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Let There Be Light: A true story
On one of those magically white winters nights, my mother took me in her arms and shut the doors behind her.
We left my drunken father in the name of a better life. And the name of that better life was Tom, a local gangster with the face of the devil himself.
The next thing I saw was my mother's bloody face bashed into the ground and teeth scattered around her lifeless body.
I looked at him and thought to myself
- PLEASE, DON'T KILL ME.
This story has haunted me all of my life, through the daily flashbacks and nightmares.
It has taken me some time to build up the courage to let this story out of my heart.
And now, with every single word I can live free. Finally.
- Karolina -
We left my drunken father in the name of a better life. And the name of that better life was Tom, a local gangster with the face of the devil himself.
The next thing I saw was my mother's bloody face bashed into the ground and teeth scattered around her lifeless body.
I looked at him and thought to myself
- PLEASE, DON'T KILL ME.
This story has haunted me all of my life, through the daily flashbacks and nightmares.
It has taken me some time to build up the courage to let this story out of my heart.
And now, with every single word I can live free. Finally.
- Karolina -
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2017
About the author
Karolina Robinson
6 books134 followersBorn and raised in Lithuania. Sadly, under the rough circumstances...
Lived in The Netherlands, United Kingdom and now I found my home on a Mediterranean island in Malta.
Proud owner of an attitude-filled chihuahua and hopeless believer in a greater good!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 5, 2017
blurb :
"This story has haunted me all of my life, through the daily flashbacks and nightmares.
It has taken me some time to build up the courage to let this story out of my heart.
And now, with every single word I can live free. Finally."
- Karolina -
In this book we follow the true story of Karolina ( the author herself) , as a brave young girl in Lithuania and her mother in their journey to escape her abusive father , in hopes of building a new life , only to fall down in a toxic one , full of mental and physical abuse, because of her mother's new boyfriend then husband Tom ...
a story of gangsters , abuse , struggle , but mostly hope .
My thoughts :
" After all those years of pain and fear, after all those years living with anger and hate, there was light ,
The light was right within me"
This sentence alone is enough to tell you what kind of person Karolina is , a ray of light in a dark twisted world , my heart ached for her throughout this story and prayed for her , by the end of the book and after each page turned , my admiration for her grew , a kind person and a strong spirit . and now as an amazing author who wrote such a wonderful book i have that much more respect for her .
Some of the people who took part in this story made my blood boil , from the abusive dad , to Tom . The mother too , yet i was able to like her by the end of the story . but it truly makes you wonder how such people live with themselves . abuse is a daily thing in some people's lives all around the world , physical and mental , whether it's against men , women or kids doesn't change how disgusting it is , my heart and thoughts goes to the victims .
Yet there are others who restored my hope in humanity , Cross , who was an amazing person and good to Karolina , The teachers in her new school ....
Karolina and her love for her mother and life is inspirational .
The writing style is very simple and easy to dive into , i was able to finish this book in one sitting ,
knowing these events are true made the process of reading this that much more intense and enabled me to put it down , even after i finished it it stayed with me .
I'm starting to feel like i rambled a lot , but there is so much i want to talk about ! yet i don't want to spoil all of the events . I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting , easy reads with intense events.
"This story has haunted me all of my life, through the daily flashbacks and nightmares.
It has taken me some time to build up the courage to let this story out of my heart.
And now, with every single word I can live free. Finally."
- Karolina -
In this book we follow the true story of Karolina ( the author herself) , as a brave young girl in Lithuania and her mother in their journey to escape her abusive father , in hopes of building a new life , only to fall down in a toxic one , full of mental and physical abuse, because of her mother's new boyfriend then husband Tom ...
a story of gangsters , abuse , struggle , but mostly hope .
My thoughts :
" After all those years of pain and fear, after all those years living with anger and hate, there was light ,
The light was right within me"
This sentence alone is enough to tell you what kind of person Karolina is , a ray of light in a dark twisted world , my heart ached for her throughout this story and prayed for her , by the end of the book and after each page turned , my admiration for her grew , a kind person and a strong spirit . and now as an amazing author who wrote such a wonderful book i have that much more respect for her .
