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When Smiles Fade

by Paige Dearth | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 1475096925 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingminesaynwing of Huron, Ohio USA on 9/3/2016
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingminesaynwing from Huron, Ohio USA on Saturday, September 3, 2016
How does a reader review a book that is about abuse--verbal, physical, and sexual abuse? Especially of an young girl at the hands of a father with the tacit approval of the mother? For that is the dilemma that this particular reader has with reviewing this novel. To say it was enjoyable, it wasn't always pleasant reading (although there were some moments of positiveness). Yet, it was difficult to put down, too, as this reader wanted the main character to find a happier life.

Yet, having read about the author's rationale for writing novels on gritty subjects, particularly child abuse at the hands of adults who take the innocence of children, in more ways than one, then it is understandable. She frankly admits to having been a victim of child rape and spent her early years yearning for a better life. It is because of this she began writing as a creative outlet as a form of catharsis.

Resilient, resourceful and resolute, Emma Murphy is the protagonist of this novel. As the book blurb states: "Emma was unloved from the moment she was born. Her earliest memory is being severely beaten by her father, Pepper."

Pepper blames his older daughter for destroying his dreams of a better life, and he takes out his rage upon her by beating her for the smallest infractions (like breathing), and eventually escalating to sexual abuse. All the while her mother Valerie tacitly approves, blaming Emma for his actions, claiming it is all Emma's fault.

Emma takes the abuse to protect her younger sister Gracie from her father, but eventually he starts in on Gracie as well. Emma vows to stop the abuse if possible, and she has friends upon whom she leans. Eventually, Pepper dies, and that should stop the abuse, but new characters come into the lives of Emma and Gracie. They become victims once again, at least until the two teens run away, escaping with a friend to a large city, living on the streets and trying to make a better life for herself and Gracie.

Patterns are repeated as both girls become targets of unscrupulous people, yet ever resourceful Emma does find a job and makes a life for Gracie and herself; however, for every positive moment they have, there are equally negative moments for the pair. The same is true for the people she meets (some becomes friends; others become sadistic or evil). Moreover, she will do whatever it takes to achieve a normal life.

This novel is gritty and raw. The subject matter is tough and the author makes it graphic; the language is strong and graphic, too. It is not an easy read, and like the memoir, "A Child Called It," it is heartbreaking. The reader roots for Emma and Gracie to find some peace and a life free of pain...a normal life that doesn't repeat the patterns learned in their youth.

A couple of niggling things were bothersome to this reader (and probably wouldn't be noticed by non-scientific persons, or non-pharmacists, but as this reader is a pharmacist with a biology and chemistry background):
1) the descriptions of the two sisters as compared to their parents didn't make genetic sense. Pepper had green eyes and Valerie had blue eyes (both recessive), but Gracie has brown eyes. The chance of having a brown-eyed child is about 0% (and the character never would have stepped out on her husband for the same reason she blames her daughters for his abuse of them--she is basically out for herself and wouldn't risk his furious temper).
2) although Pepper was being fed rat poison (a blood thinner) that would/could have killed him, it would have probably caused him to vomit before too long especially considering his alcohol intake. The reason rat poison works has to do with the fact that rats can't vomit, thus they bleed internally until they die.
3) Valerie taking the Emma and Gracie to various hospitals to hide the abuse, particularly the repeatedly broken bones would have eventually made the doctors suspect abuse. Broken bones, though healed, do show up on subsequent x-rays, and it would have noticed by medical professionals.



Journal Entry 2 by wingminesaynwing at San Antonio, Texas USA on Friday, September 30, 2016

Released 8 yrs ago (9/30/2016 UTC) at San Antonio, Texas USA

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Journal Entry 3 by wingMyssCynwing at San Antonio, Texas USA on Thursday, October 6, 2016
The subject matter makes me cringe but my brother-in-law recently got his degree in not sure in exactly what but it has to do child abuse and social services. He and my wonderful sister-in-law have fostered many and now adoped many children who started their lives under worse circumstances than anyone I know, has had to endure.
I can't talk about it. It makes me too sick but I want too try to get a grip on "what the hell was the birth parent thinking?!?!"
Thanks so much for this giant RABCK.

Journal Entry 4 by wingMyssCynwing at San Antonio, Texas USA on Saturday, January 20, 2018
I finally made it through this book. Had to skim through most of it.
I can't understand why anyone, even a sadistic, controlling SOB would put so much into abusing a child. They have no power. Can control nothing.
Anyone who treats children like that deserves every single horrible thing that can happen to them.
I can never read a book like this one again. It made me so sick and so sad.

Journal Entry 5 by wingMyssCynwing at Villa's At Leon Valley Library in San Antonio, Texas USA on Saturday, January 20, 2018

Released 7 yrs ago (1/22/2018 UTC) at Villa's At Leon Valley Library in San Antonio, Texas USA

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