The Box of Daughter

Overcoming a Legacy of Emotional Abuse - A Memoir

Non-Fiction - Memoir
213 Pages
Reviewed on 06/01/2012
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

A former actress who appeared Off-Broadway and on the daytime drama Guiding Light, Katherine Mayfield is the author of "The Box of Daughter: Overcoming a Legacy of Emotional Abuse" and two books on the acting business: "Smart Actors, Foolish Choices" and "Acting A to Z", both published by Back Stage Books.

Her short story, "The Last Visit," which is based on the last time she visited her father in hospice care, won the Honorable Mention award in the 2011 Warren Adler Short Story Contest. Her memoir, "The Box of Daughter" is based on the title poem in her book of poems, "The Box of Daughter and Other Poems."

Ms. Mayfield has presented workshops at the Mindshift Institute in Northampton, MA, Green River Yoga in Greenfield, MA, The National Spiritual Alliance in Lake Pleasant, MA, and the Sober in the Sun Festival in Spencer, MA, and moderated a panel on memoir at the 2010 WriteAngles writing conference in Western Massachusetts.

Ms. Mayfield blogs on Dysfunctional Families on her website, www.TheBoxofDaughter.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

As a child, and growing up, Katherine Mayfield suffered in a way that children should never suffer, yet it happens repeatedly to so many. My heart ached for Katherine as I read the different accounts throughout the book about how her mom treated her, not physical abuse, but truly mental abuse. This was a family of three living in a very lonely household, where not even an I Love You or a hug was ever given. With vivid details about her journey to emotional healing, Ms. Mayfield gives her readers help in situations similar to hers. In her book, Katherine gives many references that will make it easier for readers to get the help they need. I highly admire Katherine Mayfield for her courage in writing her story, and wanting to help others.

“The Box of Daughter” is not what I call an easy read. Sometimes it is very difficult to read the details of what the author had to endure growing up with her parents. She doesn’t leave out details, but pretty much tells it as it is, being vividly honest about her feelings and how she was treated. However I was pleased when she talked about her aunt Mae and uncle John, because that was one place Katherine seem to find love and peace. “The Box of Daughter” would be a wonderful book for anyone who suffered any kind of abusive or difficult childhood. The author's journey to healing can be used in a lot of different situations, and the most important thing is reading from someone who knows what they are talking about, and Katherine Mayfield’s story is truly one that can be trusted and respected.