Unanswered questions
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I know i will be absolutely slated for this review, but i would like to think that some people may want the same answers as i do. The book was so horrific in places that i simply could not read it i skimmed it hoping and praying that i came to the part where Joe is rescued - it is when you are near the very end with a few pages to go the awful realistation dawns that he wont be rescued.
The questions i have are why instead of writing a book trying to highlight what happens to our young children (too many people turn a blind eye even today)did you not go for prosecution - those animals need caging whats to say they arent still abusing children now, there is evidence (physical scarring, Joe mentioned himself being filmed etc) so i just cannot understand why instead of being hell bent on revenge you choose to write a book where names and identifying details are changed so no one will ever know who these cretins are.
I am in no way saying that these awful things didnt happen to you and i am not saying you have embellished it at all i simply want to know why you allowed them to get away with what they did, i appreciate that being happy can be the best form of revenge on them but i think our youngsters should be protected from these predatory monsters and we cant do that unless people speak out.
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Harrowing, Compelling and a one-sitting read
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I was hooked by page 4, the horror of reading about a mother punching a 4 year old in the face filled me with rage and was a powerful opener to this harrowing true portrayal so bravely put to paper. The tumultuous feelings continued all the way through, ranging from despair, sadness, fear, anger and hope. I read this book in one sitting, only putting it down for brief moments where family life interrupted my reading. I could not wait for the rescue or for Joe's voice to be heard, the lump in my throat remained after I finished reading, not to mention the tears. I wanted to scream at those invisible imbeciles hiding within the pages who could not see what was plain to all those others who have suffered. Is this because as a society we do not want to see what is in front of us? Or that we are too scared of the repercussions if we do see and report it? That is a conundrum faced by many people, including survivors of abuse. This truly is the most heart wrenching portrayal I have read of this genre, and I have read many, always looking for others who took the opposite direction to be the person/parent they should have had. I was glad to learn a second book is planned for 2009 as the ending left me wanting more. Joe has and will continue to touch many hearts and souls with his story. After feeling bereft at his loss of childhood, Joe leaves us with the hope of a better life to come, an anticipation that this is not the end for him but only the beginning of his journey out of hell. Good luck with the sequel and continue to hold your head high and keep your loved ones close. xxxxx Ang
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Amazing
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What an amazing story. What an amazing life. I wish Joe all the luck in the world - he certainly deserves it.
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Bookworms review (Comments) My Personal review
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I refer to the review, written by born again bookworm, I would like
to say thank you for sharing your great review on this book. I would like to say however that
I know Joe Peter's personally and would like to point out to every reader that this book was
written completely by Joe himself, the reason for this was to help joe put closure on his past
for therapy reasons, he is the only person that could of written that book, it was more painful
for him to talk about it to others than writing it (hence the book) it was only when the book was
completed that ANdrew Crofts read it and said we are going to publish the book. It was then, Andrew set up meetings with two of the biggest publishers Random House and Harpers the book then got published. This book has taken years to write whilst under intense theapy as a friend i had the pleasure of reading the chapters as he finished them.
It is important that every one knows how important this book was written and how painful it was for Joe to write it over many years, Andrew will also confirm that the chapters of the book were sent to him. Andrew Crofts is a wonderful and highly respected published writer, he was used to sort the books chapters and get it published. Lets not take away the fact the book was indeed written by my good friend Joe Peters himself (real name Jamie).
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A well-told memoir of abuse and survival
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Cry Silent Tears by Joe Peters, is another abuse memoir written by the man himself with Andrew Crofts bagging a credit for being the middleman with the publishers (correction 10/8/08). I actually bought it at launch but only read it over the second May bank holiday. Peters' skilful writing means that you could speed-read the book in three hours (as I did), or read more slowly, section by section.
Peters' true story however, is marked by one early bereavement which precedes almost all of the physical and sexual abuse that he subsequently suffers and remembers at the hands of a stepparent and two of his own siblings, coupled with his mother's unrelenting violence and role as the facilitator of further, organised paedophilia for money and various abandonments, whether familial, or through changes of school. Whilst the social care system eventually helped him as a younger child with speech therapy, Peters' book serves to remind us that British male abuse victims of the 80s were basically failed on a large scale, even in Childline's infancy.
Reading in a single sitting overnight the writing is articulate but as Joe relates his story, the phrase "banality of evil" springs to mind as the worst crimes imaginable are treated as routine and even a source of business for paedophiles and income and amusement by Peters' family. It's horrific and stays on your mind after you've finished reading, and in fact, since I started to read it at 1.30am I was kept awake by my own reactions to the book which made me want to finish it and put it down - before re-reading the end for anything that I'd missed. You keep willing the author to fight back and eventually it happens, though indirectly, following his bouncing in and out of social care.
The abrupt ending and post script points to a second book which has been confirmed at the author's official site for the first one. "Looking forward" to reading it is the wrong phrase, but the rest of the story which led to his currently happy circumstances is just as important to tell as his childhood. By the end of the book, even without filling in that gap reserved for book 2, it's uplifting and inspiring to know that Joe Peters survived and thrived.
The story is once again powerful enough to sell itself without the use of an attention-grabbing child on the cover but I'll put my usual complaint aside because you can remove the dust jacket from a hardback. The book is as important as his work by survivors, for survivors, which he is now currently involved in, and you'll find more information about that on his site. For now, I'm glad I bought the book at launch and it's well worth reading.
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