The Road Through Wonderland: Surviving John Holmes

Dawn Schiller

Aug 2010 · Medallion Media Group

About this ebook

Painstakingly honest, this chilling memoir reveals how a teenager became immersed in the bizarre life of legendary porn star John Holmes. Starting with a childhood that molded her perfectly to fall for the seduction of “the king of porn,” this autobiography recounts the perilous road that Dawn Schiller traveled—from drugs and addiction to beatings, arrests, forced prostitution, and being sold to the drug underworld. After living through the horrific Wonderland murders of 1981, she entered protective custody, ran from the FBI, and turned in John Holmes to the police. This is the true story of a young girl’s harrowing escape from one of the most infamous public figures, her struggle to survive, and her recovery from unthinkable abuse.

Ratings and reviews

Truely a page turner. I have a samsung stellar phone I know pretty lame, but I finished reading this book in two days. Dawn is so inspiring. The stories are haunting, but she shows you how to keep yourself intact and how to endure struggles in your life. Truely an amazing woman!

First 2/3rds of the book is painfully long winded...had to skip pg's to find more interesting bits to read..how she can write about day after day in minute detail like it was yesterday when it was actually years ago makes me think this book is half fiction...a few interesting bits at the end but not worth the long hard slug getting there...do i feel sorry for her umm NO!..she had plenty of opportunitys too leave him..when she did she kept going back for more

I was doubting myself about purchasing this book, not being sure that I could take the subject matter. Wow!! I am so glad I bought it. It is one of THE most amazing books I have ever read. Dawn's story is captivating and sad to say the least. Her courage to get through every horrible thing that has happened to her and end up being such an inspiration to others is extraordinary. I could not put this book down once I started. Recommending this book is an understatement! Buy this book.

About the author

Dawn Schiller was an associate producer and consultant on the 2003 movie Wonderland, which depicted the life of John Holmes in and around 1981. She is a member of a variety of committees -- including the President's Commission on the Status of Women and the National Center of Victims of Crime -- and she has developed a program called Throwaway Teens: Who Are They and How Can We Help?, which brings awareness to the experiences of kids targeted and groomed by predators. She lives in LaGrande, Oregon.