Review: Raw Honesty About Spousal Abuse
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 31, 2014
RAW HONESTY ABOUT SPOUSAL ABUSEFrom the Abyss by John Emil AugustineIt is refreshing to read a males point of view when it comes to marriage and abuse.  When you begin to read this book you wonder why you picked it up to read because it is a painful life experience, but each chapter pulls you through the journey he traveled to write this book.  The fact that he is so candid with describing his feelings is a credit to most males who have a difficult time expressing what they feel.  His desire to be the best husband, father, friend, teacher, musician, and the like is an impossible expectation for even the least of us.  I could feel his love, anger, guilt and hope.  His courage, strength, weaknesses are very raw and open.So many times when he was committing himself to failure; I say failure because you can't be all things to all people.  That expectation is an impossible expectation for any human being so it sets you up to fail but the thing is if you keep trying you don't fail.  Although his marriage ended it didn't make him a failure.  I wanted, as a mother, to put my arms around him and tell him of a lesson I learned the hard way and that is "If you want something like a happy marriage or a tight family; if even one person isn't interested it will never happen".  Both people have to have the same goal.  John's has considerable knowledge of human nature and the workings of the human mind.  This book might be difficult for some people to read especially if they have been through an abusive relationship.  One thing I think is important to point out is that John, though never pointing it out directly, was following a pattern long set by his grand parents.  I believe John Emil Augustine reached way down deep into the recesses of his heart and mind to write this book with all the honesty he possessed.  Well done Mr. Augustine.