What do you think?
Rate this book
Heart of Darkness: How I Triumphed Over a Childhood of Abuse
Lynette Hould tells the shocking story of her life that includes multiple incest, multiple rapes, and being lured into a child-sex ring. Her story is horrifying and desperately sad and, in her own moving words, she speaks of her battle with the past and of those responsible for the evil which ruined it. But her life was pulled back from the brink of oblivion by the patient dedication and enduring friendship of a child counselor, out of which salvation tentatively sprang.
- GenresTrue CrimeMental Health
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2007
About the author
Lynette Gould
2 books4 followersLynette Gould had all vestiges of a safe and happy family life torn to shreds of stolen innocence when, at the age of three, she was sexually violated beyond comprehension. The once carefree and happy girl found herself suffering sexual atrocities at the hands of her wicked father, a fiend who used implements on her.
The depraved mind of such a man committing sexual exploitation in this way has no room for compassion, not even shame … just merciless. Enduring years of sexual degradation turned a happy and beautiful girl’s world in to a cauldron of self-hate, self-harm and numerous attempted suicides.
After her evil father was imprisoned for his betrayal, Lynette’s mother takes up with a friendly enough man, but he too had just as evil a mind as Lynette’s father, and subjected his stepdaughter to further degrading sex acts.
The nightmare world of systematic abuse that tore Lynette’s world apart never seems to end, and then just as it could get no worse, she was lured as a pawn in to the hideous and shameful lives of those involved in a child sex ring, where cold-blooded adults brutally took advantage of her.
Although the most unimaginable living hell goes on for Lynette, she is now able to show great strength and courage by being able to tell her own shocking story of multiple incest and multiple rapes. Her story is horrifying and desperately sad and here, in her own words, she tells of her battle with her past and of those responsible.
The depraved mind of such a man committing sexual exploitation in this way has no room for compassion, not even shame … just merciless. Enduring years of sexual degradation turned a happy and beautiful girl’s world in to a cauldron of self-hate, self-harm and numerous attempted suicides.
After her evil father was imprisoned for his betrayal, Lynette’s mother takes up with a friendly enough man, but he too had just as evil a mind as Lynette’s father, and subjected his stepdaughter to further degrading sex acts.
The nightmare world of systematic abuse that tore Lynette’s world apart never seems to end, and then just as it could get no worse, she was lured as a pawn in to the hideous and shameful lives of those involved in a child sex ring, where cold-blooded adults brutally took advantage of her.
Although the most unimaginable living hell goes on for Lynette, she is now able to show great strength and courage by being able to tell her own shocking story of multiple incest and multiple rapes. Her story is horrifying and desperately sad and here, in her own words, she tells of her battle with her past and of those responsible.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 10, 2010
I'm a little confused about this book. It's like it was part memoir part statistic reports. Lynette wrote briefly about her childhood leaving many things out, so it was a bit confusng. From pages 99-209 it's nothing but statistics.
The statistics reports are a bit eye opening. They show how pedophiles can be anyone even people that should be highly trusted. We have all heard of the preachers, and the teachers who abuse their positions, but what about UN relief workers who demand sexual favors in exchange for food. I also never gave any thought to how the family of pedophiles must feel when learning of their loved ones sick habits. These statistics really give one a lot to keep in mind when deciding who we can trust with our own children.
After reading this book I still don't know as much about Lynette Gould as I should considering I just read her memoir. Her accounts of the abuse are scattered around and not in chronological order. She doesn't really go into her deep feelings other than she misses her family and would like to have them back in her life. I have read a lot of books of this type and this is the first time I was left with so many frustrating questions. I want to know more about how her situation with her family went so wrong, and how she was able to finally speak out. Normally these kind of books will go into all of that, but this book is so lacking when it comes to Lynette's personal story.
The writing is some of the worst I have ever encountered. Page 142 was repeated almost word for word on page 146. It was so bad I thought I lost where I was somehow and accidentally went back some, but when I checked I saw that it wasn't me it was the book that was messed up. I have seen a lot of bad writing, but this takes the cake.
Had Lynette told her whole story and made it easy to follow this book would have definantly been a five star read. As it is though it's only a one. I really didn't like anything about this book. I don't like to read books about statistics becuase I can read that information for free on the internet. I paid to read Lynette's life story, and she really wasn't sharing to much of anything about herself.
The statistics reports are a bit eye opening. They show how pedophiles can be anyone even people that should be highly trusted. We have all heard of the preachers, and the teachers who abuse their positions, but what about UN relief workers who demand sexual favors in exchange for food. I also never gave any thought to how the family of pedophiles must feel when learning of their loved ones sick habits. These statistics really give one a lot to keep in mind when deciding who we can trust with our own children.
After reading this book I still don't know as much about Lynette Gould as I should considering I just read her memoir. Her accounts of the abuse are scattered around and not in chronological order. She doesn't really go into her deep feelings other than she misses her family and would like to have them back in her life. I have read a lot of books of this type and this is the first time I was left with so many frustrating questions. I want to know more about how her situation with her family went so wrong, and how she was able to finally speak out. Normally these kind of books will go into all of that, but this book is so lacking when it comes to Lynette's personal story.
The writing is some of the worst I have ever encountered. Page 142 was repeated almost word for word on page 146. It was so bad I thought I lost where I was somehow and accidentally went back some, but when I checked I saw that it wasn't me it was the book that was messed up. I have seen a lot of bad writing, but this takes the cake.
Had Lynette told her whole story and made it easy to follow this book would have definantly been a five star read. As it is though it's only a one. I really didn't like anything about this book. I don't like to read books about statistics becuase I can read that information for free on the internet. I paid to read Lynette's life story, and she really wasn't sharing to much of anything about herself.
February 4, 2016
I came across this book on the 'for sale' shelf at the local library and thought it looked an interesting read.
I have read a few similar books and although this book made interesting reading, I did not feel that it was as well written as some. Far too many statistics, even though it made interesting reading about paedophiles. I know the area well where the author spent her childhood, as my nephew and family live there. If they could move tomorrow they would!
No child should have to suffer such horrendous abuse and so pleased that she has managed to turn her life around.
I have read a few similar books and although this book made interesting reading, I did not feel that it was as well written as some. Far too many statistics, even though it made interesting reading about paedophiles. I know the area well where the author spent her childhood, as my nephew and family live there. If they could move tomorrow they would!
No child should have to suffer such horrendous abuse and so pleased that she has managed to turn her life around.
November 28, 2016
stats for usa and uk
February 23, 2013
I rarely buy a book, but this one caught my eye in an instant. It gives us a big picture of the dark side of a family life. At some point things just got too depressing in the book and make you pause a bit and say "This is too much". That's because this is not some fictional character that the writter try too make look lively. It's a real event, with a real feelings, and a real mind devastation. Every psychological process in the story is natural and not exaggerated.
I say this is a really interesting book too know what Lynette Gould had in her mind. And that's why I bought the book. To know exactly what the character feel and thinks. To jump into the character shoe and see from her point of view.
Of course it's not a fictional book that we read to feel a flowing story we all enjoy. This is the kind of book you read to know a victims mind and heart.
I would not say I enjoyed it. But the book itself brings a great experience.
I say this is a really interesting book too know what Lynette Gould had in her mind. And that's why I bought the book. To know exactly what the character feel and thinks. To jump into the character shoe and see from her point of view.
Of course it's not a fictional book that we read to feel a flowing story we all enjoy. This is the kind of book you read to know a victims mind and heart.
I would not say I enjoyed it. But the book itself brings a great experience.
December 12, 2013
Have to say it is okay as books go, considering I was the one that co-wrote it. It was at a time where things where difficult for me, but it has passed. I agree that it is sketchy in places and there are lots of stats in there. However, this was something that was added as a form of showing others what happens and with the paedophile rings etc. If I was to go back in time, yes, it would be a lot different, perhaps write the book myself with out having to dictate it and then it being interpreted. Yes, there is not every little single detail of all my life as wouldn't be able to put it all in the book. Probably only scratch the first 7 years and that's it.
February 2, 2017
Incredible book!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews