When Sister of Silence first came out, I immediately bought a copy. The author, Daleen Berry, used to work at our local newspaper in Preston County West Virginia, and I’m always interested in any non-fiction book with regional ties. I very much enjoyed reading about people I knew and even knowing as I read the book that my father was one of the people the author interviewed at the sheriff's office for her job.
Sister of Silence is much more than just a book for those who live in our area. The story is riveting. It is a hard memoir to read. When she was only thirteen and Eddie is twenty when he begins having sex with her. She doesn’t realize this is rape so she tells no one. This continues off and on for years until she gets pregnant. She believes she will no longer be desired by anyone because she is “used” and so she and Eddie marry. By the time she is twenty-two she has four small children.
Eddie becomes physically abusive, at one point dragging her down stairs and causing a huge gash in her leg. She tells no one -- thus the title “Sister of Silence”. Once he loses his job, she has to find a job and is hired by the local paper. As she starts reporting domestic violence stories she realizes that is exactly what is happening to her.
This is not light reading. It is about childhood and marital sexual abuse, domestic violence, postpartum depression, and thoughts of suicide. It’s a riveting book, but can also help others know they are not alone in their situation and give them hope for escape.
The one thing I would have changed about the book is the ending. She goes into great detail about the things she survived, but I wanted to also hear about what happened after. (This has since been published as Shattering the Silence!) But I couldn't put this book down. I give it a five star rating and I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about domestic violence. It would also make a great gift to someone you think is going through a similar situation and don't know how to approach her and ask her if you can do anything to help.
Watch the book trailer here:
Sister of Silence will be free for 5 days electronically starting on 11/23
ReplyDeleteThe rafflecopter never did load for me after 3 or 4 tries. Please enteer me in this giveaway. It sounds like a really good book.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read this book for some time now, it has been in my wishlist on amazon, I have been watching the price. I became interested in this after learning of the local author, sounds like a very emotional read. And now with your 5 star review, I am even more excited to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure whether I would enjoy this book or not, but after reading the first chapter, I am hooked. I have to get my Kindle back from my son so I can download the whole book aand read it now!
ReplyDeleteThe author is very sweet and sensitive to her fans even responding to errors people had found in her book!
ReplyDeleteI see that she is planning to write a sequel.
ReplyDeleteAs a survivor of domestic violence myself, I thank you for sponsoring this giveaway and helping educate people on this all too common situation.
bkittie at hotmail.com
I learned she received the Pearl Buck award!
ReplyDeleteShe is planning to write a sequel to the book.
ReplyDeleteWow. This sounds like quite a read. I'm impressed that she wrote her story-- so many need the encouragement to speak.
ReplyDeleteA sequel is planned for this book!
ReplyDeletetheyyyguy@yahoo.com
I learned that her husband had a stroke and the hospital wanted to discharge him too early.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I learned about this book. It will be going on my to read book list.
ReplyDeleteI learned that doctors don't think people showed be left alone in a hospital. I have spent a lot of time in hospitals and a lot of it alone.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of the uninsured, of which I've been a member most of my adult life.
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