Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse

by Geoffrey R. Jonas

A young woman dies alone in a hotel room, her fentanyl-poisoned cocaine still on the desk. She had been missing for nearly 2 weeks. Social Services had been trying to find a place for her to live with her 3-year-old son, whom she had left with her parents. Six months later her father fights for his life in intensive care, but succumbs to his illness because of a lifelong use of alcohol and tobacco. A month after his death her mother is assessed by doctors to be unable to care for herself because of her Alzheimer's and mental health issues brought on by benzodiazepine and alcohol addiction.

The son, brother, stepson is the only one left to pick up the pieces. He begins a journey of the self and finds out the truth of his family. After going over letters, notes, emails, videos, and text messages, he uncovers a disturbing picture of the abuse his sister suffered at the hands of their parents. He also begins to better understand his own struggles with mental health and substance addiction because of the trauma and abuse he also suffered from their parents.

Follow the son as he looks through his family history to discover the generational abuse that trickled down through the years. Learn about how parents who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder emotionally abuse and manipulate their children. See how the abuse and trauma becomes mental illness in the abused, and how they fall into vicious traps of addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Witness the transformational change of the son as he works on the recovery of his inner child and tries to become the man he was meant to be.

Genres: Nonfiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2025

About the author

Geoffrey is an award winning, first-time author. He lives peacefully by a lake, spending his time writing, painting, gardening, and woodworking. His recovery is ongoing, and he enjoys his privacy and seclusion.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Tellwell Publishing for choosing me.

This felt more like I was reading someone's personal journal than a book (which for me works well). It felt as if I was sitting across from him as he relayed the story of his life to a close friend/family member.

There was a lot of pain and heartbreak throughout the pages of his life, but in between all the sadness there was a lot of healing and work to better his life. It was sad and tragic, and most of it shouldn't have happened. No one should have to go through these things, but from all the pain and the adversity came a man willing to share his story, his family's story in what I hope is a way that will help many others see that there is a better way out there. That this doesn't have to be it. You can break the cycle.

Although, it was slightly repetitive at times, I would still add this one to my list of books I'd recommend.

[Feathered Quill Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse by Geoffrey R. Jonas, readers are taken on a raw and painful roller coaster ride in which the author provides full disclosure of how traumatizing growing up was for his sister and himself. They grew up with such broken lives because their parents and stepfather were abusive in so many ways.

This was such a heartbreaking story that this reviewer had to read it in intervals because of the intense abuse Jonas and his sister endured at the hands of their parents and stepfather. Unfortunately, the abuse was the driving force for the beginning of both Jonas and his sister’s drug and alcohol abuse at a very young age. Both their lives spiraled out of control well into their adult years. In and out of treatment centers and hospitals, nothing set either one on the path to full recovery. Each stint in these facilities just produced a brief time of sobriety for them to get through their stay, but once they were released, they were both right back on their destructive paths.

The emotions were so raw and real that the author made me feel so concerned for him and his sister that I wish I could have extended a helping hand in some fashion. You feel as if they are people you know so well that you want to help both of them in any way you can to save their lives. It was horrible how the abuse started young and continued right on throughout their adult years. So much so that it affected everything they did in their own lives, which made them stuck in a vicious cycle of making one poor decision after another.

As readers progress further into the book, they can see the transformation that Jonas has made, although not an easy transformation along the way. Even through the author has training in both physical and drug abuse, he is still fighting to keep his head remain above water and his recovery is still very much ongoing.

Quill says: Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse by Geoffrey R. Jonas is one raw and emotional memoir that will have readers hoping that the author will finally find the peace he so deserves in his life.

