Friday, August 15, 2008

Christine's Story

What a glorious feeling it was to read the almost completed "Under the Frangipanni Tree" by Christine Lucas. It is a gripping story of siblings trapped in the confines of a family of dysfunctional adults and their struggle to retain some normalcy of childhood despite constant physical and sexual abuse by both parents. Christine describes the children's pain and torment in a discreet and dignified manner and retains this outer composure to the end without slipping into the abyss of blame and bitterness. Her story conveys in the most spiritual way the realisation of hope and recovery for sufferers of sexual degradation and hurt.

Abandoned by her deranged mother at birth, who reclaimed her from foster parents at the age of four, Christine retained the will to survive the depravity into which she was thrust as she was taken into her "new" family home. This strength of purpose extends now in her attempt to tell her story in order to help others. To this end she includes a comprehensive glossary of agencies and resources.

I was with Christine when she embarked on her book as a student of the Redcliffe University of the Third Age, and now, some four years later I wept tears of joy and mixed emotions when her book arrived in my mail-box ready for the final edit and publication. There is still a way to go before "Under the Frangipanni Tree" appears on the bookshelves, but I know Christine's determination will make sure it reaches its target.


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