From the heart...
Non-Fiction has been a useful tool for those of us which have a story that just needed telling, whether for cathartic reasons or 'getting it out there' or both or...
Whatever the reason, I believe most of these stories come from the heart...those written by the very people at its maelstrom.
I wrote Slings & Arrows because of what happened to my daughter, Samantha, who was born with transposition of the main arteries to her heart (crossed the wrong way), a blocked valve and two holes. When she was 8 months old, she underwent corrective surgery and all seemed well...
However, when she was two and a half years old, her heart stopped and doctors were unable to get it started in time - she was severely brain damaged and survived for a further 17 years until she died a second and final time.
Slings & Arrows is an account of that waiting time.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Slings & Arrows: viewBook.at/B005MAWNFI
I did write a fantasy to answer the question: Where had my daughter gone? during that waiting time. Because I wondered that if she was no longer 'here', her essence wiped clean, then where was she? Her body was a withering shell, not knowing me or anything surrounding her, so where was 'she'?
Gone is the answer to that question.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Gone: viewBook.at/B005MAAE0Y
***
Over the years, I've read other non-fictional accounts and below are some that I think you may like to read:
Captive by Samantha Jacobey
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review:
I was sent this book for review.
This story is about a young woman, one fighting for survival amongst the most evil of beings - humans.
I was drawn in at once by the flow and style of the writing and although I don't like explicit sex scenes, I think this story warranted it as it was a big part of Tori's terrible ordeal.
A strong protagonist, one that could have been broken but had chosen to live.
I don't give spoilers but will say that this book is not for the faint of heart, in that it delivers the horrors of Tori's life with a huge, no holds barred, punch; one that will leave you gasping and wonder how some people can be so cruel and inexplicably wicked.
A compelling read.
*
Adventures of Mother-Sitting by Doreen Cox
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
My review:
These situations where we must watch the suffering of a loved one with an aching heart and a sense of hopelessness - thank goodness for humour and a deep abiding love that seemed to shine within this account.
I can only admire anyone who survives such torment and keep their spirit strong.
An honest account that others should read, if only to count the good things and treasure them.
*
Where Fault Lies by Carrie May Lucas
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review:
This is a well written account of a horrifying experience, which is bravely honest, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the protagonist.
Although I am not fond of explicit sex scenes, I can see it is validated due to the nature of the account. However, it is a no-holds-barred 'story' of good versus evil in a very real way - this is no fantasy yet in parts you will wonder how someone can be such a calculating villain in the 'real world'.
I don't know the law per se, but the account appears accurate and well researched, where facts are important in non-fiction, although is does read as fiction, it is obviously a personal, heartbreaking story.
Women from any country will relate to the thoughts and feelings involved, and how easily rape could happen to anyone - and how the stigma and blame sticks to the victim, sometimes more than the perpetrator. I can only admire the strength it took in the writing and that she never more thinks herself a victim, only moves forward so that the predator never wins.
It is psychologically sound and urge I others to read this moving story, which I feel will help those who may have suffered similarly.
*
Amelia's Story by D. G. Torrens
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
My review:
This was a heartbreaking yet inspiring story. The writing was deeply personal and flowed with an honesty that was breathtaking. Apart from the odd lapse into American spelling, I thought it was extremely well-written and suited the poignant tale of what can happen when children are put into the hands of despicable people.
And despicable they were.
I'm not sure if children in 'care' are still treated as badly - no voice, split from siblings, abused, stripped of anything that gives them identity and treated as criminals. Where in actuality, it is the parents, social workers and those that own and staff the homes who are indeed immoral, scandalous and surely, breaking the law; truly monsters masquerading as human. It is those who should be incarcerated, not the children. And yet, I have read about the invisibility and unimportance of those unfortunate enough to the lumbered with disgusting 'humans', although I can only hope things have improved. It makes me ashamed to be English, knowing that we allow such things to happen.
It is difficult to believe, and yet we cannot be surprised, that such cruelty exists within the human condition...although, I suppose, we must accept it as true - and my heart aches in response to such terrorism.
Amelia's Story is beautifully told, and is a compelling read. I can only hope that Amelia continues to fight against such awfulness and yes, takes her destiny into her own hands enough to defeat the monsters and live the life she deserves.
Highly recommended.
