Driving in the dark
Subtitle: a childhood memoir
By: Zoe Niklas, with Janice Harper
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2015
Place of publication: North Charleston, South Carolina
Language: eng
Number of pages: 290
ISBN-13: 9781507589076
Subjects: Family relationships; Abusive parents; Adult child abuse victims; Families
Description: "Zodie is a beautiful and charismatic woman with a desire for luxury that lies just beyond her reach. But she is also damaged, haunted by the demons of her past--turning to sex, tranquilizers, and alcohol to cope. For her daughters, Mary Zoe and Sissy, that means facing daily abuse and neglect, whether at the hands of Zodie herself or the many men she brings home. And when Sissy flies the coop, Mary Zoe is left to fend for herself as her mother's behaviour becomes increasingly dangerous. Facing fires, sexual abuse, and beatings, Mary Zoe finds refuge with a loving foster family, only to discover that her problems have just begun. Luckily Mary Zoe has the grit of a survivor. But in the 1960s, when families are held together at all costs, it's a long and torturous road, a road that Zoe bravely travels to escape her personal hell."--
Table of contents: title: Part one. Prologue ; A toddler's tale ; Zodie's men ; Sissy ; The sound ; Martha ; Charleston Street ; Home for the holidays ; Alone ; The chicken lady ; Road trip; title: Part two. First morning ; New life ; A special visit ; The wedding ; Loganberry pie ; Rocky days ; Meat grinder ; Satan ; The court decides; title: Part three. Home sweet home ; The devil returns ; Escape ; Driving in the dark ; Prize winner ; Another move ; The youth center ; The blue light ; The walk home ; Sisters ; Boys and men ; Two forces ; Independence; title: Part four. The hospital ; Zodie's death ; Wedding ; Epilogue.