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Empty Chairs
Stacey Danson, lived through and beyond horrific child abuse. This book tells of her brutal beginnings, the streets of Sydney at the age of eleven were preferable to the hell she endured at home. She ran, and those streets became her home for five years. She was alone, ill, and afraid. Stacey also had an unshakeable belief that she would do more than just survive her life.
She would not allow her future to be determined by the horrors of her childhood. She reached out for something different; there had to be more to life; if she could only find it. She had a dream of a life where pain and humiliation had no place. She was determined to find that life. Empty Chairs is the beginning of the journey. Now she is living the dream.
She would not allow her future to be determined by the horrors of her childhood. She reached out for something different; there had to be more to life; if she could only find it. She had a dream of a life where pain and humiliation had no place. She was determined to find that life. Empty Chairs is the beginning of the journey. Now she is living the dream.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2016
54 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 2, 2019
Empty Chairs - Riveting Story!
The story starts painfully as the author, Stacey, takes us through the hell she went through starting as far back as she can remember-the age of 3. Lord only knows what happened before then with a crazy mom like Gwen. I felt the pain and anger of what Gwen put her through. The sexual abuse, the beatings, the fight to survive. She was not raised to know anything about socializing with other people which was mind-boggling to me. It was as if she came from another planet. The story was paced well and kept me reading and anticipating some kind of ending. I can appreciate the author having to stop the writing with promises of more to come later. Her writing style made it easy to get through the story which I like. I can appreciate the flashbacks she had to endure just to bring us this sad existence she was forced to live. I admire her courage for bringing this sadness to the public with the intent of getting the word out about this horrific existence which is more prevalent than we would like to think.
I gave her 5 stars
The story starts painfully as the author, Stacey, takes us through the hell she went through starting as far back as she can remember-the age of 3. Lord only knows what happened before then with a crazy mom like Gwen. I felt the pain and anger of what Gwen put her through. The sexual abuse, the beatings, the fight to survive. She was not raised to know anything about socializing with other people which was mind-boggling to me. It was as if she came from another planet. The story was paced well and kept me reading and anticipating some kind of ending. I can appreciate the author having to stop the writing with promises of more to come later. Her writing style made it easy to get through the story which I like. I can appreciate the flashbacks she had to endure just to bring us this sad existence she was forced to live. I admire her courage for bringing this sadness to the public with the intent of getting the word out about this horrific existence which is more prevalent than we would like to think.
I gave her 5 stars
July 9, 2016
I first heard about this book a few years ago. A friend of mine told me it was a must read,when I went to order it I found that it was no longer available,I contacted the author on Goodreads asking about it,and she apologized stating,it would not be available again. I was very disappointed,but things like this happen.So you can imagine my utter delight when I found out it was going to be re released. I couldn't wait and as soon as it was available,I snapped it right up . I was not prepared for what was hidden within the pages of this book,I've been dismantled and put back together again while reading this story. I am not a wilting flower,I've heard about atrocities that would shrivel your soul,and yet.... I was not prepared. It took me two months to read this book,not because it was a slow read or because it was poorly written,but because I needed time,time to regain my composure, to get my head straight, because I was continually ripped apart emotionally. I wanted to jump into this book and save the person who would be known as "Sassy Girl". Sometimes the only one that can save you is yourself and Sassy learned that at such a young age,she has a powerful spirit and I greatly admire her.I walk away from this tale forever changed,and thoroughly in awe of Stacey Danson/ Suzanne Burke for having the strength to share this story,THANK YOU Stacey/ Suzanne ,you are an AMAZING human being and I Will forever cherish this gift you have given. So as my friend told me,I must tell you,this book Is a MUST READ. I highly recommend it to any and everyone who has the ability.
January 7, 2017
In Empty Chairs, author Stacey Danson takes us on a roller-coaster ride through the roughest area of Sydney, Australia. In her own words, “I was about to spend my very first night in ‘Kings Cross’, the organized crime, drug and sleaze capital of Australia.”
We lean into the action as depicted through the eyes of eleven-year-old Stacy. We suffer every night and rejoice each new day that the eleven-year -old is still alive.
Just by virtue of the subject matter, this was a hard story for Ms. Danson to write, and it is equally hard for us to read. Several scenes are not for the faint of heart. Known on the streets as “Sassy Girl”, Stacy lives up to that name and it’s that sassiness which helps her to survive and it’s what endears her to the reader.
The book’s pacing is good and the ‘Kings Cross’ characters that she interacts with are well drawn and ring true. The conclusion of Empty Chairs is somewhat abrupt (thus 4.5 stars) but it leaves us hopeful that Stacey will find her way out.
