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christy15reads's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Crazy! And sad. I find it difficult to give a star rating to someone elses life experiences, but if this really was all true, it was a very sad life story. What an awful set of parents.
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
It was hard not to find this book emotionally effecting. Abuse disguised as care is the most heart wrenching form I can think of. At times, I had to will myself to continue reading because I found the inability to jump into the story and stop the parents too upsetting.
I hope this story serves some good in bringing attention to this type of disease to help prevent future cases. I admire the author for not totally crumbling under the emotional burden she has to bear and applaud her for doing her best to stop her mother.
I hope this story serves some good in bringing attention to this type of disease to help prevent future cases. I admire the author for not totally crumbling under the emotional burden she has to bear and applaud her for doing her best to stop her mother.
lmacbrook's review against another edition
5.0
There are so many, yet so few words to describe this book. My friends laugh and think it’s creepy that my favorite genre is psychological thrillers. But, they make me feel like I’m not alone in my thoughts and in the trauma of my childhood. For those looking for a book in the dark- this is a good one to befriend. Though I have never experienced MBP firsthand, after reading this book, I feel like I have held a friend’s hand through their journey.
The scenes where Julie is living in a world of mirrors and spending endless time finding herself and seeing herself captivated me. The specific description of how she could not understand that the beautiful person she saw in the mirror was herself made me feel like I wasn’t crazy.
After many years of having constant out-of-body experiences and wondering if others felt like they weren’t connected to the image they saw in the mirror too, I finally felt seen. I felt like Julie had reached into my soul and said “I’ve been there.”
I could go on, and on, and on about how this book spoke to me, but we’re not here to read about me. Read the book. Let it in and try to connect to Julie or Danny in some way. Let her healing help you heal. Enjoy the journey.
The scenes where Julie is living in a world of mirrors and spending endless time finding herself and seeing herself captivated me. The specific description of how she could not understand that the beautiful person she saw in the mirror was herself made me feel like I wasn’t crazy.
After many years of having constant out-of-body experiences and wondering if others felt like they weren’t connected to the image they saw in the mirror too, I finally felt seen. I felt like Julie had reached into my soul and said “I’ve been there.”
I could go on, and on, and on about how this book spoke to me, but we’re not here to read about me. Read the book. Let it in and try to connect to Julie or Danny in some way. Let her healing help you heal. Enjoy the journey.
hannahblau's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
3.75
alexandrabree's review against another edition
4.0
The manipulation and deceit is unimaginable, two mentally ill parents (this in no way excuses there actions or justifies them) ; Sandy sick with MBP in part inherited from her own mother and an abusive past, Dan a Vietnam Vet poisoned by Agent Orange. Julia, Dan, The foster children later on Tina and others - the victims... Awareness for this disease both regular and by proxy is hopefully rising.
Heart wrenching and horrible
Heart wrenching and horrible
thatnerd's review against another edition
1.0
While I feel badly about what this poor girl endured, I didn't particularly like this book. I just didn't think it was all that well-written and I had a very hard time getting into it.
deblyn's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't put this book down, yet it was difficult to read. Intense, disturbing, scary, heart breaking and at the same time you couldn't help but feel hope in the strength of the author. This was a one day read!
terroreesa's review against another edition
3.0
this is truly one of the single most frightening books i have ever read. gregory's tale of horrific abuse at the hands of her parents (especially her mother) and her eventual development into a functioning adult is simultaneously awful and hopeful.
the several points at which she has to talk her mom out of suicide resonated deeply with me, having been in similar situations with a friend.
although the writing style can be a bit halting and unsure, this book is worth the read just for the emotional and physical journey.
the several points at which she has to talk her mom out of suicide resonated deeply with me, having been in similar situations with a friend.
although the writing style can be a bit halting and unsure, this book is worth the read just for the emotional and physical journey.
erincataldi's review against another edition
4.0
A powerful memoir about a young woman's messed childhood dealing with Munchausen by Proxy (MPB) at the hands of her mother. Prior to this book I had never heard of MPB, but after reading this sordid tell all, I definitely have a grasp for how horrible it is. Basically a parent or other figure convinces you that our sick and you need to go to doctor to doctor to find out what is wrong with you. Unnecessary tests, surgeries, and being forced to lie to doctors is just the tip of the ice berg. Her parents were also mean, abusive, belligerent, and uncaring. It's a horrifying book reminiscent of "A Child Called It." It's eye opening and I hope to God, that Julie Gregory is able to move on with her life for good. Soo much trauma, I can't even imagine.