Although this book is full of difficult topics and trauma, it's also really empowering and heartwarming. I've only recently discovered I'm potentiallyAlthough this book is full of difficult topics and trauma, it's also really empowering and heartwarming. I've only recently discovered I'm potentially AuDHD and I recognised myself in Chloe's story, particularly of her school experiences.
Slightly repetitive at times but well outlined and easy to follow. Plenty of statistical and practical information for neurodivergent people and those who know them. An excellent book everyone should read....more
I know that this is part of a series but I really hate it when individual books don't wrap things up nicely, even if there is going to be more to the I know that this is part of a series but I really hate it when individual books don't wrap things up nicely, even if there is going to be more to the story. Felt that there were a few too many loose ends which was frustrating.
I also felt like some of the women's emotions and internal narrations didn't feel completely believable....more
Really interesting recollections about the German v. Russian war on the Eastern front. I struggled to follow some of the manoeuvres as I'm not well veReally interesting recollections about the German v. Russian war on the Eastern front. I struggled to follow some of the manoeuvres as I'm not well versed in these military operations, and there's very limited wider background information.
This is a detailed diary and there's lots of information about the weapons, trenches, movements, weather, local people, military hierarchy and decorations, and the actions of the opposition (the Russians). Some bits are quite graphic as he describes brutalities and atrocities (including rape and murder), mostly as they come across it after the Russians have left. There's lots of emotional detail about the relationships and conversations between the author and the other soldiers in this company, their stoic grief about losing their friends and colleagues, some of the fear and anxiety about the violent fighting, and some of the horror they felt on finding disturbing scenes.
I thought it was great book for reminding you that soldiers are humans too and that not every German soldier was an enthusiastic participant in the Nazi regime. There's a fair bit of criticism for officers/superiors and the war itself. I had to keep reminding myself which side the author was on because of the human attitudes shown and the ingrained stereotypes - the English voice in the audiobook also made it easier to forget!...more
Tragic story of the abuse of children and vulnerable people. As with so many books though, the subtitle is misleading.
I find it astonishing that so maTragic story of the abuse of children and vulnerable people. As with so many books though, the subtitle is misleading.
I find it astonishing that so many reviews of this book are so incredibly severe. In particular, all the 1 star reviews that say things like "I only read the beginning but it's totally unbelievable because that's not what the Amish are like". Those people clearly didn't read even the beginning of the book properly, as the family only pretend to live in an Amish style, presumably to help them avoid Government interference, and the sections about living in an actual Amish community isn't until a good way into the book.
I agree that this book could use some critical editing though and the writing style is repetitive. Perhaps if it had been more thoroughly edited some of the experiences may not have been vilified so strongly. But I think some of the reviews are unnecessarily harsh - it's someone's life that is full of abuse and she clearly suffered from significant trauma. Even if you don't think it's all legitimate (and there are a few questionable recollections, which isn't unreasonable when someone is recounting a traumatic childhood many years later), to say none of it is true is a bit much....more
A harrowing and difficult read, containing themes of domestic, mental, medical, and sexual abuse.
What an utterly terrible childhood this poor woman hA harrowing and difficult read, containing themes of domestic, mental, medical, and sexual abuse.
What an utterly terrible childhood this poor woman had to endure! Not one to read if you're squeamish. I think the most upsetting to read, even more than the abuse itself, was the number of times Carol tried to speak out and tell people about what was going on.
It is frankly amazing that she managed to go on to live a relatively happy life with good relationships, let alone to continue to report the abuse later in life, and the first patient of Aston Hall to report the abuse to generate a full inquiry. An inspirational woman whose brave actions undoubtedly helped numerous other women get validation and compensation for their shared experiences....more
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