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Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival
Divorce…the letter read
“Violence…it went on
A long distance call made,
“I can’t talk now!
He’s harassing me again.”
Hours later the phone rings
and two sisters talk.
“Calling the police was easy,
I wish I would have done it sooner”…
Anne Peterson opens the door of her life and lets you in. There will be times it’s difficult, times you want to close the book, but you won’t. You’ll want to find out what happened, and not only in the life of her sister, but in her life as well.
For years, Anne has been the member of a club she never wanted to join. And now she’s letting you in. You’ll see what a life of abuse looks like, understand the effects it can have on a person. Long term effects. But she won’t leave you there. Instead she will tell you that being broken doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning.
“Violence…it went on
A long distance call made,
“I can’t talk now!
He’s harassing me again.”
Hours later the phone rings
and two sisters talk.
“Calling the police was easy,
I wish I would have done it sooner”…
Anne Peterson opens the door of her life and lets you in. There will be times it’s difficult, times you want to close the book, but you won’t. You’ll want to find out what happened, and not only in the life of her sister, but in her life as well.
For years, Anne has been the member of a club she never wanted to join. And now she’s letting you in. You’ll see what a life of abuse looks like, understand the effects it can have on a person. Long term effects. But she won’t leave you there. Instead she will tell you that being broken doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning.
- GenresMemoir
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2014
190 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Anne Peterson
31 books8 followersAnne Peterson is a poet, speaker and published author of 15 books, including her memoir, Broken: A Story of Abuse, Survival, and Hope. She has also authored and published children's books as well as poetry books. In addition Anne has published Bible Studies as well as over 40 articles with christianbiblestudies.com/Today’s Christian Woman. Anne is a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com as well as medium.com.
Anne's tagline is "Life is hard, so I write words to make it softer."
Writers need to write about what they know. Anne knows grief. Having lost her mother, her father, and 3 of her siblings and most recently her baby granddaughter, Anne is well acquainted with grief. She wants those who have lost loved ones to know they are not alone which is the main message of her latest book, Always There: Finding God's comfort through loss.
Anne's tagline is "Life is hard, so I write words to make it softer."
Writers need to write about what they know. Anne knows grief. Having lost her mother, her father, and 3 of her siblings and most recently her baby granddaughter, Anne is well acquainted with grief. She wants those who have lost loved ones to know they are not alone which is the main message of her latest book, Always There: Finding God's comfort through loss.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 23, 2014
Caveat: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
“Abuse isn’t always loud. Sometimes you don’t hear it at all.” For Anne Peterson, for many years, this was her experience. Growing up in a “broken” family, the author of Broken failed to realize that her family was in actuality an abusive one. Reading the story of Anne, her sister, and her brothers, a fair number of us would be able to understand her lack of understanding.
“That’s just the way it is,” is a refrain heard often from abuse victims. It took Peterson decades to realize that is not a true statement – that her life was not the way life is supposed to be.
Broken is not an easy book to read. Not because of the writing, which is very good. But because of the hurt Peterson must share before she can share with us her journey toward healing. Through prose interspersed with poetry, she allows us to see her at her weakest moments and then lets us walk with her through her years of searching for strength and healing. Hers is not a completed journey – but it is one that can give hope to others who are facing similar situations.
The book has a choppy style that mimics the life that Peterson has led. A book flowing chronologically from one event to another, always looking forward, never searching backward, would not be nearly as effective as Broken. Broken lives are by definition non-linear. Thus as Peterson moves from one discrete event to another, injecting her insightful poems as she goes, we are given the chance to travel with her as she searches for answers.
Though hopefully not from personal experience, most of us can relate to the life experiences she shares. Reading about her sister’s abusive situation and disappearance, I’m reminded of the two young women I taught in college who were murdered by their husbands. Some of my friends have dealt with extremely difficult parental situations.
If you can relate to her stories, you can gain solace from her positive attitude and her evocative poems. If you cannot relate at all, then you are one of the lucky few.
For yourself, for your friends and family, for anyone you know or have known who has endured some type of abusive situation, get this book, read it, and embrace it.
“Abuse isn’t always loud. Sometimes you don’t hear it at all.” For Anne Peterson, for many years, this was her experience. Growing up in a “broken” family, the author of Broken failed to realize that her family was in actuality an abusive one. Reading the story of Anne, her sister, and her brothers, a fair number of us would be able to understand her lack of understanding.
“That’s just the way it is,” is a refrain heard often from abuse victims. It took Peterson decades to realize that is not a true statement – that her life was not the way life is supposed to be.
Broken is not an easy book to read. Not because of the writing, which is very good. But because of the hurt Peterson must share before she can share with us her journey toward healing. Through prose interspersed with poetry, she allows us to see her at her weakest moments and then lets us walk with her through her years of searching for strength and healing. Hers is not a completed journey – but it is one that can give hope to others who are facing similar situations.
The book has a choppy style that mimics the life that Peterson has led. A book flowing chronologically from one event to another, always looking forward, never searching backward, would not be nearly as effective as Broken. Broken lives are by definition non-linear. Thus as Peterson moves from one discrete event to another, injecting her insightful poems as she goes, we are given the chance to travel with her as she searches for answers.
Though hopefully not from personal experience, most of us can relate to the life experiences she shares. Reading about her sister’s abusive situation and disappearance, I’m reminded of the two young women I taught in college who were murdered by their husbands. Some of my friends have dealt with extremely difficult parental situations.
If you can relate to her stories, you can gain solace from her positive attitude and her evocative poems. If you cannot relate at all, then you are one of the lucky few.
For yourself, for your friends and family, for anyone you know or have known who has endured some type of abusive situation, get this book, read it, and embrace it.
May 19, 2014
This is a very riveting memoir of the life of the author and her family. The scenes take you through her childhood and her adult life. She leads up to where she is today in her journey to healing. This book includes poetry by the author showing us how she felt in each moment.
This book is very easy to read and flows well. The stories Anne Peterson tells are captivating and you can easily visualize each event as she tells it.
I cannot say that this book was easy to read because it is very hard to read of people being hurt by the very person or people they should be able to trust. However it happens and we need to be aware of it.
The only problem I had with this book was some of the psychologist's advice. At one point I disagreed with what a psychologist had told her but I was glad to see that it didn't end there. She actually shares steps she took and that others could take to get out of the abusive situation and to help towards healing the wounded heart and to stop any abusive habits that the victim may possess.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is going through an abusive situation and feels alone in what is happening to them, for those who have a family member or friend that is possibly abused, and for anyone that has never been abused but wishes to at least try to understand what might be going on in the minds and hearts of those who are in that situation. This book will show how to be a better friend and support to those who are hurting deep inside.
This book is very easy to read and flows well. The stories Anne Peterson tells are captivating and you can easily visualize each event as she tells it.
I cannot say that this book was easy to read because it is very hard to read of people being hurt by the very person or people they should be able to trust. However it happens and we need to be aware of it.
The only problem I had with this book was some of the psychologist's advice. At one point I disagreed with what a psychologist had told her but I was glad to see that it didn't end there. She actually shares steps she took and that others could take to get out of the abusive situation and to help towards healing the wounded heart and to stop any abusive habits that the victim may possess.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that is going through an abusive situation and feels alone in what is happening to them, for those who have a family member or friend that is possibly abused, and for anyone that has never been abused but wishes to at least try to understand what might be going on in the minds and hearts of those who are in that situation. This book will show how to be a better friend and support to those who are hurting deep inside.
May 6, 2014
Broken is a tale of abuse at its worst, played out to the most tragic of conclusions. But it’s also a story of survival, offering hope and providing restoration.
In Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival, author Anne Peterson carefully walks a middle ground, not exploiting the trauma of abuse, while at the same time not ignoring the long-term effects: there is hope and there is a future. Broken is real.
Read Broken if you’ve been abused, if a family member has been abused, or if you know someone dealing with abuse. If you don’t fit any of these situations, read it anyway, because someone in your circle is likely going through abuse or recovery in silence. Broken will help you understand and be a better friend to them.
In Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival, author Anne Peterson carefully walks a middle ground, not exploiting the trauma of abuse, while at the same time not ignoring the long-term effects: there is hope and there is a future. Broken is real.
