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Simple Says
The story of the nightmare world of the abused, of family bullying. Ethan, or Simple as he is called, is a huge bear of a man with the heart and mind of an innocent child. Leanne, his younger half-sister, is the only one who tries to take care of him. Will they be able to escape from their vicious and uncaring family? This story has it all. Love and caring, taking on fear and brutality. The terror of nearly being burned alive, of being hounded like animals. And the overpowering triumph of love, defeating the evil of hatred...
210 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2012
278 people want to read
About the author
Anita Dawes
12 books128 followersAnita Dawes loves all things esoteric, magical and the otherworldly and would prefer to live in a fairy tale. In between these moments, she likes to visit old churches and ancient buildings.
She has written six fiction novels in various genres, Bad Moon, Simple, Secrets, The Scarlet Ribbon; Let it Go and Not My Life. Presently working on a sequel to her popular supernatural romance, The Scarlet Ribbon.
Anita has recently rediscovered her childhood love of poetry and often writes and posts them online.
Once owned by an egocentric black and white cat called Merlin, named after her favourite hero, Anita dislikes computers and prefers to writes longhand, sharing a website http://jenanita01.com with Jaye Marie, who transcribes and edits her work...
She has written six fiction novels in various genres, Bad Moon, Simple, Secrets, The Scarlet Ribbon; Let it Go and Not My Life. Presently working on a sequel to her popular supernatural romance, The Scarlet Ribbon.
Anita has recently rediscovered her childhood love of poetry and often writes and posts them online.
Once owned by an egocentric black and white cat called Merlin, named after her favourite hero, Anita dislikes computers and prefers to writes longhand, sharing a website http://jenanita01.com with Jaye Marie, who transcribes and edits her work...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 8, 2019
This story was a riveting page-turner that I was unable to put down and couldn’t wait to get back to when I did. The tale takes place in the backwoods hill country of the Eastern US where life unfolds according to different rules than it does in town. The law has no influence, relationships are frequently brutal, and survival requires living by one’s instincts.
The main character, Leanne, grows up in a cabin with her grandmother and extended family where a “meanness” comes out in violence and cruelty. She and her mentally disabled uncle, Simple, are burdened with kind hearts and eventually, their defiant choices put them in mortal danger of their own family.
Part of what makes the book so engrossing is its utter unpredictability. The tension is on a knife’s edge at all times. The family is explosive, and Leanne, though only fourteen, survives by her wits, knowing full well the nature of her adversaries. All of the characters are thoroughly believable and so real that I’m staying far away from any place where I might run into their like. Honestly, it’s a bit chilling.
Dawe’s prose reflects the colloquial dialog and lack of education among the hill-folk, and yet it flows smoothly and is effortless to read. Each character’s voice is distinct and consistent. There is no gratuitous sex or violence, although these elements are frequently present as ways in which the family’s goals, anger, and revenge are carried out. The details regarding hill-life lend credibility to the story and increase immersion.
Despite the brutality, ultimately this is a read about the power of kindness and love, and finding one’s way home. This book is one of my favorites this year. Definitely high on my recommendation list.
The main character, Leanne, grows up in a cabin with her grandmother and extended family where a “meanness” comes out in violence and cruelty. She and her mentally disabled uncle, Simple, are burdened with kind hearts and eventually, their defiant choices put them in mortal danger of their own family.
Part of what makes the book so engrossing is its utter unpredictability. The tension is on a knife’s edge at all times. The family is explosive, and Leanne, though only fourteen, survives by her wits, knowing full well the nature of her adversaries. All of the characters are thoroughly believable and so real that I’m staying far away from any place where I might run into their like. Honestly, it’s a bit chilling.
Dawe’s prose reflects the colloquial dialog and lack of education among the hill-folk, and yet it flows smoothly and is effortless to read. Each character’s voice is distinct and consistent. There is no gratuitous sex or violence, although these elements are frequently present as ways in which the family’s goals, anger, and revenge are carried out. The details regarding hill-life lend credibility to the story and increase immersion.
Despite the brutality, ultimately this is a read about the power of kindness and love, and finding one’s way home. This book is one of my favorites this year. Definitely high on my recommendation list.
