Spirit Unbroken

Abby's Story

Fiction - Realistic
480 Pages
Reviewed on 06/28/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Jeanne McElvaney is all about the beauty and power of personal spirit. A master of language and feelings, her books shine a light on self empowerment, choices,and the potential to change your life.

Warmed by family connections and rich friendships, Jeanne is a muse to many. Her awesomely supportive husband and delightfully distracting dog share life with her in California where they live in possibilities.

“Jeanne has an uncanny ability to help people see more clearly what is happening to them.” SK

"You have made a tremendous contribution to childhood trauma literature." Therapist AV

“This novel is intense, honest, lyrical, funny, insightful, and incredibly well told.” MK

“You will never find a more intimate and gentle way to understand what so many others have lived.” SK

"When I read about Abby, I was mesmerized. Your writing is very beautiful and transported me right back to childhood in the 50s and 60s." MK

"Spirit Unbroken shows every reader that NOTHING out there has the power to separate us from our Spirit." CK

"You made me believe I can be happy." CB

Thanks for this insightful & powerful sharing...keep up the good works & good words on your blog!!!" SS (Sexual Abuse Insights at GoToSpirit.com)

"You wrote so gently and gracefully about a topic people don't want to think about or discuss." AM

"I can not put it down, but I dread finishing it because I know I am going to miss the characters. SG

For more about Jeanne's women's empowerment books:GoToSpirit.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Jeanne McElvaney begins her book "Spirit Unbroken: Abby’s Story" by defining three types of memories: Ordinary Memories - retention of experiences; Trauma Memories - memories themselves cannot be recalled at will; and Dissociation Memories - a biological response that separates awareness from consciousness. Abby was a mere toddler when her father would rub her along his penis. She was approximately 3 years old when he jerked her up and hung her body upside down from the rafters in the basement and spun her around and around and then pressed his fingers in her anus. At four he pressed a pillow over her mouth to keep her quiet while he pressed his fingers into her orifices. She found a secret room inside of her where she could hide when she was in danger. Abby faced the ineffaceable. I have absolutely no sympathy for a man or woman who abuses a child in any manner. Abby’s mother pretended to know nothing while her father became more and more out of control. He was violent, manipulative and controlling. I admire Dennis for his stance. I admire Abby for standing up to her parents. I am glad Abby has Dennis and Katie has Abby.

Jeanne McElvaney is a talented writer. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I will not say that I was entertained or that I enjoyed this book for the content bothered me. But I am glad I read it. McElvaney writes in a frank, no-holds-barred manner. This book is a work of fiction but reads like non-fiction. I hope the telling of this story helped the victims in some small way. McElvaney breathed life into the characters of this book. I continue wanting to rant and rave over what Jerry and Betty did to their daughters. However, I will just conclude by saying that McElvaney is a storyteller extraordinaire!