Take a photo of a barcode or cover
14 reviews for:
On South Mountain: The Dark Secrets Of The Goler Clan
David Cruise, Alison Griffiths
3.58 AVERAGE
14 reviews for:
On South Mountain: The Dark Secrets Of The Goler Clan
David Cruise, Alison Griffiths
3.58 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
medium-paced
very well written but the sentences pissed me off every single one of those men should have been executed. i cannot imagine how donna made it through that
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Medical trauma, Abandonment
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This is my palette cleanser after reading Flowers in the Attic. I was feeling very put off by the way that (fictional) book handled topics of incestuous sexual abuse and wanted a reminder of the actual issue, so I found something non-fiction with more of a varied approach to the storytelling. I appreciated the commitment to developing the environment and background of the case. Particular attention being paid to the elements of social isolation and antagonistic relationships with both law enforcement and larger 'society' mean that you get a better understanding of why events unfold the way they do. I find myself wanting more information about timelines and the specifics of the trial, but this is more of a soft-story book, so that time is spent on other things. I was pleasantly surprised by the rich historical narrative of King's County in the opening section of the book, focusing on everything from historical farming techniques to geographical formations. There is an impression of genuine care for the area despite what I consider the poor form the book exhibits in tackling local perceptions of South Mountain's inhabitants. I think I could have done without the eugenicist mythologizing of backwards hillbillies, no matter how the book tries to challenge its own assumptions.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A shocking window into the lives of children having suffered sexual and physical assault, as well as into the lives of the clan and their friends who committed such acts. This book contains beautiful descriptive passages of the valley, and a wonderfully written historical account for the first 70 or so pages. Then it transitions into a disturbing nightmare. Sexual acts are described with blunt facts, no word hidden from mention. It is explicit. It is terrible. It is sad and horrific. But it's a story you should read, because these horrors are experienced by too many, even to this day, and many who could held stand by idle as the damage is done.
I'm glad they reprinted this, and more glad the author royalties are going toward SOAR, Survivors of Abuse Recovery. As a child I was nearly abducted at age 5, and later on, when put into fostercare, was very nearly raped. I have been lucky not to suffer, though I did suffer fear, and it still lingers with me, what almost happened. Others, were not so fortunate. For their story, I thank those, like Donna, for sharing with the world her bitter struggles. Those who committed the crimes likely knew they were doing wrong, but simply didn't care. They should have been punished harsher. Instead they were allowed to re-offend later on, because of a lenient court system that rushed them out the door to have done with it all.
I'm glad they reprinted this, and more glad the author royalties are going toward SOAR, Survivors of Abuse Recovery. As a child I was nearly abducted at age 5, and later on, when put into fostercare, was very nearly raped. I have been lucky not to suffer, though I did suffer fear, and it still lingers with me, what almost happened. Others, were not so fortunate. For their story, I thank those, like Donna, for sharing with the world her bitter struggles. Those who committed the crimes likely knew they were doing wrong, but simply didn't care. They should have been punished harsher. Instead they were allowed to re-offend later on, because of a lenient court system that rushed them out the door to have done with it all.
The book is really split into four parts. The first part was my favourite, with the history of the valley, and the role different groups played in creating the microcosm of the Annapolis valley and the South Mountain. It is apparent that a lot of research went into the investigation and capturing the history of the region, and leading it up to the role that the church and state had in shunning those that lived on the dreaded South Mountain, where no valley dweller dared to go. The second part describes the conditions that the Goler clan is living in and the abuse that occurred over generations that leads to a perpetual cycle of abusers abusing. The third section it to is when the hammer drops and arrests are made, victims are secured, and the court cases begin. I skipped over a lot of this part, way too graphic with details, and just disgusting some of the testimony that is presented. Last is the aftermath, how frustratingly light the judicial system was on these monsters. It concludes with one of the victims facing her worst nightmare and revisiting the mountain. The author does a great job in describing the pain the victims suffered, not only during the abuse, but a lifetime afterwards, never getting to experience a healthy life, but instead suffering a lifetime of memories of the neglect, abuse, and trauma. I had no idea that the valley that I know of, hid such horrors, almost as if the whole experience has been shunned, and hidden away, like the South Mountain has been for generations.
4.5 stars:
The beginning of this book was lengthy in order to get to the main part of the story, but I understand the purpose of the added information.
The trial and details of the abuse suffered by these children are ghastly and tough to read. It is not for the faint of heart. To know that this is, in fact, based on a true story, a mere 200 km from my hometown, is appalling. The short sentences given to the perpetrators; even more disturbing.
It took me ages to finish this book due to the long chapters, but I don’t regret it. Would recommend to anyone willing to invest their time in this book. It stays with you forever.
The beginning of this book was lengthy in order to get to the main part of the story, but I understand the purpose of the added information.
The trial and details of the abuse suffered by these children are ghastly and tough to read. It is not for the faint of heart. To know that this is, in fact, based on a true story, a mere 200 km from my hometown, is appalling. The short sentences given to the perpetrators; even more disturbing.
It took me ages to finish this book due to the long chapters, but I don’t regret it. Would recommend to anyone willing to invest their time in this book. It stays with you forever.