February 25, 2020
Life in the backwoods of Eastern USA is not easy. The hardscrabble country folk live by their own set of tough rules and there is a price to pay for breaking them.
Leanne’s family are as much a part of the woods as the trees and carnivores of the forest. They are rough, cruel, and frightening except for Simple, a big brute of a man with a soft heart and the mind of a child. Leanne would have run away long ago, but she was too scared of what her Uncle Jimmy would do to Simple to leave him behind.
When trouble comes to the mountain, Leanne is forced to make decisions for her and Simple or die.
This is a gripping suspense with intense scenes and complex characters who practically leap off the page. Uncle Jimmy, Jack, Granny are all people I would NOT want to meet in a dark alley!
Favorite Lines
When Simple got worked up his words stuck, stretched out like an echo rebounding around the woods before finding the end of it.
Simple- Anita Dawes
Putting on a face, Gran always said, don’t mean you can hide what you are.
Simple- Anita Dawes
I fell asleep, listening to the rain and Simple’s mind spilling out on to the dry leafy floor.
Simple- Anita Dawes
This book is the haunting story of one young girl’s journey to a new life. It is the story of survival.
I give Simple 5 lovely kisses- Unpredictable!
Leanne’s family are as much a part of the woods as the trees and carnivores of the forest. They are rough, cruel, and frightening except for Simple, a big brute of a man with a soft heart and the mind of a child. Leanne would have run away long ago, but she was too scared of what her Uncle Jimmy would do to Simple to leave him behind.
When trouble comes to the mountain, Leanne is forced to make decisions for her and Simple or die.
This is a gripping suspense with intense scenes and complex characters who practically leap off the page. Uncle Jimmy, Jack, Granny are all people I would NOT want to meet in a dark alley!
Favorite Lines
When Simple got worked up his words stuck, stretched out like an echo rebounding around the woods before finding the end of it.
Simple- Anita Dawes
Putting on a face, Gran always said, don’t mean you can hide what you are.
Simple- Anita Dawes
I fell asleep, listening to the rain and Simple’s mind spilling out on to the dry leafy floor.
Simple- Anita Dawes
This book is the haunting story of one young girl’s journey to a new life. It is the story of survival.
I give Simple 5 lovely kisses- Unpredictable!
October 21, 2018
Simple is a story told by a young girl living in the woods with her family, which is made up of mostly harsh characters, who are contrasted by Simple, and then later Amber. It's a story of love and loss and family and living with the decisions we have made. I had a very hard time putting this book down. I got the majority of it read in one day because I just had to know what all the mystery was. It snags you right away, and holds you tight for the ride. There were some harsh moments in the book, as well as some gems that made me think about life. Overall, what a great book! Well written characters, good depth of detail, and a driven plot.
August 26, 2021
This book stunned me. I don’t know what I expected, but what I found left me speechless. Anita Dawes is an extraordinary writer and she’s created a masterpiece. The story itself is so engrossing, so haunting, that I found it difficult to let it go. The characters followed me throughout the day.
I wish I could sit down with Anita and ask how she conceived of and wrote the book. The family, around whom the story is built, is not the usual family one might find in a local neighborhood. This is a story about a backwoods family - brutal, incestuous, demented. Scary!
How does a writer get into the heads of such people? I don’t have an answer, but I do know that SIMPLE required enormous writing skill, and Ms. Dawes proved that she was up for the task. Bravo!
I wish I could sit down with Anita and ask how she conceived of and wrote the book. The family, around whom the story is built, is not the usual family one might find in a local neighborhood. This is a story about a backwoods family - brutal, incestuous, demented. Scary!
How does a writer get into the heads of such people? I don’t have an answer, but I do know that SIMPLE required enormous writing skill, and Ms. Dawes proved that she was up for the task. Bravo!
April 17, 2015
This story is very similar to ‘Bad Moon’ the author’s earlier book, but this time the characters face some very different problems.
The man they call ‘Simple’, is mentally deficient and has a bad stammer. The life he has to endure at the hands of his family, forces his younger half-sister to defend him.
Not an easy thing for a child to do, as Simple is a giant of a man with the mind of a child. I loved the resourceful way she stubbornly tries to help him against some overwhelming odds.
A very interesting and thoughtful story, not quite as violent as ‘Bad Moon’, but a very good read nonetheless.
The man they call ‘Simple’, is mentally deficient and has a bad stammer. The life he has to endure at the hands of his family, forces his younger half-sister to defend him.
Not an easy thing for a child to do, as Simple is a giant of a man with the mind of a child. I loved the resourceful way she stubbornly tries to help him against some overwhelming odds.
A very interesting and thoughtful story, not quite as violent as ‘Bad Moon’, but a very good read nonetheless.
April 7, 2020
A wonderfully written saga of family in a place with their own set of rules.
If you think YOUR family is disfunctional take heart! It could be worse.
Calling it Deliverance meets the Waltons is perfect!
There are many ways of survival and existing in an environment you can't control or escape. Secrets. lies. abuse.
It's the Backwoods!
I received a free copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
If you think YOUR family is disfunctional take heart! It could be worse.
Calling it Deliverance meets the Waltons is perfect!
There are many ways of survival and existing in an environment you can't control or escape. Secrets. lies. abuse.
It's the Backwoods!
I received a free copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
July 23, 2025
This is kind of a disturbing read.
The isolation combine with daily abuses makes me more anxious the more i read. I constantly afraid for the girls' fate the whole time i read it. The environment really place Leanne, even the wild Lizzie in a fragile state, which proven later with what happened with Amber. Although yes, i want to thump Lizzie for being baby crazy but incapable person.
The last confrontation between Leanne side and Gran's side a little subdue but it's quite a realistic take.
I'm not sure with the ending, although they at last have a peaceful life, seems like they settling for a harder, tougher life.
Overall a good reads.
The isolation combine with daily abuses makes me more anxious the more i read. I constantly afraid for the girls' fate the whole time i read it. The environment really place Leanne, even the wild Lizzie in a fragile state, which proven later with what happened with Amber. Although yes, i want to thump Lizzie for being baby crazy but incapable person.
The last confrontation between Leanne side and Gran's side a little subdue but it's quite a realistic take.
I'm not sure with the ending, although they at last have a peaceful life, seems like they settling for a harder, tougher life.
Overall a good reads.
August 13, 2020
This story takes place in the woods nearby(?) Clarksville and the Roanoke river. The mc is an adopted girl of 12 to 14 years old. She lives there in cabins with a Gran, three older brothers of which one has a simple mind (named Simple, title of book), and a very cruel and brutal uncle. During the story the mc and Simple get reasons to run away from the others.
It is written mostly in the American spoken language, livin-in-the-woods style, but no overuse of rude words, and no difficult words.
Some violence and cruelty is descripted, but not in a fast-paced action way.
Difficult to believe for me throughout the story is that a girl that young age can make such adult reasonings and take such decisions accordingly, moreover that she gets deprived of sleep quite often. And the sheriff is not very inquisitive.
Some (minor, and not too many) typos in my epub-version : capitals in the middle of a sentence , a preposition missing, or a comma weirdly placed.
However, I found this a good read, some cruelty, not tearjerky, and no humour. Still a fairly good story, smooth and easy reading, well described characters. Also there were several oneliners I highlighted, some about the Lord, or his absence.
My conclusion, recommendable, yes! I give 3,5 stars.
It is written mostly in the American spoken language, livin-in-the-woods style, but no overuse of rude words, and no difficult words.
Some violence and cruelty is descripted, but not in a fast-paced action way.
Difficult to believe for me throughout the story is that a girl that young age can make such adult reasonings and take such decisions accordingly, moreover that she gets deprived of sleep quite often. And the sheriff is not very inquisitive.
Some (minor, and not too many) typos in my epub-version : capitals in the middle of a sentence , a preposition missing, or a comma weirdly placed.
However, I found this a good read, some cruelty, not tearjerky, and no humour. Still a fairly good story, smooth and easy reading, well described characters. Also there were several oneliners I highlighted, some about the Lord, or his absence.
My conclusion, recommendable, yes! I give 3,5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews