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A Door Cracked Open
Raised in a mean-spirited, poverty-stricken home in England, where her quarrelsome father tries to squash her carefree spirit and her three siblings make fun of her, Amy struggles to understand what value she has. Somehow finding God in the midst of an atheist upbringing, she perseveres to grow up better than the useless person she’s assured she is.When told at the age of sixteen that she must start working to pay her way instead of finishing school, she dares to dream of a better life, away from the squabbles and constant despair she encounters at home. A magazine ad from a family in Sweden, looking for someone to watch their children, entices Amy’s adventurous spirit, and she soon finds herself looking through a new door in her life, cracked open to an amazing world she never dreamed possible, where people are nice to her and life is good. Yet, her incredibly rich, rough life is just beginning.
292 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews
September 7, 2016
This book surprised me. I was not surprised at how good the writing was, I was surprised at how it held my attention and kept pulling me back to continue reading. Not every book has that power. This one does. This is not your standard novel in three acts. It is like a continuous drama that just keeps unfolding before your eyes and heart. I highly recommend it, but beware. It is an addicting read.
September 11, 2019
This was a very touching story of family relationships and dealing with difficult situations. Although I have not been through the same experiences I was drawn into Amy's circumstances and found myself rooting for her. I am looking forward to reading more about Amy's adventures and definitely recommend this book and author.
August 13, 2017
"A Door Cracked Open" by Carmina Edwards is a true story about a girl that was abused by her father and even teachers. I felt sorry for Amy while reading this story because I know how it felt like not being apart of the school crowd, no I wasn't abused like Amy, but like Amy I closer to my grandmother, though in Amy's case it was her aunt until she went to Sweden and then it was the two families that she worked for but she has a special relationship with the grandmas.
Amy's story is told with honesty and I felt like I was actually listening to Amy tell her story rather than reading it. There are accounts of abuse like her father slamming the piano lid down on her hand because of a wrong note but there is also funny accounts like her making bread and can't read all the Swedish words yet so she leaves out an important ingredient figuring it won't make much difference.
Though the whole book Amy shows that ( this is a direct quote from the book) " She could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about"
The story was easy to read except the abuse part( who likes to read about abuse) but it was written in good taste and easy to follow but it sometimes seemed to be repeating itself.
I was literally saying to myself "Thank you God, that you sent Amy to the right family when she was learning to be a teenager and experiencing normal teenager actions".
Ok, I must be honest here and say I didn't like the fact that the families let her have alcohol ( wine) maybe because it was Sweden, she was 17 and 18, I know that it won't bother other readers but I am just being honest here. I also know that is a true story and not fiction so had to be included in the telling.
I am adding her second book "Into a Silent World" to my to be read list. It is a continuation of her life and the ending of "A Door Cracked Open" left me wanting to know how her last choice turned out. I do believe there is a third book coming also.
I really encourage all readers to read this book and if nothing else, help her support homeless people, this is her statement from her guest post on the book tour "Because I feel passionately about helping the homeless, a large percentage of my royalties will go directly to them." I think if you read the book you will see how the human spirit can rise above overwhelming odds.
"A Door Cracked Open" by Carmina Edwards is a five star memoir.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
Amy's story is told with honesty and I felt like I was actually listening to Amy tell her story rather than reading it. There are accounts of abuse like her father slamming the piano lid down on her hand because of a wrong note but there is also funny accounts like her making bread and can't read all the Swedish words yet so she leaves out an important ingredient figuring it won't make much difference.
Though the whole book Amy shows that ( this is a direct quote from the book) " She could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about"
The story was easy to read except the abuse part( who likes to read about abuse) but it was written in good taste and easy to follow but it sometimes seemed to be repeating itself.
I was literally saying to myself "Thank you God, that you sent Amy to the right family when she was learning to be a teenager and experiencing normal teenager actions".
