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Diane: True Survivor
"Diane: True Survivor" is based on a series of interviews I did with Diane when she and I were classmates in graduate school. The details of her life story read like fiction, but they’re all very real.
Diane is born in 1960 to a prostitute in London. When she’s an infant, her mother tries to kill both Diane and herself in a failed suicide attempt. Diane’s mother is committed to a mental asylum, and Diane is sent to a British orphanage. At age nine, her life is uprooted when her mother unexpectedly appears and regains custody of Diane. After Diane’s mother was released from the asylum, she married an American soldier and moved with him to the South Bronx in New York. Diane experiences major culture shock in this abrupt move from an English village to an American ghetto, but it soon gets much worse. She endures physical and emotional abuse from her mother and sexual abuse from her stepfather.
Diane gets pregnant at 13 and runs away from home. Along the way, she encounters a series of "angels" who help her survive on the streets. They include a love-struck, teenage paraplegic and a half-bald lesbian poet. Despite a series of abusive romantic relationships, Diane manages to create a new life for herself. She raises eight children (three biological and five adopted), and she finally finds happiness when she reunites with the father of her first child. He has kicked his long-time heroin addiction, but they soon learn that he is HIV-positive. They have 10 years together before he dies. After his death, Diane finds strength in her new sense of religious faith.
The book concludes when Diane's mother suddenly reappears in her life. Despite the years of abuse when she was a child, Diane eventually forgives her mother and invites her into her home. As they make a new life together, Diane's story becomes one of grace and mercy.
"Diane: True Survivor" also offers an interesting perspective on race relations. Diane is white but lives almost all her life in an African-American culture. All her children are either mixed race or African-American.
I conducted the interviews with Diane 10 years ago, and we tried to get the book published at that time without any luck. Unfortunately, Diane died unexpectedly two years ago. Her death prompted me to renew my effort to get the book published as a tribute to her.
Diane is born in 1960 to a prostitute in London. When she’s an infant, her mother tries to kill both Diane and herself in a failed suicide attempt. Diane’s mother is committed to a mental asylum, and Diane is sent to a British orphanage. At age nine, her life is uprooted when her mother unexpectedly appears and regains custody of Diane. After Diane’s mother was released from the asylum, she married an American soldier and moved with him to the South Bronx in New York. Diane experiences major culture shock in this abrupt move from an English village to an American ghetto, but it soon gets much worse. She endures physical and emotional abuse from her mother and sexual abuse from her stepfather.
Diane gets pregnant at 13 and runs away from home. Along the way, she encounters a series of "angels" who help her survive on the streets. They include a love-struck, teenage paraplegic and a half-bald lesbian poet. Despite a series of abusive romantic relationships, Diane manages to create a new life for herself. She raises eight children (three biological and five adopted), and she finally finds happiness when she reunites with the father of her first child. He has kicked his long-time heroin addiction, but they soon learn that he is HIV-positive. They have 10 years together before he dies. After his death, Diane finds strength in her new sense of religious faith.
The book concludes when Diane's mother suddenly reappears in her life. Despite the years of abuse when she was a child, Diane eventually forgives her mother and invites her into her home. As they make a new life together, Diane's story becomes one of grace and mercy.
"Diane: True Survivor" also offers an interesting perspective on race relations. Diane is white but lives almost all her life in an African-American culture. All her children are either mixed race or African-American.
I conducted the interviews with Diane 10 years ago, and we tried to get the book published at that time without any luck. Unfortunately, Diane died unexpectedly two years ago. Her death prompted me to renew my effort to get the book published as a tribute to her.
- GenresNonfiction
216 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2024
2839 people want to read
About the author
Ward V.B. Lassoe
1 book12 followersWard Lassoe is a psychotherapist in private practice in Charleston, South Carolina. His previous careers include TV reporter, college professor, and digital media executive. He received a B.A. in English from Hamilton College, an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University, an M.B.A. in Media Management from Columbia Business School, and an M.A. in Clinical Counseling from Webster University. He has travelled to more than 100 countries (including North Korea) and visited all seven continents.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 20, 2024
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a tumultuous childhood Diane had. To be taken away from the only family she knew at such an age was heartbreaking. Then to be abused and not feel loved by her own biological mother. She experienced a lot of grief and loss but in the end, learned forgiveness.
What a tumultuous childhood Diane had. To be taken away from the only family she knew at such an age was heartbreaking. Then to be abused and not feel loved by her own biological mother. She experienced a lot of grief and loss but in the end, learned forgiveness.
December 13, 2024
Raw, candid and inspirational account of recovering from devastating childhood trauma.
Diane was in fact a true survivor, overcoming a devastating childhood. As an infant, she was abandoned to foster care. After eight years, when her loving foster family seeks to adopt her, she is instead reclaimed by her biological mother and moved half a world away, from England to a tenement in the Bronx. If this wasn’t enough trauma, Diane is brutally abused – physically, mentally and sexually – by her mother and stepfather. She runs away several times, and finally settles into a group home, which is an improvement but not ideal in any way. Yet this is not just a book about her trauma – it is a look at some of the lifelong impacts of child abuse, and a real account of what recovery can look like. This is not a sugar-coated, straight-line to a happy life kind of story. This is raw, candid, and truly inspirational. Diane finds enough healing to be able to forgive her mother and the grace to care for her in old age, but not in a way where all the loose ends are neatly tied into a bow.
“Diane: True Survivor” reads like you’re having a long conversation with her at the kitchen table. Ward Lassoe, the author and longtime journalist, met Diane at a university where both were studying to become mental health counselors. They began to share their stories, and Lassoe knew Diane’s story needed to be told. With Diane’s permission, Lassoe records their conversations, then shapes her actual words into a readable story that is told in her voice – this is very much Diane’s story. Diane is not listed as an author because her last name is omitted out of respect for her surviving family.
While “Diane: True Survivor” is touted as reading like fiction, other recovering survivors will resonate with the matter-of-fact presentation Diane used to share her story. This is not horror – this is reality. Diane recounts her abuse – which is hard to read – but also seems to understand that it is up to her to figure out how to make the best life for herself. She doesn’t do it perfectly, by any stretch of the imagination, but she does do it. She shares her grit, opinions and values. Lassoe lets Diane’s story speak for itself.
While perhaps triggering for those early in their recovery, “Diane” offers hope for survivors of all kinds of abuse, showing that it is possible to overcome, make your own choices and live a good life.
I received an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair review.
Diane was in fact a true survivor, overcoming a devastating childhood. As an infant, she was abandoned to foster care. After eight years, when her loving foster family seeks to adopt her, she is instead reclaimed by her biological mother and moved half a world away, from England to a tenement in the Bronx. If this wasn’t enough trauma, Diane is brutally abused – physically, mentally and sexually – by her mother and stepfather. She runs away several times, and finally settles into a group home, which is an improvement but not ideal in any way. Yet this is not just a book about her trauma – it is a look at some of the lifelong impacts of child abuse, and a real account of what recovery can look like. This is not a sugar-coated, straight-line to a happy life kind of story. This is raw, candid, and truly inspirational. Diane finds enough healing to be able to forgive her mother and the grace to care for her in old age, but not in a way where all the loose ends are neatly tied into a bow.
“Diane: True Survivor” reads like you’re having a long conversation with her at the kitchen table. Ward Lassoe, the author and longtime journalist, met Diane at a university where both were studying to become mental health counselors. They began to share their stories, and Lassoe knew Diane’s story needed to be told. With Diane’s permission, Lassoe records their conversations, then shapes her actual words into a readable story that is told in her voice – this is very much Diane’s story. Diane is not listed as an author because her last name is omitted out of respect for her surviving family.
While “Diane: True Survivor” is touted as reading like fiction, other recovering survivors will resonate with the matter-of-fact presentation Diane used to share her story. This is not horror – this is reality. Diane recounts her abuse – which is hard to read – but also seems to understand that it is up to her to figure out how to make the best life for herself. She doesn’t do it perfectly, by any stretch of the imagination, but she does do it. She shares her grit, opinions and values. Lassoe lets Diane’s story speak for itself.
While perhaps triggering for those early in their recovery, “Diane” offers hope for survivors of all kinds of abuse, showing that it is possible to overcome, make your own choices and live a good life.
I received an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair review.
November 28, 2024
Diane true survivor is the story of a girl born in London in 1960. Her mother is a prostitute and tried to kill both herself and Diane when she was incredibly young in a failed suicide attempt. Diane then finds her life turned upside down when her mother takes Diane from her foster parent's home after turning up on the doorstep in 1969 and she takes Diane to America. With a mother, she does not know Diane has no idea that her life will never be the happy one that she has left behind with her kind foster parents.
Diane tells the story of her devastating childhood dramas as you read about the emotional sexual physical abuse and neglect that she goes through growing up in her mother and stepfathers' home. Without giving any more away You will read how Dianes resilience and determination help her survives the heartbreak and how after many years later Diane learns to forgive her mother and makes a new life with her. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Diane tells the story of her devastating childhood dramas as you read about the emotional sexual physical abuse and neglect that she goes through growing up in her mother and stepfathers' home. Without giving any more away You will read how Dianes resilience and determination help her survives the heartbreak and how after many years later Diane learns to forgive her mother and makes a new life with her. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 17, 2024
This is a story of survival, but it is also one of resilience. Despite the odds stacked against her, Diane not only survived but managed to build a life for herself and her family. Perhaps most inspiring of all is Diane’s achievement of earning a master’s degree—a monumental accomplishment given the obstacles she faced.
In recounting her own story, Diane leaves us with a message of hope and empowerment. Her journey is not just about surviving; it’s about reclaiming agency, overcoming trauma, and building a future that is rooted in love, resilience, and determination. *Diane: A True Survivor* is more than just a memoir; it is a celebration of the strength and endurance of the human spirit. It is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, challenging your notions of what it means to be a survivor and reminding you of the transformative power of perseverance and self-belief.
In recounting her own story, Diane leaves us with a message of hope and empowerment. Her journey is not just about surviving; it’s about reclaiming agency, overcoming trauma, and building a future that is rooted in love, resilience, and determination. *Diane: A True Survivor* is more than just a memoir; it is a celebration of the strength and endurance of the human spirit. It is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, challenging your notions of what it means to be a survivor and reminding you of the transformative power of perseverance and self-belief.
October 31, 2024
The story of Diane is a true story of unbelievable survival skills, instinct, love and heartaches, family dynamics and forgiveness. One can’t help but admire Diane’s perseverance and will to overcome life’s most challenging scenarios starting at a very young age.The story is one you won’t want to put down and one cannot help but cheer Diane on over and over! I felt like I knew Diane and did not want her story to end. Kudos to Ward Lassoe for sharing her amazing story , one I will definitely read again and hope it will be made into a movie someday!
November 13, 2024
Amazing book!! Definitely recommend this awesome book!
January 2, 2025
This book was very addictive. Reading in first person took a little getting used to. Diane is an exceptional human being. One cannot imagine her life and how she got to the other side
December 13, 2024
Diane: True Survivor is a powerful and inspiring memoir that recounts Diane's remarkable journey through adversity. With courage and resilience, Diane overcomes personal hardships and physical challenges, offering readers an intimate look at her struggles and triumphs. The narrative is compelling and heartfelt, making it easy to connect with Diane’s story. While the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, and some aspects of her emotional journey could be explored more deeply, the book ultimately delivers a strong message of strength and perseverance. It's a must-read for those who appreciate stories of survival, hope, and the human spirit.
Thank you to Book Sirens for giving me access to an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
Thank you to Book Sirens for giving me access to an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews