A story of domestic violence and survival
Kelly Sundberg is a survivor of domestic violence. I’m starting here because it wasn’t always clear to the author that she was experiencing domestic abuse.
Her story begins near the end and then reaches back into the past to provide context for her state of mind and how she came to be and stay in a violent relationship. Sundberg’s early life is much more complex than the simplistic lifestyle she describes. So much goes unsaid and broils underneath the surface within her family, network of friends, co-workers and, later, her in-laws. She’s yet another highly educated woman who you would think could not only recognize domestic abuse for what it was but also not tolerate it. But you must listen carefully as to how she eased into her situation and the complicity of so many others who were deaf to the subtleties of abuse.
I much admire Sundberg for sharing her story and hope it was cathartic as she gains so little in return for being this open. She holds nothing back, including her frailties and vulnerabilities. While it was sometimes difficult to follow the timeline, I appreciated that she told the story as her life’s puzzle occurred to and came together for her. And, she (and the narrator) doesn’t over-dramatize the abusive moments, taking more care to share what she was thinking and feeling in those moments. Hers is an important and relevant story as I don’t believe she was ever a victim. She never gave up on herself. Andi Arndt narrated the story perfectly.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 5, 2018
- Narrator: Andi Arndt
- Audio Length: 6 hours, 18 minutes
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(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
Blue Mood Café 
So difficult to read a book such as this and imagine yourself in that situation. Glad Ms Sundberg ws able to write a book to help her deal with her abuse. Wonderful review, Jonetta!
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Thanks, Marialyce! It was a very tough read, more so because she just doesn’t fit the typical profile.
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Thoughtful and heartfelt review, Jonetta. I loved what you said about her not being a victim and not giving up on herself. I connect to this kind of read better if there’s hope like that- somehow it’s not quite as difficult to read.
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Thanks, Jennifer. It’s an easier read, but still disturbing. I liked how this was more a self exploration than just a chronicle of her abuse. Far from that.
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What a brave and horrible story. Each step is a small step and you don’t realize how far it has gone until you look at the beginning with the end. I love Andi Arndt. Anne – Books of My Heart
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Well said, Anne. I’ve listened to Arndt many times and her restraint in narrating this one was just the right approach.
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Thank you for this! I loved how you said subtle abuse… as someone who was in a 20 year abusive marriage abuse can be very subtle, and I consider myself smart and I am educated, I’m so glad there’s so many more books like this!
Last night I was on the phone with my oldest with tears, because I feel so guilty about not realizing what was going on , my ex did a lot of damage to all of us! But when you aren’t getting hit it’s hard to see it as abuse
Well now that was a definite overshare!
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Berit, thank you SO much for sharing your experience. You and Kelly are both brave women who regained yourselves. I witnessed the same with someone very close to me in my family, the LAST person I would have suspected to be abused. There is damage done to those left behind and I tell her she has nothing to feel guilty about…she wasn’t the abuser. Nor were you. He left that mark on your children, not you. Trust me, it gets better.
You definitely didn’t overshare. Stories like yours and Kelly’s do so much to enlighten others in similar circumstances. You both are a gift and you’ll never know whose life you just enriched.
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Great review, Jonetta! This one has been on my EW shelve for quite some time. You have me interested to take a closer look at it! Sounds like a heartfelt story of hope. I love stories that give hope to the ugly of the world.
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Thanks, Brenda! It certainly ends on a promising note. The author used the experience more for self reflection versus an indictment of her husband. It should be extremely helpful to women in similar situations.
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Wonderful review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Darinda!
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Wow, this sounds like it would be such a difficult read but a powerful one at the same time.
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You’ve described it perfectly, Suzanne.
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This would have been a tough book to read and probably was a hard one to write as well.
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I think so, Carla. At least it would be for me.
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