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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
This book should be a movie! Dec 22, 2009
By vistaman
"full time reader"
This book was brutal, hellish, and immensely frustrating - but it was also inspirational and brilliant. Ms. Scott treats the abuse sequences with a no-holds-barred gritty realism, but comes to a rather surprising conclusion, which is a welcome relief from typical domestic violence narratives. Even more compelling, this book is a true story, written about the author's childhood.
The plot centers around a single family, and most of the action takes place "in their house" in Cleveland, Ohio. Colin, the father, is incredibly successful, especially for a black man in the nineteen sixties and seventies. He is smart, charming, professional; he is recruited by the CIA and IBM (he ultimately goes with IBM). Most people assume that he - and his beautiful wife and six children - are living the ideal life. Nevertheless, this is not the case. Behind closed doors, he is an absolute, utter monster, mercilessly torturing his family with an almost calculated regularity.
Marala, the author of this memoir, endures this barbaric violence throughout the book, but more often, the focus is on her mother, Alley. Colin's abuse drives Alley to some pretty desperate measures, especially as she tries to protect her children from her monstrous husband. The conflict between Marala's parents gets extraordinarily intense.
The story continues right up until Marala is "freed" (that is, goes off to college), and gives a few details about the afterword (but not enough details!). In perhaps the most shocking twist in a book full of shocking twists, Marala finds the strength in her belief in God to forgive her father, fully, despite his refusal to repent. This section of the book is done with much care and obvious genuine feeling, bringing the narrative to an uplifting, if sorrowful, close.
I'd highly recommend it as a read for anybody looking into domestic violence issues, the psychology of abusers, religious issues, forgiveness, or if you just plain want to read an emotionally powerful story. It's got "Hollywood" written all over it!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Excellent book Apr 30, 2009
By Mouse
This book is a very well written, easy to read book. It does have a lot of details in regards to the physical and verbal abuse that the family receives from the father. However, abuse should not be taken lightly. This book helps others realize that this is a very real and true circumstance that many live and deal with on a daily basis. Each chapter begins with a bible verse. In the beginning of the book, it is hard to understand the relationship of the biblical aspect that is brought into the book. But the powerful and amazing ending helps bring the biblical point of the book into perspective.
Definitely a must read book for everyone!
Glued to book Mar 21, 2011
By pattycakes
I was completely glued to this book reading front to back. An amazing memoir to her mother who suffered through so much. This book is truly for those who need strength in their lives to make a change and want better. Reading this book will make anyone appreciate themselves and know their self worth.
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