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Missing the Mark: A Target Child Speaks
Missing the Mark is a reflection of an abusive relationship between a mother and son. For readers, this book is a look into the author's life, a stark question with no answer: why?
Keith T. Hoerner is a survivor of child abuse and, in turn, alcoholism. As the title implies, he comes of age as the target of violence in a house of siblings relatively unscathed. Throughout the work is the metaphor to archery: arrows fly, arrows land, arrows miss, arrows hit. Hoerner has a striking style of word-craft -- beginning with his controlled narration, to his careful selection of description: His dark brown eyes blossomed into mahogany magnolias of recognition.
Missing the Mark isn't merely a metaphor, it's a missed opportunity: a mother to know her son, a father to be the protector, the boy.
As the author leaps between the past and the present in a series of well-paced vignettes, we are not left wondering of the destruction of violence and the scar it leaves. Text credited to The Wounded Storyteller gives the author a chance to share his questions of faith and existence, a search for meaning.
Missing the Mark is an engaging read into hurt. Hoerner weaves dialog with honesty, and poetic verse. His sense of emotional timing puts the reader in the front row of a house of dysfunction.
Keith T. Hoerner is a survivor of child abuse and, in turn, alcoholism. As the title implies, he comes of age as the target of violence in a house of siblings relatively unscathed. Throughout the work is the metaphor to archery: arrows fly, arrows land, arrows miss, arrows hit. Hoerner has a striking style of word-craft -- beginning with his controlled narration, to his careful selection of description: His dark brown eyes blossomed into mahogany magnolias of recognition.
Missing the Mark isn't merely a metaphor, it's a missed opportunity: a mother to know her son, a father to be the protector, the boy.
As the author leaps between the past and the present in a series of well-paced vignettes, we are not left wondering of the destruction of violence and the scar it leaves. Text credited to The Wounded Storyteller gives the author a chance to share his questions of faith and existence, a search for meaning.
Missing the Mark is an engaging read into hurt. Hoerner weaves dialog with honesty, and poetic verse. His sense of emotional timing puts the reader in the front row of a house of dysfunction.
142 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 19, 2012
“Drawing from the text The Wounded Storyteller, this creative nonfiction witness recounts a dysfunctional upbringing within the structure of what Arthur W. Frank purports as The Chaos Narrative.
“Author Keith Hoerner writes this piece to reclaim himself, to find his voice from beneath an antagonist who made him mute. Surprisingly, in shaping the fractured pieces of his so-called life, he also discovers the existence of varied selves along the way (not only the ever-present lover but the admitted hater), which he has too long denied.”
Keith has, in spite of the addition of beautiful poetry and prose, managed to cut true and deep into the heart of his story: that of an abused child who suffered nearly his entire life, even and especially after growing into adulthood. He tells his tale matter-of-factly, yet with such simple, soulful introspection and raw feeling that the reader can’t help but live the emotions right alongside him.
This fantastic book is a must-read for anyone, whether or not they suffered childhood trauma or abuse; simply understanding further what some children must face on a daily basis will make the reader a better person, by far.
“Author Keith Hoerner writes this piece to reclaim himself, to find his voice from beneath an antagonist who made him mute. Surprisingly, in shaping the fractured pieces of his so-called life, he also discovers the existence of varied selves along the way (not only the ever-present lover but the admitted hater), which he has too long denied.”
Keith has, in spite of the addition of beautiful poetry and prose, managed to cut true and deep into the heart of his story: that of an abused child who suffered nearly his entire life, even and especially after growing into adulthood. He tells his tale matter-of-factly, yet with such simple, soulful introspection and raw feeling that the reader can’t help but live the emotions right alongside him.
This fantastic book is a must-read for anyone, whether or not they suffered childhood trauma or abuse; simply understanding further what some children must face on a daily basis will make the reader a better person, by far.
January 2, 2013
“If you ever write a story about our family, just make sure I’m dead” -Mom
Missing the Mark: A Target Child Speaks by Keith Hoerner is filled with vignettes about Keith’s life, focusing on the physical abuse he received from his mother and his recovery from alcoholism.
For instance, one short clip discusses how Keith’s Catholic mother turned to him and wondered why the Pope did not allow birth control, making it clear that if she was allowed birth control, that some of her children would never have been born.
Throughout the abuse, Keith yearned for his mother’s love while bearing her physical abuse. . . which probably was part of the cause of his alcoholism. Being over 5 years sober when the book was published this past March, Keith is able to face his love and hatred for his mother, and for his father, who did nothing to protect Keith from the abuse.
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
Missing the Mark: A Target Child Speaks by Keith Hoerner is filled with vignettes about Keith’s life, focusing on the physical abuse he received from his mother and his recovery from alcoholism.
For instance, one short clip discusses how Keith’s Catholic mother turned to him and wondered why the Pope did not allow birth control, making it clear that if she was allowed birth control, that some of her children would never have been born.
Throughout the abuse, Keith yearned for his mother’s love while bearing her physical abuse. . . which probably was part of the cause of his alcoholism. Being over 5 years sober when the book was published this past March, Keith is able to face his love and hatred for his mother, and for his father, who did nothing to protect Keith from the abuse.
For the full review, visit Love at First Book
Rebecca @ Love at First Book
May 27, 2012
Moving, emotional, adn a personally life-changing book as I was taught by Keith and am a personal friend of this amazing writer. I cannot stress the importance of this read. If you know anyone who has been a vcistim, continues to be a victim, or if you are a victim or child of alcoholism, this is a book to seek out. Very short, very moving, totally unforgettable.
November 18, 2012
Compelling memoir!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews