I have read several books in the past about cruelty and mistreatment people have endured during their childhood. I did not read them, or this one, because I enjoy the suffering of another, but rather to better understand how they overcame such abuse and became productive, healed adults.
I must admit this is the best one yet. Ms. Grubb’s style of writing was captivating. She openly yet tastefully shared her years of growing up a victim of her father’s emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Her childhood was made even more difficult by the fact that they were migrant workers, constantly traveling, missed years of education, and no home to call their own. She lost her innocence, her childhood, and eventually many members of her family. I was amazed by her compassion, love, and kindness for her siblings when you would think she would be bitter and self-absorbed.
My heart was broken and shocked at her sufferings at the hand of her father but also the horrible physical deprivation she faced. Her strength, courage, and perseverance were amazing. It seemed every time her life began to look hopeful, things took a turn for the worse. A maternal aunt that should have been a rescuer turns out to be an abuser in different and even crueler ways than her father. A children’s home where she found love and happiness is snatched from her. Her mother who should be her provider and protector abandons her. Yet she never shows any bitterness or resentment. Her faith in God never faded as a child and later as an adult.
Her beautiful spirit is further shown in later years as she not only seeks to reunite with her siblings but also her ability to forgive her father at his grave. Others blame God and grow bitter against Him for such minor inconveniences in their lives. Ms. Grubb’s testimony of faith puts such an attitude to shame. She trusts God even further by leaving tragic unanswered questions in His hands.
Experiencing the atrocities through her eyes opened my own even further to the heart and mind of a child in this situation. I saw more clearly, what they feel but also their deepest longings for a normal life and family. We who have been blessed with loving families and nurturing tend to take those blessings for granted.
This book also alerted me to many subtle signs that a child is being abused that like some adults who came into Ms. Grubb’s life, totally missed. Thousands of children live like this today right under our noses. I believe Cruel Harvest will help raise even more awareness to the plight of such children. I applaud Ms. Grubbs for her transparency, honesty, beautiful writing and sharing a very private part of herself with others.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255