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A review by lisasternick
Goodbye, Sweet Girl: A Story of Domestic Violence and Survival by Kelly Sundberg
5.0
I listened to the audiobook which I think gives the story an extra edge. I loved it. I read it because I am a domestic abuse survivor and I found it relatable in many aspects.
I think Kelly is very good at storytelling.
This is a raw look at one woman's domestic abuse experience by her husband, whom she adored, loved and trusted.
Kelly is amazing at linking how she felt about herself in the past from childhood through experiences that caused her to pick this man as her husband. Initially not realize or in some cases ignoring the warning signs of his being a broken person and an abuser. As most abusers are initially her husband is a charming and likable guy.
She clarifies in her own experience what it means to be a battered woman and how it isn't so easy to walk away as people would assume. She holds out on the hope that he will change, return to being that guy she first fell in love with. She doesn't want her marriage to fail because she thinks it means she has failed and she continues to try to make a situation work, that realistically will never.
Yes, it is possible to be in love with your abuser. It becomes a cycle of trauma bonding that Kelly finds herself in. She is also on point about the reactions of people outside of her relationship and their denial of seeing the abuser for who he truly is, because he is fabulous at masking his true self and manipulating others.
I highly recommend this book for people to understand the shame being abuse can bring. The desperation of torn feelings yet at the same time of wanting to walk away for good and the struggles that cause. This book can help others understand that abuse can happen across all spectrums of race and privilege. Most people who have been abused are afraid to talk about it and be judged. I think that for women that have been abused this book can help you feel connected and not alone.
I think Kelly is very good at storytelling.
This is a raw look at one woman's domestic abuse experience by her husband, whom she adored, loved and trusted.
Kelly is amazing at linking how she felt about herself in the past from childhood through experiences that caused her to pick this man as her husband. Initially not realize or in some cases ignoring the warning signs of his being a broken person and an abuser. As most abusers are initially her husband is a charming and likable guy.
She clarifies in her own experience what it means to be a battered woman and how it isn't so easy to walk away as people would assume. She holds out on the hope that he will change, return to being that guy she first fell in love with. She doesn't want her marriage to fail because she thinks it means she has failed and she continues to try to make a situation work, that realistically will never.
Yes, it is possible to be in love with your abuser. It becomes a cycle of trauma bonding that Kelly finds herself in. She is also on point about the reactions of people outside of her relationship and their denial of seeing the abuser for who he truly is, because he is fabulous at masking his true self and manipulating others.
I highly recommend this book for people to understand the shame being abuse can bring. The desperation of torn feelings yet at the same time of wanting to walk away for good and the struggles that cause. This book can help others understand that abuse can happen across all spectrums of race and privilege. Most people who have been abused are afraid to talk about it and be judged. I think that for women that have been abused this book can help you feel connected and not alone.