What do you think?
Rate this book
Faint Echoes Of Laughter
The shocking and spirited sequel to the much-praised Empty Chairs.
Life on the streets of Sydney was preferable to the nightmare Stacey Danson had survived in the hell that was home.
She hit the streets running at the age of eleven, and armed with a flick-knife and a fierce determination to live a different life, she began the journey from the 1960s to today.
For those that came to know ‘Sassy girl’ in Empty Chairs, and for those caring people that asked how her life worked out from there, 'Faint Echoes of Laughter' continues the story.
For those that haven’t met her yet, this book stands alone as a tribute to the kindness of strangers, the loyalty of true friendships and the way things really are on the streets of any town .... anytime.
Life on the streets of Sydney was preferable to the nightmare Stacey Danson had survived in the hell that was home.
She hit the streets running at the age of eleven, and armed with a flick-knife and a fierce determination to live a different life, she began the journey from the 1960s to today.
For those that came to know ‘Sassy girl’ in Empty Chairs, and for those caring people that asked how her life worked out from there, 'Faint Echoes of Laughter' continues the story.
For those that haven’t met her yet, this book stands alone as a tribute to the kindness of strangers, the loyalty of true friendships and the way things really are on the streets of any town .... anytime.
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2012
45 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 2, 2012
This book was both heart breaking, and heart warming. The sequel to Empty Chairs: Much more than a story about child abuse, which ended when Stacey (whose street name was Sassy) was almost 12 years old.
Sassy lived in ‘The Palace’ (a shipping container) on the docks of Sydney, with other street kids. It was run and controlled by Jamie, a street kid himself, and the rules were there so they would all survive. But as the years went by, Sassy realized she wanted more in her life, more than the terror, the lack of food, the watching over her shoulder all the time.
Sassy had been going to the nearby library for a long time, and had befriended Eunice, the librarian there. She encouraged Sassy to read, and when Sassy decided she wanted to get a job, Eunice was the one she went to for help. She also received help from Carol, a prostitute who had helped Sassy in the past. At sixteen years of age, her life was about to change again.
Moving through Stacey’s life, with her new friends from work, and her old friends from 'The Palace', we realize how traumatised Stacey still is. The courage and tenacity she displays throughout her years of life changing moments are poignant and memorable. Through the wonderful yet sad years with her husband, Joe and their beautiful daughter, the love of her in-laws, who treated her the way they would a daughter. Her awful sickness on and off throughout the years, which the doctors couldn’t find a cure for.....
The ‘honour roll’ at the end of the book is gut-wrenchingly sad!
I highly recommend everyone read this.
March 7, 2012
Prepare to devour Sassy's story...(-:
After reading Empty Chairs, this memoir answered many questions and brought surprises yet not surprising considering what she went through.
My heart aches for this beautiful woman and the life she has suffered. I am encouraged for myself and worried for my children. Abuse has a way of destroying lives forever.
I can only hope that other's will reach out and help...show compassion and do something if they can to help those that have been hurt.
This is a must read for everyone!
After reading Empty Chairs, this memoir answered many questions and brought surprises yet not surprising considering what she went through.
My heart aches for this beautiful woman and the life she has suffered. I am encouraged for myself and worried for my children. Abuse has a way of destroying lives forever.
I can only hope that other's will reach out and help...show compassion and do something if they can to help those that have been hurt.
This is a must read for everyone!
April 27, 2017
I read Stacey's first book 'Empty Chairs' and was eager to read the sequel and find out what happened to this brave and courageous little girl, who ended up living on the streets of Sydney at the age of eleven. 'Faint Echoes of Laughter' continues her story. As you read you are pulled into Stacey's world, her struggles, her thoughts and despite it all, her dreams for a better life for herself. Tough decisions are made and with a reference written by the local librarian and friend Eunice, Stacey lands herself a job after many knock backs. A page turner in every sense of the word you read how are slowly her life changes for the better. Heartbreak and pain follow as the scars from the past are impossible to erase, despite being married to a loving husband. The roll of honour at the end of this most emotional and inspiring memoir brought me to tears as Stacey recounts what happened to her friends from her past life on the streets. An absolute must read.
May 19, 2012
She does a rare thing, makes the homeless visible.
May 15, 2018
A great follow-up to the author’s first book on her life, Empty Chairs. While there is still hardship and pain in this sequel, it is wonderful to see the victory of the author’s later years. Determined to overcome an abusive childhood and life on the streets, “Stacey” does what is necessary to secure a future worth living. She wants something better and goes after that life with grit and determination. Once again, I was unable to put this memoir down and read it in two days. The closing section where the author lists the outcome of many of the people she befriended on the streets is heartbreaking and sad. I am so thankful her story ended differently. Truly an amazing read, especially when coupled with the first book, Empty Chairs.
September 17, 2012
Via http://onlectus.blogspot.com/2012/09/...#
This is the first time I read a sequel to a book about child abuse. Usually, you read about it and finish the book knowing that the child somehow escaped the abuser, but you never know what happened afterwards. How was life after the abuse? How did you cope? Did you ever have sex (normal sex) again? Did you fall in love? Did you get married and had children? I always wonder, specially the last question.
In Empty Chairs, Danson escaped her mother and went to live on the streets. After yet another brutal rape and a beating --and just when everything seemed to be lost, Jamie asked her to move in with him and 12 more kids in an container.
Danson ended Empty Chairs right there, leaving fans unsatisfied and concerned, wanting to know more about her life: did you end up with Jamie (it's just something I thought would happen as if this was a romance novel)? How did baby Jenny die? what happened to the other kids? How did you get to have a daughter? What happened to Carol and Animal? Did Gwen have a horrible ending? And many other questions that go through our minds when we read about the horrors of children being abused.
Gently enough, Danson wrote a second book to explain all those questions and more.
I deeply thank her for that as in Faint Echoes of Laughter she made see how a child grows up to be an adult carrying all the weight of a horrific childhood.
This is not fiction and this is not romance. Once again Danson's writing is simple and harsh; just telling it as it was. Don't expect miracles, although a few do happen.
This is the first time I read a sequel to a book about child abuse. Usually, you read about it and finish the book knowing that the child somehow escaped the abuser, but you never know what happened afterwards. How was life after the abuse? How did you cope? Did you ever have sex (normal sex) again? Did you fall in love? Did you get married and had children? I always wonder, specially the last question.
In Empty Chairs, Danson escaped her mother and went to live on the streets. After yet another brutal rape and a beating --and just when everything seemed to be lost, Jamie asked her to move in with him and 12 more kids in an container.
Danson ended Empty Chairs right there, leaving fans unsatisfied and concerned, wanting to know more about her life: did you end up with Jamie (it's just something I thought would happen as if this was a romance novel)? How did baby Jenny die? what happened to the other kids? How did you get to have a daughter? What happened to Carol and Animal? Did Gwen have a horrible ending? And many other questions that go through our minds when we read about the horrors of children being abused.
Gently enough, Danson wrote a second book to explain all those questions and more.
I deeply thank her for that as in Faint Echoes of Laughter she made see how a child grows up to be an adult carrying all the weight of a horrific childhood.
This is not fiction and this is not romance. Once again Danson's writing is simple and harsh; just telling it as it was. Don't expect miracles, although a few do happen.
April 6, 2012
After reading Empty Chairs almost a year ago I was extremely anxiuos for Stacey's sequel to be printed. This book answered a lot of questions after. Stacey did a great job writing with anger, hopes, and the value of life in herself and the others who helped her survive in the Palace.
I both cried of sadness and cried tears of joy during reading this book! this breaks my heart to read how destructive child abuse is even as an adult all those years after, even after being off of the streets for 35+ years, after being married, after building a life for yourself. the medical issues Stacey has as a result of the child abuse is unreal!
The one big key to all of this is I found never answered was what ever happend to her mother, Qwen? she never discussed having any further contact with her after the age of 12 when she left her home.
I recommend this read as well as Empty Chairs to everyone! It's a quick read...i wouldn't say easy read, as i'm not sure reading about child abuse and living on the streets as ever an easy read.
I both cried of sadness and cried tears of joy during reading this book! this breaks my heart to read how destructive child abuse is even as an adult all those years after, even after being off of the streets for 35+ years, after being married, after building a life for yourself. the medical issues Stacey has as a result of the child abuse is unreal!
The one big key to all of this is I found never answered was what ever happend to her mother, Qwen? she never discussed having any further contact with her after the age of 12 when she left her home.
I recommend this read as well as Empty Chairs to everyone! It's a quick read...i wouldn't say easy read, as i'm not sure reading about child abuse and living on the streets as ever an easy read.
November 20, 2013
The sequel to Empty Chairs answers all the questions. It is well written. I thank and applaud Stacey for writing both books.
In all honesty, her story rips my heart out, saddens me, and fills me with such anger I want to scream. I feel helpless and deeply confused. How could anyone abuse a child? How could so many people look the other way when a child is in obvious pain? There are so many questions I have. I feel a sense of loss for the children who have ever suffered abuse, been homeless, or died unnecessarily. I pray they're welcome in Heaven. It is a hard world we live in. The tears, pain, anger, sadness, and despair are deep felt.
Stacey, thank you for opening my eyes.
Please, let her open yours. Start with Empty Chairs.
In all honesty, her story rips my heart out, saddens me, and fills me with such anger I want to scream. I feel helpless and deeply confused. How could anyone abuse a child? How could so many people look the other way when a child is in obvious pain? There are so many questions I have. I feel a sense of loss for the children who have ever suffered abuse, been homeless, or died unnecessarily. I pray they're welcome in Heaven. It is a hard world we live in. The tears, pain, anger, sadness, and despair are deep felt.
Stacey, thank you for opening my eyes.
Please, let her open yours. Start with Empty Chairs.
July 24, 2012
The follow up to Empty Chairs book, I read both of them in the space of 2 days (and yes - nights!) I liked that she dedicated last part of the book to describing her adult life and briefly of other kids from the Palace. As much as I was relieved to hear that growing up on the streets does not 100% of the time mean dying on the streets, still it leaves a huge scar. Overall both books have definitely made more more sensitive to what we label as "problem" children and adults and wishing to extend my time and understanding towards them rather than avoid them all together.
March 21, 2012
Wow, I thought this would be easier to read than the first, it wasn't, the roller coaster of emotions this book created in me left me feel drained but I'm so very thankful I read it.
To have met Stacey(Sassy) and those who helped make her life better than it was, I feel so privileged to have read this, to have an insight into the terror this woman endured, along with some much dispersed happiness, fantastic read I highly recommend.
To have met Stacey(Sassy) and those who helped make her life better than it was, I feel so privileged to have read this, to have an insight into the terror this woman endured, along with some much dispersed happiness, fantastic read I highly recommend.
March 28, 2013
This is Danson's second memoir, her first is titled Empty Chairs. Empty Chairs followed her early childhood through the teenage years. This story plays out what happened to Danson after enduring a childhood filled with unbearable sex abuse.This story is a testiment to her strength and resolve to rise above her unfortunate childhood.
Reading Stacey's complete story gives a sense of hope and promise to those who have endured similiar abuse.
Reading Stacey's complete story gives a sense of hope and promise to those who have endured similiar abuse.
May 28, 2012
There is not a lot that I can add to what has already been said by other reviewers. That said I would like to add that this is only the second book, in all my many years of reading, that has reduced me to tears at the end. The first was 'Stuart - a life backwards' which I read a couple of years ago and reviewed on here. The 'Honour Roll' at the end was heartbreaking.
May 16, 2013
Wow. I can't remember the last time I was so absorbed in a book I blew past my bus stop. The two days I spent reading the book, I did this TWICE!
So tragic and yet so powerful, I urge everyone to read this book. You'll cry and you'll count your blessings and you won't be able to stop thinking about Stacey and her story. Brace yourself, you'll forever be changed.
So tragic and yet so powerful, I urge everyone to read this book. You'll cry and you'll count your blessings and you won't be able to stop thinking about Stacey and her story. Brace yourself, you'll forever be changed.
May 29, 2012
This is the continuation of Stacy's first book Empty Chairs. I agree with several people that this book answers many questions that were left from the first one. Stacy writes about her experiences in a direct, hopeful way.
July 26, 2012
After finishing the first book "Empty Chairs". I immediately got this book to hear Sassy tell of her assent from the bowls of hell. I loved every minute of these books. I love you Sassy and all that you stand for!
April 24, 2012
Follow up to Empty Chairs, excellent rate, both books
June 1, 2012
Extremely moving and inspiring.
July 19, 2012
This sequel is inspiring and uplifting.
August 5, 2012
I'm glad I read this one because the first book left me feeling unfulfilled and a little confused about what happened. This one established closure for me.
August 7, 2012
Great book. Again tough subject matter.
October 15, 2012
Fantastic book. Read the other one first. Stacey's story has really stuck with me. I'm thinking about going back and re-reading these again.
October 21, 2019
You hold your breath; you cry, you cheer, you cry again...you breathe...
This is the sequel to Empty Chairs (Book 1). For me, this book deserved another five-star rating. In Empty Chairs, you shadowed young Sassy through her account of her brutal infancy and childhood. Emotionally exhausted and spent, as though unable to utter another syllable, the feisty Sassy abruptly left the "room". You, the reader, wanted more; you needed closure. In Standing Tall and Fighting Back (Book 2), Sassy is back. Can she, battered butterfly, mend her wings and fly? After reading this book, you will never look at a homeless person - especially a homeless young person - with glazed-over eyes again...
This is the sequel to Empty Chairs (Book 1). For me, this book deserved another five-star rating. In Empty Chairs, you shadowed young Sassy through her account of her brutal infancy and childhood. Emotionally exhausted and spent, as though unable to utter another syllable, the feisty Sassy abruptly left the "room". You, the reader, wanted more; you needed closure. In Standing Tall and Fighting Back (Book 2), Sassy is back. Can she, battered butterfly, mend her wings and fly? After reading this book, you will never look at a homeless person - especially a homeless young person - with glazed-over eyes again...
June 11, 2017
Inspiring
What a remarkable woman! I read this immediately after finishing her first book, eager to find out whether this remarkable woman found any sense of peace, safety and love within her life. I have, laughed, cried and gasped in horror throughout both books, not only reading of her own struggle, but those around her. Well worth a read, if only to truly appreciate that every street person, addict or alcoholic has their own demons and we should judge far less and empathise far more.
What a remarkable woman! I read this immediately after finishing her first book, eager to find out whether this remarkable woman found any sense of peace, safety and love within her life. I have, laughed, cried and gasped in horror throughout both books, not only reading of her own struggle, but those around her. Well worth a read, if only to truly appreciate that every street person, addict or alcoholic has their own demons and we should judge far less and empathise far more.
February 24, 2020
Faint Echoes of Laughter
So, I am still going over in my mind how much it takes to share all that has been in these 2 books. I rather binge read them since there was no way I could leave it with just one. I think that I am in see if how wonderfully this was written. The respect in keeping loved ones privacy was wonderful. Yet, nothing was missing. Thank you and Brava!
So, I am still going over in my mind how much it takes to share all that has been in these 2 books. I rather binge read them since there was no way I could leave it with just one. I think that I am in see if how wonderfully this was written. The respect in keeping loved ones privacy was wonderful. Yet, nothing was missing. Thank you and Brava!
November 23, 2017
A deeply moving life of a woman who faced many obstcales in life and survived d
I could not lay this book down. It was one of the best I have read in many years!! I lived her life with her.
I could not lay this book down. It was one of the best I have read in many years!! I lived her life with her.
July 15, 2019
Butterfly
I just love sassy! Reading her transformations and so on is amazing! I feel sad to read about the friends that all died especially after surviving so much! No matter what, it’s awesome to see that sassy despite deepest troubles made it!
I just love sassy! Reading her transformations and so on is amazing! I feel sad to read about the friends that all died especially after surviving so much! No matter what, it’s awesome to see that sassy despite deepest troubles made it!
May 11, 2022
I can't get "Still sassy at sixty" anywhere. I often think about Stacey after having read both Empty chair and Faint echoes of laughter. Both honest and open biographies that had me willing her on and wanting the very best for her.
July 29, 2017
Brilliant
Couldn't put it down brilliant book will get the next one still sassy at sixty sassy is a strong person
Couldn't put it down brilliant book will get the next one still sassy at sixty sassy is a strong person
April 16, 2018
Amazing
Read the first two books on one day, gripping, so emotional, can't wait for the next book, well done on making it
Read the first two books on one day, gripping, so emotional, can't wait for the next book, well done on making it
September 3, 2020
I can’t wait to read book 3
I’m waiting for Sassy’s happily ever after ending. So far no such luck. I’m hoping she will at least find peace in the next book
I’m waiting for Sassy’s happily ever after ending. So far no such luck. I’m hoping she will at least find peace in the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews