This book has been published by a publishing house claiming they are ‘passionate about addressing diverse social issues from a kingdom perspective’. It is the autobiography of a woman who suffered domestic abuse and neglect at the hands of a stepmother and emotional abuse from her father when she was young.
The book is well written and could be read in one sitting. It mostly recounts the author’s story, describing how she was hurt and the ramifications on her adulthood. There is some spiritual content, described in a linear fashion as events happened, but you have to wait until the middle of the book to find out about these things.
I would be concerned if readers wanted to emulate the author’s experience, for example in seeking memory retrieval interventions and healing of the memories, which I personally would not recommend. I would also be concerned that some descriptions of what happened to her could stimulate flashbacks in readers who may have had similar experiences. I was surprised that the author has used people’s names and there seems to have been no attempt to protect the identities of those involved in the story.
I might give this book to my students as part of their learning, but I would be very reluctant to give it to someone on the journey of processing these issues.
Sheila Stephen
Lecturer in women’s issues,
Union School of Theology, Bryntirion
