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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Set first in Indiana, Julia is raised in a home with tow brothers, both adopted. Both Black. Her parents are fundamentalist Christians who wanted to do right, but ultimately destroyed these 3 kids. There are graphic scenes of sexual assault, physical abuse, emotional and religious abuse, and blatant racism. Julia’s brother David is her same age and the two of them bond deeply. They’re both found to be rebellious and sent to an abusive Christian reform school in the Dominican Republic which is where the second half of the book is set.
Throughout the book Julia wrestles with her own whiteness in relation to David’s Blackness, her sense of self and a will to not only survive but thrive.
It’s a deep, dark, hard read. One that exposes much more than what was going on in Julia’s family and asks unanswerable questions. Very well written, it was engaging, descriptive, and demoralizing. Sometimes humans are the worst.
Throughout the book Julia wrestles with her own whiteness in relation to David’s Blackness, her sense of self and a will to not only survive but thrive.
It’s a deep, dark, hard read. One that exposes much more than what was going on in Julia’s family and asks unanswerable questions. Very well written, it was engaging, descriptive, and demoralizing. Sometimes humans are the worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Tough read. Tougher because I’m a Calvinist and it was depressing to read the abuse she experienced under the hand of her parents.
Really good book.
Things I also hate: behavior modification. Don’t work.
Really good book.
Things I also hate: behavior modification. Don’t work.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
I don't remember why I wanted to read this book, and I sort of wish I hadn't, mostly because of how incredibly depressing it is. After getting part way through, I figured I had to read through to the end because I needed to see some sort of redemption. I also had become very emotionally invested in the author's brother. The author and her brother went through really awful things, and I just wanted a glimmer of hope at the end, but no. It's so weird for me to critque memoirs and autobiographies, because it feels like critiquing someone's life.
So, over all, I guess it was just too fricking sad for me. Also, I feel the need to mention how poorly it was copyedited. There are many typos and misspellings, as well as more glaring mistakes like getting characters names wrong, etc. So, three stars for the book as a whole; zero stars for the proofreader.
So, over all, I guess it was just too fricking sad for me. Also, I feel the need to mention how poorly it was copyedited. There are many typos and misspellings, as well as more glaring mistakes like getting characters names wrong, etc. So, three stars for the book as a whole; zero stars for the proofreader.
haunting. only the real ones know why I read this book tho
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Shocking, stirring memoir of a young girl living under the harsh rule of her Calvinist family during the 1980s. The tales about her painful experiences at the hands of her "god-fearing" parents and teachers is remarkable, but what's more impressive is the author's recollection of her love for and friendship with her adopted brother, David. Hard to read, but I couldn't put it down (read in one sitting).
I got so attached to the story of Julia and her brother David. I got so angry at their mistreatment and the lack of love they received. Julia's strength is inspiring. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book.
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars. I liked the 1st half much more than the second half!