Some of the people who took part in this story made my blood boil , from the abusive dad , to Tom . The mother too , yet i was able to like her by the end of the story . but it truly makes you wonder how such people live with themselves . abuse is a daily thing in some people's lives all around the world , physical and mental , whether it's against men , women or kids doesn't change how disgusting it is , my heart and thoughts goes to the victims .
Yet there are others who restored my hope in humanity , Cross , who was an amazing person and good to Karolina , The teachers in her new school ....
Karolina and her love for her mother and life is inspirational .
The writing style is very simple and easy to dive into , i was able to finish this book in one sitting ,
knowing these events are true made the process of reading this that much more intense and enabled me to put it down , even after i finished it it stayed with me .
I'm starting to feel like i rambled a lot , but there is so much i want to talk about ! yet i don't want to spoil all of the events . I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting , easy reads with intense events.
January 26, 2017
Good
Addicting! Could not put this down. Written in first hand by Karolina, a Russian girl growing up in the 1990's . Her and her mother left her drunken father only to become victims to her mother's second husband Tom.
Addicting! Could not put this down. Written in first hand by Karolina, a Russian girl growing up in the 1990's . Her and her mother left her drunken father only to become victims to her mother's second husband Tom.
February 5, 2017
This was an incredible story of survival and redemption. I loved it.
December 29, 2016
A captivating story of abuse, told from a child's perspective. How cruel this world can be. A thoroughly recommended read!
April 30, 2017
Firstly, I would like to thank Karolina Robinson for this book, which I was so pleased to have won in 'Booklikes'.
A very harrowing story of abuse when Karolina was a young child growing up in Lithuania. I am not going to spoil for others by writing what went on, other than it involves gangsters. For many, it is hard to imagine how one can inflict such mental and physical abuse. The title is very appropriate for such an ending. It even brought a tear to my eye! I admire the strength and courage Karolina had and thank her for sharing her story. Without going into too many details, my daughter and granddaughter will be hoping to see justice served in the Courts later this year, against my daughter's ex partner. A highly recommended book.
A very harrowing story of abuse when Karolina was a young child growing up in Lithuania. I am not going to spoil for others by writing what went on, other than it involves gangsters. For many, it is hard to imagine how one can inflict such mental and physical abuse. The title is very appropriate for such an ending. It even brought a tear to my eye! I admire the strength and courage Karolina had and thank her for sharing her story. Without going into too many details, my daughter and granddaughter will be hoping to see justice served in the Courts later this year, against my daughter's ex partner. A highly recommended book.
October 9, 2017
Great, sad read
This young girl had to raise herself. Her Mom was all wrapped up in a man. After he died, wrapped herself inside a bottle. So glad Karolina made it.
This young girl had to raise herself. Her Mom was all wrapped up in a man. After he died, wrapped herself inside a bottle. So glad Karolina made it.
August 27, 2017
Great Book
Please everyone read this book it is awesome. From th first page to the last I could not put it down.
Please everyone read this book it is awesome. From th first page to the last I could not put it down.
December 29, 2016
A chilling account of a young, vulnerable girl's violent and abusive childhood. A chilling read - fabulous, refreshing writing - totally recommended!
February 21, 2017
Candid reality of a desperate situation so very difficult to deal with growing up in an abusive environment. reading this book leads to a better understanding of the effects of abuse on children.