*
I would recommend all these books, if only to give pause to the life that surrounds us - and hope.
Whatever the reason, I believe most of these stories come from the heart...those written by the very people at its maelstrom.
I wrote Slings & Arrows because of what happened to my daughter, Samantha, who was born with transposition of the main arteries to her heart (crossed the wrong way), a blocked valve and two holes. When she was 8 months old, she underwent corrective surgery and all seemed well...
However, when she was two and a half years old, her heart stopped and doctors were unable to get it started in time - she was severely brain damaged and survived for a further 17 years until she died a second and final time.
Slings & Arrows is an account of that waiting time.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Slings & Arrows: viewBook.at/B005MAWNFI
I did write a fantasy to answer the question: Where had my daughter gone? during that waiting time. Because I wondered that if she was no longer 'here', her essence wiped clean, then where was she? Her body was a withering shell, not knowing me or anything surrounding her, so where was 'she'?
Gone is the answer to that question.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Gone: viewBook.at/B005MAAE0Y
***
Over the years, I've read other non-fictional accounts and below are some that I think you may like to read:
Captive by Samantha Jacobey
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review:
I was sent this book for review.
This story is about a young woman, one fighting for survival amongst the most evil of beings - humans.
I was drawn in at once by the flow and style of the writing and although I don't like explicit sex scenes, I think this story warranted it as it was a big part of Tori's terrible ordeal.
A strong protagonist, one that could have been broken but had chosen to live.
I don't give spoilers but will say that this book is not for the faint of heart, in that it delivers the horrors of Tori's life with a huge, no holds barred, punch; one that will leave you gasping and wonder how some people can be so cruel and inexplicably wicked.
A compelling read.
*
Adventures of Mother-Sitting by Doreen Cox
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
My review:
These situations where we must watch the suffering of a loved one with an aching heart and a sense of hopelessness - thank goodness for humour and a deep abiding love that seemed to shine within this account.
I can only admire anyone who survives such torment and keep their spirit strong.
An honest account that others should read, if only to count the good things and treasure them.
*
Where Fault Lies by Carrie May Lucas
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My review:
This is a well written account of a horrifying experience, which is bravely honest, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the protagonist.
Although I am not fond of explicit sex scenes, I can see it is validated due to the nature of the account. However, it is a no-holds-barred 'story' of good versus evil in a very real way - this is no fantasy yet in parts you will wonder how someone can be such a calculating villain in the 'real world'.
I don't know the law per se, but the account appears accurate and well researched, where facts are important in non-fiction, although is does read as fiction, it is obviously a personal, heartbreaking story.
Women from any country will relate to the thoughts and feelings involved, and how easily rape could happen to anyone - and how the stigma and blame sticks to the victim, sometimes more than the perpetrator. I can only admire the strength it took in the writing and that she never more thinks herself a victim, only moves forward so that the predator never wins.
It is psychologically sound and urge I others to read this moving story, which I feel will help those who may have suffered similarly.
*
Amelia's Story by D. G. Torrens
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
My review:
This was a heartbreaking yet inspiring story. The writing was deeply personal and flowed with an honesty that was breathtaking. Apart from the odd lapse into American spelling, I thought it was extremely well-written and suited the poignant tale of what can happen when children are put into the hands of despicable people.
And despicable they were.
I'm not sure if children in 'care' are still treated as badly - no voice, split from siblings, abused, stripped of anything that gives them identity and treated as criminals. Where in actuality, it is the parents, social workers and those that own and staff the homes who are indeed immoral, scandalous and surely, breaking the law; truly monsters masquerading as human. It is those who should be incarcerated, not the children. And yet, I have read about the invisibility and unimportance of those unfortunate enough to the lumbered with disgusting 'humans', although I can only hope things have improved. It makes me ashamed to be English, knowing that we allow such things to happen.
It is difficult to believe, and yet we cannot be surprised, that such cruelty exists within the human condition...although, I suppose, we must accept it as true - and my heart aches in response to such terrorism.
Amelia's Story is beautifully told, and is a compelling read. I can only hope that Amelia continues to fight against such awfulness and yes, takes her destiny into her own hands enough to defeat the monsters and live the life she deserves.
Highly recommended.
*
I would recommend all these books, if only to give pause to the life that surrounds us - and hope.
No comments have been added yet.