Ok, I must be honest here and say I didn't like the fact that the families let her have alcohol ( wine) maybe because it was Sweden, she was 17 and 18, I know that it won't bother other readers but I am just being honest here. I also know that is a true story and not fiction so had to be included in the telling.
I am adding her second book "Into a Silent World" to my to be read list. It is a continuation of her life and the ending of "A Door Cracked Open" left me wanting to know how her last choice turned out. I do believe there is a third book coming also.
I really encourage all readers to read this book and if nothing else, help her support homeless people, this is her statement from her guest post on the book tour "Because I feel passionately about helping the homeless, a large percentage of my royalties will go directly to them." I think if you read the book you will see how the human spirit can rise above overwhelming odds.
"A Door Cracked Open" by Carmina Edwards is a five star memoir.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.
August 8, 2017
A Door Cracked Open by Carmina Edwards is a Christian coming of age novel set in the 1970's. It is the first book in the World Cracked Open series and a most enjoyable read.
The novel shows the damage we can inflict on others by our words. Words that form our personal opinion of ourselves so we live up to what we believe. "She had believed she deserved nothing." Words spoken over our lives can stick, for good or for bad. We need to listen to life affirming voices that build up and do not tear down.
The leading lady is eleven year old Amy. The reader watches as she grows throughout her teenage years. With the novel being written in the third person but from Amy's viewpoint, the reader becomes intimately acquainted with her. We celebrate her highs and her lows.
The novel is about resilience and a reliance on self. However when we come to the end of ourselves, we need to make sure it is to God that we turn. In spite of being bought up by a family of atheists, Amy realises that God is out there. "I can do this. Please God, help me."
Negative words crush spirits and stunt growth. The novel shows the power of good people in our lives. People who believe in us and are kind. A little kindness will go a long way.
The novel is about journeys - literal journeys and the journey to awakening. A journey of discovery - who we are and whose we are.
The reader experiences life in both England and Sweden. The atmosphere in England is stifling and oppressive and contrasts with the freedom and clean air of Sweden.
A Door Cracked Open is a powerful read and a cautionary tale about the power of words. May our words always build people up. May we be careful with our tongues, they can destroy people in a moment. I am looking forward to the subsequent books in the series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The novel shows the damage we can inflict on others by our words. Words that form our personal opinion of ourselves so we live up to what we believe. "She had believed she deserved nothing." Words spoken over our lives can stick, for good or for bad. We need to listen to life affirming voices that build up and do not tear down.
The leading lady is eleven year old Amy. The reader watches as she grows throughout her teenage years. With the novel being written in the third person but from Amy's viewpoint, the reader becomes intimately acquainted with her. We celebrate her highs and her lows.
The novel is about resilience and a reliance on self. However when we come to the end of ourselves, we need to make sure it is to God that we turn. In spite of being bought up by a family of atheists, Amy realises that God is out there. "I can do this. Please God, help me."
Negative words crush spirits and stunt growth. The novel shows the power of good people in our lives. People who believe in us and are kind. A little kindness will go a long way.
The novel is about journeys - literal journeys and the journey to awakening. A journey of discovery - who we are and whose we are.
The reader experiences life in both England and Sweden. The atmosphere in England is stifling and oppressive and contrasts with the freedom and clean air of Sweden.
A Door Cracked Open is a powerful read and a cautionary tale about the power of words. May our words always build people up. May we be careful with our tongues, they can destroy people in a moment. I am looking forward to the subsequent books in the series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
August 10, 2017
A Door Cracked Open is Carmina Edward’s first book. This book is difficult for me to review because I wanted to like it but in the end, I just couldn’t connect at all to the characters.
A Door Cracked Open is based on a true story, and the entire book feels like a series of vignettes that don’t quite gel together to make a complete story. We jump from scene to scene with Amy, our main character, and for me it just didn’t work.
I understand the themes Ms. Edwards was imparting throughout the book, especially about trusting God when we feel confused or unsure about what we are called to do, but I did not connect to Amy’s emotional journey. The story is dialogue heavy with little narrative prose and it makes it difficult to see what Amy is feeling and experiencing.
The writing itself is rather simplistic. The simplistic style suited the book when Amy was a child, but as she grew older, I wanted the prose and dialogue to mature along with her! However, it stays the same and makes Amy seem younger than she truly is, which I feel does not suit Amy’s character growth during the book.
I did enjoy the story, as Amy lives a fascinating and colorful life, but the writing itself and the feeling of “vignettes” instead of scenes flowing together makes it tough for me to recommend A Door Cracked Open.
I give this book 3/5 stars for the “vignette” storytelling and the simplistic writing style. If that form of storytelling works for you, you may enjoy this book more than I did.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit. All opinions are my own.**
A Door Cracked Open is based on a true story, and the entire book feels like a series of vignettes that don’t quite gel together to make a complete story. We jump from scene to scene with Amy, our main character, and for me it just didn’t work.
I understand the themes Ms. Edwards was imparting throughout the book, especially about trusting God when we feel confused or unsure about what we are called to do, but I did not connect to Amy’s emotional journey. The story is dialogue heavy with little narrative prose and it makes it difficult to see what Amy is feeling and experiencing.
The writing itself is rather simplistic. The simplistic style suited the book when Amy was a child, but as she grew older, I wanted the prose and dialogue to mature along with her! However, it stays the same and makes Amy seem younger than she truly is, which I feel does not suit Amy’s character growth during the book.
I did enjoy the story, as Amy lives a fascinating and colorful life, but the writing itself and the feeling of “vignettes” instead of scenes flowing together makes it tough for me to recommend A Door Cracked Open.
I give this book 3/5 stars for the “vignette” storytelling and the simplistic writing style. If that form of storytelling works for you, you may enjoy this book more than I did.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit. All opinions are my own.**
August 15, 2017
My penny’s worth
Simply put this is a book about a young lady who wants to make her dreams come true. Being an avid reader, I have no doubt Amy’s imagination, fired by the many stories she read, inspired her subconsciously to break out of her dysfunctional home life.
Child-like faith
Underpinning this character’s motivation is a child-like faith, believing the impossible opens the door to moving mountains.
God's work
This book is a good example of how God works behind the scenes bringing opportunities for healing to His fragile children. Such opportunities bless Amy. There are many golden moments of love expressed to her by her employers, which often Amy compares to her previous experiences. These past hurts or deprivation sometimes took away from the beauty of the moment.
Personally, I admired Amy's bravery that escorted the naivety of her age. She wanted to change her life and strove to do so with God's help.
Down but not out
This is an interesting book to read about life in the 70's in England. Many people were down and out, but those that chose to walk a different path could, with a determined spirit, change their destination - just as Amy wanted to.
*I received this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.*
Simply put this is a book about a young lady who wants to make her dreams come true. Being an avid reader, I have no doubt Amy’s imagination, fired by the many stories she read, inspired her subconsciously to break out of her dysfunctional home life.
Child-like faith
Underpinning this character’s motivation is a child-like faith, believing the impossible opens the door to moving mountains.
God's work
This book is a good example of how God works behind the scenes bringing opportunities for healing to His fragile children. Such opportunities bless Amy. There are many golden moments of love expressed to her by her employers, which often Amy compares to her previous experiences. These past hurts or deprivation sometimes took away from the beauty of the moment.
Personally, I admired Amy's bravery that escorted the naivety of her age. She wanted to change her life and strove to do so with God's help.
Down but not out
This is an interesting book to read about life in the 70's in England. Many people were down and out, but those that chose to walk a different path could, with a determined spirit, change their destination - just as Amy wanted to.
*I received this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.*
August 6, 2017
This novel is a good character study, showing how a child's confidence can be destroyed by harsh comments from parents. Happily, it also shows how one's life can be changed when respect and encouragement are given.
The author's writing style is not sophisticated. Although written in the third person, the novel has the feel of a journal and is a straightforward coming of age story.
The aspect of the novel I liked the best was the descriptions of the people, places, and customs of Sweden. It was fun to read about their celebrations and the food served.
This novel would be a good one for young adults but may be difficult to read if the reader had parents that were critical and always making derogatory comments. It is a good novel for parents to read to see the effects their comments have on their children.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The author's writing style is not sophisticated. Although written in the third person, the novel has the feel of a journal and is a straightforward coming of age story.
The aspect of the novel I liked the best was the descriptions of the people, places, and customs of Sweden. It was fun to read about their celebrations and the food served.
This novel would be a good one for young adults but may be difficult to read if the reader had parents that were critical and always making derogatory comments. It is a good novel for parents to read to see the effects their comments have on their children.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
December 2, 2019
This story was not what I expected but worth the read nonetheless. I was enthralled by descriptions of the different countries mentioned as it was not a US based book. That was a most refreshing change for me. To be able to learn about different cultures in a slightly different time period was fascinating.
The author definitely got her point across as the writing was straightforward and the story easy to follow. I was a bit surprised with the ending which is unusual for me, so that in itself speaks volumes.
I didn't realize that this was the first installment of a series. Fortunately, I would be interested in reading the sequel to the story to find out what happens to the main character which happens to be the author.
Kudos to the author on her debut. I wish her much success in her writing career and in her life in general.
The author definitely got her point across as the writing was straightforward and the story easy to follow. I was a bit surprised with the ending which is unusual for me, so that in itself speaks volumes.
I didn't realize that this was the first installment of a series. Fortunately, I would be interested in reading the sequel to the story to find out what happens to the main character which happens to be the author.
Kudos to the author on her debut. I wish her much success in her writing career and in her life in general.
May 18, 2024
This was my first read by this author and I was not disappointed. Amy had a very hard upbringing and in her father's eyes, she never did anything right. Amy had no confidence in herself and that she wasn't worthy of anything good. Because of the abuse she received at home, she wanted something better for herself. She found an ad in a magazine looking for an au pair in Sweden. This was her dream to get away from England. Her new family was so good to her and helped her through her teen years. Being a teenager she often made bad judgement calls and her host mother would help her through her mistakes. Amy was always afraid she would be sent home and she did not want that. The ending was quite surprising to see what Amy's next vocation might be. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens. I was given a complimentary copy by the author and these opinions are my own.
November 8, 2019
If you enjoy a path to self-discovery and finding a better life, all the while leaning on your faith, this book is for you. It contains unexpected, well-written elements of suspense. The narration really draws you into the main character’s upbringing in a poverty stricken childhood, while rooting for her to break free from that bondage, leaving the reader with a genuine curiosity as to what will happen next. I especially enjoyed the underlying theme that if we believe that God is in control, then we can trust our lives’ journeys and have more fun, if we are too submissive & resolute to His will. Very well written story Carmina! I highly recommend this read.
August 3, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised how well it was written. The main character Amy’s journey has been portrayed well and one can totally relate to her. Amy is a strong woman who goes through a lot and never gets discouraged and continues to deal with whatever comes her way. She never looses hope and keeps her faith in god alive. It is a story that kept tugging my heart. A wonderful and well written debut novel. Thanks Carmina Lavergne for your giveaway which I truly enjoyed reading.
July 2, 2020
This book was difficult to get through because... I'm Amy. It took me longer than normal to read through because I kept having to stop and shake off the thoughts that entered into my mind, the memories. HOWEVER... it's well written. Amy is a very likable character. I thought she was very sweet and unspoiled. The book showed me that God is with us and how far I've come since... then.
July 13, 2021
This is a beautifully written story of a woman with true tenacity and blind faith. I loved that even though her parents were atheists, she believed in and followed God. I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Sweden, but the talent of the author allowed me to visit through her description. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to start the next!
March 8, 2020
The writing is excellent. I could very strongly relate to Amy’s home situation. Although we always had plenty as my dad worked hard the mental and physical abuse was there. I enjoyed the story up until about the last 10% of the book but do understand why she chose the direction she did.
August 3, 2017
Whenever I agree to read and review a book by an author that I am not familiar with, I find myself somewhat worried! What if I don't like this book?? A negative review is very difficult for me to write!! HOWEVER..... this need not to have been a concern with this novel! My attention was captured on the first page ! The biggest problem was... that I did NOT want to put this book down, until I had read the last page. It was a story of faith that remained secure in the midst of the most heartbreaking challenges.
The characters were so vividly and realistically described, that I immediately felt part of their lives. The main character , Amy, had to learn about life, faith and family in the most difficult circumstances. Her father was a force to be reckoned with!! How she achieved in spite of her unhappy home situation was truly amazing! She took every negative circumstance and made it become a positive stepping stone to make improvements in her life. Everyone can learn a lesson from this young lady!! She kept her eyes focused on the one above! God had a plan for her life in the midst of her many trials!! It is only through Him that she learned the meaning of unconditional love. Despite a heartbreaking family life, Amy made decisions that would change the course of her future. I rejoiced with her as she found peace and satisfaction.
The plot moves slowly but has just enough twists and turns to keep the reader totally engaged. There were many moments when I was reading, that I just had no idea of what Amy would do when encountering another life changing challenge!!
This would be an excellent read for young adults. It shows how an individual can succeed even when the past has frightful and hurtful memories. The importance of keeping one's faith in the midst of the storm is the underlying message!
This book was received as a gift. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest and my own.
August 3, 2017
While we all wish that biographies were filled with fun and positive stories, that is just not the case in real life. Bad things happen, and people can find themselves stuck in very difficult situations. It is how they grow as people during these trials that make the story. Such is the case here. Ms. Edwards was not afraid to share what had happened to her during her youth, and how God protected her throughout it all. While I cannot imagine living the life that she did, more so because of her father, it simply amazed me at how gracefully she truly handled it.
This story is inspiring. You walk away from it thinking if this woman can make it though this, I can make it through some tough times as well. My favorite part of the book was when she was in Sweden as a mother's helper. I felt like this was a huge turning point, not just in the book, but in her life. And I imagine it was difficult to adjust to being with a family who was so caring, so loving, and encouraged her. Almost as difficult as it was to leave.
This book is raw, real, and inspiring. While some may say or think that the writing is slightly elementary, I think that is ok. It's a biography, and there is rule that says biographies have to be penned by authors only. It also adds this journalistic aspect to it, and made it easier (I feel) for someone who is a teenager or young adult to relate to. So I encourage you to try and look past that, and concentrate on the story of a girl who overcame obstacles with God's help. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead in the next installment! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 5, 2017
The author’s recount of the early years of this young woman’s extraordinary life is at times daunting. The reader is offered a detailed account of a life full of myriad challenges, dysfunctional family drama, unbridled faith, excellent adventures and friendships, and ultimately a life-altering decision to join an order of French nuns.
Described as a biography rather than an autobiography, this narrative is written in the third-person with copious detail and an almost journalistic feel at times. Apparently, Amy’s habit of daydreaming served as a sanity-saver and highly successful coping mechanism that trained her well for her venture into writing!
A few chosen quotes to provide insight into this first book in a series:
“She trusted everyone and soon came to find out that not all people in the world were nice or could be trusted.”
“She could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about.”
“Life was rich. It was also too short. That’s why she did not believe in letting anything slip by.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.
Described as a biography rather than an autobiography, this narrative is written in the third-person with copious detail and an almost journalistic feel at times. Apparently, Amy’s habit of daydreaming served as a sanity-saver and highly successful coping mechanism that trained her well for her venture into writing!
A few chosen quotes to provide insight into this first book in a series:
“She trusted everyone and soon came to find out that not all people in the world were nice or could be trusted.”
“She could always see a reason for everything and would go through life finding and focusing on the reason for things that happened to her. Amy found a blessing in each and every incident, however difficult or painful they turned out to be, trusting in God, whom she was not allowed to talk about.”
“Life was rich. It was also too short. That’s why she did not believe in letting anything slip by.”
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.
July 29, 2017
Based upon a true life story, Carmina Edwards has taken the main character of Amy from her emotionally and physically abusive home life to that of an au pare in Sweden. From here, several doors open up for Amy, and her long held feelings of worthlessness and inability to achieve anything slowly diminish. With her belief in God, which she has held even as a child in an atheist home, and her job abroad, Amy begins to grow and blossom on ways she never expected. Her life literally changes, her worldview changes and broadens, and her life circumstances physically, mentally, and emotionally change in ways she could never imagine.
My one observation with this novel was that it was written in such a simplistic language patter and tone, it felt as if the author was writing a novel for a much younger audience, whom I believe would greatly appreciate this novel (early teens).
While it was engaging and interesting, it felt just a tad bit long and there were several areas where condensing could have taken place.
An enjoyable coming of age novel, for early teens to adults.
Rating: 4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reseed copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own.
My one observation with this novel was that it was written in such a simplistic language patter and tone, it felt as if the author was writing a novel for a much younger audience, whom I believe would greatly appreciate this novel (early teens).
While it was engaging and interesting, it felt just a tad bit long and there were several areas where condensing could have taken place.
An enjoyable coming of age novel, for early teens to adults.
Rating: 4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reseed copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own.
August 19, 2017
This book was hard to read, not because it was poorly written, but because the author shared her pain. I think at some point we have all felt as though we were different, or not good enough, or that others didn't accept it, but Amy felt that way everyday, from a young age. She had no support systems and was ridiculed by family and teachers.
But God...
Those two words are critical to each of us, and especially to Amy, who was raised by parents who didn't believe in God. Somehow, through His great love, Amy was able to escape the harassment and abuse, and came to know God for His faithfulness and redemption.
This memoir isn't written like many memoirs I've read, mainly because it is written in the third person. This voice doesn't separate the reader from the very raw emotion which sometimes bleeds off the page. At times, I was fighting mad as I read about the situations Amy faced. This would be a good read for anyone who needs to be reminded that God works all things for our good.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book and it is my honest review.
But God...
Those two words are critical to each of us, and especially to Amy, who was raised by parents who didn't believe in God. Somehow, through His great love, Amy was able to escape the harassment and abuse, and came to know God for His faithfulness and redemption.
This memoir isn't written like many memoirs I've read, mainly because it is written in the third person. This voice doesn't separate the reader from the very raw emotion which sometimes bleeds off the page. At times, I was fighting mad as I read about the situations Amy faced. This would be a good read for anyone who needs to be reminded that God works all things for our good.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book and it is my honest review.
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January 10, 2016I really enjoyed this book! I am not one to have difficulty putting a book down lately, but this one made me want to keep reading to see what happened! The main character, Amy, had every reason to be discouraged and give up on life, but instead, the challenges she faced just made her more determined to follow the path that God had laid before her! Not without mistakes (some of them comical!), she refused to take "NO!" and "You can't!" for an answer, and instead plowed through seeming impossibilities to a life rich and full. I am anxious to read part II of the series!
September 7, 2021
‘A Door Cracked Open’ is a story about a girl named Amy. Her upbringing is very heartfelt. She is raised by a mean father and siblings that make fun of her. At 16 she is “forced” into finding a job. Her life takes a turn after she applies for a position with a family from Sweden. A new door is cracked open for Amy. She finds people can be kind and caring. Struggles are a part of life but can lead to happiness. A very well written story
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