Refined

This book disclosed a humanity problem and brought it down to a human level. The author opened up her childhood home and showed us the abuse and pain her father imposed on her, her brother, and mother. I saw Tracie as a very strong child that grew into a strong woman. In the end she was able to see this also. A good writer and a good read.

This is an excellent book. It reads like a true story and it could be heartbreaking. She writes how she comes to understand that her mother doesn’t like her and she does nothing to protect her oldest daughter from an extremely abusive father.

Good read.

I started this book last night and stayed up reading until the sky began to turn light, and just finished. I believed every word, and related to parts of it. I befriended foster girls when I was a kid- none of them were around very long. I knew they weren't treated well by their foster families without them having to tell me. It was written in their posture and in their faces. I've looked for some of the ones whose names I could remember but have never crossed paths with them again. If nothing else, I hope I gave them a few days of respite from what they endured - a few moments of childhood silliness or companionship. The abuse suffered at the hands of their own families, being "rescued" only to be thrown into homes where many were made into slaves, practically starved, kept isolated and without human decency is one of the greatest ills of our country. It's been a broken system for decades with an occasional horror story bringing attention to it, albeit, temporarily. The author wrote a difficult memoir and yet, made it thoughtful, very readable, and managed to make it relatable even if you didn't share the experience of being in the foster system.