Read Broken if you’ve been abused, if a family member has been abused, or if you know someone dealing with abuse. If you don’t fit any of these situations, read it anyway, because someone in your circle is likely going through abuse or recovery in silence. Broken will help you understand and be a better friend to them.
July 31, 2018
She helps you see yourself
I began to read this book in 2014 when it first came out. But I couldn't read on til I knew I could devote the time, focus and thought that it deserves. It's time for me. And I have found Anne's skill with words simply entered deep into my soul and loosened the "soil". I listened to this story as I pulled weeds in my yard. I feel more prepared, and empowered, to uproot the weeds in my life. Thanks Anne, for your transparency.
I began to read this book in 2014 when it first came out. But I couldn't read on til I knew I could devote the time, focus and thought that it deserves. It's time for me. And I have found Anne's skill with words simply entered deep into my soul and loosened the "soil". I listened to this story as I pulled weeds in my yard. I feel more prepared, and empowered, to uproot the weeds in my life. Thanks Anne, for your transparency.
May 19, 2014
I have not experienced domestic/marital abuse so I did not expect the book to touch me as deeply as it did. This book speaks to victims of any type of abuse. And it speaks VOLUMES!
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I need more stars!
Get it. Read it. Have hope. Know that you are not alone.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I need more stars!
Get it. Read it. Have hope. Know that you are not alone.
May 27, 2014
Anne Peterson writes from the heart, her story is raw and real. One book I will never forget and one I will recommend to everybody. Anne reveals her heartbreaking story with a helpful guide on helping others in a similar situation. A must read.
January 11, 2018
Very helpful
This book was not what I was expecting but it was so informative and moving. It really captured me and kept me enthralled. I can’t believe I sat and read the entire book straight through. It’s nice to know we are not alone in this crazy life and we are all BROKEN.
This book was not what I was expecting but it was so informative and moving. It really captured me and kept me enthralled. I can’t believe I sat and read the entire book straight through. It’s nice to know we are not alone in this crazy life and we are all BROKEN.
March 17, 2018
This book was too disjointed and confusing. I couldn’t follow the time line at all and it took a lot to finish it. I think it would have been a great story if it had been written different but I left scratching my head.
February 2, 2020
This book is poignantly titled, and an aptly written memoir. If you expect to find answers to questions about abusive or broken relationships, this in not a self-help book. However, you will find quite a few titles the author Anne Peterson shares, books that have helped her in her own process of healing and growth from past abuse, hurt, grief, anger and abandonment. The book is not written in a linear fashion, but neither is processing the difficulties and baggage we carry in life. Past hurts, anger, loss, grief and the rest rarely stand in a neat line to be checked off as healed. Stress and similar situations may trigger unbidden responses that haven‘t grown up or let us moved on since they were injured. Anne shares with us pieces of her life through sensitive words and beautiful snippets of poetry, as God continues to work in and through her. What you will find also is a gritty, and sometimes difficult read, a beautiful testimony to the catharsis of many years of therapy and help combined with the grace, mercy and love of God. The hurting transformed into the healer. She shares so others don‘t feel alone in their pain and suffering. And the outcome is her strength. Moving from inside out, she is helping others with her vulnerability and writing.
October 1, 2025
Anne Peterson’s Broken: A Story of Abuse and Survival is a raw, courageous memoir that invites readers into the deepest corners of pain, resilience, and healing. With haunting honesty, Peterson recounts not only her sister's harrowing experiences with abuse but also the long-reaching impact on her own life. The writing is poetic yet grounded, filled with moments that are hard to read but impossible to look away from.
This book doesn’t sensationalize suffering. Instead, it speaks to the quiet strength it takes to survive, to speak up, and to heal. Peterson’s journey is one of emotional depth and spiritual insight, offering solidarity to survivors and understanding to those seeking to comprehend the realities of abuse.
This book doesn’t sensationalize suffering. Instead, it speaks to the quiet strength it takes to survive, to speak up, and to heal. Peterson’s journey is one of emotional depth and spiritual insight, offering solidarity to survivors and understanding to those seeking to comprehend the realities of abuse.
September 14, 2022
Cry for help!
