When Worlds Collide

by Shari - with Dr. Annie Holden Davies, Annie Holden

An Ordinary Young Woman Faces Every Woman's Fear

In 1986, Shari Davies was abducted at knife-point, made to drive to a lonely stretch of bushland, brutally raped and left for dead. 'When Worlds Collide' is Shari's account of the physical and emotional journey back from her ordeal, with the help and support of a loving network of friends and family.

'When Worlds Collide' is also the inspirational story of how Shari's struggle to heal herself developed into a quest to help others. With her father, Ian, Shari formed a victim's support group in Queensland, where they are both involved in offering practical assistance to people in their greatest moment of need.

Shari Davies has looked into the face of evil and she refused to let what she witnessed destroy her. Instead, she became determined to live her life to its fullest potential, taking her family and friends along with her on an odyssey of self-discovery.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

182 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 1997

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true crime book that took place in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Shari, and her co-author, did a good job of telling Shari's story. It covers exactly what happened to her during the abduction, rape, and attempted murder. We then follow along with her, and her family and friends, into the weeks following her amazing survival. She wrote this book 10 years after her attack, and she talks about those years, too.

I liked that there were paragraphs of quotes from interviews with her family and friends sprinkled throughout the book. They were artfully intertwined with the main narrative, and really added a lot to Shari's story.

"This is the story of what happened to me on the night of my abduction from King George Square car park in Brisbane on 5 November 1986, and of how I am recovering and healing. From that night my world changed irrevocably. I grew up in a loving, giving environment where kindness and compassion went hand in hand with joy and laughter. When my world collided with that of Darren Osbourne, I came into contact with ugliness, horror and cruelty, the likes of which I had never before encountered."

4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a bit wronge to say 'liked' about this book because the main emotion I got from the first part of it at least, was 'shattered'. In a very vivid first person manner Shari tells the story of her own abduction and rape. I would recomend it strongly however.

[Heidi Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no doubt that Shari overcame incredible obstacles after her attack and for this, she is an extraordinary woman. However, the book turned from a biographical account of her life into a guide for people who had experienced trauma which was very confusing and not what I was expecting.

[Jen Roe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poor girl what she had done to her.

[Sandy Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book so many years ago but the attack on Shari has always stayed on my mind. I was happy when I found my paperback book packed away and decided to read it again.
It still has the same sickening impact of the attack on Shari by Darren Osborne, the dedication of the police and the love and support of family and friends. However this time I found I needed to know a bit more about Osborne so I had balance in the story. He was obviously a very evil man.
I still found the book to be very well written with an honesty by Shari that was very heart wrenching at times. I’d be happy to recommend this book to people who read true crime.

[Cathleen Schiffke · Rating 1 out of 5]

As much as this is a sad story I found it boring and repetitive. I couldn't even finish it.