Surviving a House Full of Whispers
Author
Sharon Wallace
Publisher
Modern History Press
3 Review Copies Left
Sharon suffered continual physical and sexual abuse from her stepfather for seven years. Unfortunately, no one would listen to her or believe her story. At age 16, she finally finds the courage to flee from her tormenters. Social Services find her the first of a string of temporary jobs between which she criss-crosses England trying to find a safe haven.
However, she cannot escape her "night devil" completely until she comes to terms with her past. Sharon's growth and recovery from abuse and learning to accept love would be a long road to travel, taking nearly forty years to achieve. She had to learn to trust and love herself before she could another.
Faced with society's judgments against her, Sharon stood alone against the people who abused her for seven years. The truth is, we don't start to heal when taken from an abusive situation; we only start to digest and relive its emotional content. Many go on to live their lives with tortured souls and an inability to trust and love their own children.
Equally, many of us find the inner child that God intended; we pull that child past the empty adult left by years of mutilation of our childhood souls. I was a no-hoper, unjustly cast out into a world of desolation and loneliness that pulled at my heart like a lead weight. I self-harmed and mutilated parts of my mind and body to try and erase memories.
Eventually, I learned that healing was within me and could never be found under that largest or smallest boulder. I have walked the road of hope and desire and looked into the pool of my future. I did not want to be the mother they had raised, or the wife they had created. Slowly, I started to rebuild my life and my wish is that this book offers the same hope to you.
Therapists' Acclaim for Surviving a House Full of Whispers
"This is the story of one girl's fear and battle to survive the emotional traumas and deprivation of her past. I can thoroughly recommend this book which will help anyone who is, or has, suffered abuse."
--Lynda Bevan, author Life After Betrayal
"A very honest account, and a very accurate view of the feelings, thoughts and behaviors of people traumatized in childhood and youth. If you suffered in childhood, or are in a helping position to those who have, then you must read this book."
--Robert Rich, PhD, author Cancer: A Personal Challenge
The Reflections of History Series from Modern History Press
ModernHistoryPress.com
Autobiography: Women
Reviews
Have you ever known one of those people that just can't ever seem to catch a break? In "Surviving a House Full of Whispers", Sharon is just that person. Her young life was startled by physical and sexual abuse from a stepfather and although she had the courage to escape, the fear never left. Her fear chased her as her life went on-from living on the streets to the comfort of her own home among her husband and children. Eventually Sharon seems to escape the fear and break out into her own, yet life keeps throwing bumps in the road that just never give her a moment to be happy and really enjoy a true peace.
The book is written in a way that seems the reader is watching Sharon on her journey, rather than reading about it. I think the writing has an erratic quality, but it works. It works as it makes her story more real to the reader. My body felt erratic as I read it-the words transformed that feeling where I was nervous, excited, angry, and fighting to get in there and help her. I haven't been that affected by the power of a story in a long time. I would recommend this selection to everyone as it shows a person that suffered and made a life her own, while still struggling every day. I have to say that I was more than delighted as there will be a sequel that chronicles the next stages of her life.
Reviewed on 07/25/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Laura Johnson
Reviewed on 07/01/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Danelle Drake
