Review of Silenced for purpose

[Sbitan Mohammad]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Silenced for purpose" by Tonya Harris.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Abuse is an increasing menace in our society today. It is a horrible act because it emotionally and socially destroys the victim. In the book Silenced for Purpose by Tonya Harris, the author highlights the effect the sexual abuse she faced in her early years had on her and how it affected the decisions and choices she has taken throughout her life so far. 
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Tonya was the last child following seven elder brothers; she was a child of prophecy, as her birth was predicted to her parents before they had her. A few years after her birth, her parents had a divorce, and her mother was left to cater to the children all by herself. She recounts that as early as the age of 8, her brother, Ryan, began to abuse her following his pornography addiction sexually. This happened for some years until her father, under the influence of a vision he received, took her brother, Ryan, to live with him. However, the damage had already been done at this time, and in the future, this would affect the kind of men she settled for. However, the author continued to try to walk in God's light. What becomes of her and her relationship with God is contained in this book.
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This book stirred many emotions in me, and I was saddened by what Tonya endured as a child. She also narrates how this early exposure to abuse influenced her towards being promiscuous as a teen and how she always had to settle for just any guy who showed the slightest affection for her, leading her to make a lot of bad choices in her life. I admire this author's courage because most people who have faced sexual abuse repress it and battle depression in silence, but this author's resilience is shown through the pages of this work. The importance of God's presence is emphasized in this book because the author highlights that God helped her heal from her past and still keeps supporting her every step of the way. This book is informative and expository; it calls the audience back to God while teaching how merciful He can be.
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The only thing I disliked was that this book lacked a proper chronological arrangement; the timelines did not add up, and I couldn't make out when certain events were occurring, especially the period of the author's marriages and dating. I also observed that this book was repetitive in its descriptions of some events, and though the author might have wanted to do so for emphasis, it was too much and impeded my general enjoyment of the book. I spotted just two errors throughout the book; hence, I believe it was professionally edited.  Due to the abovementioned issues, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to audiences who have faced abuse or are related to someone who has. Readers who enjoy non-fiction works can also pick up this book.

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Silenced for purpose
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[baloch misbah]

This book is a powerful yet emotional recount of Tonya’s journey from childhood abuse to finding healing through her faith in God. The author’s courage in sharing such a painful past is commendable, and the narrative underscores the importance of God’s presence in overcoming trauma. However, the book's structure is somewhat confusing due to its disorganized timelines, and the repetitive descriptions can detract from the reading experience. Despite these flaws, it’s a deeply moving and informative read.

[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

It must have been very hard for the author, Tonya, to write about all of this. It's horrible that she was abused by her own brother, who probably didn't think much about the consequences of his acts; as usual abuse is a very selfish act. Thank you for your review.

[Enkay Favour]

“Silenced for Purpose” sounds like a powerful and deeply personal exploration of the impact of abuse on one’s life and faith. Tonya Harris’s journey from enduring trauma to finding healing through her relationship with God seems both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The way she courageously shares her story to help others resonates strongly, and I’m intrigued by how her faith played a role in her recovery. This book might be a meaningful read for those seeking strength and understanding in the face of such experiences.

[Nuella Joseph]

*Silenced for Purpose* by Tonya Harris is a poignant memoir that explores the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse on the author’s life and faith. Harris's bravery in sharing her personal story provides valuable insight into the healing power of faith and resilience. However, the book’s impact is somewhat diminished by its disorganized chronology and repetitive content. Despite these flaws, it offers a compelling and heartfelt narrative that may resonate with those who have experienced similar struggles.

[Mercy Ndungu 9]

Thank you for your rview. The book sounds like such a powerful read that inspires victimis of abuse to better their life in spite of their hard past.