No holes barred ... Anne has not held back ...she has gone to the root of the problem sharing the rawness of domestic violence .... how it impacts the victim, the perpetrator and all the family. Years of help from counsellors has helped but there's more to learn. This is a book for all to read. Unless you have walked in their shoes there is no way you can help or understand what is happening.
No holes barred ... Anne has not held back ...she has gone to the root of the problem sharing the rawness of domestic violence .... how it impacts the victim, the perpetrator and all the family. Years of help from counsellors has helped but there's more to learn. This is a book for all to read. Unless you have walked in their shoes there is no way you can help or understand what is happening.
April 10, 2021
Touching story
The story itself was inspiring. I wasn't a fan on the format of the writing but that is my personal preference. It was a quick read. I finished it in a day.
The story itself was inspiring. I wasn't a fan on the format of the writing but that is my personal preference. It was a quick read. I finished it in a day.
September 13, 2022
Hits home
The stark honesty and down to earth way family dysfunction was handled is riveting. I've read it in less than 1 day.
The stark honesty and down to earth way family dysfunction was handled is riveting. I've read it in less than 1 day.
May 16, 2025
Broken is not just a book it’s a window into pain, resilience, and hope. Anne Peterson courageously shares the raw and heartbreaking journey of abuse that touched her family, inviting readers into the darkest moments with unflinching honesty. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. Peterson doesn’t just recount tragedy she highlights the strength it takes to survive, the scars that remain, and the power of finding your voice. Her writing is poetic yet grounded, and by the end, you’re not just reading her story you feel a part of it. This book is a testament to the truth that being broken doesn’t mean being defeated. It means there's still more to be written.
August 10, 2023
Anne Peterson writes from the heart, her story is raw and real. Unless you have walked in their shoes there is no way you can help or understand what it is like going through Abuse .
Anne does understand and cares deeply i found it very encouraging. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I can relate to this Book
Anne does understand and cares deeply i found it very encouraging. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I can relate to this Book
May 19, 2014
Broken progressed in the fluid chronology that is characteristic to healing journeys. It share the experiences that brought brokenness into the writer’s life but doesn’t stop there.
Ann shows her own revelation about how that brokenness has affected her personality in relating to others. She acknowledge the ways she mirrored the powerful models in her life in various ways. She even acknowledge the ways her fear has created automatic responses to such things as being faced with authority. I truly honor what Ann have accomplished as she has worked through these things.
The overall message is something that is worth hearing. Those of us who struggle on our own healing journeys need the validation of walking with others who have been able to reach deeper levels of journey as they have progressed. Hearing that others fear the anger under the hurt helps us as we move through our own levels of healing. The book call us to forgive, but also offers the titles of resources that let us know that forgiveness doesn’t mean returning to what bound us.
While seeking to share the insights gained on the journey, Ann reminds us of the need for compassion as she acknowledges that we are all broken in some way.
Ann shows her own revelation about how that brokenness has affected her personality in relating to others. She acknowledge the ways she mirrored the powerful models in her life in various ways. She even acknowledge the ways her fear has created automatic responses to such things as being faced with authority. I truly honor what Ann have accomplished as she has worked through these things.
The overall message is something that is worth hearing. Those of us who struggle on our own healing journeys need the validation of walking with others who have been able to reach deeper levels of journey as they have progressed. Hearing that others fear the anger under the hurt helps us as we move through our own levels of healing. The book call us to forgive, but also offers the titles of resources that let us know that forgiveness doesn’t mean returning to what bound us.
While seeking to share the insights gained on the journey, Ann reminds us of the need for compassion as she acknowledges that we are all broken in some way.
October 15, 2015
Abuse insight
This book would have been better if the reading material was clarified more. The stories seem to overlap. Still I learned a bit from this. Reading about the early signs of domestic violence was clear enough. I thought this was one story. As I read, it seemed like more. The book was too short.
This book would have been better if the reading material was clarified more. The stories seem to overlap. Still I learned a bit from this. Reading about the early signs of domestic violence was clear enough. I thought this was one story. As I read, it seemed like more. The book was too short.
December 9, 2024
This book is all over the place. Too disjointed to appreciate the topic.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews