This is the story of triumph over a series of adversities, and learning to love life after wanting to die. Lynn Tolson has captured a time period and given us a glimpse of that era from her unique viewpoint. This behind-the-scenes perspective takes us through Sixties and Seventies American culture, while conveying the author's hardships and turmoil with wit and deep insights. Her narrative resounds with humorous and poetic depictions as she undergoes family strife, endures child abuse and later assaults, survives violent close calls and suicidal impulses, careens farther off-course in a haze of drugs and alcohol, rejects then embraces therapy to emerge a healthy creative individual.

The book is an engaging and affecting account of a life nearly lost but eventually discovered - cherished - directed toward fulfillment through love, social work, advocacy, writing and art. Although it is a tale of woes and torments, Lynn's voice manages to guide and inform the reader with a style that is both soothing and appealing. Whether you can relate to her specific travails or not, this is indeed a story that is worthy of being read. The emotions portrayed and repercussions of her experiences are universal; everyone has suffered some degree of anxiety, confusion, and self-doubt. ( )

I found myself liking this book and not liking this book at different times. The end result is that I thought the author was honest and brave to write her story, and especially as a victim of sexual abuse as so many women and girls are, to advocate healing and moving on with life after assault. I found parts of the therapy sessions to be a little odd, for a lack of a better word, but thought the relationship she formed with her therapists to be unique. Some of it was not believable, but for sake of not spoiling anything I will not say what I felt was not believable to me about the therapy. Well done, and written pretty well I enjoyed riding on the journey she took as she retold her story, and hopefully someone who is a victim will benefit from her being brave and telling hers. ( )