The Lotus: How I Beat The Patriarchy: and emerged from a toxic, abusive environment into a life of freedom and love

by JoJo Dries

The How I Beat the Patriarchy is a type of coming of age, true life story about one woman’s journey coming out of an abusive, toxic family and work environment into living the life of her dreams. This book appeals to humanity at its core and gives a voice to the broken down, abused, marginalized, minorities, women and humanity that don’t have a voice. The book addresses topics that, up until now, have been taboo topics. The author talks about the patriarchy within her own background, as an American, whose parents are both Arab. It is a relatable story that is being repeated across the nation. We see how she took herself out of a horrific situation and became a Voice for the voiceless. On one hand, it is a story of loss and on the other it is a story of how Love triumphs, if you let it. JoJo came from a fanatical "Christian" environment as well as an Arab American background. She addresses how she took the good and left the bad from her upbringing and how the reader can do the same no matter what type of toxic, abusive or terrible situation that they find themselves in.

228 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2018

Reviews

[Jason Paulateer]

Captivating

Completed this book in 1 days! Heard about it yesterday at breakfast. Downloaded it to my Kindle app and PLOWED through it! I literally could not stop reading it. Partly because the story was so unbelievable and partly because her story was so real and raw. I so appreciate Jojo for sharing her story and sit in awe of her for her courage (or exhaustion) and her ability to persevere in spite of the patriarchy! Kudos Jojo…and I wonder if we ever ran into one another at VIP Fitness. That was my gym once upon a time!😛

[Suse Wilcox]

Raw and enlightening

This book is written as though the author is sitting across from the reader telling her life story. As such, the details are raw, gut-wrenching, and uncomfortable at times. Although the reader may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information, the purpose of the book is to motivate women with similar struggles and abuse to act. She notes that so many women stay put, instead of breaking free from toxic people and relationships.