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

I cannot believe this is real; I cannot believe how vicious, self-serving, and INHUMAN John turned out to be... I knew abuse was coming, but this level of cruelty I did NOT expect as I found myself being groomed by him thru Dawn's recollections. I'm also an abuse survivor, rendered dependant thru addiction; but not at such a young, impressionable age. Dawn, you were never to blame for any of that!! Im so happy you survived to tell your story, & take action! Im elated you found God, & now enjoying your life!

Dawn's story is beautifully written and really touched me...Maybe because I could relate to many parts of it. Thank you Dawn for telling your story; it shows that for all our us who have been victims there is hope, that the pain doesn't have to consume us, and we ALL deserve to be happy and LOVED.

Dawn's true story is chilling, dark, emotional, gripping, and will have you flipping pages all the way to the end. This is one of the best, well written, memoirs I have read in a very long time. Dawn's story of surviving a pedophile, abuse, prostitution, drugs, terrible childhood, will have you screaming in triumph for her at the end. This book will have you up at all hours of the night, tempted to find out what happens next. If you think you know about "John Holmes" you actually have no idea.

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.