Trauma is not what happens to you. It's what happens inside you. It is the wound you sustained. That's the good thing, because the wound can be healed at any time.
~ Dr. Gabor Maté, MD, bestselling author, recipient of the prestigious Order of Canada
Eighty-one successful women from 22 countries share poignant memoirs of early childhood struggle and suffering: trauma, loss, betrayal, bullying, neglect, sexual abuse, disconnection, and “unexpected calamities such as war, illness, and other tragedies that can dramatically alter one’s world.”
The memoirs read like intimate bits of conversation between best friends, overheard, at times in sordid detail.
These stories are in stark contradiction to the nostalgic ones we like to tell ourselves about the charms of childhood. They paint the picture of early years that are not all sunshine and rainbows. Some will amuse. Some will tear at your heart.
The artwork is an integral part of the reader's experience. Each little memoir features an original drawing that tells the story through the eyes of the child and draws you into the child's point of view.
Trauma is not what happens to you. It's what happens inside you. It is the wound you sustained. That's the good thing, because the wound can be healed at any time.
~ Dr. Gabor Maté, MD, bestselling author, recipient of the prestigious Order of Canada
Eighty-one successful women from 22 countries share poignant memoirs of early childhood struggle and suffering: trauma, loss, betrayal, bullying, neglect, sexual abuse, disconnection, and “unexpected calamities such as war, illness, and other tragedies that can dramatically alter one’s world.”
The memoirs read like intimate bits of conversation between best friends, overheard, at times in sordid detail.
These stories are in stark contradiction to the nostalgic ones we like to tell ourselves about the charms of childhood. They paint the picture of early years that are not all sunshine and rainbows. Some will amuse. Some will tear at your heart.
The artwork is an integral part of the reader's experience. Each little memoir features an original drawing that tells the story through the eyes of the child and draws you into the child's point of view.
Stories can heal, and whether it’s in sharing our personal narratives or in the realization that we are not alone, stories provide a lantern for life, illuminating the path for ourselves and others.
I enjoyed this intimate and emotive compilation of stories centered around the effects of early childhood trauma and the resulting resilience. The author weaves together 81 personal narratives to create a rich tapestry of experiences, creating a healing touchstone that benefits us all.
The author interviewed over 100 women for the book and asked them to share a memory of early childhood adversity. The resulting stories are told from a child’s point of view, making it engaging and poignant to read. Why early childhood? According to the author, “Anything that contributes to a child feeling unsafe, unseen or unloved lives on in the central nervous system.”
Some of these stories are difficult to read and could be trigger-inducing for certain unhealed aspects of the psyche. But where there are challenging situations and stories, there is healing, which makes the triumphs even more sublime.
One element that worked well was the unique illustrations that headed each section, drawn from a child’s perspective, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the experience. I enjoyed these sketches immensely and the poignant power they added to each story.
The title, “STRONG Successful Women Share Stories of Childhood Trauma and Triumph,” lends itself to an intimate perspective on early childhood adversity and a glimmering glimpse into the transformative power of stories and how when we change the fabric of one experience, it has lasting ripple effects for us all.
Overall, “Strong” is an impactful confirmation that our early experiences do not define us, nor do our experiences as a whole, and it is never too late to rise above circumstances and create what you wish to see in the world.