Review by Almera101 -- Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a ...
Posted: 27 Jul 2020, 19:44
[Following is a volunteer review of "Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life" by Lewis Kempfer.]
A greatly personalized, real life story of physical and psychological abuse, Lewis Kempfer gives us a first class seat into his tumultuous life. The story is both brutally honest and shocking in its delivery, but at the same time is very riveting. A great, epic page turner Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life is!
From the primary salvo of a life gone wrong, to a photogenic recount of a four-year-old meeting abuse at the hands of his father the book opens drawing the reader into the story. From there, each experience of the pre-teen Denny (Kempfer) takes us on a new view of how traumatic parental decisions and life experiences could be. His first stepfather was no better than his biological father, adding even more scars to the young Denny’s already scared psyche. Not to mention the not so wholesome relationship with his biological father and his new family adding even more to little Denny’s negative experiences. Denny’s involvement with a horrible psychologist who is supposed to assist in healing was one of the saddest aspects of the story.
The fact that Denny was also brought up with religious background is also deeply concerning in the narrative of this life story. The role the parents played as outwardly religious zealots, the role the experience of the Church played, both in the early day and in Denny’s life as an adult, adding even more scars than helping in healing. This can make the reader question the outward values presented to society and the real values behind closed doors.
Emerging out of this traumatic childhood Denny’s teen life and early adulthood is no less hurtful and yet still engaging. Following his early years discovering his sexuality and experimentation is quite a read. Denny’s first car and the feeling of freedom from having such, even if there were restrictions, to him.
At this stage the book becomes even more brutally direct. Scenes of sexual depravity and drug use could be really hard on the reader, but Kempfer handles these prose with grace. The descriptions can be a little vivid at times, but the underlying feeling, the underlying need, is always present.
Being in the ’80 the issues of drugs and HIV/ AIDS will always play a part. This book is no different. It was spellbindingly heart-breaking to read of Denny’s experiences with both. The early brush with HIV and finding out he was positive. The desperation of drug use to get an out. The desperation to find a true soulmate. The exorbitant spending to try to keep that soulmate. All these issues are diligently brought to life in author’s skilled way of writing.
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life will have the reader on highs and lows as we explore the real life experiences of the author. The book is professionally edited, and more targeted towards young adults who may be going through the same issues as those highlighted. The very vivid descriptions of drug use and sexual depravity may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the language and tone Kempfer uses will keep the reader deeply engrossed. I do not hesitate to give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
A greatly personalized, real life story of physical and psychological abuse, Lewis Kempfer gives us a first class seat into his tumultuous life. The story is both brutally honest and shocking in its delivery, but at the same time is very riveting. A great, epic page turner Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life is!
From the primary salvo of a life gone wrong, to a photogenic recount of a four-year-old meeting abuse at the hands of his father the book opens drawing the reader into the story. From there, each experience of the pre-teen Denny (Kempfer) takes us on a new view of how traumatic parental decisions and life experiences could be. His first stepfather was no better than his biological father, adding even more scars to the young Denny’s already scared psyche. Not to mention the not so wholesome relationship with his biological father and his new family adding even more to little Denny’s negative experiences. Denny’s involvement with a horrible psychologist who is supposed to assist in healing was one of the saddest aspects of the story.
The fact that Denny was also brought up with religious background is also deeply concerning in the narrative of this life story. The role the parents played as outwardly religious zealots, the role the experience of the Church played, both in the early day and in Denny’s life as an adult, adding even more scars than helping in healing. This can make the reader question the outward values presented to society and the real values behind closed doors.
Emerging out of this traumatic childhood Denny’s teen life and early adulthood is no less hurtful and yet still engaging. Following his early years discovering his sexuality and experimentation is quite a read. Denny’s first car and the feeling of freedom from having such, even if there were restrictions, to him.
At this stage the book becomes even more brutally direct. Scenes of sexual depravity and drug use could be really hard on the reader, but Kempfer handles these prose with grace. The descriptions can be a little vivid at times, but the underlying feeling, the underlying need, is always present.
Being in the ’80 the issues of drugs and HIV/ AIDS will always play a part. This book is no different. It was spellbindingly heart-breaking to read of Denny’s experiences with both. The early brush with HIV and finding out he was positive. The desperation of drug use to get an out. The desperation to find a true soulmate. The exorbitant spending to try to keep that soulmate. All these issues are diligently brought to life in author’s skilled way of writing.
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life will have the reader on highs and lows as we explore the real life experiences of the author. The book is professionally edited, and more targeted towards young adults who may be going through the same issues as those highlighted. The very vivid descriptions of drug use and sexual depravity may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the language and tone Kempfer uses will keep the reader deeply engrossed. I do not hesitate to give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes