My Space Book Review

in case you missed it friends...

Poised at the Edge Book Review
Confessions of a Catholic Schoolgirl.
Michelle Kane

Valerie Bernowski's story begins in the mid-80's. Life is not easy; money's tight, her father rarely shows his face, and her hyper-religious, beleaguered mother is not emotionally available. Where can she turn? She certainly cannot trust sadistic Sister Mary Angelina, or pervy Father "Fingers."
She begins to rebel against the Catholic Church, her soon to be divorced parents, and just about everything else. The world unfolding before her is world of cyclical abuse. Her mother married a man, who berated, hit, and raped her, just like her mother had before her.
The more Valerie learns about her family, the more she comes to realize that emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, have been long-accepted family traditions. Things come to an ugly head when Valerie and sister Rachel go stay the summer with their father. Not only is he never home, but there's not even any food for the girls to eat. Eventually Valerie calls her mother to go home early. Rachel (who has a boyfriend in the neighborhood) stays. A few days later Rachel is delivered home, black and blue, from being beaten by their father.
Michelle Kane tells a stark straightforward tale of abuse. In the end we see Valerie emerge a strong (yet damaged) young woman, determined to have the cycle end with her.
25% of EVERY BOOK PURCHASE GOES TO HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Written By Melissa.