March 11, 2017
In an unnamed city in newly liberated Lithuania in the early 1990s, 5 year old Karolina and her mother have fled for their lives away from Karolina's abusive alcoholic deadbeat father. To prevent herself from being out on the streets with her young daughter, Karolina's mother understandably takes up with and moves them to live in the home of the most notorious gangster in town. In Tom's house they live a very comfortable live and want for nothing, but all that glitters is not gold. In exchange for the good life they have to contend with being held practically hostage on Tom's sprawling estate, surrounded by all sorts of unsavory characters and illegal activities, and of course Tom the Tyrant's increasingly erratic behavior that often manifests as violence against the trapped woman and child. While nearly all over reviews, undoubtedly written by people with staunchly westernized mentality, criticize Karolina's mother for staying in such a tumultuous relationship, I quickly came to the realization that due to cultural and economical constraints, the poor woman didn't have many options. It was more irksome that Karolina herself, even as an incredibly wise little girl, that her mother was under tremendous pressure and was doing the best she could for her. Dare I point out that Karolina brought a great deal of her troubles with Tom on herself by doing what young girls the world over are notorious for, expressing unwelcome attitude and refusing to submit to male authority. At times I found myself questioning the book's authenticity and could not help wondering if perhaps "Tom" and his exploits were not exaggerated to make for a more interesting read, since there is not a single shred of evidence to back up her claims and quite a lot of what she writes about describe scenes that no small child would have ever been privy to for obvious reasons. The author said she needed to write her story for her own healing and peace of mind, but how much of this story is actually hers'?
July 4, 2017
My mom and I read the book Let There be Light and It was very exciting from first page to the last page.We could not believe the things that happened to Karolina. It is one of the best books that we have ever read, It is a five star PLUS book.
March 14, 2017
I received this book today in the mail, as winner of a Goodreads giveaway. I also finished it today - something I haven't done in ages. I just couldn't stop until I finished. This is the best book I've read in a very long time. A very painful story for the author Karolina Robinson to tell. It was truly heartbreaking to read and Ms. Robinson did a wonderful job of telling her story. Please read this book! You won't be sorry. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could!
July 26, 2017
This book will give you all the feel.
I felt sad, angry, raged, helpless, hopful, terrified, sympathized, scared and many other feelings I couldn't and I can't explain or express.
It's just there is too much violence and discrimination. I felt the characters' grief, their troubles and their pain I longed to see them happy and felt happy when they seized the little moment to be happy. I can't possibly do justice to this book by simply writing this review or rating it five stars. How the hell could I give five stars to show my likeness of others suffering no no no no not ever gonna do that but I gave it 5 stars to show my support and my love to "Karo" and her mum, yes I called her Karo, and to tell her that she was brave she is actually.
The story was so powerful and it's far more real to be told on papers I felt that Karolina skipped some of the part because simply they were to painful for her to address them or revive their momery agin and I GET that. The child in me really really wanted to give her a hug and hold her as if we were best friend and cry together till there was light.
(I received a copy of the book in a giveaway I won on Facebook and for that am very very thankful)
I felt sad, angry, raged, helpless, hopful, terrified, sympathized, scared and many other feelings I couldn't and I can't explain or express.
It's just there is too much violence and discrimination. I felt the characters' grief, their troubles and their pain I longed to see them happy and felt happy when they seized the little moment to be happy. I can't possibly do justice to this book by simply writing this review or rating it five stars. How the hell could I give five stars to show my likeness of others suffering no no no no not ever gonna do that but I gave it 5 stars to show my support and my love to "Karo" and her mum, yes I called her Karo, and to tell her that she was brave she is actually.
The story was so powerful and it's far more real to be told on papers I felt that Karolina skipped some of the part because simply they were to painful for her to address them or revive their momery agin and I GET that. The child in me really really wanted to give her a hug and hold her as if we were best friend and cry together till there was light.
(I received a copy of the book in a giveaway I won on Facebook and for that am very very thankful)
February 13, 2020
A Disturbing Book
I read this book in small bits over a span of more than six months. I had high for this book called Let There Be Light. It started with violence, both physical and sexual, and the continued this theme throughout. I hesitate to recommend this book without telling you that this book involves the Russian Mafia and more murders than I could keep up with. The worst, however, was that so much of the sexual and physical was targeted at a child. She had to live through this all her childhood and early adulthood.
I read this book in small bits over a span of more than six months. I had high for this book called Let There Be Light. It started with violence, both physical and sexual, and the continued this theme throughout. I hesitate to recommend this book without telling you that this book involves the Russian Mafia and more murders than I could keep up with. The worst, however, was that so much of the sexual and physical was targeted at a child. She had to live through this all her childhood and early adulthood.
May 16, 2017
Interesting read
I can't say I:d read again, but it was worth reading once. It was at times a little misleading (leading you to believe something was about to happen, then it didn't) and I felt that the translation into English could have been better. I did appreciate the insight on abuse and criminal activities in a foreign country, and that a story from across the ocean could be so relatable.
I can't say I:d read again, but it was worth reading once. It was at times a little misleading (leading you to believe something was about to happen, then it didn't) and I felt that the translation into English could have been better. I did appreciate the insight on abuse and criminal activities in a foreign country, and that a story from across the ocean could be so relatable.
August 8, 2017
I enjoyed the book, the story was different for me and I was eager to find out what would become of Karolina. However in some parts I couldn't tell whether we were seeing things from a child's perspective or from an adult's. Also in several scenes toward the end regarding Cross and Tom; how could she have possible been able to recount these events when she was not present and never saw Cross again? Apart from this, I really did enjoy this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2019
Forgotten child
Mothers are supposed to protect their children from harm. Not only did this mother not protect her daughter, she put her in harms way. The aunt betrayed her when she asked for help and the teacher did not want to listen. No child should ever be raised in these conditions. I am glad that in the end Karolina could rise above and forgive her mother, I am not sure I would have been able to do so.
Mothers are supposed to protect their children from harm. Not only did this mother not protect her daughter, she put her in harms way. The aunt betrayed her when she asked for help and the teacher did not want to listen. No child should ever be raised in these conditions. I am glad that in the end Karolina could rise above and forgive her mother, I am not sure I would have been able to do so.
January 11, 2018
True story
I love stories that I can get into. Whether or not I can relate is beside the point. I am interested in others lives, how they live, what work they do to survive. The culture of a place, the traditions, the things that shape them and make them live and think a certain way is of great interest to me.
I love stories that I can get into. Whether or not I can relate is beside the point. I am interested in others lives, how they live, what work they do to survive. The culture of a place, the traditions, the things that shape them and make them live and think a certain way is of great interest to me.
June 12, 2018
This book was a true story of a young Lithuanian girl survival of the physical abuse in the hands of her step father. Her mother was not able to protect her because of her own drug and alcohol addiction problems. The author does well in drawing the reader into the life of this young girl. It was not all horror, there were some light and tender moments. I liked the variety that it provided.
December 30, 2017
Captivating
I could not put this book down. Carolina has a way with words that you feel like you are there with her living the story. The characters are so easy to picture and this truly is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. What a brave and talented young lady.
I could not put this book down. Carolina has a way with words that you feel like you are there with her living the story. The characters are so easy to picture and this truly is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. What a brave and talented young lady.
March 4, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Made me sad how a parent puts her child second.
May 7, 2017
Wonderful read!
Karolina, trying, witty, girl rose above her past! She didn't allow her upbringing to determine her future and I applaud her for that!
Karolina, trying, witty, girl rose above her past! She didn't allow her upbringing to determine her future and I applaud her for that!
July 16, 2017
Slightly mundane
Not as good as expected. Told well but slightly boring in its story. Glad it turned out well for her
Not as good as expected. Told well but slightly boring in its story. Glad it turned out well for her
July 20, 2017
Official Review: Let There Be Light - a true story
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
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June 12, 2018
Let there be light
A story of despair but also of hope for the future . Well written by Karolina. Couldn't put it down. Great read.
A story of despair but also of hope for the future . Well written by Karolina. Couldn't put it down. Great read.
August 13, 2018
Nice easy read - wasn't what I was expecting but still good all the same. Short chapters & read within few days
January 8, 2019
Oh my goodness
I started this book less than a day ago. Yes it's that good.
Once i.started I couldn't stop. I felt every single emotion while reading. This book is incredible
I started this book less than a day ago. Yes it's that good.
Once i.started I couldn't stop. I felt every single emotion while reading. This book is incredible
November 15, 2019
Couldn’t put it down....
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I read it in 3 hours.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I read it in 3 hours.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews