What do you think?
Rate this book
April Was Here
This captivating, poignant, and moving, autobiography of April O'Brien's life is truly better than fiction. From the first page to the last, this book grabs the heart and the imagination. "April Was Here" reads like a novel, full of action, adventure, heartache, and laughter. It is an insightful and revealing look into the life of a young survivor. April's natural artistic talent shines on every page of this book, including the cover which she painted. "April was here" is a truly touching story of survival, and of how a young girl overcame adversity to succeed. April O'Brien's writing style captivates the reader and brings her characters to life, and even more so when "she" is that character. Heart wrenching in places, but also captivating, and even shocking in others, this book does not leave the reader dry, only wanting more.
Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 9, 2012
I don't understand the one star review that said nothing about this book. I found it to be gripping, haunting and a real page turner. I want to read another of her books. This book is very moving and tells an unforgettable story of her young life and overcoming unbelievable odds to survive a life that was sad yet inspirational. I think many of us would find it honest and compelling even through the sad truths she allowed us as readers to experience with her. I did see a few grammatical errors but nothing that made me want to stop reading the story. It will stay with me forever. I loved it and think people would be surprised at how every page is better than the previous one. I am also intrigued that she painted the picture on the cover.
August 3, 2017
Very good read.
Loved her very sad story. What a survivor. Brave girl. Couldn't put it down. Want to read about the new years.
Loved her very sad story. What a survivor. Brave girl. Couldn't put it down. Want to read about the new years.
February 19, 2017
Oh, my dear April! You have definitely left a mark on my heart.
I have never read a true life story that has left such a mark on my heart. The pain, both emotional and physical, is almost more than a person can comprehend, and to have gone through it all at such a young age is beyond comprehension. I was married for about three years to a man who could be abusive, but never to the extent that Albert abused you, and he never hit me, just threatened. I am so happy that you finally found someone to give you the love that you were denied for so long. You are so right in saying that the "American Dream" should be a stable family with a mother and father who love their kids. The sad thing is we have too many people like your mother, and your father, too who aren't stable themselves.
I am so deeply sorry that you lost that beautiful daughter. My daughter and son-in-law lost their daughter three and a half years ago and it has left a big hole in our heart. My deep sympathy to you and your husband. She was 28, and didn't have any children so as yet they don't have any grandchildren, though they do have a26 year old, Single, son. So we do have SOME hope there.
I want to commend you for being able to make a decent life for yourself with your husbands help and love. And I want you to know that all people who profess to be Christians are not like the Roloff bunch. Some of us are truly good, loving people. And we all are not hypocrites, we have good relationships with our children. I'm so glad you didn't let your mom have your daughter, and I'm sorry you didn't get to raise your son.
;I've rambled on enough, but you a d young people like you were will being my prayers from now on. (I can't stop the tears)
I have never read a true life story that has left such a mark on my heart. The pain, both emotional and physical, is almost more than a person can comprehend, and to have gone through it all at such a young age is beyond comprehension. I was married for about three years to a man who could be abusive, but never to the extent that Albert abused you, and he never hit me, just threatened. I am so happy that you finally found someone to give you the love that you were denied for so long. You are so right in saying that the "American Dream" should be a stable family with a mother and father who love their kids. The sad thing is we have too many people like your mother, and your father, too who aren't stable themselves.
I am so deeply sorry that you lost that beautiful daughter. My daughter and son-in-law lost their daughter three and a half years ago and it has left a big hole in our heart. My deep sympathy to you and your husband. She was 28, and didn't have any children so as yet they don't have any grandchildren, though they do have a26 year old, Single, son. So we do have SOME hope there.
I want to commend you for being able to make a decent life for yourself with your husbands help and love. And I want you to know that all people who profess to be Christians are not like the Roloff bunch. Some of us are truly good, loving people. And we all are not hypocrites, we have good relationships with our children. I'm so glad you didn't let your mom have your daughter, and I'm sorry you didn't get to raise your son.
;I've rambled on enough, but you a d young people like you were will being my prayers from now on. (I can't stop the tears)
May 31, 2016
There’s an old saying: “No one escapes childhood uninjured.”
If there was ever anyone tailor made for that saying, it’s April O’Brien.
Throughout the pages of her heartrending autobiography, April Was Here, O’Brien takes the reader through the tumultuous – and often tortuous – upbringing she was forced to endure. Essentially, you can pick any of the numerous books, TV shows, and movies over the years that have depicted child abuse and neglect, then multiply them by a power of 10, and you’ll have the nightmare that was April O’Brien’s childhood. From being abused at a “school for girls” to suffering through a violent marriage, O’Brien’s younger years were rife with tragedy, heartache, and near destruction; however, unlike many childhood victims, she endured and ultimately survived, continuing to improve to this day.
While the pervasive editing errors contained throughout April Was Here cannot be ignored, when you consider the lack of formal education and ongoing repression O’Brien was forced to endure, some leeway can be given to this self-published memoir with a powerful message to share. Anyone who’s suffered through such horrendous mistreatment will surely be able to relate.
Karyn Watts
Apex Reviews
If there was ever anyone tailor made for that saying, it’s April O’Brien.
Throughout the pages of her heartrending autobiography, April Was Here, O’Brien takes the reader through the tumultuous – and often tortuous – upbringing she was forced to endure. Essentially, you can pick any of the numerous books, TV shows, and movies over the years that have depicted child abuse and neglect, then multiply them by a power of 10, and you’ll have the nightmare that was April O’Brien’s childhood. From being abused at a “school for girls” to suffering through a violent marriage, O’Brien’s younger years were rife with tragedy, heartache, and near destruction; however, unlike many childhood victims, she endured and ultimately survived, continuing to improve to this day.
While the pervasive editing errors contained throughout April Was Here cannot be ignored, when you consider the lack of formal education and ongoing repression O’Brien was forced to endure, some leeway can be given to this self-published memoir with a powerful message to share. Anyone who’s suffered through such horrendous mistreatment will surely be able to relate.
Karyn Watts
Apex Reviews
March 4, 2017
This was the most shocking, interesting, captivating and memorable book I have ever read. It is hard to believe in places, because so much happened to this girl. Can all of this truly happen to one person? Yes, it can and did. You will experience every emotion humans have the ability to feel. This book never stops moving. Every Page is exciting, shocking, sad, funny, smart, dumb, honest and interesting. This is NOT a waste of time. Everyone who reads it will find something for them. The one thing everyone will say, "is I want more. Good thing. There will be a sequel due out this Christmas. I want the sequel to 'ENTER" too.
January 31, 2012
I was sitting in the casino, reading, and a stranger approached me. I think he worked in the kitchen at the casino. He said that he had observed that I was a "reader" and offered me a card that told of the several books that his wife had written. I thanked him and ordered 3 of the books. This is the first one I read. It is about the author's (his wife) life. It is terribly sad. However, I always learn more about myself from reading books, especially when I didn't pick the book out.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews