Review by P_hernandez -- Broken Places by Rachel Thompson

[P_hernandez]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Broken Places" by Rachel Thompson.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Broken Places is a non-fiction/autobiographical collection of essays and poems from the point of view of a survivor of childhood abuse and sexual assault. While the subject matter is one that is difficult to comprehend, Rachel Thompson presents her unique experience in a way that leaves the reader paying more attention to the strength and courage of the author, rather than what she went through. Thompson takes the focus off of the crime and stakes her claim firmly as a survivor, not a victim. For the powerful message this missive sends, I give it 4 out of 4 stars.

Broken Places is not a linear tale. It has no beginning and no ending. The pain and sorrow is evident, yet the reader is never asked to feel sympathy for the author. This collection is private, personal, and very honest to the dilemmas many survivors face. Society does not always look kindly on those it cannot recognize itself in. Rachel Thompson gently asserts that her past is not something for anyone else to understand; it is simply for her to reconcile. The respect she has for herself is evident through the entire book, which makes reading her words a pleasure instead of a chore. Even through much rhetoric and reflection, Thompson never makes the reader feel guilty for not experiencing what she did. Many of the essays were written on the same event from different views. In the repetitive nature of the crime, the reader was never bored or annoyed at the same story continuing with no result. The reader was lead to understand that even small changes in afterthoughts effected the outcome of the author. This book felt very empowering to read.

There was much prose and imagery in this collection. It was fitting and flowed nicely throughout the book. The juxtaposition of beauty amidst pain gave a dramatic and breathtaking rendering of a powerless child victim. The anger and hatred projected painted a haunting portrait of an adult finally being able to fully acknowledge the past.

Rachel Thompson allows the reader to explore her struggles. She makes no apologies for herself or her past, nor does she makes excuses for her future. She sends a message that even though she was a victim of sexual abuse and assault as a child, that abuse does not define the person she has become. This book was a terrific read. There are many triggers throughout the text. The foreword does an excellent job of warning readers ahead of time of those triggers.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has either experienced the same traumas or who wants to better understand the world through the eyes of someone who has. I would also recommend this book to those who want to explore the beauty and anger of her poetry. I will definitely be recommending this author to others!

******
Broken Places
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like P_hernandez's review? Post a comment saying so!