In this memoir, the pseudonymous author, Ruthie Bolton, tells how she overcame tremendous obstacles to find her place in the world. Born into poverty in a rural Southern town, Bolton was abandoned by her 13-year-old mother and raised by her step-grandfather, an abusive tyrant who beat his wife to death and terrorized his children. With remarkable candor yet no trace of self-pity, Bolton describes how she used alcohol and drugs to try to escape her nightmarish existence. But her inner strength shined through, enabling her to clean up her act, finish school, begin a career, and find happiness in a new, loving family life.
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"This is a must read. This story is touching in ways I can't even put into words. I love the way the author was able to capture Ruthie's essence and 'show' us her experience through words. If this was never on Oprah's book of the month, it should've been. " — Khyrra (5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a must read. This story is touching in ways I can't even put into words. I love the way the author was able to capture Ruthie's essence and 'show' us her experience through words. If this was never on Oprah's book of the month, it should've been. "
" This book made its rounds in my family and everyone who read the story could not forget it. The author's retelling of abuse, abandonment and redemption is powerful. "
" I enjoyed this memoir greatly. I found the language excessible but the sentence structure was sometimes very confusing. "
" What can I say, this book was well written and terribly heart breaking. "
" I enjoyed this book - would very much like to meet the author. My children and I lived in North Charleston for 7 months and so I was familiar wih quite a few places mentioned in the book. I pray the author has found and kept the love she so very much deserved. "
" This was a hard one to read but really good. It made me so mad though. It is an emotion stirrer for sure. "
" A good book because I could relate with her surroundings (the area) and I could really picture in my mind what she was writing. It was sad, some of the things she went through, but a good book in the end! "
" At first I didn't think anything of this book...but once I read it...I cried. "
" Too much repetition of statements and ideas especially for audiobook. Narrator portrayed Gal in a believable manner. "
" I really, really tried to like this book but it just seemed like the same thing over and over. "
" I could not put this book down. I felt her...felt for her. "
" Powerful book that chronicles the coming of age period in young Gal's life. I would definitely recommend this book to EVERYONE. Bolton give voice to a demographic so much like her, I loved it. "
" This book is chilling, and scary - but it's scary because it's true. "
" This was a wonderful autobiography!! I was so touched. "
" It's amazing how family treats you when you need them most. After reading this, I understood the meaning of "You only get one Mother love". "
" Written from the point of view of an uneducated girl from the south. Was initially hard for me to get past the grammar & such, but it WAS a really great read. "
" I read this book a few years ago and fell in love with it from the first page. Be sure to have a box of kleenex nearby...the life of this young girl is heart touching. You're immediately pulled in with all your emotions! A five star read!~ "
" Depressing, but a really good read. "
" I had to put this book down. I felt like I could not take one more book about abused women. "
" A definite page turner for me. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the gritty writing style and the vivid imagery that the author's words brought to life. "
" this is the same thing that happenend with the color purple i needed a book i was okay but her ad was a little harsh and her family was sooo mean but i cant bellive it is real "
" True story of a young woman who survives abuse and abandonment to ultimately find the true meaning of family and love. "
" One of the first books I read under the suggestion of a seventh grade student of mine and loved it! She was reading something age inappropriate and warned me not to judge her in exchange for reading her copy. I loved this brutally honest book! "
" hoping to finish this weekend...looks like a quick interesting read....picked up at the library book sale! "
" You become part of this intriguing tale as you read it. "
" Wonderful true life story. I read it awhile ago but it has stayed with me. "
" This is one of the saddest books I have ever read in my life. "
" Amazing and true story. Shows how the power of love can transform a person. "
" Take the most brutal scenes from every Toni Morrison and Alice Walker novel and blend them into a cheerless memoir. "
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