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Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite
Born in the early 1970s, five-year-old Bridey enjoyed a relatively peaceful life until she didn’t. Bridey’s mom told her the man she always knew as her father was not her parent. Her mom moved her from one city to another and changed schools more times than she bought new clothes. Frankie (Bridey’s mom) also had countless live-in boyfriends who were dangerous and irresponsible. Bridey witnessed various forms of abuse toward her mom and served as a protector. She also suffered abuse from her mom and boyfriends while dealing with the trauma that followed until she got into a private college. Life was beautiful for a while until Frankie called again. Will Bridey ever be free from her mother’s manipulation? Find out in Bright Eyes: Surviving Our Monsters And Learning to Live Without Them, a memoir by Bridey Thelen-Heidel.
Bright Eyes by Bridey Thelen-Heidel is a memoir that every parent and anyone responsible for children must read. However, survivors might be triggered by the abuse and violence mentioned in this book. The themes include violence, abuse, trauma, parental neglect, trauma bonding, and survival. Bridey’s story moved me deeply. I want to celebrate the author’s strength, resilience, patience, kindness, and focus. I understand how difficult it can be to walk away from a parent, especially as a minor. Bridey cannot be blamed for always taking the bait because she grew up in chaos and didn’t understand the concept of order and calmness. However, she jumped through the hoops life threw at her and rose to greatness. Mac and everyone who gave Bridey a chance and something to grasp have my respect. Thank you for documenting this shocking and frightening experience, Bridey. Life can only get better.
