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karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Last year I read [b:The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek|40914165|The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek|Kim Michele Richardson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543864786l/40914165._SY75_.jpg|63789129], and really liked it. When I saw this book, and that it was Ms. Richardson's story of her time in an orphanage, I had to read it. This is her story of the abuse she received at the hands of the Catholic nuns and priest that ran the Saint Thomas and Saint Vincent Orphanage in Anchorage, Kentucky. It is also the story of the litigation she brought against the order of nuns along with 44 other plaintiffs, decades later.
How can I possibly say that I liked the book, other than I feel it is a book that needs to be read.
How can I possibly say that I liked the book, other than I feel it is a book that needs to be read.
justlily's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
A tough subject to read and the author certainly holds nothing back in the descriptions, the book stomach churning at points.
But it's a fast and well written read.
A tough subject to read and the author certainly holds nothing back in the descriptions, the book stomach churning at points.
But it's a fast and well written read.
bmpicc's review against another edition
4.0
I recently read her former NYT bestseller for a book club. Prepping for my group, I realized there isn't a ton of info regarding her birth and such. I was intrigued so I grabbed her memoir. I give her a lot of credit for her honesty and strength. A a Catholic (technically, I guess) the abuse didn't surprise me. Her finding a way out of it and the lawyer who helped give voice to the countless voiceless children did. There are a LOT of triggers warnings with this book. Read the flap and make the choice for yourself.
candicem's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled with this book. Not because of the subject matter but because of the plausibility of the author. Some of her "memories" do not seem reliable.
Dumped in a Catholic orphanage at the age of 3, along with her 2 sisters, the author has clear memories/recollections of her earliest childhood years. I have a difficult time believing that she accurately recalls what happens at the age of 3. The author jumps around from her deposition to the lawyers back to her childhood. The story does not flow well. The book was not very well written and the story/memoir did not grab me nor did I feel any emotions during the reading of this book. I was also bothered by the fact, that someone who supposedly suffered so much at the hands of the catholic church would continue to be affiliated with and even send her own daughters to catholic schools. The author continuously contradicted herself.
Dumped in a Catholic orphanage at the age of 3, along with her 2 sisters, the author has clear memories/recollections of her earliest childhood years. I have a difficult time believing that she accurately recalls what happens at the age of 3. The author jumps around from her deposition to the lawyers back to her childhood. The story does not flow well. The book was not very well written and the story/memoir did not grab me nor did I feel any emotions during the reading of this book. I was also bothered by the fact, that someone who supposedly suffered so much at the hands of the catholic church would continue to be affiliated with and even send her own daughters to catholic schools. The author continuously contradicted herself.
loranmar000's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
denisebaer's review against another edition
5.0
Kim Michele Richardson’s words and experience unveils a sinister act of betrayal. Through Kim’s journey into adulthood, you can feel the struggles she faced and demons she fought. The Unbreakable Child is Kim’s account of her experience living behind the walls of a Catholic Orphanage in Kentucky.
The only beauty in this memoir is the fact that she didn’t break—didn’t let her misfortunes carve out her future. But that’s the only beauty of the book. Learning about such deception through her eyes is horrifying, and left me wondering, “Who can we trust?” Abuse is everywhere, and has many levels yet reading about religious abuse is unthinkable.
Even though the orphans won in court against the Archdiocese, William McMurray as their advocate, it didn’t relinquish the pain and psychological damage that still exists in some orphans. Kim’s healing and her continued strength to triumph is proof that she is The Unbreakable Child.
The only beauty in this memoir is the fact that she didn’t break—didn’t let her misfortunes carve out her future. But that’s the only beauty of the book. Learning about such deception through her eyes is horrifying, and left me wondering, “Who can we trust?” Abuse is everywhere, and has many levels yet reading about religious abuse is unthinkable.
Even though the orphans won in court against the Archdiocese, William McMurray as their advocate, it didn’t relinquish the pain and psychological damage that still exists in some orphans. Kim’s healing and her continued strength to triumph is proof that she is The Unbreakable Child.
sarahdietz's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book in a Goodreads first reads giveaway. This book is an account of Kim Richardson's life in a Kentucky Catholic Orphanage during the 1960's and later in the book the lawsuit against the catholic church for abuses. It was difficult to read of the various abuses Kim suffered as a child and it must have taken alot of strength to write about it. Ultimately it's a story of forgiveness and faith. Definitely the kind of book that sticks with you afterwards.
ontheverge's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
The author of this memoir has faced absolutely awful and depraved challenges in her life. The memoir concentrated heavily on the abuse that she faced while at the home in uncomfortable detail.
I’d have been interested to hear less detail about the abuses themselves and more about how the author recovered from the abuse and the impacts that it had on the remainder of her childhood once she left the home, her early adult years and her marriage and parenting. It is obvious that she is an incredibly resilient person and I’d have loved to have heard more about this given how inspiring it would have been.
I’d have been interested to hear less detail about the abuses themselves and more about how the author recovered from the abuse and the impacts that it had on the remainder of her childhood once she left the home, her early adult years and her marriage and parenting. It is obvious that she is an incredibly resilient person and I’d have loved to have heard more about this given how inspiring it would have been.
kyrieyoude's review against another edition
5.0
Good book
This book is truly sad. Growing up catholic in a catholic school system, I did not see this. Granted, my schooling was in the late 90’s and on. It’s hard to imagine people in these positions of power hurting children. It makes me sick actually.
This book is truly sad. Growing up catholic in a catholic school system, I did not see this. Granted, my schooling was in the late 90’s and on. It’s hard to imagine people in these positions of power hurting children. It makes me sick actually.
mutedsapphire's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault