ARA Review by Norman Hok Yee of This Side of the Darkness

[Norman Hok Yee]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, This Side of the Darkness.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The book (i)This Side of Darkness (/i) is an autobiography by Andromeda Storm who lived in the 'Darkness' of the lower strata of society. Her life was dysfunctional. So she escaped from reality and imgined life as 'Shadows' and 'Monsters.'

At 200 pages, the author was able to cram in a lot of her unusual life as she kept a journal. She was full of grit with a never say die attitude. Despite the difficult ups and downs of life, she was quite optimistic and philosophical about everything in the beginning chapter to the final one.

A book not to be missed for the general reader and those interested or involved with problems faced by the lower class such as the Government Social Welfare Department.

Her story began when she was three. She considered her father a 'Monster' as there were regular vicious fights between the parents and his treatment of her. So the mother left with Storm and began a number of liaisons, sadly all involved violence. There she also suffered sexual and other abuse.

When she was disturbed by the anger around her she began to lose sight of reality and tried to rationalize things and even imagined things happening around her She began to have frightening nightmares she called her 'Shadows.' In one nightmare she was raped repeatedly at various locations. Other times she was tormented by snakes. Cats seemed to give her comfort and she had several over the curse of her life.

Being abused meant addiction to sex so she sought out many partners. By 13 she lost her virginity to a 17 year old. At 15 she became pregnant with a coloured guy.

When her pregnancy was known she tried abortion but later decided for the adoption method that allowed the selected parents to be there for the birth. Such happiness to see the adoptive parents with the child.

She ended the story with the statement 'Never Let the Monsters Win.'

I award (b)4 out of 5(b/) stars due to the intensity of her work that has the reader so absorbed. A book such as this cannot deserve less than 4 stars yet I am reluctant to give 5 which is for the best.

Reviewed by Hok Yok Norman Yee

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