Sage Was The Perfect Shadow: A Survivor's Story

by Mona Krueger

"A few moments on an icy bridge changed the skid, the sliding, the impact, the gas pouring out on me. It is easy to toss out words like shattered and tragic, tougher to take them in and swallow them."Thus begins a three-decade tale of recovery and identity reconstruction for an 18-year-old college girl severely burned in a car accident. Searching for the whys and working through the grief, the memoir takes us on a journey to find hope, coaxing people past the scars and tugging others toward life along the way. Alive with honest perspective and the defiance of despair, Sage Was The Perfect Shadow will encourage and inspire.

124 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2011

About the author

With Master degrees in both Pastoral Studies and Social Work, Mona draws on her experience of being burned as a teenager to reach out to trauma survivors.

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona was a few years ahead of me in college. I didn't know her personally, although we were involved in the same campus ministry. I had heard a bit of her story, heard from other students who really admired her attitude and outlook, and had wondered how she was doing. So glad I was able to read her book!

She writes frankly about life after a severe burn accident. Not self-aggrandizing or preachy at all. Just straightforward talk about a few of the excruciating moments as well as times of deep conviction of her worth, no matter what was happening on the outside or what other people thought. I loved reading about her years in Russia as well, and the bridges of understanding between her and people who have suffered.

I don't care if it sounds trite: her perspective gives me courage that with God, I could walk through anything He asks and gain deeper understanding on how to live and relate to others. What an excellent book!!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was struck by the intensity and rawness of the words throughout the chapters of this book, and how the author was able to evoke some really deep emotional feelings in me as I read through it. Written in a poetic style, with powerfully, profound imagery, the message comes through loud and clear, that in any circumstance, no matter how difficult or impossible they seem, there is a way to heal from it.

Even though, the author allows some very desolate insight into a burn survivor's traumatic recovery process, she makes it clear that there is hope in the midst of the most severe trials. Her own life is a testimony of a survivor spirit, and one who becomes part of the solution in offering hope to others.

I do believe some people are given more than they can bear, as 2 Cor. 1:8 states. But, Mona proves life can offer promise and joy to those who search for it, and for those who band together and support each other. I recommend this book to both burn survivors and others. I think it was well written and a worthwhile read.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this book is written. Easy read, but very engaging. I'm so glad I bought this book from Mona. This is a book where I'll go back to and re-read passages as they are so inspirational.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read -- Mona is incredibly open and vulnerable. <3