The title of the first chapter is PILLS AND PRAYER. It reads like a treatment to a suspenseful movie. Tolson brings us right into the mind of someone who wants to die and the thought process that goes into such a task.

Three pages in and Tolson has your attention.

The book is written as a "True story" beginning with "the suicide attempt of an abused and addicted twenty-five-year-old woman. In the aftermath, she commits to counseling to traumatic stress disorder. The author engages the reader in therapy sessions where the young woman reveals dysfunctional sexual abuse, and mental illness. Due to the therapeutic process, the woman discovers a path to love and the value of life, and she ultimately achieves a life that reflects health and happiness.."

An interesting, and creative, liberty taken with the story is the author's consolidating her personal inner work with self help books and work with therapists into fictionalized therapy sessions. Being a great fan of INNER WORK (IE; Robert A. Johnson) I completely bought into this style of narrative. I found it to be a great way to keep the reader on track with the thought processes involved in recovering from such a torrential background. Tolson explains, "The counselor named in this book, Karen, is a composite character consisting of subsequent therapists, self help books, and personal insights."

If you're interested in reading a gripping, true story about a fellow survivor, BEYOND THE TEARS is the book to choose this winter.

- Chris D.

Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story Click for additional reviews and Sale Price

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