The book I'm reviewing is a memoir - a non-fiction piece. This is something I don't normally read (read: ever)
This book might teach you how to curse.
I happen to be pretty decent friends (at least, more than acquaintances) with the author of this work of art. Lindsay was my English teacher, my junior year in High School. Between now and then, a lot of things have changed.
A lot.
This book is about surviving. It is about Lindsay's battle with an abusive boyfriend, and her surviving a potentially deadly domestic relationship. Her book isn't run and operated like a self help novel, its' not about soul searching and meetings. I don't mean to knock conventional support in any way, mind you, because that is just the sort of thing that allowed her survival. It's just, that's a different book. This may be non-fiction, but it's so gripping, so edge-of-your-seat intense that you will forget that. I forgot that, and I KNEW the author.
Having said that, this is the most uncomfortable book I've ever read. Partly because of the fact that some pretty terrible things are happening to a person I know. Partly because this type of behavior is happening all over the world, and it's happening right now. On the whole, most people are blind to it. Then, you read her book about how she handled it. How she internalized it, how handling it changed her. You notice the outward changes and you put the puzzle pieces together, way too late.
For that reason, I think that this book trumps self help, because I think this has massive application for "outsiders" to the world of Domestic Violence. Now, that's not to say that this isn't good for survivors as well, it's just that. People need the pain and discomfort that comes from reading this book, to open their eyes. People need to know the signs, people need to help. In Lindsay's book, one of the main characters is a man who needs the beating of a lifetime. Sadly, to my knowledge, that has not happened - because people didn't see the signs.
What does this book have to do with this blog. With Christianity? Nothing, honestly. Not directly, at least. I still think that you should read it - especially if the idea of domestic violence, rape, and behavioral conditioning bothers you. I want you to read this and be uncomfortable.
I also think that this book IS for everyone. It's not just for survivors of domestic violence - it's for SURVIVORS - and let's face it. We've all got a demon we have survived. A lot of the themes transfer over - on a metaphysical level.
This is a fantastic book, and it is a journey in and of itself - demonstrating massive, powerful courage. Lindsay originally published this book herself - under a pen-name for her own safety. In an effort to raise awareness and demonstrate to the world that she isn't being held down by fear - she re-released under her real name, opening herself up to the whole world. Friends, family, they all learned some serious secrets in this gripping tell-all. You will not be disappointed.
It's cheap, on amazon - for a digital copy. It's still cheap for a paperback. There's no other way to say this. Go read this book.
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