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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
A difficult book to like, given the subject matter. I heard the author and her cousin on the "For the Love" podcast and found their stories compelling and horrifying. But it is much harder to read this story of sustained child abuse, and the kids' ultimate escape doesn't really feel like a victory since . How this woman has managed to create even some semblance of a normal life is nothing short of miraculous.
Spoiler
some of them don't make it out aliveThis memoir was so raw and heartbreaking. The topics in this book are HEAVY. I cried multiple times while reading this memoir, and will be thinking about the stories shared for days/months/years to come
Excellent writing, listened to the audio book.
This book- wow. There was a lot of hard subject matter and it was very hard to read sometimes, it was hard to put down though. I can’t fathom growing up in a world like the one Ruth did and going through all the things she did. It was truly a fascinating memoir.
I am so sad right now. This one hit the feels really hard. The amount of loss this poor girl suffered, the amount of pain and abuse and the things she did and felt for her siblings crushed my soul. I feel utterly shattered for for Aubrey and Meri, my sister is also developmentally delayed and my heart just breaks for the outcomes. I know Aubrey is safe and care for now but what she was made to go through while Lane was around. And Micha, I can't. Strength is what it took to get this family through this mess, an immense amount of strength. And I am so glad that Lane died alone... that bastard.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Harrowing, but not hard to get through (as the reader). Was really disappointed that one of the brothers still partakes in the polygamist life after all of that. To me, the author is too understanding of her mother. I get that she was a victim, too, but she royally fucked up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, Abandonment