in 140 pages of a 334 page book. I won't even go into the "devil drawings" or other nonsense presented as fact. For those of you seeking a good horror story, look elsewhere. The writing is pedestrian and mundane, the style leaves MUCH to be desired, and the plot is predictable to say the least.
Bottom Line? - Horrible as fiction, dangerous religious propaganda as truth!
Rating: 
Summary: The Book That Probably Started It All
Review: I chanced across this book when in my school's library and decided to read it. Afterwards, I decided to read more into the Satanic Panic and have since become facinated with the subject. It's interesting how everything evolved, and to anyone who reads this book, I recommend they read other books written on the Satanic Panic. (I mean actual researched books on the subject, not ones that are out there that just agree and nothing more.) I say this because the big debate is on weither this is a hoax or not. Personally, I believe it was, after all, there was NO proof of physical abuse on Michelle, which after the many horrifying accounts would have left a LOT of evidence. Also, after an older Michelle left her husband, who did she hook up with and marry?? Her psycologist, the one who helped bring these memories forward and helped write the book with her. I personally find that suspicious. Finally, do your research into repressed memories and thier validitiy. There's a reason they are not allowed in court, because they are easy to create or guide. Overall, this was a good read if done with an open mind, and does need a little research before you start to place any opinions. Otherwise, you start to do exactly what this book ended up doing in the 80s, creating a panic about satanic cults that rule America and are abusing our children.
Rating:
Summary: Michelle Remembers
Review: I don't remember when I got this book, where, who gave it to me or anything else. I only know that I was looking at my bookshelf one night, after spending gruelling hours writing a story of my own, wanting something to read. All of my other books had been read so many times, the covers were worn out. I looked past my tattered copy of Romeo and Juliet, and there, on the top shelf in a corner, was "Michelle Remembers". With no cover, the gold lettering on the side almost unreadable, I picked it up. And as soon as I read the dedication on the front, I was hooked. I read the entire book that night...so tired the words seemed to slur in my head. But they also seemed to hold them propped open likes sticks under the awning of a tent. I cried reading it...Michelle reminded me somewhat of myself, and it odd, contorted ways, her story reminded me of my childhood and my adolescent experiences. It was beautifully written...when I could see through the tears. But nothing made me cry so much as the epilouge. A friend asked Michelle what meant most to her today, and Michelle replied "The child", meaning "every forgotten and abused child". Later, she added this: "If we can no longer hear that child, then we have lost the meaning of life. We must never as adults abandon the child in all of us--the innocence, the trust, the wonderment, the unyielding hope and belief in good. We must keep it safely protected, close to the heart, where all children should be, to return to if we lose sight of who we are and where we began." There is more, but I will leave it to you to find it. And in all honesty, the very next afternoon, after having a good sleep and a good cry, I went and bought a crucifix...a simple, beatiful silver one that hasn't left my throat since I bought it. I wish I could find Michelle today...there are so many things I could tell her, but I don't think I could find the words to say it.
Rating:
Summary: Best all around book
Review: I found that this book, whether fiction or non, was one of the best books I ever read. If fictional, then it is one of the scariest cult books because they make it sound so real. I do, personally believe it is true. I do believe that there are Satanists in the U.S., and that they are not coming out of hiding to expose themselves. People believe in the religion they feel suits them. I am just sorry that Michelle got caught up in the wrong end of this fight between good and evil. Also reading this as an aetheist helps. She depicts boths sides very well.
Rating:
Summary: Pure unadulterated fiction
Review: I just bought a lot of books on Ebay and this one was unfortunately included in the mix. First let me state that there is not one reported case of murderous satanic cult activity in all of North America among law enforcement agencies. Not one. Sure there is the occasional case of a drug confused teenager who says he killed for Satan but nothing as organized as described in this book. This book is typical of the ritualistic abuse panic of the 80's like the McMartin pre-school fiasco. People began describing the most deplorable acts of human depravity. So incredible that it seemed untrue. And guess what, it was. Authorities could not validate a single claim of RA amongst pre-schoolers and they couldn't validate any of Michelle Smith's either. I simply don't believe any of it. Miss Smith needs a real therapist not the quack who she co-authored this book with.
Rating:
Summary: michelle remembers
Review: I read this book about seven years ago and I still think about it to this day.Fact or fiction this book was very freaky.I'm still skeptical about the contents and if they are true or not but I did enjoy the book I had a very hard time putting it down.
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