After being kidnapped by Phillip Garrido 18 years ago and then miraculously escaping, Jaycee Dugard is finally speaking out about her life to People Magazine. They have an excerpt on their website which has a current photo of Jaycee. She looks like a normal, sweet girl, a bit younger than her 29 years. She actually reminds me of Jodie Foster a bit. Something in the eyes. The excerpt talks about Jaycee’s life right now, but doesn’t go into any specifics about what went on during those 18 years. At the end they say, “For much more on Jaycee Dugard’s new life – including stunning photographs of her family, details of her reunion with the sister she hadn’t seen since 1991 and her deepening bond with her mother – pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday” – which implies that Jaycee didn’t talk about her time with Garrido in her interview.

After being held against her will for 18 years, much of it in a backyard hell straight out of a horror film, Jaycee Dugard wants the world to know:

“I’m so happy to be back with my family,” she tells PEOPLE.

Now living in seclusion with her mom, Terry Probyn, 50, and the two daughters – Angel, 15, and Starlit, 11 – fathered by her alleged kidnapper, Phillip Garrido, Dugard, 29, has begun the slow process of recovery. She rides horses, cooks meals and is thinking of collaborating on a book.

“They live a surprisingly normal life, considering the circumstances,” says Terry’s stepmother, Joan Curry.

[From People]

It makes sense that Jaycee isn’t talking about her 18 years as the Garrido’s captive. I’d assume that she’d never want to talk about it, but the mention of a book makes me think maybe she’s waiting to write about it on her own, instead of being questioned in an interview. Her family is good about releasing PR-appropriate information, but I can’t help but think things aren’t possibly going as smoothly as they make it seem. But beyond that, I can’t even imagine what they are going through. These are major adjustments, and it isn’t the kind of situation where you can just go pick up a book from the store to help you out. It’s highly unique. As much as I wonder about Jaycee, I wonder about her children. They never knew anything but living with Garrido. Did he act like a father to them? Did they call him Dad? Did they think their situation was how all kids lived? I have so many questions that I do really hope Jaycee talks about what went on. It’s such a horrifying and bizarre situation.

Speaking of horrifying and bizarre, Radar has some pictures of where Jaycee was living with the Garridos. She and her daughters were in a large tent and a shed in the Garridos backyard. It was packed and filthy, almost indescribably so. I’ve definitely seen pictures of worse, but you’ve got to remember – they were imprisoned here every single day for 18 years. It’s mind-boggling just to think about, and hard to process even as an outsider.

Radar also has a clip of an interview with the Dugard family’s spokesperson, who describes her daughters as bright and curious, and mentions that they are working with private tutors. I assume they have someone who’s helping Jaycee and the girls reintegrate into society – but all the media attention is going to make it even more challenging.