WHERE HOPE BEGINS is the inspiring true story of a reporter who adopts a family of abuse victims, risking her job and possibly h... read full description
reviews
Jan 30, 2010
Jennifer
rated it: 
This true story begins with a flashback to the day that Marcus Wesson murdered nine of his children. The author, a report in California, overcame her journalist training and instinct to help three of the women from Wesson's family get back on their feet and try to find a "normal" life in the aftermath of the murders.
Sofios is a remarkable woman, both in her ability to act to help out the people that had no one else to help them and in her continued optimism. I was interest More...
Sofios is a remarkable woman, both in her ability to act to help out the people that had no one else to help them and in her continued optimism. I was interest More...
Sep 02, 2009
Sarah
rated it: 
Full disclosure: I'm publicizing this book. On that note, it really is amazing. I read it in 24 hours. It is horrifying, disturbing, and hopeful, all rolled into one. This is the true story behind the Wesson family murders (the largest mass murder in Fresno, CA history) in which patriarch Marcus Wesson killed nine of his seventeen children (some of which are also his grandchildren - yeah, I know). But it is also the story of what happened to the surviving members of the family afterwards, and th
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Aug 12, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
Wonderfully and compassionately written, Alysia Sofios, a news reporter from Fresno, CA reports on the devastation that Marcus Wesson causes his family. A religious fanatic, physical & mental abuser of all of his 18 children (6 of which were conceived by his own daughters and niece), Wesson ends up on CA death row, where he remains today. After the "God" ordered slaying of 9 of the children, Ms. Sofios takes in the remaining members of the family and strives to learn how they had sur
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May 22, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Intriguing and sad, this true story tells about the family of a convicted mass murderer. It gives some insight into what happened in his very dysfunctional family, and it portrays his grown children as the victims they truly were. After reading this book, I think it would be impossible not to feel sympathy and compassion for this family and admiration for the reporter who became such an important part of their lives.
May 27, 2011
Marni
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This was a wonderful book of hope surviving tragedy. A tragic story and the path of the family of survivors and the reporter who helped them find their way. I came away from the book unexpectedly feeling hope and happiness for the victims who were given a new life.
Jan 26, 2011
Kristen
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I can't believe a father would do that to his kids...I hope the kids that survived are not under his controlling spell anymore and I am glad that Marcus is on death row.
Jul 20, 2010
Very interesting subject matter. I'm glad the Wesson family members are getting their lives on track. I don't really care much for Alysia's writing style though.
Nov 10, 2009
Brooke
rated it:
An amazing, heartwarming, tragic story that everyone should read. It is amazing that a family can live like the Wessons did and not even know it was morally and lawfully wrong. It is sad that so many people had to die to finally put this filthy animal behind bars.
Jun 24, 2011
Patty
rated it:
This book was bittersweet to read. Bitter because of what this family had to endure for years and years. Sweet, because they overcame. I can not imagine living my life the way they had to. I wish them a whole lifetime of happiness and joy. They deserve it!!
Also, a standing ovation for the author, Alysia for having the compassion and courage to take this family into her home, when they had no where to go. I would hope I would do the same, but don't know that I would have the courage More...
Also, a standing ovation for the author, Alysia for having the compassion and courage to take this family into her home, when they had no where to go. I would hope I would do the same, but don't know that I would have the courage More...
Mar 05, 2010
Emily
rated it: 
I was so surprised by how much I loved this book. I absolutely loved the characters...though not characters, they are real people. I saw them on Dr. Phil. I was pulling for each one of them and hoping the best for them. It was moving and sickening and in the end hopeful.
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