[A Cannady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most abuse is the result of generational wounds that haven't healed, and this is obvious in Geoffrey R. Jonas' book, "Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse." Jonas is real and raw with the events of his life that only happened because of the damage of unhealed wounds. Between losing his sister to a drug overdose and his mother to drug-related mental health issues, it's a wonder he was able to overcome the pain instead of succumbing to it. But Jonas explains what narcissistic parental abuse is and shares a sadly relatable to many story about how drugs and alcohol can destroy a family, leaving impacts that last generations until someone strong enough to stop the cycle steps up to the plate.

[Ghulam Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits hard from the first page. It’s raw and honest about the trauma of growing up in a household shaped by narcissism, addiction, and grief. Geoffrey R. Jonas doesn’t hold back, and that’s what makes the storytelling so powerful. It’s not easy to read, but it’s incredibly important.

Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse is more than just a memoir. It’s a wake-up call for anyone who has lived through or is still healing from family dysfunction. The author’s resilience stands out and leaves you thinking about cycles, choices, and how people find strength when it seems like there’s none left.

[Abdullah Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a powerful and deeply reflective book that explores themes of trauma, survival, and personal healing.

The book presents an honest and emotionally raw journey through the aftermath of narcissistic abuse within a family. It’s a compelling read for those interested in mental health, addiction, and generational healing, especially for readers who appreciate candid, first-person narratives.

[Momna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a raw and unflinching account of trauma, survival, and self-discovery in the aftermath of narcissistic parental abuse. The author sheds light on the long-term emotional toll of generational dysfunction. The writing is deeply personal and emotionally charged, making it a powerful read for those seeking to understand the lasting effects of family-based trauma. The book offers hope and healing. It’s best suited for readers interested in memoirs, psychology, or trauma recovery narratives.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was an ok read. Could improve on organization and how to be present information.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally enjoy reading memoirs because they give me special insight into someone’s life. Being Broken by Geoffrey R. Jonas definitely gave me a new perspective, both on the devastating effects of narcissistic abuse and the horrific reality of substance abuse.

I liked the way the author took an experimental approach, combining a scientific tone with his own, personal story. This is done through the inclusion of essays. Now, I’ll freely admit, I was skeptical about this at first, wondering if these would interrupt the flow of the narrative. However, the combination of science-backed research with a subjective first-person perspective worked really well, because it broadened my understanding of the topics explored in the book.

One particular essay that I learned a lot from was about the stigma that people face when gaining access to care, employment, and even housing if they suffer from alcohol or drug misuse. Here, the author argues that labels such as “addict” and “alcoholic” make people perceive you differently, which affects your chances of securing a job, or even a home: “When we stigmatize addiction, we exacerbate internal dialogues that the sufferer is already dealing with.” This is particularly important to him on a personal level, as his sister didn’t have support while she was experiencing withdrawal symptoms and tragically died in a hotel room after taking laced cocaine.

I should add that this memoir is not by any means an easy read. It’s brutally raw and honest. The author’s mother and stepfather subject him to horrible abuse, especially when he becomes the scapegoat of his family. Moreover, the harsh reality of his struggles with Substance Abuse Disorder is sometimes hard to read about, and I really admired his candidness in sharing his struggles. One incident that stuck in my mind was when he was in his late-twenties and injured his knee after jumping into a large hole with a water main at the bottom, thinking it was a puddle because he was on so many drugs. Ultimately, both he and his family are trapped in an endless cycle of drug and alcohol addiction: “I could only watch, helpless, and drown or suppress my own emotions with drugs and alcohol.”

Don’t get me wrong, there are moments of light in the darkness. Something that got me thinking was the therapeutic role of music. As an adolescent, he finds relief in heavy metal and punk music: “I could relate to what many of the singers would sing about, especially loss, sadness, and anger.” This made me wonder if other young people could benefit from tuning into music that speaks to them on an emotional level, helping them to get in touch with their feelings and express them.

What I liked most about Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse was the author’s honesty, which makes this a powerful memoir indeed. I think that those with an interest in intergenerational trauma and the devastating effects of substance abuse, and how the two can overlap, will enjoy this book.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every choice has consequences, and some terrible choices echo through families for generations.

