Review of The bird who prayed

[Shillah Andeso]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The bird who prayed" by Raquel Du Monde.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The Bird Who Prayed by Raquel Du Monde is a memoir of the author's life. Being a single mother of three battling both mental and physical illness, life has not been easy for her. In this book, she explains the hurdles she has overcome in life. This ranges from drug abuse to being in abusive relationships. There are also instances where she's been arrested. Furthermore, she explains the critical role God and prayer played when she had no one to turn to. She embraces her chaotic past, as it is what makes her what she is today. She wants to be able to address mental illness and reach many people. 'Invisible illness' is the term she uses, and she explains how people are ignorant of this matter. Reading this book gives the reader a glimpse into the life of a surviving warrior.

Raquel Du Monde is exceptional in her writing. Her life has been messy, and how she explains how she handled the occurrences results in a beautiful masterpiece. Anyone familiar with the bitter and sweet events that life brings along will identify with her. She crafts her childhood and teenage years with precision. The importance of family, especially her twin sister, is evident. All the setbacks she has experienced do not deter her from appreciating all the good things that have happened in her life. Many of the things she has undergone are side effects of her illness.

I found Raquel's experiences very educational. One of the dominant things I encountered in the book was identifying a narcissistic relationship. Having gone through one herself without knowing, the knowledge will be helpful to anyone who reads this book. She exhibits honesty even in the most embarrassing moments. I love how her most painful moments will be a guide for many other people who have experienced or are still going through similar occurrences.

There is nothing negative about this marvelous narration. I have only one recommendation. The way the book is organized makes it repetitive. It would be better if the events were placed in the order in which they occurred. This did not alter my reading experience. I believe adopting an alternate way would enhance the enjoyment and presentation of the book.

I rate The Bird Who Prayed by Raquel Du Monde 5 out of 5 stars. This is a life story that has been uniquely presented. Her willingness to help others is an added positive aspect. I found several errors aside from the author's unique presentation. This is evidence that the book was professionally edited. Some touching moments in the book are when Raquel explains the presence of God and his miracles in her life. I see no reason to rate the book lower.

I recommend this book to all who need help. Those battling mental and physical illnesses will find the book extremely helpful, especially for conditions like fibromyalgia and schizoaffective disorder. Anyone having trouble navigating relationships will learn from her overall experience. Nevertheless, individuals who may have controversial opinions concerning God and having gifts related to spiritual aspects may not fully agree with her writing and may want to avoid this book.

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The bird who prayed
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[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

I love that the author allows God to turn her life into prosperity. I love that she feels the presence of God and how He made miracles in her life. Thanks for your engagingly written review, Shillah!