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The Abused And Abuser
Love, Kisses and Crazy White Jackets follows the emotional journey of finding your soul mate and, having things turn bad, then having to make a hard decision for your future. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I actually wrote my story as a source of self therapy. One day at work, the high school girl who was in the work study program, who worked a couple hours a day with us, asked what I was writing during my break. I told her. She asked if she could read it. Although it was very personal, I let her read it. She read the original and told me she loved it. She had only read the first 10 chapters. A few more people read it and they all said I should actually write to publish.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
As I wrote, I sent every chapter to Michael, (Mitch) and we talked about each chapter after he read it. He gave me the validation I guess I needed. He gave me a wide explanation of why he felt he acted in that way, not excuses, but for the first time, he said he was able to see himself through my eyes.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
Michael and I discussed it and we felt I should publish our story. Not because it’s more remarkable and violent than anybody else’s who has gone through it, but because it helped him, the abuser, find himself and understand that he wasn’t the terrible person he always felt he was, but that he should have reached out to those who could help him through his terrible circumstances. This book wasn’t only written one sided, but was written with both sides told, that of the abused and abuser. We wanted to help other young people facing the same situations.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Sadly, Michael passed away in April of 2017 after reading the published story of us. I was told he carried the book around for the last 7 months of his life. I think his passing holds me back from celebrating the accomplishment of my book because he is no longer here too celebrate it with.
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He soon becomes aggressive toward her, but she doesnt want to give up. Loving him felt right, but she found that staying with him was wrong. The pain of having to let go of the one soul who made her visible and whom she would forever feel connected to forever was a heart-wrenching decision she had to make.
Years later, she receives a letter that doesnt excuse his actions but helps her understand why his soul was so sad, confused, and chaotic.
Love, Kisses, & Crazy White Jackets
Love, Kisses and Crazy White Jackets by Amelia Stephen is the love story of two teenagers -Amelia and Mitch, whose relationship seems to be “made in the stars.” In time, Amelia sees another side of Mitch she fears. “He was a picture of contrast, gentle, but yet so full of conflict and rage.” After seeing this side, their relationship changes. She is left to deal with her conflicting feelings. She loves Mitch and yet hates the physical abuse he has inflicted upon her. Now she questions what she should do?
While dealing with the serious issue of teen domestic violence, the author is able to show the humanity of both Amelia and Mitch. The reader senses Amelia and Mitch’s love for each other despite their difficulties. Both are multifaceted characters shaped by their life experiences. Within the story, Mitch is not just an abuser but also a victim of abuse himself. The author also shows how Amelia can love the abuser while hating the abusive behavior. This author’s message is powerful because it is based on her life story.
However, the limitations of the author’s telling of this story occur when scenes change. Often the transitions from one time/place to another seem abrupt and unconnected to the main story. The reader was often left to make the connections on their own about the relevance of the scenes. It was not clear how the scenes connected until one reaches the end of her story. The scenes that often appeared random were the author’s way of showing the two separate lives she lived in order to keep the abuse a secret from family and friends.
Love, Kisses and Crazy White Jackets is a compelling true story about one woman’s ability to love and the challenges that come with love. The author had to make choices that many women, unfortunately, will face, and she gives inspiration and strength to those women that they can move forward and that it is ok to feel hurt at leaving a bad situation. If you enjoy memoirs and stories of survival, this book is for you.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B079651FQR
LITERARY TITAN 