FINALLY, THE WAIT IS OVER! THE THIRD VOLUME OF KAT WARD'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY IS HERE!
The year was 1975, and at age sixteen, young Keri was desperate to strike out on her own.
However, as readers of the first two volumes of this series will know, her childhood was hardly the loving, supportive, preparatory period it should have been.
Instead of family dinners and piano recitals, there were shattered dishes and abusive parents. Instead of trips to the museum, there were trips to TV studios - to be molested by celebrities. In short, her childhood was nothing short of a nightmare.
Should it really be any surprise then, after such a traumatic baptism into life, that her first foray into the adult world was hardly an unmitigated success?
From living in squalor to racking up debts, her new-found independence forced her face-to-face with many of life's grim realities. And despite waiting all her life for her freedom, she soon realised that a world without the institutional bars she was so accustomed to was just too much of a jungle. And every jungle has its predators...
But what was a girl to do? Regress back to an abusive enslavement? Or continue moving forward in a world that seemed so backward? She needed a friend - and fast.
Naturally, her understandable distrust of others didn't make things easy. Not to mention her warped idea of love. In the end though, her determination proved the deciding factor. As far as she was concerned, she'd performed her final "favour", and cried the last of her tears.
But just when she thought she'd finally left her demons behind, she found herself at the mercy of unsavoury characters yet again - and this time, without anyone to turn to...
DISCLAIMER: This is a true story of child abuse, and as such, reader discretion should be advised. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
This is the 4th of her books about a miserable childhood, tweens and teen years. How she managed to survive her childhood is beyond me. She has made me wish I could have been there with her to protect her from all the vultures that were in her life. She causes me to have lumps in my throat and tears in my eyes and I truly wish I could meet her. This series is a must read for those who enjoy the genre of true crime in a different way.
This was a VERY good book, it is Keri part 4, Kari Karin part 2. it was well-written and very honest with raw feelings and genuine emotions from the main character. Kari had a hard life mostly do to her crazy mother making everyone think that she was no good. Welp....On to the next book for me. Definitely would recommend this book!.
Putting horrid, repulsive one of the most vile series I've ever read seems so wrong. At times it seems almost unbelievable how she ever survived Nana's betrayal blows me away. Out of everything so far what Nana did was so much worse than what the others did. We all generally get 1 safe person to lose her again and again....
really enjoying these, reading one after the other, she's a fighter, and you want the best for her, it's a little hard to believe sometimes that she takes so much from her mother without fighting back but it also makes me want to read on because it has to happen surely!
Can’t wait to read the next book. I absolutely enjoyed this book so much I bought as many as audible had available. It is a wonderful story that gives readers a true peek into living the life as an abused child.
My stomach dropped when I reached the end..I have read all four books so far and I cannot tell you the relief when I saw there is a 5th. I just have no words. What an admiral lady Keri is
This book just gets better and better in going to read the next one now and all the rest, don't know what I'm going to read when I've finished them all.
Keri Kerin Part Two (the fourth in the author's autobiography) picks up where Keri has just moved into a shared home under the watchful eye of strict Mrs Watson who wakes Keri and her room mate at some ungodly hour with a cup of tea and also stands with a wristwatch in the doorway at 10 pm, waiting to lock and bolt the door whether tenants are home or not.
Keri meets Paddy, the jocular Irishman, who she forms a close bond with along with his girlfriend Cora and the others in their social circle. Keri gets herself a new job at Petters Engineering, after Paddy puts in a good word for her, where she is given a lot more responsibility and proves her worth. But the new job isn't without its problems. It causes cracks and rifts in her relationship with Vince who becomes insecure and jealous of her bettering herself. On the home front, her Nana isn't best pleased either and the appearance of her mother always spells trouble. We see that underneath it all, Keri's unreedmable mother is actually jealous of Keri's success and will do all in he powers to belittle and undermine Keri by interfering in her life and her job, and yet somehow always managing to make it look as if Keri is the one at fault. Fortunately for Keri, her new boss, Harry, isn't taken in by Keri's mother and sides with Keri.
Unfortunately though, there is more heartbreak for Keri, when another young man - a Brian Connolly lookalike, also called Brian - rapes Keri, affecting her relationship with Vince.
There are further woes from her mother and her accommodation is infested with mice. Keri gets thrown out of her accommodation and is found somewhere with a much nicer and less restrictive landlady and where the place is immaculate but because of her past experiences and trauma, Keri is unable to sleep alone and so stays up late at night with another of the tenants, smoking and playing cards, until she falls asleep in the armchair in the residents lounge. Eventually she gets chucked out of here too when the landlady discovers Vince has stayed the night. Social Services then arrange for Keri to be sent back to Norman Lodge where it is safe and familiar.
At 17, Keri is on the cusp of adulthood and even though she's had to deal with things that no young person should have to deal with, in many ways, she is still treated as a child by the powers that be. This fourth part of the author's autobiography is a gripping page-turner as all the others. The author has a special talent for capturing the authenticity of the times as well as being a gifted writer in her own right.
Just one small technical thing - there were no page numbers in my paperback copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Having been on this journey with Keri has caused me to reflect on my own 60+ years. Happy memories, nightmares and the dreams I dared to have. As with Keri, reality had it's own set of rules. It is heartening to finally see someone in her corner. The next book sickens me in that I am well aware... it is the last available to me. Kat as allowed me to face some demons in my world. Nana is the embodiment of the Grandma I want to be. Luckily I am on target with my own grandchild and aim to leave those same idolized feelings Kat has experienced. What an enjoyable read y o u have provided your readers Kat. I can assure you... your talents spite the hideous creature who gave you birth. Her claims of your worthlessness are but the cries of a deranged mind. I am honored to have been in your company.
This author tells her story in such a way it makes the reader feel like you know the people in the story. Once you start reading you can't stop. It's like a great movie and you can't pull yourself away for a moment in fear you will miss something but with the book you can't find a place to stop reading because you have to know what's next. This is a great series. I recommend it to anyone who reads true stories.
Good book. I enjoyed reading the next installment, and to hear how Keri's life proceeded when she left the hostel. What an absolutely vile mother of hers. This book only appears to cover the 18 months after she left the hostel, but good to read that there will be a further installment in Spring 2014.
I don't find a book that I can't out down, often. This one was yet another. Excellent writing, compelling story. Horrid mother, and my anxiety grew each chapter.
Keri's mom has to one of the sickest ,meanest woman I have read about in awhile , how she can hate her daughter is beyond me and she doesn't even deserve to be called mummy mom mother etc. God bless you Kat , never give up , never surrender!!
At times I was so appalled at the abuse of this girl I wanted to throw my Kindle (I wouldn't dare because I love it so). If you like this type of book i highly recommend you read this series. I hope there is a sixth one so I can travel with Keri into adulthood!!
I started to feel real empathy for the protagonist! My insides would churn with Keri's as Tully arrived in the story. Kat Ward truly has a gift of writing. Now I am off to book five!