Secret Survivors

Rating:
Summary: More than surviving
Review: This is a wonderful book on the after effects of incest. It is healing and validating to know that my reactions are normal given what I have endured. I like that the after effects are specific, and accurate to incest survivors (other books have lists that are too vague or universal). I have found this book to have a great balance between focusing on transcending our pasts while also acknowledging all of our feelings, troubles and after effects. I did not find this book to be angry or harsh (as some others are). Healing from incest is quite a journey. This book is a valuable resource that I re-read, highlight passages, and lend to friends who seek to understand what I have endured and how valiantly I have survived and continue to grow. This book has so much in it: a section for partners, understanding and forgiving our mothers, honoring our survival skills, learning to understand and stop blaming ourselves, handling flashbacks and much more. This book has been a blessing in my life. It honors and re-educates us, who have been silenced, hurt, and disbelieved for far too long. E. Sue Blume has done a great service to us, and this world. I wish I could thank her myself. ...I will end this review with a quote from Secret Survivors: "Facing a problem is a rebirth. Frequently, I am struck by the perfection of this symbolism with regard to many types of clients, but none more than the woman who is working to resolve the aftereffects of incest. Purifying a sin that was not hers, she becomes her own parent. How can we fail to celebrate the incest survivor? Through healing and finding her power, she is, like the phoenix, reborn." (p. 299) Good Luck to you all on your journey towards peace and wholeness.

Rating:
Summary: This book is amazing.
Review: When I picked up this book, I did NOT expect to learn so much about myself in one place. I had already highlighted so many things that applied to me and I was only half way through it! I felt as if this book was written just for me. E. Sue Blume has written a book that has and will stand the test of time. It's so encouraging to read all of the previous reviews of this amazing book and to see my feelings mirrored. I finally don't feel alone with my pain. I wish I could thank the author in person.
Every Survivor should read this book.