Scars by Cheryl RainfieldMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Scars" is a glorious recounting of an adolescent girl’s travails with awakening, and awakened, memory. I call it glorious because it so precisely delineates the events, emotions, thoughts, paranoia, justifiable fears, anger, resentment, that Kendra undergoes. Her classmates, mother, therapist, and much older gay friend Sandy are so true-to-life. Her budding friendship with classmate Meghan, also a survivor (and current victim) is precious and hope-inspiring. Kendra’s slowly awakening-yet halting-memories ring true and realistic. I marvel at the multiple ways in which author Cheryl Rainfield has delineated Kendra and those around her. It is so easy to see through her eyes, hear through her ears, think her thoughts along with her-and most importantly, to empathize with Kendra’s pain, and the other emotions that accompany it: the perception of betrayal, the bitterness, rage, resentment-the longing for help, but more, the yearning to replace her past with a different one, a positive, loving, affectionate, and protected past.
I totally recommend this book: for survivors of childhood abuse of any nature; for those who are still undergoing abuse; and for the loved ones, friends, and helpers who live with, befriend, or work with survivors. Everyone can benefit from this book. I give it a rating of 13 or above, due to the terrifying situations which Kendra experienced, even as a very young child. This book rings out truth, and deserves a vast audience.
View all my reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment