Black Eye: Escaping a Marriage, Writing a Life

Rating:
Summary: Brave and Powerful
Review: Black Eye is a brave and wonderfully-written book, genuine and evocative. Its structure, weaving two journal lines, brings the present and the past together. The effect is more powerful than a simple chronological retelling would have been. I think many people believe domestic violence happens only to women who live in poverty, or who have not had educational advantages. This book allows us to see how it can happen to anyone, no matter how privileged. Though it is hard to come face to face with the reality of abuse, when it is presented as openly and thoughtfully as it is in Judith Strasser's book, the reader is able to learn and to grow from the experience. I am grateful to her for having the courage and perseverence to bring this book to life.

Rating:
Summary: Self-indulgent, poorly written
Review: Don't waste your time, unless you want to be sucked into a self-justifying, one-sided account of a failed marriage. Disorganized and confusing, a cliche of a book.

Rating:
Summary: COURAGEOUS, TRUTHFUL, INSPIRING
Review: I just finished reading Black Eye and had to record how wonderful I thought it was. It grabbed my attention immediately and I had to keep reading it until done. I think the author's courage is amazing. She's so truth-ful--including being very candid with the very personal choices that may not always reflect well on herself. I enjoyed and learned from the recorded dreams that clearly showed how they guided the writer in her "hero's journey" to her soul... And all this comes across in such a down to earth, wonderful way. A good read.
(I want my friend who is in an abusive marriage-in-trouble to read it--if she could ever find the time with her child, work and life.)