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A review by presleymarie85
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
4.0
*4.75 Stars*
*Trigger warning. If you have personal experience with domestic abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, or if that subject matter upsets you in any way, this book is not for you*
I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to rate this book. I feel I read this book very quickly, it kept me engaged, had me thinking about the family even after I had set it down. But it also had its share of writing problems. The flow of the book hoped around a lot with not a lot of smooth transitions. Often times I had to re read to figure out who's perspective I was now reading. Those things aside, it was a eye opening and heartbreaking and often times gut-wrenching and frustrating read.
But this is the reality that some families live through, luckily the Knotek sisters lived to tell their tale. I don't want to go in to detail as to what the Knotek sisters went through in the book to avoid any triggers that this review will cause. I will say that the frustration I felt was mostly in regards to the lack of support by the family members, community members, the mandated reporters in the schools had me livid. How did 3 girls go unnoticed with no one contacting protection services? How did the grandparents not step in knowing what the mother was like as a child, and even having an inkling of a feeling as to what was happening? I know I can sit here and point fingers and wonder why this and that happened with no intervening, but I also have not lived in this life. I never had to witness abuse to such an extreme while also having younger siblings to worry about being taken away to maybe have more abuse happen to them.
The only relief I got from this book is the ending. That the parents were held accountable and charged with their crimes. That the siblings never strayed from the bond and love they had for one another. I can confirm that the sibling bond is one so strong and loving. I have it with my older brother and my kids are fortunate to have them with themselves. If you like stories of triumph over evil and darkness, then this will be a book you will appreciate. I can't say enjoy, because there is no enjoyment in reading about substantial child abuse. But the ending is one of happiness and triumph for the Knotek sisters.
*Trigger warning. If you have personal experience with domestic abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, or if that subject matter upsets you in any way, this book is not for you*
I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to rate this book. I feel I read this book very quickly, it kept me engaged, had me thinking about the family even after I had set it down. But it also had its share of writing problems. The flow of the book hoped around a lot with not a lot of smooth transitions. Often times I had to re read to figure out who's perspective I was now reading. Those things aside, it was a eye opening and heartbreaking and often times gut-wrenching and frustrating read.
But this is the reality that some families live through, luckily the Knotek sisters lived to tell their tale. I don't want to go in to detail as to what the Knotek sisters went through in the book to avoid any triggers that this review will cause. I will say that the frustration I felt was mostly in regards to the lack of support by the family members, community members, the mandated reporters in the schools had me livid. How did 3 girls go unnoticed with no one contacting protection services? How did the grandparents not step in knowing what the mother was like as a child, and even having an inkling of a feeling as to what was happening? I know I can sit here and point fingers and wonder why this and that happened with no intervening, but I also have not lived in this life. I never had to witness abuse to such an extreme while also having younger siblings to worry about being taken away to maybe have more abuse happen to them.
The only relief I got from this book is the ending. That the parents were held accountable and charged with their crimes. That the siblings never strayed from the bond and love they had for one another. I can confirm that the sibling bond is one so strong and loving. I have it with my older brother and my kids are fortunate to have them with themselves. If you like stories of triumph over evil and darkness, then this will be a book you will appreciate. I can't say enjoy, because there is no enjoyment in reading about substantial child abuse. But the ending is one of happiness and triumph for the Knotek sisters.