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millie_burns's review
5.0
What an absolutely fantastic book, one that will stick with me for years to come. This must be my favourite non-fiction book of the year. I love that Lucia references Rupi Kuar not once but twice. This book was a sanctuary for her words just as Rupi's was in Milk and Honey. This book evoked a lot of emotion in me and I felt like I was being taken on a journey with the author. Thank you for allowing me this peek into your life and bestowing upon me many quotes and nuggets of wisdom that will stick with me for years to come.
I loved learning about the sea lions in times of complete stress, and about the psychiatrist that healed his trauma immediately by refusing sedatives and dealing with it then and there. That was very interesting.
"Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks on it"
"This book does not necessarily have a happy ending. But it does have a hopeful one"
"To me the most devastating part of gaining an understanding of the lifelong physical impacts of trauma is that they are unnecessary... if trauma is treated immediately, full recovery is possible. Almost all of the long-term effects can be prevented. This means, more often than not, the permanent impacts of trauma are reserved for those with unspeakable stories. This strikes me as both one of the most catastrophic human tendencies and, simultaneously, one of the easiest to fix, which perhaps just makes the heartbreak worse still" Pg.79
"Because of my silence, the damage done to me is irreversible"
"I can choose to be influenced by a violent man in an abandoned bathroom or I can choose to be influenced by the strength and honesty of Elena"
I loved learning about the sea lions in times of complete stress, and about the psychiatrist that healed his trauma immediately by refusing sedatives and dealing with it then and there. That was very interesting.
"Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks on it"
"This book does not necessarily have a happy ending. But it does have a hopeful one"
"To me the most devastating part of gaining an understanding of the lifelong physical impacts of trauma is that they are unnecessary... if trauma is treated immediately, full recovery is possible. Almost all of the long-term effects can be prevented. This means, more often than not, the permanent impacts of trauma are reserved for those with unspeakable stories. This strikes me as both one of the most catastrophic human tendencies and, simultaneously, one of the easiest to fix, which perhaps just makes the heartbreak worse still" Pg.79
"Because of my silence, the damage done to me is irreversible"
"I can choose to be influenced by a violent man in an abandoned bathroom or I can choose to be influenced by the strength and honesty of Elena"
itsheatherfox's review
5.0
This book was a challenging but super informative read. I felt deeply sickened by everything Lucia went (and still goes through) that at points I struggled to keep reading. But that is part of the point of this book - the truth is not pretty but it is necessary. I finished it and simply wanted her to feel some peace. I found it interesting - and enraging - to read about how woman’s pain is more likely to be dismissed in comparison to men’s. I found it confronting to realise just how intensely trauma can manifest in the physical body. And the story about the psychiatrist who healed his trauma minutes after it happened because he knew what the affects could be if he didn’t feel his pain immediately was fascinating! A book that will likely stay with me for a long time, one that is both devastating and hopeful.
sammireadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
rikkireads_'s review
5.0
The shortest book with the mightiest punch, exploring the author's experience of abuse and rape, the shame she felt and the secrets she kept, and how the combination of that trauma and secrecy resulted in chronic pain and illness. Then, if that's not bad enough, the way she was disbelieved and unsupported when she sought medical help for that pain and illness.
Such an important book about gender, violence and how the medical profession too often responds to women's pain, but also how literature can lift people out of some dark places.
It was brave, honest, well-researched and beautifully written and I 100% would recommend.
Such an important book about gender, violence and how the medical profession too often responds to women's pain, but also how literature can lift people out of some dark places.
It was brave, honest, well-researched and beautifully written and I 100% would recommend.
hellosarahlou's review
3.0
This was a tough one to read. Thank you Lucia for being so raw and vulnerable in sharing your pain