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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In her memoir Piece by Piece, Sheryl Hauk tells the story of how she survived an abusive childhood and built a life centered on music, teaching, family, and creativity. Even though her father no longer has control over her, the effects of the abuse continue to shape her daily experiences. Hauk shares memories of growing up in Hawaiʻi, her decades as a music educator, and the challenges of raising a family. She reveals how those moments eventually led her to write about what she had kept silent on for so many years. What does it really take to put a life back together, one piece at a time?
I’m glad I read Piece by Piece by Sheryl Hauk. I appreciated that Hauk didn't rely on graphic descriptions of her abuse. She actually focused more on how it continued to influence her. Her openness about the hypervigilance she has as a result of her experiences gave a clearer picture of her adult life. As a teacher, I found parts of her educational journey especially frustrating. There is one line I haven’t stopped thinking about. It’s when she said, "I'm not everyone's cup of tea, more like espresso with a side of cayenne." It helped me understand her better. It also left me a little sad because it reflected how she sees herself after everything she's lived through. Her memoir brought to mind Kelly Clarkson's song, "Piece by Piece.” The stories are not the same, but both center on rebuilding a life after deep hurt. Hauk writes with humor, honesty, and enough self-awareness to balance difficult moments with lighter ones. The mention of WAACS caught my attention because I'd only recently learned about the organization through another book. I loved the picture of Sheryl playing the piano as a two-year-old. Anyone looking for a thoughtful memoir about resilience, trauma recovery, and healing will want to pick up a copy.
