Undone

by R.H. Ramsey

There is an eerie glow in coming undone. It is a raw, honest, vulnerable state, and no one is exempt. No matter what falling apart looks like to you – a tear, words you cannot take back, instant gratification through substance or some type of emotional release – we are all connected in that we all come undone. We have seen someone else fall to pieces, whether directly or indirectly.


Undone is a collection of short stories, essays, monologues and excerpts from novels, both released and soon-to-be released. This book was written to establish a connection between those who are oblivious, those who are numb, those who are searching desperately for a reason to come away from that lonely ledge.


"I can hardly remember my wife storming back inside the bedroom, attacking me with her small fists, or threatening to call the police. And just as I had raised the razor strop, I felt cold steel at the back of my head. My wife spoke in a low steady voice: 'No more.'


I knew she would never pull the trigger, and part of me dared her to do it. I wanted to wrap my hands around her neck and beg her to do it – to put me out of my misery. Instead, I dropped my fist. I released both of my daughters’ arms, which suddenly seemed so tiny in my hands. A monster – I am a monster."

ebook

First published September 2, 2013

About the author

RH Ramsey is a military wife, mother of two and student. Over the course of eight years, RH has diligently researched topics ranging from but not limited to: relationships, addiction, abuse and mental illness.

RH has completed several novels, four novels near completion and five short stories. She has two self-published books: Just Beneath the Surface I, and Into the Atmosphere, with many more to come.


Just recently, her books have been acquired by an indie publisher.

With a passion for people, helping and learning, she hopes to continue in her quest of learning from and inspiring others.

http://www.inknbeans.com/rh-ramsey.html

Reviews

[Rabid Readers Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart breaks a little every time I read R.H. Ramsey’s work. What leads a person to address abuse, mental illness and addiction? It’s so easy not to talk about these tough topics, and yet they’re clearly issues that Ramsey seeks to bring to the forefront. The first short story of the novel, “Fist”, is a story of abuse told from the perspective of the abuser. Ramsey gives us pathology of a man who terrorizes his young daughters and wife. The rage of the abuser and fear of the children and the hints of brutality are soul ripping. The story is written with a beautiful flow that makes no excuse for this antagonist, but shows the helplessness of everyone involved.

Undone: Excerpts, short stories and other musings is free form. The placement of the excerpts and stories feel random brought together by theme. The snippets of the novels chosen work well in this format. We meet Landon of Just Beneath the Surface II: Landon’s Story (Volume 2) at the start of his novel when he walks into his home to find his girlfriend strung out again and he wearily works to sober her up. Tying into that excerpt is a short story entitled “Oxycotin” which chronicles a young life absorbed by addiction. There is consideration given to theme and an inability to escape terrible and destructive situations that may have more in common than a reader may have originally thought.

“My Mother’s Shadow” tells the reader symbolically that bringing these issues to light opens them to the world and gives the reader hope in the poignant oppressiveness of the issue.

Ramsey’s stories are hard to read. They are raw, meaningful and intended to make a reader think and they accomplish that goal in spades. Hug your children tight and pick up Undone: Excerpts, short stories and other musings if you’re not sure Ramsey’s writing is for you and fall for her clean style and leave a bit of your soul behind.

[Jordanna East · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book months ago and I was vastly impressed by the author's gift for dialogue. The exchanges are powerful and really pull the reader into the emotions at hand. As in her previous work, I still wish she would add in a little scenery once a while. Scenery adds a realism that dialogue lacks and I think it's probably the one thing her writing is missing, which is hard to say, since her writing is so powerful.

I enjoyed Kendall's monologue, although it got a little rushed at the very end where she's saying where she sees them in ten years. Slowed down, the poignancy of what she's trying to say would really hit the reader. It was also intriguing to read Spencer's monologue, to see the abuse from the perspective of the abuser.

My Mother's Shadow, from Olive's point of view, was amazing, probably my favorite. I enjoyed Reggie's half of the story as well. The excerpt of Where Were You, and the short stories Oxytocin and Two Green Chairs, were all exemplary pieces. The collection is a really excellent representation of Ms. Ramsey's writing and her gift for delving into broken human psyches and portraying their words and actions so masterfully.