Review: The Source of All Things

Author:   Tracy Ross

Genre:  Memoir (2011)

About:  The author was molested by her stepfather from ages eight to 14, at which time she ran away from home and confided in a family friend about the years of abuse. The police were called and she was removed from her home. Her stepfather, because he admitted to everything, received only 8 weeks of court-appointed group therapy and 10 months of abstinence from Tracy. She was later sent to boarding school and eventually returned home to live with her mother and stepfather.  


Unbelievable. Her family refused to believe or accept that the husband/stepfather was capable of such a horrific act, and if a small part of them did believe it happened, they just wanted to sweep it under the rug and move on.  Her mom constantly pushed Tracy into uncomfortable situations with her stepdad despite all he did to her! I didn't understand their behavior at all. I even felt that Tracy herself at times downplayed the atrocity of what he did.

In addition to the details of the abuse (touching and fondling only), much of the book focused on her relationships, including a failed marriage, and how the abuse affected them.

Rating:  4/5   I wanted to give this fewer stars because of the content, i.e. the stepdad's crime, as well as the dysfunctional behavior of everyone involved, but it is what it is and I can't judge the book based on what happened.  I enjoyed the writing, even though it was difficult to read. The jobs she had as a young adult and the adventures she experienced were fascinating.  She had an interesting life after she moved out of her house.  But how in the world she forgave her creepy, pedophiliac (that's not a word, but...) stepfather for what he did is beyond me. She even thanks him at the end of the book for "having the grace to let me tell this story."

Source: Library

Why I chose:  I read about this - along with the book Tiger, Tiger, another child abuse memoir I'm now reading - in Oprah or People.

Recommend?   You decide. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

Reviews Cruise - Join Me! / Denial ~ Asta in the Wings ~ Knowing Jesse

Reviews stockpiled?  Bored with the same 'ol same 'ol?  Love reading but not too keen on writing reviews? Yeah, me too. So I thought I'd go on a Reviews Cruise to liven things up, relieve the pressure, and make more time for reading.  Short but sweet and a few at a time.  Sounds like a vacation, doesn't it? 

(Want to cruise with me?  See details at end of post.)
Denial

Jessica Stern is the author of this memoir published in June 2010.  It's about the author's rape at age 15 by a stranger at gunpoint in her own home.  Her 14-year-old sister was also raped. The police were skeptical of their story and the rapist was never caught. Interestingly, the author now works as an expert on terrorists and terrorism.  Overall I thought the book was okay.  I liked the psychological and PTSD aspect of the story, as well as the how, when, where and what happened. I liked how she related her father's trauma and after-effects of his being a Holocaust survivor to hers. PTSD is real, and I'm intrigued by the way people process trauma and how it shapes their lives forever. It was interesting that the author became a terrorist expert because, as she says, she was "fascinated by the secret motivations of violent men, and I'm good at ferreting them out." After the violent rape at age 15, she experienced an unusual reaction to fear; situations that most people would find terrifying caused her to retain her composure, become curious and empathetic. This "ability" created a perfect environment for making terrorists feel comfortable and getting them to talk. What I didn't like was how the author came across. I know it has much to do with the rape and subsequent PTSD - but her resentment, mostly towards her father, made her come across as unlikeable and emotionless. I felt bad for her father against whom she obviously still holds a grudge for not coming home from overseas immediately after the incident. He admits he didn't know what to do or how to help, but it happened 30 years ago. There's nothing he can do to change that. I also didn't like that she dragged him into the book so much at the end, detailing their "interview", when he obviously wasn't happy she wrote the book in the first place. I do hope she found healing from writing this book.

I won this book from NerdGirl in a contest, which I entered because I had seen the title around, heard good things about it and was interested in the topic.  I don't know if I'd recommend this book to my friends.  For me it was just okay and I rated it 3.5 / 5

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Knowing Jesse:  A Mother's Story of Grief, Grace, and Everyday Bliss


Marianne Leone is the author of this memoir published in September 2010.  It's about a woman and her husband and life with their son who was born with severe cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, was unable to speak and had severe seizures.  He died suddenly at age 17.  Overall I loved it.  I liked her writing style and the emotional, honest story she told. She admitted her shortcomings and came across as real but likeable. The love she had for her son was overwhelming, protective and beautiful.  She fought courageously for him to receive the best medical care, the best support system and caretakers, and the best education available.  There wasn't anything about this book I didn't like. 

