ceciliamarie7 's review for:

The House of My Mother: A Daughter's Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke

2.5

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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I saw another reader refer to this as a Creative Writing 101 assignment, and that basically sums up its literary merit. Still, Shari Franke's voice is engaging and lively, and the story is riveting. I almost wish Franke had waited a few years to fully process her trauma before writing-- She's clearly still unable to face some of the horror she endured, and reading how she excuses those who treated her abhorrently is stomach-churning. She's able to clearly articulate her mother's psychic manipulation but is still blinded by her father and her church elders when they use similar tactics. I have to remind myself how young Franke really is. 

Still, it feels weird to speculate about such a personal book?? Idk man. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Sexual harassment