Two Thousand Minnows: A Young Girl's Story of Separation, Hope, and Forgiveness

by Sandra Leigh Vaughan

When Sandra Vaughan was seven years old, she fell into the role of protector of her mother and three younger siblings. One winter night, she ushered her mother out of the house during one of her father’s tirades, and then snuck her back into the dark home through a window.Sandra was used to events like these; what she wasn’t used to were the mountains and nature surrounding her new home in West Virginia. Raised in the city, it took some time to get used to the long, hot summer days and nights, but she soon found that the forests, rivers, and mountains were more secure and comforting than the house that held her abusive and volatile father. Catching minnows in the gentle river, riding on rope swings, and exploring the outdoors distracted her from what was waiting at home.But then, her mother became pregnant again, and Sandra’s concern for her family and their well-being grew when her mother returned home from the hospital without the baby.In Two Thousand Minnows, Sandra reflects on the events of her childhood and adolescence, including the time spent traveling across the country with her anxious, worn out family in a small, cramped car. As Sandra grows older, she realizes that what they’re chasing when they move from town to town-the perfect, stable life-cannot exist, at least for her, until she has the answers to all the questions she never asked. As an adult, Sandra decides to stop running from the past and instead revisit it, refusing to give up until she unearths the truth-and finds the sister who never came home.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2014

Reviews

[Melissa Leatherwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got too bogged with the sheer amount of detail in this book. Many of the experiences shared were very similar to each other, and the amount of intricacies delved into every time got tiresome. There’s an incredible amount of resilience in this author ... no doubt about that. The dysfunctional nature of the family reminded me a lot of of Jeannette Walls’ family in The Glass Castle which was far shorter and more meaningful and powerful to me ... partially because of brevity but also because the experiences shared seemed to progress along some sort of path. In this book, I found myself checking to see if I’d accidentally rewound the recording because I was sure I’d heard this exact story before. I needed this book to be much more concise. It’s a 17+ hour recording on Audible, and at about 14 hours, I decided I was done. By that point I should be able to tell if years of time has passed? At 14 hours, I would think I’d be hearing about her teenage years or even adult years. There’s so much similar, excessive detail in the childhood years that just needs editing way down.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every word.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It sucked me into it, more than another book has in a very long time. I cried at the end, both a little happy and a little sad.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but I couldn’t get through it. I listened on Audible. 5 hours in, there was no major plot or story line, and I kept dreading the remaining 12 hours! I did not like the way it was written. It was written from a child’s perspective in 1st person, so the sentences were short and choppy, like a child. (i.e. Spot ran fast. Spot was a good boy. I love spot. My sister loves spot too.)… this type of narration for hours upon hours. There was no conflict resolution or character building either. Just a recounting of random memories that had an underlying theme of abuse and poverty, but no actual story. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed between events, and in one place it said 2 years had gone by, but the characters didn’t seem to age.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved. This.

[Kati Victa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very beautifully written book that made me stop and remember the lost details of my childhood and teenage years. It helped me see the beauty in the normal, sometimes mundane moments of everyday life. There were a few times where the author rambled on about her thoughts and emotions that frustrated me but overall it was an epic portrayal of growth and development that we all must go through.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people's stories must be very hard to write - this is one. Although depressing to begin with, as I read, the auther's determination and perseverance began to hold me. Well worth it. The author's brilliance lies in her ability to re-enter her childhood experience and relive through that lens. Her life was certainly very difficult, but love and the odd spark of hope was sufficient. A disturbing and deeply moving story.

[Catherine Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very emotional memoir of a girl living through very hard times and abuse, yet her searching for the answer to an agonizing question into adulthood keeps you turning the pages. The character details, both heroic and flawed, are displayed beautifully. It’s an intense story that was written for a specific reason which is explained at the end.

[Michelle Hodges]

Although lengthy at times, the story kept my interest and had me finding opportunities to read. The ability to endure and find forgiveness is remarkable and Sandra reveals this over and over throughout the book. The writing style was that of a seasoned storyteller. Definitely recommend.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story of of a young girl growing up very poor with an alcoholic father and a mother suffering with depression. It is a story of hope and survival, and most of all forgiveness. I listened to this on audible and could not put it down.

[Hidenzeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painful listen with abuse. Eye opening about trauma and how people protect them selves and those on their care. Great childhood descriptions. Warm main character going thru her view of struggles.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the story of all young people with alcoholic parent figure is the same the same thinking, protective development,loneliness, ultimate striving for safety but one thing I have noticed with all I have read and watched is that the single mothers hardships, the abuse and poverty all give their children that ultimate need and demand for success, for money, and money is safety and security. It’s filled kitchen cabinets and a fridge full of food. The children make excellent Emergency Planning Experts, Supply Chain Managers,

Unfortunately, those same children find partners who have the addictive DNA and that feels like home that constant on edge walking on glass has become the norm so they sign back onto the association with the terrible behavior and life they experienced in development that they know so well thinking.. feeling, that unrest is love.

If this young girls life is also yours, there are other books and support groups for you: Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA). A Simple google search will point you in the direction needed.

https://shop.adultchildren.org/collec...

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT!

One of the best biographies I have ever listened to. I was engaged in the story like I might have been for a good novel, but it was so much better, because it was real. Loved the writing: was written from a child’s perspective, as events were happening, versus as an adult looking back and reflecting. It worked so well. Such a dramatic and distressing live Sandra and her siblings experienced, tore my heart at so many moments. Highly recommended.

[Kelly Kirkland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this based on a true story?
Did Arnell ever meet Melinda?
What about the other siblings?
Did any of the kids have a relationship with their dad as adults?
He was an ahole!! My gosh what an ass and a big fat baby.. and scary!
Was Jack the father of Melinda? Birth certificate was unknown father?
What ever happened to Jack's family? Does not mention that.

I feel like the book was drawn out.. then at the end it was wrapped up quickly with a lot of lingering questions.

Just my 2 cents.

[Angela Ackerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the story, I felt like it could have been summed up in less time. This audiobook was just under 12 hours. About 8.5 I started wondering when it was going to the point and end. As I only had 3 hours left at that point I finished it. So there is something to be said about that. But again, just too long.

[Veronica Waring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up until the last two chapters of this book I would have rated it a solid 5. I loved this book. And then. Disaster. I could hardly wait for it to be over. The last 2 chapters were filled with unnecessary drama. Over the top stuff. Too bad because I really really liked it to that point. So a solid 3.5 for me.

[Krisxt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I respect the authors personal story and journey but I after a year of trying to be invested in the book, I finally gave up and couldn’t finish. The book just had too many extraneous details for me and was slow to pick up and lost momentum in the middle. I think if the book had been more condensed I would have been able to move through it.

[Teresa Mejstrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually listened to this book on the Audible. The narrator made the book easy to listen to and really drew me into the story. Sandra was growing up about the same years as me, brought back lots of memories.
Glad I stumbled across this one.

[Lyndsey Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far too many details in this book to follow along with. Parts are very repetitive or unnecessary for the overall story of the author’s journey. She’s a very brave and resilient woman, I just think the book could have been edited down to being half as long.

[Mandie Weber Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

17 hours, 20 minutes was the time it took to listen to this audiobook. It was pleasant to listen to, very slow, lots of detail. Would I read it if it wasn’t a free audiobook-nope.

Favorite lines:
“The truth glides, lies are sticky.”

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both heartbreaking and heartening. I didn't realize it was a memoir at first. Sandra Vaughan is an example of a survivor - resilient, bright, and broken through no fault of her own.

This book was very hard to read and made me want to call a therapist.

[Sheila Dailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed her style and felt she portrayed her memories with grace and finesse. Hard to imagine the beatings and poverty that Sandra and her sibblings endured. But imagine their surprise when they discovered they have additional sibilings.

[Becca Dydo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving it 5 stars because I did enjoy the book. There was some slow stuff or unanswered parts. Overall it was good.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this book and enjoyed it though I do have to agree with another reader that it kindof drags on with so many details. I did get to know the characters though, and was sad when it ended.

[Deanne Townsend · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was depressing to me. I read it for book club. Such a sad childhood with all the abuse, neglect, and uncertainty.

[Susan Ayars · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very long story of dysfunction and pain, with no relief until the epilogue.

[Ribi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. I took a star away because of the cursing. It had its place, but it was a bit much for me.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never finished. Got a few hours in on audible and I was so bored. It was line a never ending monologue about a girls life I just couldn’t seem to get connected to.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times I really felt that Sandra should lash out at her mother and father. Many times I felt her anger. It was slow going in some parts but for the most part it kept me wanting more.

[Layne Goodwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A familiar enough and decent story, but it was so repetitive. It could have been cut in half and still got the same point across. Just ok.