WINNER of the Living Now Bronze Medal for "Books for a Better Tomorrow" - WINNER of the Nautilus Awards Silver Medal for "Books That Are Changing the World" - LETTERS TO SURVIVORS has been chosen by counseling programs and women's centers across America as their first-recommended book for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. What if you really aren't alone? What if you knew there is hope that things can get better? What if you could connect with other amazing women who have been through it too, and could share their hopes, advice, wit, and wisdom with you? LETTERS TO SURVIVORS offers you that. Women from around the world, from teen to adult, have gathered to give you their personal message of hope after rape. That makes LETTERS TO SURVIVORS one of the most uplifting, life-changing books you may ever read. Every letter is presented as a work of full-color art, alongside the printed text of each letter for ease of reading. Each woman's letter addresses a different aspect of recovery from rape, such as recovering trust, coping with depression and suicidal thoughts, self-injury, spirituality/God, how to find support, how to recognize toxic so-called "helpers," how to work effectively with your therapist, how to handle discouragement, and how to find hope again. Nothing in the book is "triggering"--there is no harsh language or dark imagery. "Letters To Survivors" can be read by a person at any stage of healing, and there is no other book like it.
The letters you can read in this title are real, not fiction. Behind each of them is a traumatic experience connected to rape, and where many girls and women might think their experience is something that isolates them, and it is something that nobody can relate to, it is not like that at all.
In Letters to Survivors Matt Atkinson collected messages that show that you are by no means alone. And the messages you can read in this title are very serious in nature, but what matters most, you will find messages of hope in each of them. They are heartbreaking, tell about what women and girls experienced, and at the same time they are also about supporting, healing, and hoping for a better future.
I can highly recommend this book to survivors, maybe even more so if you are struggling, or confused due to the trauma you experienced.
Since I believe that sexual violence still is a topic that is not spoken about adequately, and not enough for sure, I am always glad to find a book that is able to show what sexual violence does to girls and women. This one combines the letters of survivors with the professionally sound comments of Matt Atkinson.
All in all it is definitely a 5 out of 5 stars title.
"What if you really aren't alone? What if you knew there is hope that things can get better? What if you could meet other amazing women who have been through it too, and could share their hopes, advice, with and wisdom with you?
Letters To Survivors offers you that. Women from around the world, from teen to elder, have gathered to give you their personal message of hope after rape.
That makes Letters one of the most uplifting, life-changing books you may ever read."
And it doesn't lie!
It doesn't matter where you are in you healing journey; if you're just starting realise what happened was rape or haven't named it yet, right through to the survivor who is coming to the end of their journey. There will be something in here for you. Words of hope, understanding and love from women who fight their own healing battles alongside of you. Each one was afraid that their letter wouldn't make the mark, wouldn't be good enough, but they are. They really are.
And they couldn't have been given to a better person. Matt Atkinson laboured over this book working hard to make sure every aspect was just so and it really shows. In the way he has presented each letter and in the way he introduces them all.
Don't let this one slide you by. Buy it for yourself, your partner, your friends and family. Buy it for a work colleague or gift it to a local charity. This book and its message of hope is so powerful and should be given to every person who needs it.