July 9, 2019
Trust
This book is very challenging to thinking good about humanity but also very awesome to read the slow steps forward... some missteps but pest part is Sassy’s love of learning, appreciation of art and music, her huge respect for herself despite having 0 example of it in her birth place. It’s kinda annoying only in the sense that she often drops a note of preface like boy that sure did change before the thing came up. I suppose it helps you prepare it’s coming but also feel like it adds more I’m not even sure.... I guess I don’t like any hint about latter and just want to read what unfolds. Besides rage it’s grand. So glad there is a sequel now especially bc the ending of this book leaves you with severe anticipation!
This book is very challenging to thinking good about humanity but also very awesome to read the slow steps forward... some missteps but pest part is Sassy’s love of learning, appreciation of art and music, her huge respect for herself despite having 0 example of it in her birth place. It’s kinda annoying only in the sense that she often drops a note of preface like boy that sure did change before the thing came up. I suppose it helps you prepare it’s coming but also feel like it adds more I’m not even sure.... I guess I don’t like any hint about latter and just want to read what unfolds. Besides rage it’s grand. So glad there is a sequel now especially bc the ending of this book leaves you with severe anticipation!
October 14, 2019
The writer describes in harrowing details being forced into prostitution by her mother from the tender age of three until her escape from the horror at 11 years old. But did she really escape?
This book is not for the faint of heart. The raw grittiness with which she describes the mental, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse will haunt you. You cannot "unsee" the images poured out from her memory onto those pages and into your mind; they are the stuff of nightmares.
The author recounts her experiences in a matter of fact -almost defiant - manner that does not solicit your pity. The totally unexpected ending is jarring but affords the reader a strange sense of relief... After all, you can only hold your breath for so long...
This book is not for the faint of heart. The raw grittiness with which she describes the mental, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse will haunt you. You cannot "unsee" the images poured out from her memory onto those pages and into your mind; they are the stuff of nightmares.
The author recounts her experiences in a matter of fact -almost defiant - manner that does not solicit your pity. The totally unexpected ending is jarring but affords the reader a strange sense of relief... After all, you can only hold your breath for so long...
January 9, 2017
A determined survivor
Aged 11 Stacey Danson was faced with a choice to either endure being used as a prostitute by her evil ,greedy mother and put up with severe beatings or do a runner and attempt to survive on the streets of Sydney,Australia.....What follows is a compelling tale of a young girls fierce determination to survive . Highly recommend.
Aged 11 Stacey Danson was faced with a choice to either endure being used as a prostitute by her evil ,greedy mother and put up with severe beatings or do a runner and attempt to survive on the streets of Sydney,Australia.....What follows is a compelling tale of a young girls fierce determination to survive . Highly recommend.
August 31, 2020
Heartbreaking story
The details of the authors young life are just too awful for any child to have to live through. This is such an interesting story. All I can do is hope her life gets better.
The details of the authors young life are just too awful for any child to have to live through. This is such an interesting story. All I can do is hope her life gets better.
May 10, 2017
Fantasfic read
Inspiring story, she went through so much and is such brave woman. I look forward to reading her sequels and hope she is living a happy and settled life now
Inspiring story, she went through so much and is such brave woman. I look forward to reading her sequels and hope she is living a happy and settled life now
September 12, 2020
Wow amazing fortitude and spirit
The strength of Sassy is unbelievable and I feel like I am reliving some of the past reading this...what an amazing woman
The strength of Sassy is unbelievable and I feel like I am reliving some of the past reading this...what an amazing woman
December 19, 2016
Harrowing
This book tells the story of a girl abused my her mother and used as income for countless peadophiles to abuse. At the age of 11 she fights back and runs away to tough it out on the streets of Sydney. She shows incredible bravery and endures some horrific ordeals......but nothing can ever be as bad as returning to the evil clutches of Gwen (her mother). The storyline was as gripping as it was disturbing. There was a little bit of repetition in places and one or two grammatical errors, so I have awarded it 4 out of 5. With some careful editing however, it would definitely be a 5* review.
This book tells the story of a girl abused my her mother and used as income for countless peadophiles to abuse. At the age of 11 she fights back and runs away to tough it out on the streets of Sydney. She shows incredible bravery and endures some horrific ordeals......but nothing can ever be as bad as returning to the evil clutches of Gwen (her mother). The storyline was as gripping as it was disturbing. There was a little bit of repetition in places and one or two grammatical errors, so I have awarded it 4 out of 5. With some careful editing however, it would definitely be a 5* review.
December 16, 2016
Great read
Even though I continued to cry through out it is a good book I am now about to read the second part.
Even though I continued to cry through out it is a good book I am now about to read the second part.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews