Review: Memoir of a survivor
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 22, 2013
Dr. Lisa Turner shares her story of surviving the emotional and sexual abuse of an older man (a teacher) who preyed on a fourteen year old child. For the years she submitted to this abuse, he convinced her that her parents did not love her and groomed her for sex. She learned to be hyper vigilant at this abuser's moods and desires. In the process she lost herself for many years. This is a memoir written from the point of one who has found her way to being healed. She shares how her abuser groomed her for abuse, showed how she finally gained her freedom. She also shares how some systems for healing of abuse do not work, while others offered some release. Throughout the last part of this memoir, the author offers resources based on the techniques she felt worked for her and gives links that the reader can explore.One of the challenges of reading this book for me is the sex is described in an extremely graphic way. I realize that this may be the author's way of dealing with her past, but it is uncomfortable. I grew up with sexual abuse from my father and prefer not to remember it so graphically. I am grateful she found her way to healing, and was impressed that she found that one key to healing is forgiveness. I think there are other methods to find healing. For me, my healing came through faith in God.  I am not sure the new-age techniques would work for me. Still, each person needs to discover their way to healing.If she resubmits this book, I would suggest correcting some of the typos that show up (more in the last half than the first half) of the memoir.  I thank Lisa for sharing from her heart and (in my terminology) turning what satan meant for harm into something good. I am always gratified that someone who has survived and healed from abuse uses what they have experienced to help others.