I got this book from the library and chose it because of the synopsis and because I love memoirs.  I'm a sucker for stories about mothers and their children and how they are able to see the blessings in a situation others may see as a burden.  I would definitely recommend this book to friends and I rated it 5/5.
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Asta in the Wings

Jan Elizabeth Watson is the author of this novel published in February 2009.  It's about a 7-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother who are kept in their boarded-up home by their mentally ill mother, who tells them she is protecting them from germs and "the plague." The story is told from 7-year-old Asta's point of view.  Overall I really liked it.  I liked how the mother encouraged her children to have a rich and creative imagination. She was cool in a weird way. Or weird in a cool way. Her children were "home-schooled" by watching and reciting line after line of old movies on TV, stemming from the mother's desire - and fueled by her delusions - to become an actress. She was quite a character :)  I loved Asta's spunk and determination, her willingness to overcome obstacles, her love for her brother, Orion, and her unconditional love for her mother, who did the best she could for her children despite her mental illness.  At first I wasn't sure I'd like this book. It was quirky and a little bizarre at the beginning. But once I got to know the children better and fell in love with the writing - the author paid great attention to detail but kept everything so on track - I didn't want it to end.  The only thing I didn't like and what kept it from being 5 stars was the ending, which was too abrupt for my taste.

I got this book from the library and chose it because Rebecca from ccq designs, a friend on Goodreads, gave it 5 stars, something she rarely does.  I had to check it out.  I also chose it because I'm intrigued by all things related to mental illness, child abuse and social issues.  I would recommend this to any of my friends, especially if they like quirky little books that normally they wouldn't pick up.  I rated it
4.5 / 5.

I don't have a button, but feel free to "take" your own Reviews Cruise and link up if you'd like.  Just mention my blog at http://lynnesbookreviews.blogspot.com  (copy and paste that there url). You can use my review format (provided below) or your own.  Remember, this is a stress-free, no pressure cruise, so make it simple and easy.   I'm button-challenged so this cruise is button-free :)

____________ is the author of this _______(genre) published in _____________.  It's about _______.  Overall I _______.  I liked ____________.  I didn't like __________.  I got this book from _______ and chose it because ___________ I would/wouldn't recommend this book.  I rated it ___________.

No cruise?  That's okay.  Would love to hear comments about the books I reviewed.

Review: The Little Prisoner

by Jane Elliott (2005)

My Synopsis

Memoir of a British woman inspired by Dave Pelzer (A Child Called It) to tell her story of 17 years of abuse by her stepfather.

My Thoughts

Okay, so now that I've moved on to lighter, more upbeat books (Staci, you were right. lol)...

I found this story interesting, especially because she was still being abused at age 21, which may sound unbelievable, but when a person has been sexually, emotionally and physically abused by the same perpetrator since age 4, it's not implausible.  Her stepfather intimidated everyone, including social services, and often beat her mother to a pulp.  It was her life as she knew it.  And the mother's life as well.  She knew what her husband was doing to her daughter, but she was so afraid of him that she feigned ignorance.

It was hard to read what her stepfather did to her sexually and how she just accepted it out of fear.  The man was absolutely nuts, and I could go on and on about what he did.  Not that it's an excuse, but I would be interested to know if he himself had been abused.  Obviously.  No one is evil like that for no reason.

**Spoiler alert** (but since I'm pretty sure no one is going to run out and buy this book, it's probably okay if you read on).  Eventually, at age 21 and two children later (not by him), she found the courage after reading A Child Called It to have him arrested.  I commend her for standing up for herself and breaking the cycle for her daughters.

Do I Recommend?

Only if you're interested in child abuse cases.

Source

Library

My Rating

4/5