Debbie Williamson

I won Stand through a Goodreads giveaway, but I was somewhat hesitant to read it. I've never been through abuse myself and haven't experienced anything like what Ms. Williamson has, so it collected dust on my shelf for a year until I finally gave it a chance. If you are in need of inspiration, this is a good book to pick up. I've already lent it to a friend to read and I'm still reflecting on it. With the exception of the way it jumps around and has little organization, this book was a great read that I would recommend to others.… (més)

Stand by Debbie Williamson is a sensitive and detailed telling of her life as a sexually abused 9 year old to her final resolution with her abuser, her uncle. This book portrays and hurt and anger and self hatred that resulted from her horrible experience. The book tells not just of her early experience but of her mother’s abuse from her step father Debbie was sexually abused by her uncle. Both them were threatened by their abusers that if they told. It is amazing that with their experiences that they both were able to find their selves out of the hell that became their lives. As the author out it the light in their eyes and their lives went out. I could not put this book down, carrying it everywhere that I went until it was finished. Debbie Williamson is an incredible person to set this entire painful story down and triumph over the worst experiences of her life. I would recommend this book to everyone who has been sexually abused as a child and to all who need to understand the terrible destructiveness of that act. If you decide to read it, try to set a day for it alone.… (més)

let me first start by getting this out of the way – i was sexually abused when i was 3 or 4 years old. it impacted me deeply and though i consider myself lucky to have come out relatively unscathed, it is a truth of my past. this book is a look at the shame and struggles that are experienced following sexual abuse.

i read this in one sitting, with the book in one hand and a box of tissues in the other. Stand was raw and powerful and gut wrenching, but it was an absolutely amazing experience that i am honored to have shared with the author.

"Hi, my name’s Debbie. I am a whore. I am a slut. I have had so many affairs. I’ve cheated on my husband for years. I am a liar. I’m not worthy of anything. I’m not trustworthy; you can’t trust me. This is who I am."

with this proclamation, Debbie claims her failure, taking responsibility for her life, and attempts to break the cycle of abuse that was set in motion decades before. at the age of 9, Williamson was raped by her 22 year old uncle and, years later, in the midst of her own failed marriage and recklessness, she attempts to regain control of her life and stop the cycle of abuse and neglect that she has plagued her family for so long.

Stand chronicles three generations of abuse in Williamson’s family, both physical and emotional, that had run so deep. domestic abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, alcoholism and neglect – it was all present in varying levels. her grandmother Bessie, after being widowed, remarried an abusive man who ruled the house with a firm hand, trickling down physical and sexual abuse to the children, and even among siblings. Lois, Williamson’s mother continued the pattern of abuse by neglecting her children and cheating on her own husband rather publicly. Debbie found herself in a place of self loathing when she woke up one day and realized that she had become just like her mother, cheating, drinking and neglecting her own children.

the writing is stark and painful to read, loud and honest with the long lasting pain of abuse, and yet the overlaying message is that of hope. Williamson takes hold of her life and shakes out all of the skeletons and i can only imagine the courage that it must have taken to write this book. it is an unfortunate truth that so many children face the same sad situations and come away so damaged that the pattern of abuse is only repeated generation after generation, but Williamson’s testimony is a glimmer of hope that shouldn’t be ignored.

i would absolutely recommend this for anyone that has been abused or knows anyone affected by abuse, in any way. it is not a book that i can say was enjoyable or good (that just doesn’t seem right), but i can’t say enough how much i appreciated it.… (més)

The minute that I got this book in my hands, I could not put it down. The story isn't about something new. The effects of abuse reach out so far and so wide, and affect so many people in their lifetime. But it's also the story nobody knows. The full review can be read at http://ureadmorebooks.blogspot.com/Stand...

Please read my review and then read the book! It is a remarkable true story. I would love to hear your comments. Follow my blog, please. Thank you, Lauren… (més)