Before I review this book, this is the summary of the book I found online:
In April 2002, Janine Latus's youngest sister, Amy, wrote a note and taped it to the inside of her desk drawer. "Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved," it read, "but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me..."
I would say this is actually not what this book is about. I expected the book to start with the letter...but instead, it's not. If I Am Missing or Dead is a memoir written by Janine Latus. It starts when she is a child and ends as an adult. This book is raw, emotional, and unedited. Janine endures decades of abuse by many (if not all) the men she encounters in life. She doesn't know it...but her sister, Amy, is going through the same thing.
I liked this book. But I feel weird for liking it. I feel it's like saying I like the pain these two women went through. But obviously that's not true...this book is written almost as a warning to other women. It's remarkable that this woman was able to write this, but even more remarkable that she had survived this.
I found this review of the book from the author of Food and Loathing (also on my reading list.) This described my feelings exactly.
Janine Latus' memoir of domestic abuse depicts two life journeys: Janine's own escape from a violent boyfriend and her sister's tragic death at the hands of one. Both stories are powerful cautionary tales that shine a bright light into the darkness of domestic abuse. There are no heroes here -- just real people whose bravely told stories could save lives.
Betsy Lerner, author of Food and Loathing
Betsy Lerner, author of Food and Loathing
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