Broken Water: An Extraordinary True Story

by Barbara Lane

Eleven sisters, abandoned and abused, reunite after forty-three years and share their stories...
In this true story of resilience in the face of hardship, Barbara Lane and her sister Kay survive abandonment by their mother only to face severe abuse while living in foster the home of a Mafia grunt.
But for Barbara, missing her nine other sisters was more than she could bear. This well-written and powerful memoir reveals Barbara's hidden abuse and invites the reader to journey with her through the many years she spent trying to find her sisters and solve the intriguing mystery of her family of origin.
Broken Water is an honest and unforgettable tale of inspiration and transformation, a story of perseverance, tremendous faith and a belief that grief, loss and suffering can become the roots of wisdom, joy and a fulfilling life.
As an Ordained Ministerial Counselor, Barbara shares compelling stories of others she has helped to overcome their own haunting histories.
"A distinctive, haunting tale of family, loss and hope." Kirkus Review
** This book contains content that might be troubling to some readers including, but not limited to, depictions of and references to child abuse, childhood trauma, neglect, and death. Please be mindful of these and other possible triggers and seek assistance, if needed, from a mental health professional.**

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

282 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Water by Barbara Lane is a powerful true story. A heartbreaking and compelling story about child abuse, foster care, family and loss. This was a hard book to at times, so I do warn keep the tissues handy and say it was an enjoyable read perhaps the wrong word, but it was a well-told story and one I highly recommend.

[LadyofDreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an early reviewer. It is written by Barbara Lane, one of 11 sisters placed in foster care at the age of two, and later adopted by her foster parents. The book speaks of the abuse she experienced in foster care, but it is a book about faith, hope, family and remembrance as she not only has memories of her sisters, despite how young she was when they were separated, but also how she ultimately reconnected with them as an adult. The book was touching and ultimately uplifting, despite what was a very dark subject. She did not dwell so much on the hardships or horrors, although she recounted them, as they were told to her. She focuses on the triumph and resilience of the sisters, and how they made it through life and back to each other, and how the love they had for each other always prevailed. I strongly recommend this book.

[Amanda Bohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful. I love the way it was written and so glad she got around to writing and publishing it after so many years of collecting her sisters’ stories! It’s a true story that had me smiling, laughing and tearing up throughout. I don’t normally read nonfiction but in hearing about Barbara’s story, I just wanted to know it and what all happened. It is heartbreaking and encouraging. I’m so glad I discovered and read this book and I highly recommend!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an adopted son whose DNA journey uncovered 8 other full siblings and my 40 years of genealogy research, this book captured my attention. Tears were often seen on my cheeks as I processed the lives of the 11 sisters. I rejoice that they found one another and this “finding” balances the sorrow I felt for their childhoods.

[Annette Eliason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true story about 11 abandoned and abused sisters who reunite after forty-three years and share their stories. I found it interesting that they all seemed to have different memories of what happened to their family. They all seemed to have been abused—was this because of poverty, or because they were uncared for or because abuse is happening more often than I have thought. It made me want to be aware of others around me. They may be struggling but hiding it. We should always be kind and supportive to people even if we don't know what they are struggling with.

[Jaiden Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Water by Barbara Lane is a heart-wrenching true story about eleven sisters finding their way back to each other after being separated when they were kids. Each girl faced some sort of trauma, such as child abuse, sexual abuse, rape, etc… However, each woman held their own determination, resilience, and perseverance; they made their life worthwhile when others would’ve given up. Over many years, Barbara Sue Lane, the 9th child of Lucy and Robert Lane, goes to visit each sister to gather their story. She does an incredible job displaying and explaining each sister’s story. She allows God to guide her through the making of the book. Each detail is placed purposefully with an intent. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style; how she told stories but also wrote as if speaking directly to the reader. She shared her thoughts and feelings about each event that occurred. It drew my attention and allowed me to feel as if I were a part of her healing journey. It was truly eye-opening to read and experience the life and traumas of another person. I definitely recommend this book.

[Jen Juenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hearbreaking tale of a family split apart, jagged memories, and of hope.

I really like that the author was one of the missing siblings. The reader can tell how much the story, the history affected her life.

Its a sad tale of dysfunction, abuse, and redemption.

The book was good, however it could have been so much better.
I wish that the author had interviewed her sisters in order from eldest to youngest to tell more of a coherent story. I wish that the author had included what had happened to all of the sisters and what they were up to while they were separated, and how they felt about the reunion.

I want to stress that this book is heartbreakening real, raw, and beautiful.

I just wish that is had dived deeper. .


Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Carrie Rickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is such beauty in the truth of these sisters' survival. The fact that they each had such traumatic beginnings, yet never lost their will to survive and thrive, nor lost their love for their sisters. The determination of these women to find each other and to share their lives with one another is a testament to love and hope. I had the pleasure of interviewing Barbara Lane on my podcast Transformational Trauma and Healing. It is so important that trauma survivors share their stories. We need to know we aren't alone in what we experience. Thank you Barbara for sharing your story and that of your sisters with such love, respect, and dignity.

[Erika Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really just not that extraordinary of a story. Poorly written. The only part that’s extraordinary is the fact that their mom managed to have so many daughters in a row. Every time I thought it was about to get interesting, she would fail to continue explaining the situation. None of their lives were really described in-depth, which is fine, but if you don’t feel comfortable writing in detail then don’t write the book at all. Seemed repetitive and common in terms of foster care stories, except with most information held back.

[Sandra Kopit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captures the experience of child abuse compassionately and hurtful

The book is a gift to those who were abused and for those seeking to understand and help those abused to heal. Honest and magical. Even if one does not personally believe in God or a higher power, which the author does, one can marvel at the strength that allows those who were abused to share their stories so that others can learn from them and help themselves and others to heal.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreaking story that is quite unbelievable and sad about 11 sisters split apart from their home and each other. One sister vows to find them all and try to learn the true story of what happened and what each sister endured in the years ahead. Each has their own narrative as their coping mechanisms shaped their memories. Thankful their story was shared but I would have enjoyed it more if the writing had been a bit better.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister sent me this book after she read it. We both love true stories and value our sister bond. While I was encouraged by the sister’s resilience, I was discouraged by yet another tale of the horrors of foster care.
Barbara Lane is a beautiful writer and I appreciated how she gently taught us truths she learned through her education and ministerial counseling practice.

[Lesley L Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Lane has written a true story about the life she and her ten sisters lived. "I was lost, but now I am found." Having been separated, in abusive foster homes and orphanages...yet developing resilience that enabled them to break the cycle, and help others. HOPE...in the face of unfathomable growing up...Thank you, Barbie for telling you and your sister's story.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir depicts the lives of eleven sisters who lost contact with each other after many of them were placed in an orphanage and later in foster care.

Lane, the ninth of the eleven daughters, interviews each of the sisters separately in order to discover why their family disintegrated, and how each of them picked up the pieces afterwards.

[Kelly Pramberger]

Trigger warnings but a beautiful and inspiring book by Lane. She's brave in telling this story that is complex. It was a tough topic to digest at points but I'm glad I read it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars.

[Nancy Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a true story about the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

I could not put this book down. The author was able to find inspiration in the telling such a complex and many times painful story. The fact that it is a true story makes it truly poignant and compelling.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for CASA book club. Intriguing story of the foster care system in the 60s and 70s. Written in a series of flashbacks, as each sister shares her story.

[beth messner Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, heartbreaking yet hopeful.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. What an incredible story. This book is about heartbreak, abuse, spiritual trauma and pain. But it’s also about sisterhood, love, and resilience. Highly recommend.

[N E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A specular story of grit, strength, power, resilience and faith. Wonderfully written. A story that makes you shed tears and laugh all in the same chapter. A truly beautiful sisterhood. A must read.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad these girls had to go through with what happened. Keep tissues handy your going to need them.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tragic true story, but it leaned a little more towards self-help and spiritualism than I was expecting.

[Kerri Monger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story, heartbreaking and triumphant

[Susan Plett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted book. I'm glad i read it.

[Cheryl Bouchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

This is a bird's eye view into the lives of eleven sisters neglected and abandoned. Their extraordinary story of love and resilience is a beautiful tribute

[Mary Dabrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorites! I will recommend it to everyone

[Sheila Tharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hard read, so much heartache. The resilience of these women, it was amazing. The struggles they went through and the way they came out on the other side, strong women.

[Rosanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unbelievablely true story that condemns the foster care system.