Victims Books

From the title and cover of the book it is supposed to be about Multiple Personality Disorder, but really she takes it mostly in another direction - that of analyzing the various dissociative states common in people, such as driving to your destination and not even being aware of the drive cause you were deep in thought. As for the cases of Multiple Personality she actually quoted, one she said did not meet the qualifications for Multiple Personality Disorder, and all the ones she quoted the information about them was pretty generalized. In general I found this book to be a disappointment. I have read (much) better books on this subject than this book.

Martha Stout goes into case studies of patients who had a lot of dissociation, but this book also applies to everyone. We all dissociate, it can be simple as going to the movies and getting engrossed in the movie without realizing that 2 hours have flew by. It can also be subtle, like when someone has selective hearing. Stout offers advice and ideas on how to integrate the dissociated parts of ourselves. This is one book of a few that will help you grow!

I really liked Martha's other book, The Sociopath next door, but this one was a snoozer. I got as far as her hypnotizing one of her patients it took several pages and was mind numbingly boring she wrote every single word she said to hypnotize her patient like it was a "how to" book. I tried reading a few more pages after that but it didn't improve so I quit. It might have gotten better at some point but I just couldn't get there.

This book was recommended to me, and I have never heard of dissociative states until I read this book. It is indeed an eye-opener for me.

"The Myth of Sanity" is one of the best analysis on dissociated mental states, forgotten memories of childhood or adult trauma, and multiple personality disorders. She brings the tales of dissociated states or multiple personality from her patients and her experiences with them, and how these states are often common in everyday life. This book is truly inspiring and an eye-opener.

In Stout's words, a dissociation is "the universal human reaction to extreme fear or pain...in traumatic situations, [it] mercifully allows us to disconnect emotional content - the feeling part of our 'selves' - from our conscious awareness" (p. 8). This term is important for everyone as it should be applied to our understanding of being self-aware, of being self-conscious. Self-awareness is extremely important because, without it, we would not have known ourselves to exist or having a sense of self-identity. It is part of who we are. When we are in a dissociated state, our self-awareness had left our bodies and is elsewhere, and our bodies are either in trance or doing what they normally do. Much like a machine, now is it not?

To put it in another way as Stout pointed it out: "As the result of a daydream, this mental compartmentalization is called distraction. As the result of an involving movie, it is often called escape. As the result of trauma, physical or psychological, it is called a dissociative state" (p. 27). Whenever we are distracted, we are in a mildly dissociative state. Distraction and escape are quite familiar to everyone because they live these states almost constantly and every single day. When we are driving and thinking about something else while our automatic bodies do the driving, we are in a dissociative state. How is this so? Because our minds are away from our bodies and not focusing on the driving as we should have. We would forget our surroundings and our bodies' reactions to those surroundings. Whenever we are distracted, our minds are detached from our bodies' sensation to whatever object was touched. Has anyone ever noticed how they got the cut on their leg or arm and not having remembered where they have gotten it? This is one of the consequences of being in a dissociated state.

How would an understanding of "dissociation" from this book be helpful for the readers? It is a powerful understanding or clue for one to be engaged in a self-observation, which requires one to be fully conscious of one's being and one's surroundings. Distraction actually can hinder us to be engaged in self-observation or being self-conscious. We would lose ourselves, letting our sense of self be far away from our bodies. What if you are not in control of your bodies and your bodies are being influenced to do things that you yourself would never do? This brought us to the question of our minds being controlled or influenced without our being aware of it. But, this should not be a scary notion on the readers' mind. We do have a choice to make: to be or not to be.

Stout has given us the list of signs of dissociates states in ourselves in her book and we can identify which one we would fall under. And, these includes a brief phasing out, habitual dissociative reaction, a dissociation from feeling states, intrusion of dissociated ego state, demifugue, and fugue. These signs are extremely helpful to discover the clues about ourselves and compel us to be more aware of our actions and reactions in everyday life. In order to be self-observant, one would need to develop an observing ego, as suggested by the author in this book.

If we choose to do so, we can look at ourselves and find one or more of these signs in ourselves. Once we do find these dissociative states in ourselves, we can choose not to be associated with them and to keep our self-aware active. Stout's "Myth of Sanity" is a highly important study in one's need to be engaged in self-observation or being self-conscious. Increased self-observation will help one to become more self-conscious of one's surrounding and become more attentive to people's action as well as one's own. It also a great book for one to seek a personal growth or search for one's identity.

I would strongly recommended this book for the readers. It is one of the most treasures that one can ever ask for.

Martha stout has produced an essential piece of psychology that everyone should read. For those unfortunate enough to have experienced trauma in early childhood and have kept those events locked away in their subconscious many case studies are presented to assist in how to go about repairing the damage caused. Even if you have survived childhood relatively unscathed, it really highlights just how much of our time is spent in a dissasociative state and what we can do to wake up and take a far more proactive part in our life decisions.

Orphaned as a toddler, Lizzy Mitchell knew how lucky she was to be unofficially adopted by her uncle, Father Mike. Though his parishioners didn't always approve, Father Mike's devotion to his only niece was apparent to anyone who met them.

Then one terrible day, the rectory housekeeper misinterprets something she's seen. Convinced that Father Mike is molesting Lizzy, she makes an official accusation -- causing an investigation which is the beginning of the end for a little girl and the only parent she's ever known.

Though Lizzy's life goes on, she is constantly haunted by the loss of Father Mike. She is a married 30-year-old high school guidance counselor -- yet part of her has never gotten past the age of nine. This is further triggered by Lizzy's relationship with Andrea, a troubled teenager under her counselage.

When a horrific accident nearly claims Lizzy's life, it's almost a godsend, because she swears she saw Father Mike in her hospital room. And while everyone else dismisses it as the result of extreme pain and trauma, the vision sets Lizzy on a newly determined track -- to find out what really happened two decades ago, and why.

Wood's beautifully written novel presents very real people, just trying to do the best they can day to day -- and yes, making some mistakes along the way. She also demonstrates how society as a whole, in trying to protect children, can often err on the side of assuming the worst, which can lead to a fate just as deadly as not acting.

This book is SO good! I highly recommend it. The writing is superb...you are drawn in to this page-turner and believe me, it is hard to put down!

I was cruising Amazon for a good book to read on vacation this summer in Door County Wisconsin and "Any Bitter Thing" popped up as an "if you liked this, then try this..." recommendation. What a blessing! I know other readers have claimed this book to be one of the best they have ever read, and I join them. "Any Bitter Thing" joins my top ten books of all time--up there with "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Peace Like a River," "Accidental Tourist," "Gardens of Kyoto" "Catcher in the Rye," "A Separate Peace," "A Prayer for Owen Meany," "Memoirs of a Geisha," and "Gilead." I finished the book in 2 days. Reading this book was like sitting down to a 5-star dinner, complete with all the courses and ending with the perfect, most satisfying dessert. Bravo, Ms. Wood! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

I'm torn on how to review this book. There were parts that were written so wonderfully that I wanted to read them out loud, but there were also parts that dragged on. The plot began as something beautiful, but I'm undecided on the turn it took.

I found Monica Wood's novel Any Bitter Thing to be a very emotional story. I think she's a wonderful writer and has created very realistic characters with very realistic relationships and emotions.

I don't want to say too much about the story because I think the less you know the better this story is. I'm glad that I hadn't read some of the reviews posted here before I read the book. I think they give too much away.

I will tell you what you can read on the cover and no more...

Lizzy Mitchell is thirty years old when she survives a hit and run accident.

She was hospitalized and unconscious for days and remembers little about that time except for the fact that she saw her beloved uncle Mike, a catholic priest, the man who raised her until she was nine years old, the man who has been dead for years.

Lizzy has a difficult recovery from the injuries she suffered in the accident but she also finds herself very confused about why her uncle was sent away when she was a child.

While she continues with her physical recovery and works through issues in her marriage she continues to think about her uncle Mike and his visit. Was he an angel, a messenger from beyond or something more corporeal?

READ the book and find out!
I loved it, I thought it was great.

This workbook is very helpful an assisting my clients while working through their sexual abuse issues.

On the recommendation of my counselor I bought this workbook. I just recieved it and quickly read through it. My first impression is it is very touchy feely and has a lot of "How do you feel" kind of stuff over and over. I guess that is how a person can get in touch with what is bothering them, but it sorta turned me off to it. I'm still going to give it a try and see what will come of using it.

I did like the section on anger and forgiveness as this had some very helpful information. All I know is this whole healing process is confusing and a lot of hard work.

On the topic of forgiveness... I found the book "Forgive and Forget" very informative too. It also talks about what forgiveness really is all about. The Courage Workbook has a small section on this topic too that I found helpful.

What works for one person may not work for another, but you won't know if it will work for you unless you try it.

this workbook is a great accompaniment to The Courage to Heal - Third Edition - Revised and Expanded: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. i worked with a survivor of sexual abuse as she went through both books simultaneously. each session, we would review what she read and gleaned from the 2 texts. there was an appropriate amount of overlap, but she also found that she learned some very different and equally helpful things from each book. the more information and guidance, the better. both are great resources. one caveat is that the book can be overwhelming for some people, and other treatment to break into the territory of recovery may be necessary first.

This book is a true gift - to me and to anyone that was abused in any way, not just sexually.

This workbook is paperback and has lots of room for notes and comments. Well construsted and felxable for use as a workbook. For any survivor this is a very needful journey. This book and its author has gathered the tools that many have but don't know how to use and helps us understand what to do and how to do it. I have greatly benefitted from this. It is a book well recieved by my therapist. For all survivors and their partners and families this is a book that gives hope, understanding and reassurance. Well worth it.

A simply delightful tale of the life of a quirky woman with a unique sense of morality. Of all of the sins she commits in her life, Bonita Fae feels most guilty over a message she sent posing as a secret admirer, telling her husband's mistress that she looked good in a disgustingly colored dress. There are some good mysteries in here, but what makes this book so delightful is the opportunity to listen in as Bonita Fae puzzles out her life and those of the people around her. A great summer read, or just great anytime.

This is one of the silliest books I've ever read. The characters were original, but they all spoke like actors in cheap movies. Lines like a stewardess saying "It will be almost four hours to Paris even on the Concorde." are common. This is how the author tries to get information across - by having the characters over explain in a stilted lifeless way, most with "cute" accents. The title character's husband and ex both call her an "idiot" and "stupid woman" knocking her down on a gravel walkway, and then walk off together to buy each other a drink. This is played for laughs.
How this book was nominated for an Edgar Award, I'll never know. Must have been a bad year for first novels

I've read four of Margaret Moseley's books now and have delighted in each one! She has a knack for living up to her opening lines, delivering memorable characters, drawing in the reader to want more.

I did not want this book to end and am left wondering what becomes of Bonita Faye in the future. It's a wonderful tale of a poor girl who makes it big, but not in the usual hum drum Cinderella styles of so many others. She has a skeleton in her closet that you think will jump out constantly and pop the bubble. You pull for her, you root for her and you cry for her. All this and it's a great mystery to boot. Bring on your next book, Ms. Moseley, you've gained a devoted fan!

Likable characters, but the plot is just "too convenient". If you are willing to forego reality this book is a flight of fancy, with no real substance.

I've read four of Margaret Moseley's books now and have delighted in each one! She has a knack for living up to her opening lines, delivering memorable characters, drawing in the reader to want more.

I did not want this book to end and am left wondering what becomes of Bonita Faye in the future. It's a wonderful tale of a poor girl who makes it big, but not in the usual hum drum Cinderella styles of so many others. She has a skeleton in her closet that you think will jump out constantly and pop the bubble. You pull for her, you root for her and you cry for her. All this and it's a great mystery to boot. Bring on your next book, Ms. Moseley, you've gained a devoted fan!

As a music lover and a romantic, I could not put this book down. I fell in love with the characters; I felt their emotions right along with them. I wanted to stop reading after part one because never before had I read such a perfect love story and I didn't want it to end. Despite the fact that several parts of the book were unrealistic, the emotions evoked by Debartolo were incredible. I went on an emotional rollercoaster throughout this book and I wouldn't have had it any other way. In a word, incredible.

I have found myself telling everyone I know to read this book since I finished it two days ago. Although it may not be the most eloquent piece of literature, it is a great story and told in such a way that you can really empathize with the flawed, yet still very likable characters. Definitely worth picking up. I can't believe more people haven't read this book!!!!

I loved this book so much that I felt compelled to come on here and write it a 5 star review. I don't normally bother. But then, I don't normally get lucky enough to stumble upon books as consuming and heart-wrenching and glorious as this one.

Let me say it again, I loved How to Kill a Rock Star. I've not read anything else by Tiffanie Debartolo, but I intend to now, and I have a feeling she'll be an author I appreciate for a long time to come.

I would not describe the writing as 'inelegant.' The whole book is alive; it has a pulse. The characters are real, and they will make you feel things. When I started the book, I knew I was going to love it. It just has that right sort of rhythm that makes you forget you're even reading fiction. I tried to stretch it out and make it last, reading only a chapter or so at a time. But eventually I reached a point where I was just too gripped not to stay up all night and finish it, so that's what I did.

I sobbed for a few pages. Honestly, it broke my heart. But then it all came back together in the most beautiful way, and I was laughing and smiling for the ending. I am so happy I read this book. It totally swept me in and filled me up.

Tiffanie Debartolo has done something amazing here.

When I read God-Shaped Hole last year I was hooked. I added How to Kill a Rockstar immediately and patiently waited for the day I had money to buy it. I was so worth the wait! This book was interesting, comical, heart-felt, and all around good. I loved it! She needs to write more!

I never write reviews, but for this book it was a must. Unbelievably written. I laughed, cried, and went through an emotional rollercoaster when I read this book. I got halfway through, and wanted to read one chapter a couple nights ago and couldn't put it down. I was up all night just to finish. Amazing book, definately a must read for any romance reader!

I bought this book several years ago--and just read it recently. The book kept me up at night reading it. I think Trisha is an excellent example of a truly awesome spirit. The book says on its cover a story of hope and possibility and that sums up how Trisha has decided to live her life. Thank you Trisha for the words I will try to live my life by. :)

An inspiring book. Helped to realize you can overcome adversary even if it means adjusting to some changes out of your control. I gave it to my Mom to read bc she was handicapped by an accident to let her know others have had to do what she has and understand.

I, too, lived in New York when this happened and we all wondered who this brave girl was. This book is amazing - Trisha writes with skill, humor and deftness. I completely understand her strength and grace. She shows how you can deal with tragedy and still have a powerful voice. She rose above hate, began a dialogue and refused to let those people who blamed her for going running let her down. What a journey and a portrait of courage and strength from such a senseless act of evil.

A difficult book to read. I followed this story from day one and found myself feeling the same feelings all over again. Well written with unbelieveable objectivity, the author has overcome so much. It makes me want to meet her and tell her I am proud.

I hate to sound hardhearted, but this book just didn't move me. Trisha Meili has an incredible and painful story to tell, but I don't think she did a very good job with it. Yes, hands down, she made an amazing recovery through her sheer determination and the help of many others who cared. But the point of the book seems to be to inspire others by her example, those fighting back from a traumatic brain injury. Since I am not in that category, I was interested not only in her personal crusade but also in the historical facts of the case. As the story first emerged, she was savagely beaten, raped, sodomized, and had her left eye knocked out of its socket by five young black and Hispanic teens who subsequently confessed to this "wilding incident" of group violence. They were all convicted, but their convictions were later vacated when a single man implicated by the DNA evidence claimed (after the statute of limitations had run out) that he was her sole attacker that night. The crime created enormous racial tensions when it was reported, with the minority community afraid that their own would be unjustly accused because the victim was a young and ambitious investment banker, white and of slight build (due, incidentally, to anorexia)--overall, a sympathetic figure. But Meili glosses over these compelling issues, only to say that she has no memory of her assault and holds no resentment toward the person or persons who maimed her. Plucky heroine though she may be, I regret that so much was omitted from her story.

I just finished In My Bedroom last night. From the time I picked it up to the very end the book was hard to put down. Even though I was never sexually abused I felt the pain and struggles of the main character Rayne. I am glad that she was able to overcome the demons of her past and slowly begin the process of healing. This is the second book that I have read by Donna Hill and have realized that she has a way of writing where you can actually picture yourself as being part of the story. I definitely appreciate that quality in a writer and encourage anyone whether they have been abused or not to definitely pick this book up because it definitely worth the read.

I give this book three stars .This is the frist novel I read by Donna Hill and I have to say it's an good read , however the story line is depressing to me .Because the book was well written am going to read another book before I form an opinion about Donna.

This was my first book I read by Donna Hill, It's been sitting on my shelf for a while. I read this book in 2 days, Donna kept me completely intrigued with the characters, and mystery behind Rayne's pain, and double personality. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of her books.

this book to me was a forsake all else read...it is a page turner for real,for real, the plot had me in a continue to read to see what happens and as i did this i also tried to predict the outcome as well. so different a read, unpredictable and very enjoyable.Ms Hill made the characters so realistic, and she once again has a winner. i'm glad that i was surpised with some of the reading.i loved it and it is definitely a keeper, this is one of those books that when read again/over you will read/see more than the first read and love it more......

If you have not read Donna Hill's In The Bedroom, you MIGHT want to pick it up. I was moved, I laughed out loud, I cringed, I got mad, I wanted to smack some of the characters but it also caused to me cry. I have dealt with some of the issues she wrote about and I was deeply touched. Thanks Ms Hill for a very well written book about a sensitive subject that many women have dealt with..
Linda

This book had a good plot and story line, but it was just TOO fictional for me and had alot of unbelievable situations. And to be honest I really wasn't feeling Lady's character.This book was fast paced but had ALOT of speed bumps,I would recommend you pick it up from the library.The ending was ok but could have been better.Oh well!

This was an okay read. It's not something I would go out and buy. IF you do decide to read this book, pick it up from the library.

This is my first read by this author and I must say that this book was well written. I enjoyed the book from the first page to the very end. I look forward to reading others books by this author in the future.

I'm a fan of urban fiction and I enjoyed this book very much. I especially enjoyed the author knowledge of the different sections of Queens where I lived and raised my children for many years.

Tina was a young girl born into the home of an unstable mother who depended on men for her every need. Most of these men did nothing more than sexually abuse her beautiful daughter Tina and her mother told her if she had an orgasm then she wasn't raped. She in fact enjoyed the sexual acts that she performed.

A heartbroken Tina, tired of the abuse and molestation turns to the streets for salvation. She sleeps in subways and on trains and gets a part time job at a local Donut Shop. The Donut Shop is where she meets the infamous Cream. Cream is a notorious gangsta from around the way who is revered by all who know him. His lifestyle is gangsta, glamourous, and over the top. Just the floor in his house costed 30,000. Cream nicknamed Tina "Lady" and promised to take care of her.

She was fourteen and naive so she bought the game. Cream turned her into a streetwalking prostitute and soon she became his number one money maker. She rose to the top swiftly and became the First Lady of the Cream Team; one of the most infamous gangs in New York.

Being at the top looked glamorous but she had to murder to prove her loyalty. I won't give away any more of the book but I liked the fact that at the end Lady finds her salvation in Jesus Christ. Cop it now!!!

A ghost story where no one seems particularly haunted by the ghosts themselves but rather by the event that led to their passing and what could have been.

Five teenagers were involved in a car crash on Halloween. Two of them survived, one without injury the other with a traumatic and disfiguring brain injury.

We meet the narrator, who died in the crash, on the eve of the first anniversary of the accident. We see how the accident has changed the lives of the survivors, their parents and the police officer who was first on the scene.

I liked the teenagers and their gallows humor. I liked Brooks, the cop who found them after the crash. O'Nan thoughtfully examines the issue of quality of life and the struggles of those who care for the elderly, infirm and debilitated.

The writing was very good, the characters believable and the emotions portrayed very realistic. I enjoyed it while I was reading it. It's certainly no inspirational or uplifting story. But O'Nan does the bummer very well.

Not what I expected at all, but so much more. A sad tale of survivor's guilt narrated by a trio of dead friends who can do nothing but witness the pain and emotional deterioration of their loved ones.

this book is beautifully written, to say the least. there is not a whole lot of room for character development, but mr. o'nan does a wonderful job of getting the reader involved with the characters. you can really feel their pain, and that's something special to be able to do that in such a short interval. its not really scary, but it is more of a drama and the way it is told, i have never seen before...very creative, and a joy to read. pick it up, and give it a try...

O'Nan's The Night Country is a beautifully written account of a suburban tragedy. High school kids killed in a car wreck and the aftermath that follows as seen from the point of view of the deceased. As absurd as this seems on the surface, O'Nan pulls it off by including so many real details in the setting of the story. In much the same way Stephen King uses brand names and pop-culture references, O'Nan uses real locations in such great detail that the story has a true air of realism. Dunkin' Donuts and Stop-n-Shop should pay O'Nan for the free advertising. The reader will be easily pulled along for a melancholy ride that could leave lasting depression. Unfortunately, there is no redemption in this story. It has an unavoidable ending that is completely expected against all hope. This is not a book for horror crowd, although it might be presented as such in some of its jacket blurbs. It really has much more in common with Alice Sebold than Dean Koontz. It is a highly recomended read with two caveats-don't expect surprises or a happy ending. You might not enjoy it but you will feel it.

O'Nan is no stranger to horror or the horrific, having penned the International Horror Guild Award winning novel A PRAYER FOR THE DYING and THE CIRCUS FIRE, a non-fiction account of the 1944 Hartford, CT Ringling Brothers tragedy. Dedicated to Ray Bradbury, THE NIGHT COUNTRY explores some highly charged emotional terrain, dealing with the aftermath of a tragic car accident. Touching and poignant, it chronicles the activities of the living and the dead on the anniversary of that tragic event.

I LOVE Lisa Jackson! I can't pick a favorite but this one is close to the top! Just the right recipe of romance, thrills and mystery. I didn't put it down!

I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A BAD ONE OF HER BOOKS YET. SHE'S A VERY GOOD WRITER.

This is my second attempt at a Lisa Jackson book. I hated the first one I read, but I picked up "Almost Dead" to give her a second chance...and upon immediately realizing it was a sequel, I went out and bought this one.

While the book was suspenseful, it was really hard to give it any more stars. The characters were unlikeable (especially the main characters), and more than anything, the book was so repetitive! Three times in two pages we were told that Marla's jaw muscles had atrophied from being wired shut. We had to read through pages and pages and pages of Marla and Nick's thoughts on how wrong it was to want each other. Frankly, I think the book could've been 100 pages shorter and not left any of the important plot points out -- if only the author hadn't kept repeating things over and over.

I admit the suspense was good and the mystery was intriguing and hard to figure out. It kept me reading. However, as a romantic suspense, it didn't come close to cutting it for me. The characters had little to no redeaming qualities, including the main characters. Just when the reader has been sucked in to thinking the heroine was an innocent victim it is revealed she is no better than the rest of the disturbed and dysfunctional characters. The romance was nothing more than satisfying their lust, as Nick supposedly was disgusted with and hated Marla for dumping him for his brother. It was difficult to buy into his love for her when he believed she had jumped from lover to lover and even with Monty and was supposedly disgusted by all that. Then he finds out what she really did and was again disgusted, as was this reader, and he forgave and forgot with the snap of a finger. I felt sorry for the baby who was grabbed and snatched from one to another and was held at gunpoint and threatened, it was too much for me.

I prefer a story where I actually like the main characters and can root for them to be together. This one was not it. Otherwise, I am left not caring if anyone gets their comeupance and in this case the whole cast should have been sent away to the loony bin.

BTW, has anyone noticed how the characters in Jackson's books all smoke all the time and it is brought into focus. It was to the point I could smell the stale smoke on each character and turned my stomach. It is the 21st century and it is no longer classy or vogue to smoke as it was in earlier decades before.

This book was really hard to put down. Kept me on the edge of my chair.. though I must admitt I had figured out some of the plot before the very end. Definitely would recommend this to any mystery/suspense reader!