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Startling Beauty : My Journey from Rape to Restoration
A gripping true life story, is undeniable proof that God can bring blessings out of the worst situations in our lives.
Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Heather Gemmen
63 books6 followersEuropean-Canadian woman who got raped by a Afro-Canadian man and got pregnant and decided to keep the baby.
She is now a spokesperson for pro-life.
She wrote her biography as well as a couple of Christian young adult literature.
She is now a spokesperson for pro-life.
She wrote her biography as well as a couple of Christian young adult literature.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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March 10, 2017Don't read this without also reading Heather's follow-up essay from 2016, "Unpinned."
"Ten years ago I wrote a memoir about being raped. “Rape takes too much,” I admitted in my book Startling Beauty, “but I, for one, have gained more than I have lost. I have been startled by beauty in places it doesn’t belong. I see it on the face of the man who keeps his vows to me, and fear releases its grip. I see it in the graceful dance of a child who was so unwanted, and hope revives its song.
And you closed the book thinking about how the rape connected me to my inner-city neighbors for the first time. How my loveless marriage had been transformed by our commitment to overcome trauma together. How something beautiful had risen up from the ashes, a perfect little girl.
And you felt good.
Rape, though, is not good. Nothing about it is beautiful.
You didn’t hear the rest of the story: I moved out of the neighborhood. My marriage failed. And my beloved daughter is a pain in the ass."
More at: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/620311
"Ten years ago I wrote a memoir about being raped. “Rape takes too much,” I admitted in my book Startling Beauty, “but I, for one, have gained more than I have lost. I have been startled by beauty in places it doesn’t belong. I see it on the face of the man who keeps his vows to me, and fear releases its grip. I see it in the graceful dance of a child who was so unwanted, and hope revives its song.
And you closed the book thinking about how the rape connected me to my inner-city neighbors for the first time. How my loveless marriage had been transformed by our commitment to overcome trauma together. How something beautiful had risen up from the ashes, a perfect little girl.
And you felt good.
Rape, though, is not good. Nothing about it is beautiful.
You didn’t hear the rest of the story: I moved out of the neighborhood. My marriage failed. And my beloved daughter is a pain in the ass."
More at: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/620311
November 14, 2020
Painful to read at times, but worth it
Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." (NASB)
How will we respond when God leads us somewhere we may not want to go? This was the title of my pastor's sermon some 10 years ago. Friends and loved ones have contemplated their response to this question, as I have. It's not easily answered, although I imagine we all would hope it would be with a humble, trusting heart surrendering to His will. Heather and her husband get there, but it's not an easy road. And, it's not an easy choice day after day. I so appreciated the transparency and emotions they went through in dealing with some very painful issues.
Thank you, Heather, for sharing such intimate thoughts and emotions as well as the healing and joy that has come through this challenging time in your family's life. Your story has helped to change some of my heart's attitudes and hopefully when He takes me somewhere unexpected, I will be a little quicker to surrender to His Plan and Will.
Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." (NASB)
How will we respond when God leads us somewhere we may not want to go? This was the title of my pastor's sermon some 10 years ago. Friends and loved ones have contemplated their response to this question, as I have. It's not easily answered, although I imagine we all would hope it would be with a humble, trusting heart surrendering to His will. Heather and her husband get there, but it's not an easy road. And, it's not an easy choice day after day. I so appreciated the transparency and emotions they went through in dealing with some very painful issues.
Thank you, Heather, for sharing such intimate thoughts and emotions as well as the healing and joy that has come through this challenging time in your family's life. Your story has helped to change some of my heart's attitudes and hopefully when He takes me somewhere unexpected, I will be a little quicker to surrender to His Plan and Will.
July 29, 2018
Startling Beauty, My Journey from Rape to Restoration
I find Heather's story so enlightening. Heather kept her faith strong throughout this personal ordeal. And her daughter, Rachel Maria, is so beautiful. Looking just like her mother on the book cover. I would recommend this book as well as read more writings by the author Heather Gemmen.
Four 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 rating.
I find Heather's story so enlightening. Heather kept her faith strong throughout this personal ordeal. And her daughter, Rachel Maria, is so beautiful. Looking just like her mother on the book cover. I would recommend this book as well as read more writings by the author Heather Gemmen.
Four 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 rating.
April 20, 2020
Heartfelt Story
This was a heartfelt account of a woman who realized she was racist and started changing. She suffered great loss and gained a beautiful daughter. I would never wish suffering on anyone, but it is good to see how she didn’t let struggles and rape define her. She worked through her fears and was very real when sharing her story.
This was a heartfelt account of a woman who realized she was racist and started changing. She suffered great loss and gained a beautiful daughter. I would never wish suffering on anyone, but it is good to see how she didn’t let struggles and rape define her. She worked through her fears and was very real when sharing her story.
March 11, 2023
I wholeheartedly believe that a child coming from a rape situation is not a blessing.
While I'm glad Heather was able to find peace thru her religion and relationship with her God, it's a massive turn off when someone calls a child resulting from being raped a "blessing".
This book I'm sure is enjoyed by those with a strong faith.
One thing I must say is that it is undeniably well written.
While I'm glad Heather was able to find peace thru her religion and relationship with her God, it's a massive turn off when someone calls a child resulting from being raped a "blessing".
This book I'm sure is enjoyed by those with a strong faith.
One thing I must say is that it is undeniably well written.
January 6, 2021
Romans 8:28
A terrible crime but real encouragement of how God can overcome even the most heinous of acts to show his goodness. An honest story which touches on issues of abortion, race relations and forgiveness.
A terrible crime but real encouragement of how God can overcome even the most heinous of acts to show his goodness. An honest story which touches on issues of abortion, race relations and forgiveness.
December 4, 2023
This was an excellent autobiographical book, dealing with the Author's rape and subsequent pregnancy following failure of the morning after pill. With a very honest, and somewhat unlikeable at times, narrator, this is an excellent book looking at difficult issues head on. Would highly recommend.
September 8, 2025
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38
December 26, 2018
Fantastisk smuk beretning!
February 6, 2008
This book is a very quick read, and captivated my attention.
Heather Gemmen is a great writer and uses so many vivid pictures to describe things.
My only disappointment with the book was reading the advice given to her by friends including her pastor on taking the "morning after" pill. Of course, I can't put myself in her situation- what a horrific experience, but as a Calvinistic, Reformed Christian we filter every thing that happens to us through God's Sovereignty. And even if pregnancy would occur, which it did in this case, God is in control. I would have hoped that at the least her pastor would have brought her back to this point of God's absolute control even in the midst of crisis, and that we should be uncompromising in spite of our circumstances. She did end up taking the "morning after" pill, but God still willed and caused her to be impregnated with her rapist's baby. That is true Sovereignty! And in her words, she gained more than she lost. Definitely an interesting read and we gain just a little insight as to how she eventually forgave the man who raped her.
Heather Gemmen is a great writer and uses so many vivid pictures to describe things.
My only disappointment with the book was reading the advice given to her by friends including her pastor on taking the "morning after" pill. Of course, I can't put myself in her situation- what a horrific experience, but as a Calvinistic, Reformed Christian we filter every thing that happens to us through God's Sovereignty. And even if pregnancy would occur, which it did in this case, God is in control. I would have hoped that at the least her pastor would have brought her back to this point of God's absolute control even in the midst of crisis, and that we should be uncompromising in spite of our circumstances. She did end up taking the "morning after" pill, but God still willed and caused her to be impregnated with her rapist's baby. That is true Sovereignty! And in her words, she gained more than she lost. Definitely an interesting read and we gain just a little insight as to how she eventually forgave the man who raped her.
December 4, 2012
I bought a stack of books from a book store that was going out of business, and this book was in it. I knew I had to read it. "Only God could turn a woman's worst nightmare into something of startling beauty." While Heather's husband was at church in a meeting and her kids were asleep down the hall, a man came into her house and raped her. After struggling with the issue, she ends up taking a pill to keep her from getting pregnant. It doesn't work and she ends up pregnant anyway. What makes that even worse, 2 years before she had lost a baby several months into the pregnancy, and they had not been able to conceive again. Now she is pregnant, but with her rapist's child. This book sucked me in and held me while I read of the way God worked in their lives through all their struggles with the after effects of the rape, and how He turned this horrible experience into something of 'Startling Beauty'. Very powerful book. 5 out of 5 stars.
March 3, 2008
I went to a fundraising banquet for the local Pregnancy Care Center the other day and Heather Gemmen-Wilson was the guest speaker. Heather's story is a very touching one. I know I wasn't the only one brought to tears. Her FAITH in GOD is apparent. Heather spoke of being a member of a secret club you never wanted to join, and that at some point in everyone's life they may have felt that way about some isssue and could relate. An excellent speaker as well as a good read!!!
July 19, 2008
Heather is raped in her own home while her children are sleeping in the next room. Married and devout Christians, Heather and her husband struggle with the basic tenants of their faith when they discover Heather is pregnant with the rapist's child.
This true story will challenge your faith and prejudices. Heather Gemmen writes with such an honest heart that you are compelled to feel ever emotion with her. An amazing story.
This true story will challenge your faith and prejudices. Heather Gemmen writes with such an honest heart that you are compelled to feel ever emotion with her. An amazing story.
February 3, 2013
I heard of this book in passing while listening to a local Christian radio show and decided to order it...I read it from front to back without moving from my chair on the day I got it in the mail. Startling Beauty was an amazing story of looking past the tragedy and finding the beauty in what could have been a horrible situation. It also helped me to answer the "what would I do" for me personally. Excellent book, excellent.
December 31, 2007
Not what I had expected. Surprised myself by buying this book. Very good self help book for any person (mostly women) who have experienced a wide range of emotions from any major unexpected or unprovocated life event. The author's courage in telling her story and also how she worked through tells a beautiful story of hope, and how God can create enormous beauty in the midst of a nightmare.
October 18, 2008
A true story of a woman's rape (in her home by an intruder) and her subsequent recovery which included a pregnancy as a result of the rape. Interesting and well told. Very compelling look at forgiveness.
September 15, 2010
An open honest account of one womans journey through a horrific experience and back again into a place of forgiveness and healing. Emotive, simply yet effectively written and covers every aspect of life.
January 25, 2013
Recommended to me by a friend who knows the author personally, I found the story intriguing. I found myself asking: "What would I have done in similar circumstances?" Could I have been as brave as Heather Gemmen Wilson?
March 20, 2016
This is a challenging and inspiring true story.
Heather Gemmen was raped and found herself pregnant. She had a choice. This is the story of the awful rape, and of the child that was the good, positive, life-giving fruit of that rape.
Heather Gemmen was raped and found herself pregnant. She had a choice. This is the story of the awful rape, and of the child that was the good, positive, life-giving fruit of that rape.
September 27, 2008
Such an awesome book of Gods love and a mothers love!
February 26, 2009
Awesome testamony
March 27, 2010
This was a good story about how God works all things, even ugly and painful, together for good.
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April 23, 2010Crazy, but inspiring story.
July 31, 2011
Amazing strength inside this book. Praise to the writer and her journey.
June 27, 2012
wonderful tearful yet blessed joyful end
July 13, 2012
enjoyed this book. amazing story of how good can triumph over evil.
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August 16, 2012amazing and inspirational account. C'dn't have retold it any other way
December 3, 2014
The story line is gripping from gloom to developing happiness despite the dark spot. To be read for those who think they can live adventurously despite the unwritten norms of the society.
July 8, 2016
Boundless Love
The lives that were touched through out this book goes to show you that God is always in control. The courage and strength Heather was given. Grace covers it all.
The lives that were touched through out this book goes to show you that God is always in control. The courage and strength Heather was given. Grace covers it all.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews