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My Firefly
My Firefly - - - A horrifying account of torture and humiliation at the hands of her family, My Firefly will pull you into its pages and grab hold of your spirit. Seen from the perspective of the family home, this young girl struggles to stay alive as she is slowly ripped apart emotionally, physically and sexually by her father. You’ll experience an abundance of feelings throughout this book and won’t be able to put it down. My Firefly is a flicker of light in complete darkness, leading to safety. It is cruel and brutish and bloody. But, if you want inspiration, then read My Firefly. It will change your world. . .
247 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2024
470 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Kirton
19 books19 followersCreative writing has been a passion since the age of three when Maggie Kirton had a big red book of Grimm's Fairy Tales. Unable to read at that age, she slept with the book under her pillow with her hand tucked between the pages in the hope that the words would come to her in her sleep.
Maggie achieved her first bestseller with the award-winning memoir 'My Firefly,' shedding light on child abuse. She is trained in Frontline Intervention and is committed to raising awareness about the lasting impacts of child abuse, sexual assault, and violent crimes.
After seven years, Maggie finally completed her 4-book high fantasy adventure Sagaman Series. Her dream of creating a big red book of her own has come true. Breaking every rule of the genre along the way, she makes no excuses. The Sagaman Kessler series is available on Amazon.
She lives in Canada with her husband and dogs, and is a contented wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys painting, beading, sewing, working with leather, wood or cement, and gardening. She also spends time helping other authors achieve their dreams.
A true creative, you'll find Maggie in her pajamas, happily working in an 8x8 office with a desk and computer. Her midnight candle still burns bright, with pristine pages waiting to be filled with her unique written sound.
Find her on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/maggiekirton...
Maggie achieved her first bestseller with the award-winning memoir 'My Firefly,' shedding light on child abuse. She is trained in Frontline Intervention and is committed to raising awareness about the lasting impacts of child abuse, sexual assault, and violent crimes.
After seven years, Maggie finally completed her 4-book high fantasy adventure Sagaman Series. Her dream of creating a big red book of her own has come true. Breaking every rule of the genre along the way, she makes no excuses. The Sagaman Kessler series is available on Amazon.
She lives in Canada with her husband and dogs, and is a contented wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys painting, beading, sewing, working with leather, wood or cement, and gardening. She also spends time helping other authors achieve their dreams.
A true creative, you'll find Maggie in her pajamas, happily working in an 8x8 office with a desk and computer. Her midnight candle still burns bright, with pristine pages waiting to be filled with her unique written sound.
Find her on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/maggiekirton...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 9, 2015
This book is not for the faint of heart. It's graphic and disturbing with some language but it's raw and real as her experience was.
Reading this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I felt angry, sad, upset, devastated, hopeful and loved. I swore at the book when the firefly was brutalized over and over again by the hornet. And the peacock let it happen. The firefly should've had a loving family. She deserved that. Every child does. As a mother of three daughter this broke my heart and all I wanted to do was to jump into the book and hold the firefly and take her away to live with me.
I thought it very clever to have the dwellings be the narrator of the story. We always wonder to ourselves, "If these walls could talk.." or "I wish I could be a fly on the wall."
Maggie Kirton you are an amazing woman and you are so strong. God bless you in this life with kindness, happiness, and lots of love.
I have personally not been touched by abuse but have friends and relatives who have and I am an advocate for them. I hope your words help others to find they can break the cycle of abuse and they can find a home with love!
Reading this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I felt angry, sad, upset, devastated, hopeful and loved. I swore at the book when the firefly was brutalized over and over again by the hornet. And the peacock let it happen. The firefly should've had a loving family. She deserved that. Every child does. As a mother of three daughter this broke my heart and all I wanted to do was to jump into the book and hold the firefly and take her away to live with me.
I thought it very clever to have the dwellings be the narrator of the story. We always wonder to ourselves, "If these walls could talk.." or "I wish I could be a fly on the wall."
Maggie Kirton you are an amazing woman and you are so strong. God bless you in this life with kindness, happiness, and lots of love.
I have personally not been touched by abuse but have friends and relatives who have and I am an advocate for them. I hope your words help others to find they can break the cycle of abuse and they can find a home with love!
April 25, 2017
This book really threw me when I read about a spirit / house on Rea street that had a family of insect humans living inside of it, the mother peacock, the father hornet, the son bookwork, one daughter a parasite, and the focus of the book, the other daughter the firefly. I debated whether to continue reading. I like my non-fiction straight up. After considering for a little while, I pushed on. Such an unusual tactic, but as the book goes on and things start happening, I'm almost glad for the distance it creates as an illusion of fiction to make reading it more tolerable because it gets sickeningly bad. Her family situation is like a horror movie that just won't quit. I had another moment where I nearly caved in when an animal is described that's just like my personal pet and it suffers a horrible tragedy in the story. I lost it at that point and stopped reading for a while until I could go back to it and it wasn't a constant topic. But it was a recurring theme, so I kept the tissues handy.
A truly triumphant book overall, as she manages in the end, to finally overcome the years of putting up what happens to her and finally puts her foot down and says no more. She triumphs in in end as she refuses to allow anyone to mistreat her (or her family) in any way now.
A truly triumphant book overall, as she manages in the end, to finally overcome the years of putting up what happens to her and finally puts her foot down and says no more. She triumphs in in end as she refuses to allow anyone to mistreat her (or her family) in any way now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2015
Magical, captivating, tragic and perfect
I'm not sure what drew me initially to this book, perhaps like many readers of nonfiction I love and crave real life with the hope and need for a happy ending. This memoir gripped from its first paragraph. It terrified, exploited, and ripped open a part of me I didn't want to know, and yet its tragic beauty and raw and unique metaphor soothes my nerves and left me cheering for this woman, for every woman and the inner child that was pillaged from her youth from people who were supposed to love and protect. I've never written a review before. Read this terrifying and beautiful book. It will serve your heart.
I'm not sure what drew me initially to this book, perhaps like many readers of nonfiction I love and crave real life with the hope and need for a happy ending. This memoir gripped from its first paragraph. It terrified, exploited, and ripped open a part of me I didn't want to know, and yet its tragic beauty and raw and unique metaphor soothes my nerves and left me cheering for this woman, for every woman and the inner child that was pillaged from her youth from people who were supposed to love and protect. I've never written a review before. Read this terrifying and beautiful book. It will serve your heart.
November 6, 2015
Fireflies and domestic abuse
This book is about one woman's amazing life's journey of abuse and neglect from childhood thru her adulthood until finally finding her own way to love herself. A past so painful this storyline is written with the people disguised as insects and spirits.
The pain, abuse and neglect Firefly suffers as a child had me putting the book down and leaving it several times to catch my breath. Her struggle over the brutal death of her dog Winterblue traumatized her in such a way it overtook her life.
While for me the book was a hard read, be prepared to lose your heart to a Firefly
This book is about one woman's amazing life's journey of abuse and neglect from childhood thru her adulthood until finally finding her own way to love herself. A past so painful this storyline is written with the people disguised as insects and spirits.
The pain, abuse and neglect Firefly suffers as a child had me putting the book down and leaving it several times to catch my breath. Her struggle over the brutal death of her dog Winterblue traumatized her in such a way it overtook her life.
While for me the book was a hard read, be prepared to lose your heart to a Firefly
November 7, 2015
One of the best books I have read this year. Very sad, honest and above all proof again that evil does exists. A story told from the perspective of a house or “spirit” is new to me and at times confusing. The writer succeeds in taking a step back and tell the story from a distance whilst she convey all the feelings of the Firefly in a real way. I do have lots of questions and also blame the nun, Opa and above all the mother for not doing something about this situation. The mother is actually the worst kind of person. No child, no person should live this kind of life. Well done for telling your story and for being a true survivor.
November 7, 2015
A roller coaster of emotion!!!!
This was a book that I found at times very hard to read the emotion that the author instilled throughout this book,leaves nothing to the imagination .
It will if nothing else make you search your own soul and look at people differently than maybe,you have before. I would only recommend this to family and friends that enjoy books that are full of raw, dark emotions.
This was a book that I found at times very hard to read the emotion that the author instilled throughout this book,leaves nothing to the imagination .
It will if nothing else make you search your own soul and look at people differently than maybe,you have before. I would only recommend this to family and friends that enjoy books that are full of raw, dark emotions.
August 16, 2015
A page turner
This is an honest, yet painful look into the world of the author. I wanted to stop reading but I had to know what happened next to the FireFly. The ending was as powerful as the story.
This is an honest, yet painful look into the world of the author. I wanted to stop reading but I had to know what happened next to the FireFly. The ending was as powerful as the story.
April 21, 2018
This was the most compelling book I have ever read in my life - I only stopped to sleep and resumed as soon as I woke. The house narrates the story, referring to the humans that occupy it as insects; the Author's reasons for doing this will become clear to you as this tragic story unfolds. The story is told so eloquently and without self-pity that it touches your heart and soul. Within the first few pages, tears fell from my eyes and continued throughout; at times I blubbered. No book has ever had such a profound effect. If you read just one book in your lifetime, then let it be this one. A true story told so well and with such courage, that it left me with nothing but admiration for this lady. Highly recommended read that will stay with me forever!
November 8, 2015
Please understand this comes with a spoiler alert.
I loved the spirit of the house being a sentient observer because it allowed my to read the book as fiction. It would have been so much harder to read for me otherwise, and I thank you House on Rea for calling your human occupant insects. I'm glad Firefly was able to create a world where she finally could make room for herself in her own life and story and come out with the "big noise" and that your Red Book is starting to fill. I do read a lot looking never for religion, nor god either as I can't be on speaking terms with someone that refuses to answer. I look for different paths, others' personal revelations down these wandered roads. Not finished, I need to think longer
I loved the spirit of the house being a sentient observer because it allowed my to read the book as fiction. It would have been so much harder to read for me otherwise, and I thank you House on Rea for calling your human occupant insects. I'm glad Firefly was able to create a world where she finally could make room for herself in her own life and story and come out with the "big noise" and that your Red Book is starting to fill. I do read a lot looking never for religion, nor god either as I can't be on speaking terms with someone that refuses to answer. I look for different paths, others' personal revelations down these wandered roads. Not finished, I need to think longer
August 19, 2015
Beautiful and hautting
True story with a twist of fantasy. , A menagerie of bugs are featured in this story. Every person in this story is represented by a bug species. They are roaches, hornets, butterflies....and even a peacock for good measure.
A girl is abused since childhood and keeps continuing the cycle of abuse. She makes bad choices in men and how to live. However, in spite of everything she becomes a beautiful protective mother. She finds peace in learning martial arts and helping other people. Its a scary story but its written like a fantasy that will entertain and educate you about abuse.
True story with a twist of fantasy. , A menagerie of bugs are featured in this story. Every person in this story is represented by a bug species. They are roaches, hornets, butterflies....and even a peacock for good measure.
A girl is abused since childhood and keeps continuing the cycle of abuse. She makes bad choices in men and how to live. However, in spite of everything she becomes a beautiful protective mother. She finds peace in learning martial arts and helping other people. Its a scary story but its written like a fantasy that will entertain and educate you about abuse.
December 20, 2012
I've read quite a few books about sad childhoods and the reoccurring themes often make you feel as if you've read the book before. What makes this book different is the author tells her story rather ingeniously, as if she was a spirit living in the home of a family of insects. The insect thing seemed a little weird at first, but it makes the story interesting and slightly more palatable in light of the horrible abuse she suffered. The author deserves credit for enduring a difficult life and emerging strong enough to relate her story in an original, creative way.
March 2, 2016
Amazing
Fireflies story is of pain, neglect, loss, and the strength to overcome all of the wrongs that had been done to her. Upon reading the last pages I wondered about the parasite and book worm. Had Firefly seen them, spoken to them at all, or had they attempted to contact her? Had they finally grown and realized what the hornet really was and made a sends with firefly? I was in tears along with firefly while Wynterblue was beaten to death. Absolutely amazing and I am so glad that firefly finally found true love, and a semblance of peace.
Fireflies story is of pain, neglect, loss, and the strength to overcome all of the wrongs that had been done to her. Upon reading the last pages I wondered about the parasite and book worm. Had Firefly seen them, spoken to them at all, or had they attempted to contact her? Had they finally grown and realized what the hornet really was and made a sends with firefly? I was in tears along with firefly while Wynterblue was beaten to death. Absolutely amazing and I am so glad that firefly finally found true love, and a semblance of peace.
March 16, 2015
This book is a true story but told from the point of view of the house. Did find that a bit weird and how the house describes all humans as insects. But once you get past that this is a brutally honest account of the years of abuse that the author had to endure. Obviously parts of the book were uncomfortable to read due to the nature of the book but it's a good book and one that I think will stay with you for long after you've finished reading it.
October 7, 2015
An Incredible Story
I read the whole book in one day. I couldn't put it down. The abuse physically turned my stomach and made me cry, but her courage made me cheer.
This is an amazing story about a little girl, told from the perspective of the house she lives in. You read that (from the house's perspective) and you think that's not going to be great... It is though.
Fabulous book, well written. The author is a masterful writer.
I read the whole book in one day. I couldn't put it down. The abuse physically turned my stomach and made me cry, but her courage made me cheer.
This is an amazing story about a little girl, told from the perspective of the house she lives in. You read that (from the house's perspective) and you think that's not going to be great... It is though.
Fabulous book, well written. The author is a masterful writer.
September 15, 2013
Sick and Twisted. The only thing that kept me reading this horrifically cruel tale of child abuse is the unique way the author told it. Observed as a third person insect – if I am allowed to use those two words together – My Firefly is a harrowing tale not suitable for the delicate among us. Bad, bad father. Great story telling.
January 17, 2014
Have tissues ready
This is a heart-wrenching story that happens all over the world. I admire the author's ability to convey the thoughts and reasoning of an abuser and the abused. I highly recommend this book to all people. We are all victims of abuse of one person is being abused.
This is a heart-wrenching story that happens all over the world. I admire the author's ability to convey the thoughts and reasoning of an abuser and the abused. I highly recommend this book to all people. We are all victims of abuse of one person is being abused.
April 6, 2014
Amazingly triumphant!
This wonderful book is courageous! It teaches you forgiveness and the power of love. It explains how you can overcome even the most traumatic episodes in life and still find happiness in the end.
This wonderful book is courageous! It teaches you forgiveness and the power of love. It explains how you can overcome even the most traumatic episodes in life and still find happiness in the end.
January 19, 2015
Turn the page...
This wonderful brave courageous woman told an agonizing and amazing story. I read this novel cover to cover in 2 days! I couldn't leave that girl alone until I saw her story through to the end.
This wonderful brave courageous woman told an agonizing and amazing story. I read this novel cover to cover in 2 days! I couldn't leave that girl alone until I saw her story through to the end.
April 4, 2015
I have read a lot of books about child abuse, but there were parts of this book that were difficult to get through. What she went through as a child should never be experienced by anyone. The way she wrote this book is so unique. I found it a very interesting perspective.
May 21, 2015
Love this book...
From a different perspective, unimaginable abuse and neglect is told. I am so impressed with her faith and hoping God will render justice as only He can. My heart ached for the author and those who loved her. Hard to put down.
From a different perspective, unimaginable abuse and neglect is told. I am so impressed with her faith and hoping God will render justice as only He can. My heart ached for the author and those who loved her. Hard to put down.
November 9, 2015
Child abuse has to stop.
Read this book yesterday and can not stop thinking about it. I wonder why on earth we still let this go on. These children are being punished they are being touchered. How can someone that see this going on won't help.
Read this book yesterday and can not stop thinking about it. I wonder why on earth we still let this go on. These children are being punished they are being touchered. How can someone that see this going on won't help.
December 8, 2021
Depressing, but beautiful
This book was amazing. Written from the perspective of the houses she lived in, she tells her terrifying and horrifying story of abuse and finally, love through her own strength.
This book was amazing. Written from the perspective of the houses she lived in, she tells her terrifying and horrifying story of abuse and finally, love through her own strength.
August 7, 2016
Bravery
Such a brave brave woman to share such a story. Such a true and honest story. Speaking in a way that you can understand how the affects of the trauma overwhelm her. Strong, brave, and honest. Winterblue would be proud.
Such a brave brave woman to share such a story. Such a true and honest story. Speaking in a way that you can understand how the affects of the trauma overwhelm her. Strong, brave, and honest. Winterblue would be proud.
March 2, 2015
Couldn't put it down
Although a little quirky at first, being told by the house, this story grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go until the very last page.
Although a little quirky at first, being told by the house, this story grabbed my heart and wouldn't let go until the very last page.
March 8, 2015
Heart wrenching emotional read. So glad I read it
September 9, 2015
Good.
I enjoyed it. Was a little confusing in some parts but it was inspiring. I am glad I read it.
I enjoyed it. Was a little confusing in some parts but it was inspiring. I am glad I read it.
November 12, 2015
Gripping from the start
Sad and yet true. The author puts you right there with her. You can feel her pain as she tells her journey of life.
Sad and yet true. The author puts you right there with her. You can feel her pain as she tells her journey of life.
January 31, 2016
Courageous
Maggie Kirton went way out on a limb allowing the reader into her private life of emotional and physical abuse. This story was written in a very unique third person.
Maggie Kirton went way out on a limb allowing the reader into her private life of emotional and physical abuse. This story was written in a very unique third person.
September 30, 2017
Wow!
What a powerful book. What horrid abuse, the author went through, yet she survived. It is always sad, when other siblings are favored, and one is singled out for abuse. Amazing, the author survived. This broke my heart, yet, when she finally got a happy ending, I cheered!!
What a powerful book. What horrid abuse, the author went through, yet she survived. It is always sad, when other siblings are favored, and one is singled out for abuse. Amazing, the author survived. This broke my heart, yet, when she finally got a happy ending, I cheered!!
August 21, 2018
Wow, what a powerful memoir! What a story she has to tell.
I found this very difficult to read at first; the circumstances-I don't mean it's hard to read-it has fairly short paragraphs and the words started to flow easily, but it's so hard to take in a family treating their own flesh and blood in such an abysmal way. Yet we hear so many examples of this, there are other child abuse memoirs, we hear terrible stories on the news. I alternated between giving up on the read-and then felt I couldn't, I HAD to find out if things got better for Maggie. And how things turned out.
This certainly made for uncomfortable reading. I started it and actually stopped at 13%. Restarted it (so glad I did) and got into it. At first I found it a disturbing read. I'd sort of get into it, and then I'd think of stopping reading it. At one point I thought, I just can't read this. I thought I'd leave it and come back to it-you know when you sometimes have to be in the mood for a particular genre-if you've read too many tough stories and you feel you need to read something lighter first. But something kept pulling me back to the book and I started up again-and then I couldn't stop.
There are a few moments where you think she might be able to tell someone-a doctor, a policeman....but she just can't-no one would believe her.
An unusual treatment: having the house as narrator. The narrator isn't just the house, but, the houses, every place the family have lived. They are likened to different insects and said not to just live in these houses, but to 'infest' them.
I've read some abuse memoirs before but what happens between the covers of this book is just so terrible, beyond imagination. The great thing is that there is hope, it does have an uplifting conclusion. A compelling page-turner.
I found this very difficult to read at first; the circumstances-I don't mean it's hard to read-it has fairly short paragraphs and the words started to flow easily, but it's so hard to take in a family treating their own flesh and blood in such an abysmal way. Yet we hear so many examples of this, there are other child abuse memoirs, we hear terrible stories on the news. I alternated between giving up on the read-and then felt I couldn't, I HAD to find out if things got better for Maggie. And how things turned out.
This certainly made for uncomfortable reading. I started it and actually stopped at 13%. Restarted it (so glad I did) and got into it. At first I found it a disturbing read. I'd sort of get into it, and then I'd think of stopping reading it. At one point I thought, I just can't read this. I thought I'd leave it and come back to it-you know when you sometimes have to be in the mood for a particular genre-if you've read too many tough stories and you feel you need to read something lighter first. But something kept pulling me back to the book and I started up again-and then I couldn't stop.
There are a few moments where you think she might be able to tell someone-a doctor, a policeman....but she just can't-no one would believe her.
An unusual treatment: having the house as narrator. The narrator isn't just the house, but, the houses, every place the family have lived. They are likened to different insects and said not to just live in these houses, but to 'infest' them.
I've read some abuse memoirs before but what happens between the covers of this book is just so terrible, beyond imagination. The great thing is that there is hope, it does have an uplifting conclusion. A compelling page-turner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews