Review of As the Sycamore Grows

[Michael Valentine]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "As the Sycamore Grows" by Jennie Miller Helderman.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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As the Sycamore Grows: A Hidden Cabin, the Bible, and a .38  by Jennie Miller Helderman is a creative non-fiction book that delves into the life of Ginger McNeil. Beginning as a young girl in Baycross, Texas, under the watchful eyes of strict and religious parents, Ginger's journey leads her through a tumultuous first marriage and into a second marriage with Mike McNeil that is even worse.

The book vividly portrays Ginger's life, marred by physical, emotional, and financial oppression from her husband, church, and even her own family. Through isolation and poverty, she endures years of suffering at the hands of her abuser. Despite several encounters, Mike remains unapologetic, justifying his actions and blaming Ginger. Seeking emotional connections due to a lack of warmth in her upbringing, Ginger's family repeatedly abandons her until a pivotal incident prompts her father to intervene. As the narrative unfolds, readers are left wondering if Ginger will summon the strength to break free and break the cycle of abuse for her sons. These gripping questions and more captivate readers throughout the book's entirety.

I applaud the author's use of language to express the conflicting feelings a victim could have at each point. I also love the author’s recognition of the effect of conditioning on both Mike and Ginger. Ginger’s life is used to describe the chain of abuse and its effect on both the batterer and the victim. Notably, as the book progresses, Ginger's evolving understanding and empathy towards her ex-husband counteract the resentment and fury borne from seventeen years of marital abuse. Also, Mike's realisation about his similarities with his father, although he tried to run away from becoming like his father, proves that abuse is not an isolated event but rather a chain that continues until an intention to break it is conceived by the affected parties.

Throughout my reading, I found no negative aspects of this book. It stands as a testament to the power of narrative, making it a truly enriching read.

This book was professionally edited. I found only a few errors in it. Therefore, I would rate this book five out of five stars. It was quite an engaging and enlightening book. I recommend this book to human rights advocates and enthusiasts, people who need strength to escape and understand abusive relationships like Ginger, and to the general public.

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As the Sycamore Grows
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[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

The title of this book is intriguing, and suits the story well. I hope Ginger and her family will manage to find the strength to break the cycle of violence. The book is interesting, and thanks to your review I am glad to know that it is well-written; we can expect a good reading experience.