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Past Abuses and Struggles
A Mad Box of Rain shares your story of surviving and recovering from the sexual, physical, emotional, mental, institutional, and substance abuse you experienced in your childhood and teenage years. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I recently wrote this as a wedding gift for my second wife and her two teen children. I also have two teen sons. I found it difficult to verbally communicate with them about past abuses and struggles as a teen; and they had no real understanding of what growing up in Memphis in the 1980s meant, seeing that we live in Portland, Oregon. I wrote the book in six months, and I think it does a decent job explaining this to them. Mom and wife were the main editors.
How did you decide what to include and leave out in your memoir?
There were a lot of euphemisms that I took out based on the advice of a senior editor. I also had to change the names of a lot of the characters in order to protect their anonymity. I left out or changed a few details as well in order to continue the protection. It was very important to me not to break any innocent’s anonymity.
What was the most challenging part of writing your memoir, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging was opening myself up fully to the reader about my thoughts and feelings going through a lot of the abuse I endured. I had to be raw and honest with myself. Those feelings were not easy to feel. The most rewarding was the closeness I felt towards loved ones who supported me through this. I truly felt encouraged and loved. I was also very excited to be a finalist in this year’s Storytrade Book Awards.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That overcoming adversity makes you a stronger and better person. Don’t settle, be the good person you were meant to be. Don’t let anyone ever take that away from you.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
A fabulous and incredibly moving coming of age tale, Brian narrates his experiences growing up in a small southern town outside of Memphis, TN in the 1980’s, and how he survived and overcame personal tragedies dealing with abuse ranging from sexual to institutional. His emotional capacity to interweave the impact of childhood trauma with critiques on the overall mental health system serves as an honest and raw look at broader social issues. His introspective commentary and personal anecdotes help provide a deep connection to the reader with a conclusion that is extremely enlightening.
A Mad Box of Rain
A Mad Box of Rain by Brian J. Quattlebaum is a deeply moving and unflinchingly honest account of the author’s turbulent early years. Set against the backdrop of Memphis, Tennessee, Quattlebaum recounts a childhood shadowed by trauma yet marked by resilience. He narrates the lasting impact of the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of a teenage family friend, a secret he carried into adulthood. Interwoven with this painful reality is the chaos of his family life, shaped by an older brother’s destructive spiral into alcohol and addiction before even reaching his teens. Their parents, well-meaning and devout Christians, fought to anchor their sons amidst this turmoil, balancing AA meetings with church in a desperate bid to keep their family afloat.
Quattlebaum’s story isn’t simply one of hardship. It’s about survival, strength, and the extraordinary will of a young boy who emerged from a brutal world determined to be something greater. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to heal, even when wounds run deep. Reading this memoir is not just witnessing a life but experiencing it: the humor, the heartbreak, and the unsettling truths that come with growing up in such circumstances. The book challenges the reader with its raw, unvarnished depiction of abuse. Quattlebaum doesn’t shy away from the discomfort or confusion that victims often feel, candidly sharing how he grappled with the complexity of his body’s reactions and the emotional weight of keeping such a dark secret. A particularly poignant moment describes his first attempt to run away at just nine years old, overwhelmed by his silence and guilt. His admission that his parents didn’t deserve the pain his escape caused is a line that strikes with full emotional force. Despite the darkness, Quattlebaum infuses his narrative with Southern humor and irony, making moments of levity shine through the grim reality. This juxtaposition brings a layered complexity to his writing, balancing the heaviness with a uniquely human touch. The author’s reflections reveal how he survived and has healed, speaking with bravery and self-awareness that inspires.
A Mad Box of Rain is both a challenging and rewarding read, punctuated by moments that will make you laugh unexpectedly and others that will leave you reflecting deeply. Brian J. Quattlebaum’s courage to share his story is commendable, and his hope of reaching those who might feel alone in their struggles is palpable. This book serves as a powerful reminder to remain vigilant and compassionate; after all, unseen battles often rage behind the faces we encounter every day. For that reason, I urge everyone to read this remarkable memoir; it leaves you with a greater sense of awareness and a renewed commitment to treating others with kindness.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0CZT4SN28
LITERARY TITAN 