Father's Touch, Second Edition
by Donald D'Haene
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Book Reviews of Father's Touch, Second Edition
Book Review: Powerful, Well-Written, Painful Memoir, with a Touch of Joy
Summary: 5 Stars
The Story: Donald D'Haene tells the story of how he and his siblings were raised by a father who seduced them into escalating sexual abuse, and a naive mother who was controlled by her deceptive and manipulative husband. This book relates the subtle, and not-so-subtle, horrors of the abuse; the damage done to the family; the eventual legal process against the abuser; and, Donald D'Haene's inspiring journey to a healthier identity, sense of self, and way of life.Writing Commentary: The book is not only well-written, with fewer typographical errors than most published books, but the writing style is clear, fast-paced, compelling, personal, and blatantly honest without sensationalism.
Psychology Commentary: As a reader of a novel, I obviously had no firsthand confirmation of the facts related in the book. I can say that the author is either a real survivor of childhood sexual abuse, or has studied it as extensively as any therapist ever did. All of the signs and symptoms described are right on target for survivors of sexual abuse: emotional numbing (dissociation) mixed with rage episodes and depression; acting-out of suppressed anger; the building of near-separate personas to deal with different situations or as ways to repress intolerable feelings; flashbacks; identity confusion.
Content Commentary: This is a brutally honest portrayal of sexual abuse and its lifelong and multitudinous ramifications. It is not for the squeamish. It could of great value to other survivors of sexual abuse, if they are ready to face aspects of their own abuse through identification with the characters in the book.
Overall, this is a well-written and realistic account of sexual abuse and its effects.
Book Review: My review of Father's Touch
Summary: 5 Stars
Father's Touch is very moving. I never knew that the legal system in Canada was so fallible. The truth can be distorted and facts can be omitted so egregiously. Justice is not always carried out adequately as a result. Failure to report the sexual abuse of children is a crime in itself no matter who is aware of it. Memories of child abuse will never fade for the victims. There is the natural tendency for the victims of sexual abuse to also repress the pain of sexual abuse which is wrong. The inclination of the victims to become confused about their sexual orientation as young adults is clear in this memoir. Years of therapy and journal writing helped the author to acknowledge and uncover the pain. This eventually put him on the path toward healing. These efforts gave the author the ability to give and receive love from other people. Father's Touch is a courageous and honest reminder that the scars from sexual abuse can heal through time and personal effort.Book Review: He is not a victim - he is a ?survivor!?
Summary: 5 Stars
Father's Touch will have a strong impact on its reader. There were many times I had to put the book aside and think things over. Honestly, I was shocked at how a parent could do such evil things to his own children. Although the book focuses primarily on incest, there is a lot more to this story. Father's Touch is also about a social and psychological system gone awry, sending people deeper into their failures, a father whose lust for power is uncontrollable, and a mother driven into submission. It is about a religious system that prescribes rules for every aspect of peoples' lives, to the point that it abandons Donald and his family to a psychopath.
In the end, those responsible in their community knew what was going on but failed to take the necessary steps to help the children. On the contrary, they told them to "respect their father".
Donald's story is the voice of many children. Children that even today, suffer from a system in which community and church leaders refuse to see or admit they are wrong.
Anyone who reads this book will be deeply touched in their heart. I can only admire that little boy that became such a nice person because of his own strength and persistence. He is not a victim - he is a "survivor!"
Book Review: He is not a victim - he is a ?survivor!?
Summary: 5 Stars
Father's Touch will have a strong impact on its reader. There were many times I had to put the book aside and think things over. Honestly, I was shocked at how a parent could do such evil things to his own children. Although the book focuses primarily on incest, there is a lot more to this story. Father's Touch is also about a social and psychological system gone awry, sending people deeper into their failures, a father whose lust for power is uncontrollable, and a mother driven into submission. It is about a religious system that prescribes rules for every aspect of peoples' lives, to the point that it abandons Donald and his family to a psychopath.
In the end, those responsible in their community knew what was going on but failed to take the necessary steps to help the children. On the contrary, they told them to "respect their father".
Donald's story is the voice of many children. Children that even today, suffer from a system in which community and church leaders refuse to see or admit they are wrong.
Anyone who reads this book will be deeply touched in their heart. I can only admire that little boy that became such a nice person because of his own strength and persistence. He is not a victim - he is a "survivor!"
Book Review: WOW
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is amazing. I could not put it down. I too am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Donald put the feelings and the thoughts that I have had down in words better than anyone could have. Although my abuse was not the same as his, any abuse of children is wrong. I just wish I could write my story as compelling as Donald did.This is a must read for anyone who has gone through abuse, helping someone who has gone through abuse or anyone who knows someone who has gone through abuse. It puts a whole new light on the subject. There are a lot of books out there written from the therapists view but not many from the survivors view. Donald has accomplished what no one else has been able to do.
You will cry, be angry, and laugh your way through this book. I highly recommend it with 5 stars.