I appreciated the author’s thoughts about how medical providers and society in general could improve the way they treat people who are struggling with mental illness, domestic abuse, trauma, and Substance Use Disorder. His ideas were sensible and included plenty of straightforward advice on everything from changing the way one thinks of someone who is struggling with these challenges to ideas for legislation that could make treatment and recovery easier for this population as well. These are not easy problems to fix by any means, but there are things people from every walk of life can do to make the world slightly better for everyone affected by the sorts of things that Mr. Jonas experienced as a child, teen, and young adult.

While I loved this book in general, my all-time favorite scenes were the ones that showed how people who have Narcissistic Personality Disorder can manipulate nearly any conversation or situation to their own benefit, especially in cases when their victims are not already well-versed in how this disorder can destroy relationships. This isn’t always an easy topic to talk about, so I appreciated the care the author took in describing what his childhood was like without demonizing anyone or downplaying the deep trauma this mental illness caused in his life. It was a delicate balance to maintain, but it added extra layers to his story that were necessary in order to understand why everything unfolded the way it did.

One of the most remarkable things about this memoir was how brutally honest Mr. Jonas was about his faults. He shared multiple stories about things he had done that hurt other people or, in a couple of cases, animals without making any excuses for his choices or softening the blow by passing the blame to others. This is a difficult thing for many people to do, especially for someone who had such a traumatic start to life, so I have to commend him for doing all of the hard work that is necessary in order for a person to not only face up to their worst moments in life but also to genuinely apologize for them. He is a talented writer, and I hope to read more of his work in the future.

Being Broken – Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse was exactly what it needed to be in order to tell this tale.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Broken, by Geoffrey R. Jonas, is a brutally honest memoir about trauma, addiction, and survival. It follows Jonas through a childhood steeped in neglect and narcissistic abuse, into years of substance dependence, and finally toward healing and self-understanding. He recounts the deaths of his sister, father, and mother, all in a single year, and how those losses forced him to face the damage that shaped his life. The book mixes memoir with insight--part psychology, part confession, and all heart.

Right from the start, Jonas pulls no punches. In the foreword, he admits, “I am spewing my head out onto these pages,” and that’s exactly how it reads, raw, direct, and strangely freeing. The prologue on narcissistic parental abuse hooked me. He doesn’t just define the concept; he exposes how it poisoned his family dynamic and left scars that followed him into adulthood. The mix of personal detail and clinical explanation makes it both heartbreaking and fascinating.

What I love most about this book is its honesty. Jonas never paints himself as a victim. He admits to his own part in the chaos, lying, manipulating, and self-destructing. There’s something refreshing about how he refuses to hide the ugly parts. When he writes about his sister’s overdose or his parents’ emotional absence, he doesn’t look for pity. He looks for truth. The section "Fault vs. Responsibility and Blame" really stuck with me. His idea that “it’s not their fault, but they are responsible” reframes forgiveness in a way that feels mature and real.

Jonas’ writing hits hard because it’s unfiltered but thoughtful. The poem "Broken," written for his sister, might be the emotional heart of the book. It’s tender and painful, a mix of love, guilt, and memory. And by the end, when he says, “Here I am. A survivor,” it doesn’t sound like a line from a movie. It feels earned.

Being Broken isn’t a light read, but it’s a powerful one. It’s for people who’ve faced trauma, addiction, or toxic family systems, and for anyone curious about how self-awareness can lead to recovery. Jonas writes like a man who’s been through hell and decided to document the landscape. It’s dark, hopeful, and deeply human.

