Fortunate Daughter: A Memoir of Reconciliation

by Rosie McMahan

Rosie's sins were never difficult to recall; they lined themselves up like baby ducks in her mind's eye. Her confession to Father Hart one day in 1974 went like this: "I didn't finish all my chores. I stole the Halloween candy my mom hid in the pantry. And I let my Daddy touch my private places."

Though it begins as an all-too-common story of childhood sexual abuse, Fortunate Daughter gradually becomes a rare story of how one person heals from that early trauma. In this intimate first-person narrative, Rosie McMahan offers the reader a portrait of misery, abuse, and hurt, followed by the difficult and painful task of healing--a journey that, in the end, reveals the complicated and nuanced venture of true reconciliation and the freedom that comes along with it.

248 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is so heartbreaking and I think it took great courage to write, especially after talking it over with her family. I'm glad they allowed her to speak the truth. It is also encouraging since she was able to confront her parents and eventually work through all of the abuse. And best of all, stop the cycle of abuse.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like this make me shudder. The abuse, both physical and sexual, is so hard to read, but McMahan is very straight forward with the facts. Her father molested her from five years on. Her mother knew about it and did nothing to stop it or protect her. There was one scene that was just sickening. Her father is touching her in the car and everyone was watching. I almost stopped reading the book at that point. The best part was when the author and her sisters finally attacked him all at once and beat him up. The author has reconciled with her parents and that’s to her credit. Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the early read.

[Norma Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written memoir of growing up under the shadow of childhood sexual abuse. Yes, this book focuses on abuse, and it’s sometimes hard to read. But it’s also a colorful, multidimensional portrait of a life, with its warm memories as well as the horrific ones. And I think there’s understanding here for those who have experienced any kind of abuse as children, or who have been angry teens for whatever reason. The author’s healing journey also reminds us of the importance of good mental health care. Evert troubled kid deserves an Ella!

[Amanda Trask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painful and yet peaceful