[Phil Bolos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse by Geoffrey R. Jonas is an emotional book that shares the author's experiences as he grew up surrounded by loss, confusion, and sadness. At a very early age, Geoffrey lost his sister. Not long after, he lost his stepfather and then other family members to a variety of illnesses. But the core of all this was substance abuse. Whether it was his sister dying from overdosing on cocaine and fentanyl or his stepfather losing a battle to pneumonia because of his years of alcohol and tobacco use, substances have made a huge impact on him and created an environment for physical and emotional abuse in the homes he grew up in. While this story dives into the heart ache and the anger created by this, it also shows the resilience of the author to overcome the obstacles placed before him. Readers will be shocked by the events from the past but also inspired by what those traumas allowed to come next. While this is not an easy read because of the subject matter, it is a captivating look at how drugs and alcohol impact families and what can be done to try and change the course of family histories.

[Robin Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I haven’t personally experienced the kind of trauma Geoffrey R. Jonas writes about, “Being Broken” gave me a powerful window into a world I rarely see discussed so openly. Through a mix of essays and personal stories, this book illustrates the emotional destruction caused by narcissistic parental abuse, something I can only imagine but now understand with much greater clarity. What hit me most was the honesty. The pain, confusion, and long-term effects described are intense, but never exaggerated. This book opened my eyes to how deeply parental relationships can shape someone’s inner world. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an important one. For those who have lived through this kind of abuse, I imagine it’s incredibly validating. For the rest of us, it’s a necessary lesson in compassion.

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through this memoir, the author shares the intense pain and trauma of his growing up years, which shaped him into a dysfunctional adult, who started walking the right path only after self-realization and the help of therapies. However, his half-sister was not so lucky and was stuck in a continuous circle of pain till her last days. In-between sharing the events and occurrences of his life and those of his near and far relatives, the author defines different aspects of narcissistic personalities and how the people closest to them bear the full brunt of their actions. The book is eye-opening in that it not only teaches you on how to become a good parent and have a lasting impact on the impressionable young minds, but also on how to detect abnormal behavior in other kids to get them the help they need.

[Ali Ayyaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Broken by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a self-explanatory written memoir that explains life and demise from egotistic parental abuse. Jonas explores the themes of trauma, retrieval, addiction, and survival drawn from his personal experiences. He discovers the overwhelming effects of parental abuse on the family and the mental torture the person has to suffer with day-to-day growing sickness. He narrates the tragic death of his family members due to problems relating to mental health, drugs, and alcohol usage.

He later unravels many hidden secrets about his family, his parental abuse towards his sister and himself, and his mental health issues and addiction. He narrates that parents who have narcissistic behavior and illness let their children suffer. This book is a perfect example of helping drug addict families to transform themselves and save their children

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geoffrey R. Jonas delivers a raw, haunting, and deeply personal account of survival, trauma, and truth in Being Broken. Through a series of reflective essays and narratives, Jonas unearths the devastating impact of narcissistic parental abuse on an entire family. The story unfolds with heartbreaking precision—from a sister’s tragic overdose to the unraveling of generational addiction and mental illness. As the surviving son pieces together the past through letters and digital remnants, readers are drawn into a powerful journey of discovery, grief, and healing. This book is not just a testimony of pain but also of resilience and the difficult path toward understanding and recovery. A gripping and courageous read.

[Rajiva Ranjan]

"Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse" written by Geoffrey R, Jonas is an interesting narrative about survival and death from narcissistic Parental abuse. The narcissistic Parent's abuse of their children affects the mental and physical health of their children becoming difficult to recover in their future life. The children view the use of drugs and alcohol as a source of enjoyment and happiness as they find their parents in such a state. This book shows us in details about such families and their children getting addicted to it in search of happiness early in their lives. This book is good for all the parents and the would be parents for better parenting.

[R.F. Whong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually dislike books with long narratives. Yet I found this book a powerful and deeply introspective collection that delves into themes of trauma, endurance, and recovery.

The author chronicles the aftermath of growing up with narcissistic parental abuse. It offers a compelling perspective for readers interested in mental health, addiction, and generational healing, especially those drawn to raw, first-person accounts.

One minor suggestion: The author might consider converting some narrative sections into scenes with dialogue and action. This technique would allow readers to experience events more vividly and connect more deeply with the characters, rather than simply reading about what happened.

[Quirru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cruel story with hope at the end

In this book, the author tells his story. It's like an autobiography of how he came to have many problems caused by a dysfunctional family. When he's finally alone, he learns to overcome the traumas caused by all those years of abuse. He tells us about the ordeal he went through and how he managed to get out of it. It's a difficult book to read because it's related to drugs and their effects. It discusses managing tough situations emotionally. But in the end, I think it's a book full of hope for many people who were unlucky enough to have dysfunctional families and parents, whom he calls narcissistic.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Being Broken" by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a raw and honest account of surviving emotional abuse within a family. Through stories and reflections, the author unpacks the lasting damage caused by narcissistic parenting while showing the strength needed to rise above it.

The book sheds light on how hidden trauma can lead to harmful cycles like addiction, disordered eating and deep emotional wounds. It bravely offers hope and validation for facing similar pain. It is a moving reminder that recovery is possible and silence can be broken.

[Amy Koller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Broken is a powerful and heartbreaking collection of real-life stories and reflections about surviving narcissistic parental abuse. What I liked most about this book is how raw and honest it is—the author doesn’t shy away from the pain, but also shows the strength it takes to face the truth and begin healing. Through deeply personal accounts and a thoughtful look at generational trauma, Geoffrey R. Jonas gives a voice to those who’ve endured similar struggles. It's a tough but important read, and it left me feeling both heartbroken and hopeful.

[Ivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Being Broken" by Geoffrey R. Jonas is a raw and powerful look at healing from deep emotional wounds caused by family trauma. This story explores the long-term effects of narcissistic abuse and how it can shape mental health, identity and self-worth. The book sheds light on addiction, grief and the struggle to find inner peace. It offers a message of hope for anyone trying to understand their pain and rebuild a life after years of emotional damage.

[Sanjin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not an easy read. This memoir plunges into the heart of generational trauma, addiction, and narcissistic abuse. Through letters, texts, and other fragments of memory, the author reconstructs a devastating family history. The intensity can feel relentless, but, what makes this book powerful is its hope, in my opinion. Anyone who’s experienced trauma or addiction will find something here that resonates. If you’re up for something heavy and emotional, give this a try.

[Next Best Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, courageous, and painfully honest

This book shook me to my core. Geoffrey R. Jonas lays bare his life with such brutal honesty that you can’t look away — even when it hurts. Being Broken isn’t just a memoir; it’s a roadmap for understanding how abuse echoes through generations. I found myself underlining passages about trauma, healing, and responsibility. If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of your past, this book will speak to you.

[Michele Klawitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

eing Broken is a quiet but deeply affecting book. Geoffrey R. Jonas walks through painful memories with honesty, giving space to the complexity of grief, addiction, and emotional abuse. The writing feels careful and unforced, allowing the truth of each experience to speak for itself. It isn't only a story of survival, but a slow, meaningful search for understanding.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult but important book. Geoffrey R. Jonas documents the layers of abuse, silence, and loss that shaped his family, offering a view into what it means to grow up under the control of narcissistic parents. The gradual discovery of truth, through letters and memories, feels raw and real. This book gives voice to a kind of pain that is often overlooked or misunderstood.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The emotional roller coaster ride this book took me on... Reflecting onto some of the relatable things this author writes about will bring out memories that some may not want to relive. Over all this book was good. But I would have to say read it with a warning.

[Sarcastically Yours Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is so sad, but I am sure it is very relatable for many. Dealing with so many issues a lot of families deal with but are never strong enough or are too ashamed to talk about. In one part he talked about two things that were very interesting & relatable, as I have noticed that it seems that older generations view alcoholism as a normal, acceptable behavior. Let's not get started on mental health. Hope this release can help him to find some kind of peace. *I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.