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Unbroken: One Woman's Journey to Rebuild a Life Shattered by Violence. A True Story of Survival and Hope
"For many years after that night, my memories of what happened after he held the blade to my throat and threatened my life were fragmented . . . difficult to piece together. It was too extreme, too violent for me to understand."
Living in a state of shock and self-loathing, it took her years of struggle to confront the buried memories of that first attack and begin to undo the damage it wrought, as men continued to take advantage of her fragility in the worst possible way. Yet, after growing up with a burden no teenager should ever have to shoulder, she found the heart to carry out the best revenge plan of leading a fulfilling and happy life. But the road to piecing her life back together was long and painful. For Madeleine, forgiveness was the key. True forgiveness takes genuine effort. It takes a real desire to understand those who have done us so much harm. It is the ultimate act of courage. In Unbroken , Madeleine tells her deeply moving and empowering story, as she discovers that life is about how a person chooses to recover from adversity.
Living in a state of shock and self-loathing, it took her years of struggle to confront the buried memories of that first attack and begin to undo the damage it wrought, as men continued to take advantage of her fragility in the worst possible way. Yet, after growing up with a burden no teenager should ever have to shoulder, she found the heart to carry out the best revenge plan of leading a fulfilling and happy life. But the road to piecing her life back together was long and painful. For Madeleine, forgiveness was the key. True forgiveness takes genuine effort. It takes a real desire to understand those who have done us so much harm. It is the ultimate act of courage. In Unbroken , Madeleine tells her deeply moving and empowering story, as she discovers that life is about how a person chooses to recover from adversity.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2017
29 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine Black
7 books87 followersThe sharing of her story opened many doors for Madeleine in ways she never imagined and the invitations started to pour in.
She has taken part in both TV and radio interviews and has been invited to share her story at conferences, events and schools.
She recognises that she was a victim of a crime that left her silent for many years, but has now found her voice and intends to use it. Not just for her, but for so many who can’t find theirs yet.
She is married and lives in Glasgow with her husband, three daughters, her cat, Suki, and dog, Alfie.
"Unbroken" is her first book and tells her story of being gang raped at aged 13 by two American teenagers. It follows her journey of survival, healing, forgiveness, transformation and hope
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 3, 2017
How can I review that book? How can I rate it knowing that it isn't a fictional story but a true account of what happened to Madeleine Black? And the answer is that I can't, not really, all I can do is try to put in writing how much that book made me feel. It is harrowing, it's heartbreaking but it's also full of hope and love. Madeleine Black went through so much trauma, experienced so much pain and hatred, hatred inflicted by others and herself, but still she managed to turn all that that happened to her into something positive and created a beautiful and loving, meaningful life for herself and her family. Her story is truly inspirational and so is the message behind it; we all experience some sort of pain or trauma in our lives but it is how we deal with it that defines us, not that what happened to us. Madeleine Black made her choice, she was a victim of a horrendous crime but she is now a survivor, somebody who turn the evil done to her into a positive, a tool to help her help others and lead a meaningful life. Hers is a story of strength and courage, compassion and forgiveness. 'Unbroken' is a must read.
October 5, 2021
Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUpgw5AIf...
“Ciascuno di noi viene al mondo simile a un foglio bianco. Però poi ciò che ci accade ci cambia: le nostre esperienze e il nostro background ci condizionano, e noi iniziamo ad agire di conseguenza”.
Una a riflessione che Madeleine, ormai adulta, fino a quel momento non aveva preso in considerazione.
Ciò che all’età di tredici anni le avevano fatto, infliggendole dolore atroce, violenza inaudita e soprusi di ogni tipo, era stato terrificante, e l’aveva cambiata irrimediabilmente.
Il suo candore, l’innocenza e la spensieratezza, erano stati spazzati via in una notte.
Era sempre stata convinta che i suoi giovani aggressori fossero nati già cattivi, e non si era mai chiesta se invece fossero state le personali esperienze vissute ad averli resi così violenti.
«Mio malgrado, mi ritrovai a riflettere sulla loro situazione. Odiarli mi provocava molta rabbia, e anche se avevo fatto moltissimi passi avanti avevo ancora parecchi problemi».
Madeleine dopo la terribile esperienza vissuta non riconosceva più sé stessa. Non riusciva mai a rilassarsi del tutto, era ossessionata dall’ordine e dalla pulizia, e con i familiari era tesa, spesso le capitava di sbottare per niente.
«Che fosse colpa dell’odio che ancora albergava dentro di me e che, di tanto in tanto, sgorgava fuori avvelenando me e la mia famiglia?».
Si chiedeva come facessero invece quei due farabutti a vivere le loro vite normalmente pur avendo delle coscienze così sporche, e temeva per l’incolumità di altre donne. Poi col tempo e con un appropriato e approfondito aiuto psicologico, si era resa conto che le loro azioni, deliberate o meno, avrebbero finito col macchiare esclusivamente le loro vite, danneggiandole in modo permanente.
Ma non la sua.
No.
Lei non aveva colpe.
«Avevo imparato a gestire le emozioni negative che spesso mi tormentavano e mi suggerivano di darmela a gambe. Affrontare i ricordi e i flashback, e andare avanti nonostante tutto, mi aveva insegnato a tenere duro e a non lasciarmi sopraffare».
Eppure per tanti anni aveva taciuto. Non era riuscita ad urlare al mondo intero il dolore e la tragedia che aveva vissuto quando era poco più che una bambina. Imbarazzo, senso di impotenza e sfiducia nel sistema giudiziario, avevano creato un tarlo nella sua testa, portandola erroneamente a pensare che, in fin dei conti, avesse avuto una qualche sorta di responsabilità su quanto le era accaduto.
Il processo di guarigione non fu facile.
Lungo, lento e doloroso, con tante ricadute e momenti di abbattimento più totale.
Ma anche pieno di sorprese.
Madeleine ad un certo punto ebbe una specie di “rivelazione” che cambiò in modo radicale l’intera prospettiva degli eventi.
🖋️Ma non dirò nulla su questo aspetto.
Preferisco lasciare che sia il lettore a scoprire la bellezza e la profondità del messaggio che, con questo libro autobiografico di non facile lettura, Madeleine ci ha voluto trasmettere.
*Ringrazio la CE per la copia ARC
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUpgw5AIf...
“Ciascuno di noi viene al mondo simile a un foglio bianco. Però poi ciò che ci accade ci cambia: le nostre esperienze e il nostro background ci condizionano, e noi iniziamo ad agire di conseguenza”.
Una a riflessione che Madeleine, ormai adulta, fino a quel momento non aveva preso in considerazione.
Ciò che all’età di tredici anni le avevano fatto, infliggendole dolore atroce, violenza inaudita e soprusi di ogni tipo, era stato terrificante, e l’aveva cambiata irrimediabilmente.
Il suo candore, l’innocenza e la spensieratezza, erano stati spazzati via in una notte.
Era sempre stata convinta che i suoi giovani aggressori fossero nati già cattivi, e non si era mai chiesta se invece fossero state le personali esperienze vissute ad averli resi così violenti.
«Mio malgrado, mi ritrovai a riflettere sulla loro situazione. Odiarli mi provocava molta rabbia, e anche se avevo fatto moltissimi passi avanti avevo ancora parecchi problemi».
Madeleine dopo la terribile esperienza vissuta non riconosceva più sé stessa. Non riusciva mai a rilassarsi del tutto, era ossessionata dall’ordine e dalla pulizia, e con i familiari era tesa, spesso le capitava di sbottare per niente.
«Che fosse colpa dell’odio che ancora albergava dentro di me e che, di tanto in tanto, sgorgava fuori avvelenando me e la mia famiglia?».
Si chiedeva come facessero invece quei due farabutti a vivere le loro vite normalmente pur avendo delle coscienze così sporche, e temeva per l’incolumità di altre donne. Poi col tempo e con un appropriato e approfondito aiuto psicologico, si era resa conto che le loro azioni, deliberate o meno, avrebbero finito col macchiare esclusivamente le loro vite, danneggiandole in modo permanente.
Ma non la sua.
No.
Lei non aveva colpe.
«Avevo imparato a gestire le emozioni negative che spesso mi tormentavano e mi suggerivano di darmela a gambe. Affrontare i ricordi e i flashback, e andare avanti nonostante tutto, mi aveva insegnato a tenere duro e a non lasciarmi sopraffare».
Eppure per tanti anni aveva taciuto. Non era riuscita ad urlare al mondo intero il dolore e la tragedia che aveva vissuto quando era poco più che una bambina. Imbarazzo, senso di impotenza e sfiducia nel sistema giudiziario, avevano creato un tarlo nella sua testa, portandola erroneamente a pensare che, in fin dei conti, avesse avuto una qualche sorta di responsabilità su quanto le era accaduto.
Il processo di guarigione non fu facile.
Lungo, lento e doloroso, con tante ricadute e momenti di abbattimento più totale.
Ma anche pieno di sorprese.
Madeleine ad un certo punto ebbe una specie di “rivelazione” che cambiò in modo radicale l’intera prospettiva degli eventi.
🖋️Ma non dirò nulla su questo aspetto.
Preferisco lasciare che sia il lettore a scoprire la bellezza e la profondità del messaggio che, con questo libro autobiografico di non facile lettura, Madeleine ci ha voluto trasmettere.
*Ringrazio la CE per la copia ARC
June 17, 2017
It's very difficult to put into words the impact this book had on me, on so many levels. It is raw, beautiful, powerful, difficult, but ultimately uplifting. Madeleine Black has used her own violent experience to create something quite magical - a book that is dark and yet shows what the human spirit can achieve. Really, read this.
June 6, 2020
Unbroken is the authors own story.
Now I won’t lie, this isn’t an easy read. The author starts off with the horrendous events that happened when she was thirteen. We don’t fully get to know what happened that night until later on in the book when the author made the tough decision to give a detailed account of what happened. It can not have been easy and I did find it hard to read but I applaud the author for doing it. Sadly life is not all rosy and this is a stark reminder of the horrors that go on in the world.
It was moving seeing the woman that Madeleine becomes. The choices she makes and how it affected her self esteem. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her many a time through out as she is on a road to self destruct as she battles with dealing what has happened. It was interesting to see her life changing direction and the things she became interested in. I have to say I learned quite a bit from her story. It was also interesting to see how her family reacted and how the relationship more so between Madeleine and her mother grew.
Unbroken is a frank and honest account by a woman who made me greatly admire how she turned her life around. It can’t be easy to have chosen the route she has in helping others but her determination and how she found solace in dealing with her past, made for again, admirable and emotional reading. A harrowing but absolute must read.
Now I won’t lie, this isn’t an easy read. The author starts off with the horrendous events that happened when she was thirteen. We don’t fully get to know what happened that night until later on in the book when the author made the tough decision to give a detailed account of what happened. It can not have been easy and I did find it hard to read but I applaud the author for doing it. Sadly life is not all rosy and this is a stark reminder of the horrors that go on in the world.
It was moving seeing the woman that Madeleine becomes. The choices she makes and how it affected her self esteem. I just wanted to wrap my arms around her many a time through out as she is on a road to self destruct as she battles with dealing what has happened. It was interesting to see her life changing direction and the things she became interested in. I have to say I learned quite a bit from her story. It was also interesting to see how her family reacted and how the relationship more so between Madeleine and her mother grew.
Unbroken is a frank and honest account by a woman who made me greatly admire how she turned her life around. It can’t be easy to have chosen the route she has in helping others but her determination and how she found solace in dealing with her past, made for again, admirable and emotional reading. A harrowing but absolute must read.
September 3, 2017
unbroken is a true story it was heartbreaking and sad, she talks about what happened to her and how she coped and dealt with it
i was hooked loved reading it and made me cry in parts
i was hooked loved reading it and made me cry in parts
May 5, 2017
In the acknowledgement section of Unbroken, Madeleine Black refers to it as her memoir. Amazon also lists it as a memoir but, if a book ever deserved its own category, this is it. Were it up to me, I would start with: Messages that everyone must read. Whatever category you care to put it in, mandatory reading for men, women and, especially parents, needs to be added.
The cover of the book will quickly tell you that it is the story of the author’s life. Of her being beaten, abused, raped and nearly killed. But, more importantly, it is the story of her survival, of her reclaiming hope, her life and a future.
As the author of a trilogy dealing with young women rescued from the sex trade, I know how hard it is to write about the traumatic experiences they undergo yet, allow them to maintain their dignity. To let their true selves shine through the evil they’ve endured. To describe their struggle to rebuild their lives, to reestablish their belief in themselves. To make the people who molest them understand how easily their actions can destroy a life.
While I read through what happened to Madeleine I cried. Partly because I’d been there twice before, first with a friend and then with my main character. But, mainly because, once again, I found myself asking how can someone, anyone, do that to another human being? How can anyone so recklessly try to stamp out the flame of someone’s life and not realize what they are doing?
I’ll climb off of my soap box, for now, and get back to my review.
I am certainly no expert but, as an author, I’m in awe of Madeline’s writing. Her ability to make you picture and feel what she is writing about is beyond outstanding. And, Unbroken is no doubt, the best first book I have ever read.
I’ve one last point to make. Perhaps because my books deal primarily with support and friendship, I need to single out Madeline’s husband, Steven, as the unsung hero of her story. His trust, belief, support and pure, unquestioning love for her, even when he had no idea what had happened to her, places him in the sainthood category for me. If you’re a male (husband or not) and wish to model yourself after someone, I strongly suggest Steven.
Which leads me into my summary. Anyone raising a child needs to read Unbroken and impress upon their children the need to treat each other with respect and kindness. To emphasize the impact that a careless or selfish moment can have on their, or someone else’s life.
My rating? Outstandingly written with Messages that everyone must read.
The cover of the book will quickly tell you that it is the story of the author’s life. Of her being beaten, abused, raped and nearly killed. But, more importantly, it is the story of her survival, of her reclaiming hope, her life and a future.
As the author of a trilogy dealing with young women rescued from the sex trade, I know how hard it is to write about the traumatic experiences they undergo yet, allow them to maintain their dignity. To let their true selves shine through the evil they’ve endured. To describe their struggle to rebuild their lives, to reestablish their belief in themselves. To make the people who molest them understand how easily their actions can destroy a life.
While I read through what happened to Madeleine I cried. Partly because I’d been there twice before, first with a friend and then with my main character. But, mainly because, once again, I found myself asking how can someone, anyone, do that to another human being? How can anyone so recklessly try to stamp out the flame of someone’s life and not realize what they are doing?
I’ll climb off of my soap box, for now, and get back to my review.
I am certainly no expert but, as an author, I’m in awe of Madeline’s writing. Her ability to make you picture and feel what she is writing about is beyond outstanding. And, Unbroken is no doubt, the best first book I have ever read.
I’ve one last point to make. Perhaps because my books deal primarily with support and friendship, I need to single out Madeline’s husband, Steven, as the unsung hero of her story. His trust, belief, support and pure, unquestioning love for her, even when he had no idea what had happened to her, places him in the sainthood category for me. If you’re a male (husband or not) and wish to model yourself after someone, I strongly suggest Steven.
Which leads me into my summary. Anyone raising a child needs to read Unbroken and impress upon their children the need to treat each other with respect and kindness. To emphasize the impact that a careless or selfish moment can have on their, or someone else’s life.
My rating? Outstandingly written with Messages that everyone must read.
April 21, 2020
I bought the ebook of Unbroken a while ago, but when I discovered that Ms Black was releasing an audio version, I held off reading it as I wanted to listen to it first. The first few chapters had me reeling. Ms Black and I were both 13 years old in 1979, we both lived in North London, we socialised in the same places. My father was also a holocaust survivor and I travelled to Israel in my late teens to 'get my head sorted'. What was clear that in those days, women had very little power against men. The rape and attempted murder of Ms Black was harrowing to hear. However, if she can live through it, the least I could do to honour her courage was listen to it. I didn't cry then, but I did when she moved on to the forgiveness element of her story. I was overcome emotionally by how she rebuilt her life, brick by brick and spent a great deal of last night and this morning, sobbing. Not from sadness, but from awe at this remarkable woman's bravery and her determination to recover and be whole again. We bandy the word 'inspirational' around far too easily today - but this is so deeply moving and so fulsome in its telling of healing that there is no other word for it. I don't believe I have the words to properly explain how shaken I was by Ms Black's story. This woman has risen like a phoenix from the flames to lead us, by her example, in how we humans should treat each other. She must have the most enormous heart, full of love and forgiveness. I am humbled by her grace, her generosity of spirit, her strength of character and her capacity to forgive. Listening to Unbroken may be extremely difficult in places but in comparison to Ms Black's achievements - it's really not; we should consider it a privilege and an honour to hear her story and to understand how vital forgiving those who trespass against us, really is. I must end this review by expressing my gratitude to Ms Black for her candour, her dedication to forgiveness and her solicitude of other survivors. This world is a richer place because people like her exist in it and demonstrate human kindness. Thank you for being you.
December 14, 2021
This book is one I cannot recommend enough. It first discusses the experience of sexual violence in detail - something many writers decline to do, but I believe strongly that the impact of this violation cannot be understood if the reader does not understand the reality of what happens. It is critical to our path forward to change. Black's writing is nuanced and extremely well crafted.
That said, the pages that then show the author's persistence in finding a path to healing are absolutely stunning. Black shows us a range of strategies and hard work over time that are inspirational. Her work in this field has continued after this book's publication and I highly recommend her Ted Talk and podcast as well.
Brava to this author and advocate.
That said, the pages that then show the author's persistence in finding a path to healing are absolutely stunning. Black shows us a range of strategies and hard work over time that are inspirational. Her work in this field has continued after this book's publication and I highly recommend her Ted Talk and podcast as well.
Brava to this author and advocate.
October 28, 2021
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June 24, 2020
I have to warn you dear reader that this book is not an easy read. It will make you feel uncomfortable, angry and will emotionally break you. This is not for the faint hearted and every single word of this story is true, it all happened. Just knowing that alone before I started reading was tough to digest. But you need to, because this story needs to be heard. You will soon understand why.
Madeline was a shy girl growing up. She helped out at home with the rest of the family as her mother suffered from back and neck pain caused from a car crash years ago. She had good grades in school and friends to hang out with. One friend in particular, Kelly was a bit different from the rest. One night they both planed a night out as Kelly had mentioned she could introduce Madeline to some boys. Like most girls Madeline was interested in boys but a harmless, innocent interest as she was only 13 years old. What was meant to be a night of fun quickly turned into years of pain, anger and trauma that Madeline quietly suffered with alone. That night she was brutally gang-raped by two of the boys. She would be raped three more times before the age of 18. It would be a long time before she could face the blurred memories of that one night and begin to rebuild and heal the damage both physically and mentally done to her.
My heart broke as I read the events of that one night. The strong explicit images of a young girl being raped and abused against her will is shocking to read. You feel helpless as there’s nothing you can do but read on. What follows from that night is a spiral of events that leave Madeline distant and distraught. She forced herself to block bits out and couldn’t tell anyone what happened even though she wanted to speak out. She knew her childhood was over and no longer recognised herself. She shut off from her family, her grades at school dropped and she began using drugs to numb her feelings. She was all alone and the reader can see the dark pit of despair that she was falling into. Madeline is raped three more times before she is 18 years old. At the time she was unaware that it was rape and just thought it was bad sex. But in each of the three situations she writes about she had said no and didn’t give her consent. It took her years to see the rapes for what they were. Madeline blamed herself a lot for what happened. She believed that it was her fault these horrible things happened to her. She even convinced herself she was raped because she was a bad person. This only caused her to fall further and further into herself. Being young is a confusing time for everyone. There are still so many things we are unsure of and feel afraid to speak up about. Madeline shows this clearly in her writing as you can see the thought process of her younger self, the never-ending loop of self-loathing and hate. Yet you also witness how she conquers and pushes through her fears later in life. She reaches a point of acceptance while looking and striving forward, not back.
I was wary of the introduction of Steven as you become very protective of Madeline. You want all her hurting to stop and for her to find happiness. I was overjoyed when it was clear that Steven was a good guy and even happier when they married and had three daughters. Madeline decides that her best revenge plan will be to live and have a life filled with love and joy. She refuses to let the boys continue to control her life. She moves to Glasgow, volunteers for Women’s Aid and then a few years later Rape Crisis and goes to college. She begins to rebuild her life even though she is still plagued by flashbacks. While studying counselling she opens up in therapy and learns a lot about the mind and human behaviour which aid her in her healing process.
Madeline begins to see more and more from that one night and gives a full account to the reader of what happened. Upon re-reading that night with the added details, I felt sick to my stomach. I had to stop a few times as it’s heavy stuff, by the end I was a mess. But you have to read it, to understand that these things do happen. We can’t keep turning our heads away and pretending it doesn’t because that is not helping anyone. It’s all very real and it needs to stop. It needs to stop now.
I was mesmerised by Madeline’s journey as she forced herself to face new challenges and tackle her doubts head on. She takes small slow steps into being able to travel alone, work with men, run marathons, learn karate, do windsurfing and it’s inspiring to see. She is a strong, determined woman who has not only faced her past but also forgiven her attackers. It’s taken her a long time to reach that point and I admire her for that. She will no longer be silent and speaks for those who are still finding their voice.
I give Unbroken By Madeline Black a Five out of Five paw rating.
An honest, vivid account of an horrific trauma that shows us that we are not defined by what knocks us down but how we get back up and choose to live. Madeline’s best revenge plan was for her to live her best life and be happy. She is a survivor, a symbol of hope to others who are still finding their way. We begin reading the story of a tiny caterpillar who is broken down and forced to retreat into their cocoon. Over time the caterpillar slowly begins to emerge but it has now turned into a magnificent butterfly, spreading its wings and flying free.
Madeline was a shy girl growing up. She helped out at home with the rest of the family as her mother suffered from back and neck pain caused from a car crash years ago. She had good grades in school and friends to hang out with. One friend in particular, Kelly was a bit different from the rest. One night they both planed a night out as Kelly had mentioned she could introduce Madeline to some boys. Like most girls Madeline was interested in boys but a harmless, innocent interest as she was only 13 years old. What was meant to be a night of fun quickly turned into years of pain, anger and trauma that Madeline quietly suffered with alone. That night she was brutally gang-raped by two of the boys. She would be raped three more times before the age of 18. It would be a long time before she could face the blurred memories of that one night and begin to rebuild and heal the damage both physically and mentally done to her.
My heart broke as I read the events of that one night. The strong explicit images of a young girl being raped and abused against her will is shocking to read. You feel helpless as there’s nothing you can do but read on. What follows from that night is a spiral of events that leave Madeline distant and distraught. She forced herself to block bits out and couldn’t tell anyone what happened even though she wanted to speak out. She knew her childhood was over and no longer recognised herself. She shut off from her family, her grades at school dropped and she began using drugs to numb her feelings. She was all alone and the reader can see the dark pit of despair that she was falling into. Madeline is raped three more times before she is 18 years old. At the time she was unaware that it was rape and just thought it was bad sex. But in each of the three situations she writes about she had said no and didn’t give her consent. It took her years to see the rapes for what they were. Madeline blamed herself a lot for what happened. She believed that it was her fault these horrible things happened to her. She even convinced herself she was raped because she was a bad person. This only caused her to fall further and further into herself. Being young is a confusing time for everyone. There are still so many things we are unsure of and feel afraid to speak up about. Madeline shows this clearly in her writing as you can see the thought process of her younger self, the never-ending loop of self-loathing and hate. Yet you also witness how she conquers and pushes through her fears later in life. She reaches a point of acceptance while looking and striving forward, not back.
I was wary of the introduction of Steven as you become very protective of Madeline. You want all her hurting to stop and for her to find happiness. I was overjoyed when it was clear that Steven was a good guy and even happier when they married and had three daughters. Madeline decides that her best revenge plan will be to live and have a life filled with love and joy. She refuses to let the boys continue to control her life. She moves to Glasgow, volunteers for Women’s Aid and then a few years later Rape Crisis and goes to college. She begins to rebuild her life even though she is still plagued by flashbacks. While studying counselling she opens up in therapy and learns a lot about the mind and human behaviour which aid her in her healing process.
Madeline begins to see more and more from that one night and gives a full account to the reader of what happened. Upon re-reading that night with the added details, I felt sick to my stomach. I had to stop a few times as it’s heavy stuff, by the end I was a mess. But you have to read it, to understand that these things do happen. We can’t keep turning our heads away and pretending it doesn’t because that is not helping anyone. It’s all very real and it needs to stop. It needs to stop now.
I was mesmerised by Madeline’s journey as she forced herself to face new challenges and tackle her doubts head on. She takes small slow steps into being able to travel alone, work with men, run marathons, learn karate, do windsurfing and it’s inspiring to see. She is a strong, determined woman who has not only faced her past but also forgiven her attackers. It’s taken her a long time to reach that point and I admire her for that. She will no longer be silent and speaks for those who are still finding their voice.
I give Unbroken By Madeline Black a Five out of Five paw rating.
An honest, vivid account of an horrific trauma that shows us that we are not defined by what knocks us down but how we get back up and choose to live. Madeline’s best revenge plan was for her to live her best life and be happy. She is a survivor, a symbol of hope to others who are still finding their way. We begin reading the story of a tiny caterpillar who is broken down and forced to retreat into their cocoon. Over time the caterpillar slowly begins to emerge but it has now turned into a magnificent butterfly, spreading its wings and flying free.
February 5, 2018
If you are looking to learn more about what happens to a teenage girl after she’s violently raped, this book is for you.
Madeleine takes you on the journey of how that violence changed her, how it silenced her, but in the end how she healed and became free.
Most importantly, this is a story of hope and inspiration for others.
Especially to those who have suffered trauma.
It speaks of what I too believe is the best revenge: not letting the past destroy you, or ruining the rest of your life. Because in the end violence only begets violence.
This is a book about having the courage to forgive and break the cycle.
It shows how her innocence was shattered, the inability to tell anyone about what had been done to her, and the emotional detachment that followed. Keeping her pain buried took its toll and cut off such vital parts of herself. But it was necessary at the time as part of her survival.
The price of keeping pain and secrets buried is high as this author will tell you throughout her journey.
She takes the reader on her steps through healing and retrieving memories she’d buried.
It is a brave journey. A hard journey.
And I am so grateful that she found the strength through it so that she could find her voice and share her story with others.
The retrieving of memoires reminded me a bit of a book I read many, many years ago, My Father’s House by Sylvia Fraser.
This is a great story of how something good can come from something so terrible.
There is one quote in the book of a Chinese saying that I really like: he who does not forgive digs two graves.
Ultimately this story is about it not so much being about what happens to us as how we deal with it and react to.
She has been involved with The Forgiveness Project also. An organization that collects and share real stories of forgiveness to help build understanding, encourage reflection and enable people to reconcile with the pain of trauma and move forward in their lives.
I congratulate Madeleine on her bravery in sharing her story.
Madeleine takes you on the journey of how that violence changed her, how it silenced her, but in the end how she healed and became free.
Most importantly, this is a story of hope and inspiration for others.
Especially to those who have suffered trauma.
It speaks of what I too believe is the best revenge: not letting the past destroy you, or ruining the rest of your life. Because in the end violence only begets violence.
This is a book about having the courage to forgive and break the cycle.
It shows how her innocence was shattered, the inability to tell anyone about what had been done to her, and the emotional detachment that followed. Keeping her pain buried took its toll and cut off such vital parts of herself. But it was necessary at the time as part of her survival.
The price of keeping pain and secrets buried is high as this author will tell you throughout her journey.
She takes the reader on her steps through healing and retrieving memories she’d buried.
It is a brave journey. A hard journey.
And I am so grateful that she found the strength through it so that she could find her voice and share her story with others.
The retrieving of memoires reminded me a bit of a book I read many, many years ago, My Father’s House by Sylvia Fraser.
This is a great story of how something good can come from something so terrible.
There is one quote in the book of a Chinese saying that I really like: he who does not forgive digs two graves.
Ultimately this story is about it not so much being about what happens to us as how we deal with it and react to.
She has been involved with The Forgiveness Project also. An organization that collects and share real stories of forgiveness to help build understanding, encourage reflection and enable people to reconcile with the pain of trauma and move forward in their lives.
I congratulate Madeleine on her bravery in sharing her story.
August 29, 2017
This is a difficult book to read at times and an even more difficult book to review. It isn't one you can enjoy, the graphic description of what Madeleine went through at 13 years old would sicken anyone. I'm sure writing the book was cathartic for her and it will be a help to anyone who has been through a similar experience to know that you can survive and move on.
It's difficult to voice any negatives about such a horrific story but I did find the editing strange at times, particularly towards the end and it becomes repetitive. I struggled with some of the more spiritual aspects of the story and some of the therapies but I appreciate that this is a personal thing.
My main issue was though, that whilst I agree that forgiveness is the only way you can truly move forward, the cold fact is that these boys not only got away with it but could also have gone on to rape other girls. I'm not suggesting that Madeleine should have spoken out at the time, I fully understand why a 13 year old would choose to bury it through misplaced guilt and fear and because it was the only way she could deal with it. I also recognise that at the time, the chances of the boys being found guilty would have been remote, very few are now. I just find it hard to understand why someone who has gone through this wouldn't at least want to know where and what kind of people they ended up being.
Again, this is just me and I know that many will disagree.
A harrowing, difficult and thought provoking book.
My thanks to TBConFB, John Blake and Madeleine for this copy.
It's difficult to voice any negatives about such a horrific story but I did find the editing strange at times, particularly towards the end and it becomes repetitive. I struggled with some of the more spiritual aspects of the story and some of the therapies but I appreciate that this is a personal thing.
My main issue was though, that whilst I agree that forgiveness is the only way you can truly move forward, the cold fact is that these boys not only got away with it but could also have gone on to rape other girls. I'm not suggesting that Madeleine should have spoken out at the time, I fully understand why a 13 year old would choose to bury it through misplaced guilt and fear and because it was the only way she could deal with it. I also recognise that at the time, the chances of the boys being found guilty would have been remote, very few are now. I just find it hard to understand why someone who has gone through this wouldn't at least want to know where and what kind of people they ended up being.
Again, this is just me and I know that many will disagree.
A harrowing, difficult and thought provoking book.
My thanks to TBConFB, John Blake and Madeleine for this copy.
January 14, 2018
Unbroken is far from an easy read, I had tears streaming down my face for much of it. It's a story that elicits a whole range of emotions, among them deep anger because what Madeleine suffered was horrendous. Nobody should ever have to go through that sort of trauma, least of all a teenage girl. As the mother of three daughters, two of them teenagers, I found parts of this memoir very difficult to read. However, just because a book is distressing doesn't mean it should be shied away from; on the contrary, these are the books that should be read. Difficult subjects are ignored or whispered about too often but it's by talking, listening and reading that we can reduce the stigma and let survivors know that their stories matter.
Make no mistake, Madeleine is a survivor. She may have been the victim of the most heinous of crimes and while Unbroken acknowledges the dreadful damage these acts did to her, it's actually the story of her triumph. This is a book of strength and hope, it's about the power of forgiveness and the courage of a woman who refused to let life beat her. It may start with terrible attack on a young girl but it ends with the uplifting bravery of an inspirational woman. Unbroken is a reminder of the power of the written word. Harrowing it may be but we owe it to Madeleine - and to the other survivors who need stories like this - to read this incredible memoir.
Make no mistake, Madeleine is a survivor. She may have been the victim of the most heinous of crimes and while Unbroken acknowledges the dreadful damage these acts did to her, it's actually the story of her triumph. This is a book of strength and hope, it's about the power of forgiveness and the courage of a woman who refused to let life beat her. It may start with terrible attack on a young girl but it ends with the uplifting bravery of an inspirational woman. Unbroken is a reminder of the power of the written word. Harrowing it may be but we owe it to Madeleine - and to the other survivors who need stories like this - to read this incredible memoir.
Read
October 17, 2019Review to follow
January 26, 2019
This book is about the journey taken by Madeleine following a rape when she was 13 years old and what an unbelievable journey it's been.
I've heard Madeleine speak at a couple of events, one for her book and the other a Forgiveness Project event and I have chatted to her afterwards and I knew it was going to be a tough read. I wasn't wrong, I cried in despair reading what she went though in the years following the attack, I cried with pride and joy at the birth of her first daughter (people on the bus were looking at me funny, I didn't care) and I cried at the horrors she was put through during the rape which she describes in such detail.
Don't get me wrong, I did a lot of crying reading this but the lasting emotions I have are joy, pride and hope that we, as humans, can learn to stop doing such terrible things to others.
Yes this is a book about one women's journey to survive following something truly destructive, but it's also a book that shows if something knocks us down we need to dig deep and fight back, stand up and live the best life you possibly can, no matter how long that takes.
A truly inspirational book.
I've heard Madeleine speak at a couple of events, one for her book and the other a Forgiveness Project event and I have chatted to her afterwards and I knew it was going to be a tough read. I wasn't wrong, I cried in despair reading what she went though in the years following the attack, I cried with pride and joy at the birth of her first daughter (people on the bus were looking at me funny, I didn't care) and I cried at the horrors she was put through during the rape which she describes in such detail.
Don't get me wrong, I did a lot of crying reading this but the lasting emotions I have are joy, pride and hope that we, as humans, can learn to stop doing such terrible things to others.
Yes this is a book about one women's journey to survive following something truly destructive, but it's also a book that shows if something knocks us down we need to dig deep and fight back, stand up and live the best life you possibly can, no matter how long that takes.
A truly inspirational book.
December 11, 2017
A Story of Courage...Hope ..and a Remarkable woman...
This is the story of a beautiful girl...thirteen years old ..naieve and easily led astray as we all can be at that age...but what happens to her changes her ..almost destroys her..raped, beaten spat upon degraded and almost killed by two cowardly vicious thugs...then locking the memories away ending up in a cycle of self doubt ..then going through this again...I cried I raged for Madeleine.. Some people sail through life...here is a woman who for years kept everything inside...Keeping her darkest memories in a box only to have the nightmares that kept returning...It took this woman a long time...to heal ,forgive and make her life beautiful.. A husband three daughters...therapy and a will to remain unbroken.. This is a story that will tear at your heart...What a remarkable lady...
This is the story of a beautiful girl...thirteen years old ..naieve and easily led astray as we all can be at that age...but what happens to her changes her ..almost destroys her..raped, beaten spat upon degraded and almost killed by two cowardly vicious thugs...then locking the memories away ending up in a cycle of self doubt ..then going through this again...I cried I raged for Madeleine.. Some people sail through life...here is a woman who for years kept everything inside...Keeping her darkest memories in a box only to have the nightmares that kept returning...It took this woman a long time...to heal ,forgive and make her life beautiful.. A husband three daughters...therapy and a will to remain unbroken.. This is a story that will tear at your heart...What a remarkable lady...
September 3, 2017
This has to be one of the most thought provoking books I've ever read. I had to constantly remind myself the it was a true story and not a work of fiction. As a mother of girls to read about the trauma of a teenager was scary and my heart went out to Madeleine. Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm so glad you've come out the other side such a strong person xx
October 7, 2021
https://emozionidicarta2020.blogspot....
“Per molti anni dopo quella notte, i miei ricordi di ciò che accadde dopo che lui mi aveva puntato la lama alla gola e aveva minacciato la mia vita furono frammentati... difficili da mettere insieme. Quello che era successo era troppo estremo, troppo violento perché lo potessi capire.”
È così che inizia il lungo calvario di Madeleine, ciò che ha vissuto appena tredicenne l'ha segnata.
Per molti anni ha lottato per affrontare i ricordi che l'avevano cambiata fino a trovare la forza di risollevarsi e di ricominciare a vivere, e compiere la più sublime delle vendette: condurre una vita appagante e felice e, non darla vinta ai suoi aggressori.
Una storia agghiacciante al quale non ci si può neanche lontanamente immedesimare, non si potrà mai capire o immaginare il calvario vissuto dalla protagonista. Ma il messaggio che passa è molto importante e assolutamente positivo.
"Nasciamo tutti più o meno uguali, come fossimo delle tele bianche, ma poi gli eventi della vita e il nostro background ci condizionano, corrompendoci. Accade quasi senza che ce ne rendiamo conto. Ciascuno di noi ha delle difficoltà e, alla fine, non possiamo far altro che agire in un determinato modo."
Chi sono io per giudicare un autobiografia, soprattutto una che affronta un tema così terribile?
L'unica cosa che mi sento di dire è che, se veramente l'autrice ha affrontato tutto quel calvario, non posso che dargli tutta la mia solidarietà e stima per come ha reagito.
Ho apprezzati il modo in cui ha sfruttato il suo vissuto per aiutare persone che come lei cercano aiuto in chi gli sta vicino, magari senza parlare, con atteggiamenti autodistruttivi e invece si ritrovano un muro davanti, vuoi perché chi gli é accanto non riesce a capire, vuoi per ignoranza o per superficialità, e lei tramite la sua esperienza ha cercato di aiutare tutte quelle persone che non hanno avuto la sua stessa forza di farcela da sola.
Madeleine per molti anni ha cercato aiuto fin quando non ha capito che solo con la sua volontà è la sua forza poteva riuscire a guarire.
Un autobiografia che manda un messaggio importantissimo, una storia di abusi, violenza, depressione, autodistruzione, ma anche di riscatto, di rinascita e di seconde possibilità.
In passato, mi sono chiesta spesso come mai una cosa del genere fosse capitata proprio a me... e forse non lo scoprirò mai. Tuttavia credo che ogni cosa succeda per un motivo preciso; so che la mia storia ha aiutato moltissime persone e ho intenzione di andare avanti.
Rinfresco la Hope Edizioni per la copia ARC
“Per molti anni dopo quella notte, i miei ricordi di ciò che accadde dopo che lui mi aveva puntato la lama alla gola e aveva minacciato la mia vita furono frammentati... difficili da mettere insieme. Quello che era successo era troppo estremo, troppo violento perché lo potessi capire.”
È così che inizia il lungo calvario di Madeleine, ciò che ha vissuto appena tredicenne l'ha segnata.
Per molti anni ha lottato per affrontare i ricordi che l'avevano cambiata fino a trovare la forza di risollevarsi e di ricominciare a vivere, e compiere la più sublime delle vendette: condurre una vita appagante e felice e, non darla vinta ai suoi aggressori.
Una storia agghiacciante al quale non ci si può neanche lontanamente immedesimare, non si potrà mai capire o immaginare il calvario vissuto dalla protagonista. Ma il messaggio che passa è molto importante e assolutamente positivo.
"Nasciamo tutti più o meno uguali, come fossimo delle tele bianche, ma poi gli eventi della vita e il nostro background ci condizionano, corrompendoci. Accade quasi senza che ce ne rendiamo conto. Ciascuno di noi ha delle difficoltà e, alla fine, non possiamo far altro che agire in un determinato modo."
Chi sono io per giudicare un autobiografia, soprattutto una che affronta un tema così terribile?
L'unica cosa che mi sento di dire è che, se veramente l'autrice ha affrontato tutto quel calvario, non posso che dargli tutta la mia solidarietà e stima per come ha reagito.
Ho apprezzati il modo in cui ha sfruttato il suo vissuto per aiutare persone che come lei cercano aiuto in chi gli sta vicino, magari senza parlare, con atteggiamenti autodistruttivi e invece si ritrovano un muro davanti, vuoi perché chi gli é accanto non riesce a capire, vuoi per ignoranza o per superficialità, e lei tramite la sua esperienza ha cercato di aiutare tutte quelle persone che non hanno avuto la sua stessa forza di farcela da sola.
Madeleine per molti anni ha cercato aiuto fin quando non ha capito che solo con la sua volontà è la sua forza poteva riuscire a guarire.
Un autobiografia che manda un messaggio importantissimo, una storia di abusi, violenza, depressione, autodistruzione, ma anche di riscatto, di rinascita e di seconde possibilità.
In passato, mi sono chiesta spesso come mai una cosa del genere fosse capitata proprio a me... e forse non lo scoprirò mai. Tuttavia credo che ogni cosa succeda per un motivo preciso; so che la mia storia ha aiutato moltissime persone e ho intenzione di andare avanti.
Rinfresco la Hope Edizioni per la copia ARC
August 16, 2020
I often see challenges to sum up a book in five words. And I can never manage it. My reviews always end up being full of waffle as I wax lyrical about things I like and have to take pains to explain the things I didn’t.
A word of warning: this review is no exception. And I can’t possibly think of five words that will do this book justice. But I can think of seven.
Oh. My. Days. You. Must. Read. This.
Madeleine was just thirteen years old when she was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Persuaded by her friend to drink vodka for the first time, it wasn’t long before she lost control of herself and was unable to prevent two older boys from accompanying her back to her friend’s flat. Over the course of several hours, they repeatedly raped and violated her, tortured her with cigarettes and tried, but mercifully failed to set her hair alight.
Believing the boys’ threat that they will find and kill her if she talks about the attack, and in any case unable to put into words or even remember clearly what had happened to her, Madeleine did the only thing she could. She retreated into a state of shock and self-loathing, to the extent that she barely even cared that she was raped on three more occasions before the age of eighteen.
This story could so easily have ended in tragedy. But thankfully, and incredibly, it didn’t. Unbroken tells Madeleine’s true – yes, true – story of how, with the help of a loving husband and family, years of counselling and her own determination, she is slowly able to rebuild her life, confront her memories, accept that what happened to her was not her fault and ultimately, to heal herself by forgiving her rapists.
I know. I couldn’t quite get my head round that when I first heard it either. But trust me, if you read the book it all makes sense.
A masterpiece of literature is something that this book is not. The words used are simple and the sentences are not carefully constructed. It reads as if, as the author herself has said, she started writing and vomited the words out onto the pages, as it dawned on her that she “had held on to inappropriate shame for too long and it was time to stop hiding”. Nor is it an easy read, as Madeleine spares none of the details of the horrors she suffered – and why should she? But to criticise this book for these reasons is to miss the point as utterly as it would be to criticise a Formula 1 car because it’s no good if you need to use it for a painting and decorating business. It’s precisely because the words are so simple, and so raw, that it’s so powerful.
I’m one of the lucky ones. I have never experienced the sort of trauma that Madeleine has. And as a man, I’m much less likely to be attacked in this way in any case – though it happens. But none of this made me immune to the huge range of emotions that I felt when reading Unbroken. Shock and horror, to the point of feeling physically sick. Heartache for the childhood that Madeleine lost far too early. Hope as she meets her wonderful husband Steven, and her fortunes start to change. But most of all admiration at this incredible lady, and a sense of honour and privilege at having been able to share her story.
Madeleine, I know I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again here. You’re amazing. Thank you.
A word of warning: this review is no exception. And I can’t possibly think of five words that will do this book justice. But I can think of seven.
Oh. My. Days. You. Must. Read. This.
Madeleine was just thirteen years old when she was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Persuaded by her friend to drink vodka for the first time, it wasn’t long before she lost control of herself and was unable to prevent two older boys from accompanying her back to her friend’s flat. Over the course of several hours, they repeatedly raped and violated her, tortured her with cigarettes and tried, but mercifully failed to set her hair alight.
Believing the boys’ threat that they will find and kill her if she talks about the attack, and in any case unable to put into words or even remember clearly what had happened to her, Madeleine did the only thing she could. She retreated into a state of shock and self-loathing, to the extent that she barely even cared that she was raped on three more occasions before the age of eighteen.
This story could so easily have ended in tragedy. But thankfully, and incredibly, it didn’t. Unbroken tells Madeleine’s true – yes, true – story of how, with the help of a loving husband and family, years of counselling and her own determination, she is slowly able to rebuild her life, confront her memories, accept that what happened to her was not her fault and ultimately, to heal herself by forgiving her rapists.
I know. I couldn’t quite get my head round that when I first heard it either. But trust me, if you read the book it all makes sense.
A masterpiece of literature is something that this book is not. The words used are simple and the sentences are not carefully constructed. It reads as if, as the author herself has said, she started writing and vomited the words out onto the pages, as it dawned on her that she “had held on to inappropriate shame for too long and it was time to stop hiding”. Nor is it an easy read, as Madeleine spares none of the details of the horrors she suffered – and why should she? But to criticise this book for these reasons is to miss the point as utterly as it would be to criticise a Formula 1 car because it’s no good if you need to use it for a painting and decorating business. It’s precisely because the words are so simple, and so raw, that it’s so powerful.
I’m one of the lucky ones. I have never experienced the sort of trauma that Madeleine has. And as a man, I’m much less likely to be attacked in this way in any case – though it happens. But none of this made me immune to the huge range of emotions that I felt when reading Unbroken. Shock and horror, to the point of feeling physically sick. Heartache for the childhood that Madeleine lost far too early. Hope as she meets her wonderful husband Steven, and her fortunes start to change. But most of all admiration at this incredible lady, and a sense of honour and privilege at having been able to share her story.
Madeleine, I know I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again here. You’re amazing. Thank you.
November 29, 2017
Time taken to read - read in one sitting
Pages - 288
Publisher - John Blake
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
"For many years after that night, my memories of what happened after he held the blade to my throat and threatened my life were fragmented . . . difficult to piece together. It was too extreme, too violent for me to understand."
Living in a state of shock and self-loathing, it took her years of struggle to confront the buried memories of that first attack and begin to undo the damage it wrought, as men continued to take advantage of her fragility in the worst possible way. Yet, after growing up with a burden no teenager should ever have to shoulder, she found the heart to carry out the best revenge plan of all: leading a fulfilling and happy life. But the road to piecing her life back together was long and painful. For Madeleine, forgiveness was the key. True forgiveness takes genuine effort. It takes a real desire to understand those who have done us so much harm. It is the ultimate act of courage. In Unbroken, Madeleine tells her deeply moving and empowering story, as she discovers that life is about how a person chooses to recover from adversity.
My Review
Madeleine was brutally raped at a very young age, changing her life and everything she knew or felt about herself. Madeleine went on to be attacked again and again, and struggled behind a wall of silence and self loathing. As Madeleine got older she followed many paths that eventually led her to a path of self discover, personal growth, understanding, love and amazingly of all - forgiveness.
I need to warn all readers that this is a brutally honest book and accounts of horrendous sexual and violent abuse are discussed in graphic detail. It makes for hard and very emotive reading, I think any reader will be move to tears, anger and rage for the innocent child that was failed by so many.
The book follows Madeleine on a journey of a downward spiral into some very dark episodes to eventually turning it around and dealing with the traumas, abuse and uses it to help others. It takes a very brave person to survive what she did, to then use it to help others is truly an inspiring and amazing act. I think this book will speak to so many individuals and maybe bring comfort to other survivors, knowing they are not alone. There is a spiritual aspect of the book that I am going to further look into, I found it really interesting and want to know more about it. I think anything that helps to bring inner peace/coping mechanisms will be beneficial to many readers, if they are interested in it and how it can positively impact your life. Despite being harrowing in places the book is also very uplifting when you see the whole journey. I picked this up to read one chapter before bed, I stayed up to 5am until I finished it, 5/5 for me this time. I would love to hug the author, for what she survived, for putting herself out there and for offering hope and a voice to so many, a brave and inspiring human, thank you!
Pages - 288
Publisher - John Blake
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
"For many years after that night, my memories of what happened after he held the blade to my throat and threatened my life were fragmented . . . difficult to piece together. It was too extreme, too violent for me to understand."
Living in a state of shock and self-loathing, it took her years of struggle to confront the buried memories of that first attack and begin to undo the damage it wrought, as men continued to take advantage of her fragility in the worst possible way. Yet, after growing up with a burden no teenager should ever have to shoulder, she found the heart to carry out the best revenge plan of all: leading a fulfilling and happy life. But the road to piecing her life back together was long and painful. For Madeleine, forgiveness was the key. True forgiveness takes genuine effort. It takes a real desire to understand those who have done us so much harm. It is the ultimate act of courage. In Unbroken, Madeleine tells her deeply moving and empowering story, as she discovers that life is about how a person chooses to recover from adversity.
My Review
Madeleine was brutally raped at a very young age, changing her life and everything she knew or felt about herself. Madeleine went on to be attacked again and again, and struggled behind a wall of silence and self loathing. As Madeleine got older she followed many paths that eventually led her to a path of self discover, personal growth, understanding, love and amazingly of all - forgiveness.
I need to warn all readers that this is a brutally honest book and accounts of horrendous sexual and violent abuse are discussed in graphic detail. It makes for hard and very emotive reading, I think any reader will be move to tears, anger and rage for the innocent child that was failed by so many.
The book follows Madeleine on a journey of a downward spiral into some very dark episodes to eventually turning it around and dealing with the traumas, abuse and uses it to help others. It takes a very brave person to survive what she did, to then use it to help others is truly an inspiring and amazing act. I think this book will speak to so many individuals and maybe bring comfort to other survivors, knowing they are not alone. There is a spiritual aspect of the book that I am going to further look into, I found it really interesting and want to know more about it. I think anything that helps to bring inner peace/coping mechanisms will be beneficial to many readers, if they are interested in it and how it can positively impact your life. Despite being harrowing in places the book is also very uplifting when you see the whole journey. I picked this up to read one chapter before bed, I stayed up to 5am until I finished it, 5/5 for me this time. I would love to hug the author, for what she survived, for putting herself out there and for offering hope and a voice to so many, a brave and inspiring human, thank you!
January 17, 2018
Unbroken is Madeleine Black's real life account of being gang raped. This book is incredibly raw, honest and I have huge admiration for this author for being able to document so clearly her thoughts and feelings about this horrendous sexual assault when she was just thirteen-years-old.
This book pulls no punches and I'll be honest in saying that it was an incredibly difficult read. This was not due to how it is written, as the book flows beautifully and, I could clearly hear Madeleine's voice in my head. No, this book was difficult because of the subject matter. It tells the facts, the truth of what happened to this young girl, to the author, and the only way I could read it was by distancing myself, and telling myself that it was a story.
This book is gritty and it is only as we progress through the book that we learn about the true horror that Madeleine was subjected to by her attackers. At the beginning we get a few details of that specific night, told from the snippets that Madeleine can remember, but as we progress through the book, Madeleine sheds light on what happened and so the depiction of the rape is told, in no nonsense language. There is a warning placed before this part of the book, telling of how graphic it is, but that the editor thought it should be included. And I agree with this decision that we hear her thoughts, feelings and what she went through should not be censored, as I feel that it is her right to voice what happened. It is our decision, as a reader, to decide whether or not to read this part of the book, and I'll be honest in saying that I did read theses pages, but that afterwards I needed to take a break for a few days. It was very distressing to read as I was fully aware that what I was reading had actually happened, that it wasn't fiction. But I feel that it was important to read this account so as to fully understand Madeleine's story.
It may sound strange when I say that this is a story of hope, but it really is. Madeleine writes with such honesty, beauty and bravery, as she looks back on what happened to her as a teenager. She is a survivor who surprisingly talks of forgiveness, and this brought me to tears.
Unbroken is such an empowering read. The Madeleine that we read about today is a strong woman, a woman who has managed to rebuild her life and who now empowers other victims of sexual assault to speak out. She has given these women a voice.
With thanks to Anne Cater, Madeline Black and the publisher for the paperback copy for review purposes.
This book pulls no punches and I'll be honest in saying that it was an incredibly difficult read. This was not due to how it is written, as the book flows beautifully and, I could clearly hear Madeleine's voice in my head. No, this book was difficult because of the subject matter. It tells the facts, the truth of what happened to this young girl, to the author, and the only way I could read it was by distancing myself, and telling myself that it was a story.
This book is gritty and it is only as we progress through the book that we learn about the true horror that Madeleine was subjected to by her attackers. At the beginning we get a few details of that specific night, told from the snippets that Madeleine can remember, but as we progress through the book, Madeleine sheds light on what happened and so the depiction of the rape is told, in no nonsense language. There is a warning placed before this part of the book, telling of how graphic it is, but that the editor thought it should be included. And I agree with this decision that we hear her thoughts, feelings and what she went through should not be censored, as I feel that it is her right to voice what happened. It is our decision, as a reader, to decide whether or not to read this part of the book, and I'll be honest in saying that I did read theses pages, but that afterwards I needed to take a break for a few days. It was very distressing to read as I was fully aware that what I was reading had actually happened, that it wasn't fiction. But I feel that it was important to read this account so as to fully understand Madeleine's story.
It may sound strange when I say that this is a story of hope, but it really is. Madeleine writes with such honesty, beauty and bravery, as she looks back on what happened to her as a teenager. She is a survivor who surprisingly talks of forgiveness, and this brought me to tears.
Unbroken is such an empowering read. The Madeleine that we read about today is a strong woman, a woman who has managed to rebuild her life and who now empowers other victims of sexual assault to speak out. She has given these women a voice.
With thanks to Anne Cater, Madeline Black and the publisher for the paperback copy for review purposes.
January 21, 2018
Being abused and broken in the past does not have to define negatively who we are in the present.
My goodness Unbroken is a powerful read. It’s not for the fainthearted as Madeleine Black is uncompromising in her descriptions of what has happened to her in the past. It is this bald honesty that makes Unbroken such a compelling and frequently quite horrifying read. Madeleine Black’s style is focussed, simple and clear with no mealy-mouthed and obfuscating euphemisms. She tells things as they really are so that the reader is left with pin-sharp understanding and I have the utmost respect and admiration for her for doing so. I feel as if I have been thoroughly enlightened and jolted out of my day to day complacency. Whilst I may never have endured the kind of events Madeleine Black has taken her strength from, reading Unbroken has made me grateful for my life and determined to make the most of every day in the future. It is not just those who have had similar experiences who can benefit from reading Unbroken, but all of us, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, class, race or place in society. I’d like to see parents, teachers and teenagers especially reading it because I think it could prevent future crime and future damage to young lives.
In a world where much is made of the ‘journey’ we’ve all been on, whether that’s learning to dance or to iceskate on national television, Unbroken truly is Madeleine Black’s journey. She has several false starts and there are times when I felt frustrated by the way she was shaped by the events in her life, but not once did she lose my sympathy and my fascination. I was very interested in the different approaches and therapies she tried in order to regain control over her own destiny so that there are activities I think I might like to try out too that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
I can’t say I enjoyed reading Unbroken because of the terrible subject matter. However, I was moved by it, educated and ultimately uplifted and inspired. I hope Madeleine is now truly free to fly – she absolutely deserves it. I genuinely think Unbroken might be one of the most important books of its generation.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/01/21/...
My goodness Unbroken is a powerful read. It’s not for the fainthearted as Madeleine Black is uncompromising in her descriptions of what has happened to her in the past. It is this bald honesty that makes Unbroken such a compelling and frequently quite horrifying read. Madeleine Black’s style is focussed, simple and clear with no mealy-mouthed and obfuscating euphemisms. She tells things as they really are so that the reader is left with pin-sharp understanding and I have the utmost respect and admiration for her for doing so. I feel as if I have been thoroughly enlightened and jolted out of my day to day complacency. Whilst I may never have endured the kind of events Madeleine Black has taken her strength from, reading Unbroken has made me grateful for my life and determined to make the most of every day in the future. It is not just those who have had similar experiences who can benefit from reading Unbroken, but all of us, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, class, race or place in society. I’d like to see parents, teachers and teenagers especially reading it because I think it could prevent future crime and future damage to young lives.
In a world where much is made of the ‘journey’ we’ve all been on, whether that’s learning to dance or to iceskate on national television, Unbroken truly is Madeleine Black’s journey. She has several false starts and there are times when I felt frustrated by the way she was shaped by the events in her life, but not once did she lose my sympathy and my fascination. I was very interested in the different approaches and therapies she tried in order to regain control over her own destiny so that there are activities I think I might like to try out too that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
I can’t say I enjoyed reading Unbroken because of the terrible subject matter. However, I was moved by it, educated and ultimately uplifted and inspired. I hope Madeleine is now truly free to fly – she absolutely deserves it. I genuinely think Unbroken might be one of the most important books of its generation.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/01/21/...
July 23, 2025
A heart-wrenching story of one woman's incredible journey that eventually enabled and empowered her to do the mere unthinkable for the rest of us in her situation.
Initial thoughts:
I'm more of a fiction reader; however, my wife thrust this book into my hands after being dissatisfied with the latest fiction novel I was painstakingly pulling myself through. 'You'll enjoy it' is all the words my wife let me with. After reading the blurb, I knew she was right....as always.
Enjoyment:
Wow...just wow. Without giving too much away, this story is so extremely powerful that I didn't want to put the book down. Devouring chapter after chapter, I even found myself speedily eating through my lunch just so I could visit the staff room to polish off the next page.
Each part of the journey is mesmerising, and a testament to what a great author Madeleine Black is. Everything she has achieved in her life made me feel a sense of pride that there are a few good people still left in the world, as well as having suffered through truly horrific events, such as herself, that through sheer will, grit and determination, anyone can prevail over any hardship thrown their way.
Everything about this story makes you want to read the next chapter, the next page, even the next sentence. From the upsetting and despicable actions of others against Madeleine to the way these events play out in her interactions with her parents. The book has you constantly stopping, asking yourself, Where does Madeleine find the courage or compassion for that? A page turner in every sense of the word.
Objections:
For some readers, the story of Madeleine's ordeal may hit too close to home, or be too barbaric to read through; however, the author does not go into great detail at the beginning of the tragic events, and she and her publishers were unsure whether to fully reveal them within the book. There is a warning by Madeleine herself of the full details of the events, so the reader is able to skip over the full story if they so choose.
Final Thought:
Again, just wow! The strength and courage of Madeleine to come through the tragic events that she had to endure just makes this book a must-have to be in everyone's hands and to hopefully show the same compassion and strength as the author.
Initial thoughts:
I'm more of a fiction reader; however, my wife thrust this book into my hands after being dissatisfied with the latest fiction novel I was painstakingly pulling myself through. 'You'll enjoy it' is all the words my wife let me with. After reading the blurb, I knew she was right....as always.
Enjoyment:
Wow...just wow. Without giving too much away, this story is so extremely powerful that I didn't want to put the book down. Devouring chapter after chapter, I even found myself speedily eating through my lunch just so I could visit the staff room to polish off the next page.
Each part of the journey is mesmerising, and a testament to what a great author Madeleine Black is. Everything she has achieved in her life made me feel a sense of pride that there are a few good people still left in the world, as well as having suffered through truly horrific events, such as herself, that through sheer will, grit and determination, anyone can prevail over any hardship thrown their way.
Everything about this story makes you want to read the next chapter, the next page, even the next sentence. From the upsetting and despicable actions of others against Madeleine to the way these events play out in her interactions with her parents. The book has you constantly stopping, asking yourself, Where does Madeleine find the courage or compassion for that? A page turner in every sense of the word.
Objections:
For some readers, the story of Madeleine's ordeal may hit too close to home, or be too barbaric to read through; however, the author does not go into great detail at the beginning of the tragic events, and she and her publishers were unsure whether to fully reveal them within the book. There is a warning by Madeleine herself of the full details of the events, so the reader is able to skip over the full story if they so choose.
Final Thought:
Again, just wow! The strength and courage of Madeleine to come through the tragic events that she had to endure just makes this book a must-have to be in everyone's hands and to hopefully show the same compassion and strength as the author.
October 18, 2018
I don’t think it’s right to say that you “liked” a book with this subject matter, but this was a 5 star read for me. Madeleine fights her entire life to grow, and live a happy life after living through a devastating event at a very young age. Initially she blocks out the event, and acts out in a way that is common for a lot of sexual violence survivors. But then decides that truly living is the best “revenge”, for lack of a better word.
She explores numerous therapies and spiritual practices, some which might feel a little odd to readers who aren’t open to more worldly/new-agey/woo-woo philosophies…but it works for her. And a big thing in this memoir is how individual a violent event is, and how personal recovery is. What works for one person might not work for someone else. So she tries everything to find what will work for her, and eventually gets to a space where she can remember everything that she’d blocked for so long, and truly feels free from the guilt and pain that held her back for so long.
As someone who suffered from an incident at not much older than Madeleine, it really was difficult to read this memoir. BUT, I feel so much that it is important for people to tell their stories and be heard. It helps others to feel less alone. Because a big part of being violated, especially when you’re young, is how dirty, guilty, and truly ALONE you feel. So to read someone elses story of growth and evolution in the face of a violence so horrific, and truly of a scope that is beyond reprehensible, is a beacon of hope for others.
I commend Madeleine Black for the strength is must’ve taken to put all of this on paper, in such a no-nonsense, straightforward manner. And I thank her for sending me a beautiful, signed copy in the mail. And I apologize again for dragging my heels. You push bad things in the back of your mind, and it’s hard to bring them to the front for a visit. It is definitely worth the read, but be warned that the content is graphic at times, and this isn’t an easy one.
She explores numerous therapies and spiritual practices, some which might feel a little odd to readers who aren’t open to more worldly/new-agey/woo-woo philosophies…but it works for her. And a big thing in this memoir is how individual a violent event is, and how personal recovery is. What works for one person might not work for someone else. So she tries everything to find what will work for her, and eventually gets to a space where she can remember everything that she’d blocked for so long, and truly feels free from the guilt and pain that held her back for so long.
As someone who suffered from an incident at not much older than Madeleine, it really was difficult to read this memoir. BUT, I feel so much that it is important for people to tell their stories and be heard. It helps others to feel less alone. Because a big part of being violated, especially when you’re young, is how dirty, guilty, and truly ALONE you feel. So to read someone elses story of growth and evolution in the face of a violence so horrific, and truly of a scope that is beyond reprehensible, is a beacon of hope for others.
I commend Madeleine Black for the strength is must’ve taken to put all of this on paper, in such a no-nonsense, straightforward manner. And I thank her for sending me a beautiful, signed copy in the mail. And I apologize again for dragging my heels. You push bad things in the back of your mind, and it’s hard to bring them to the front for a visit. It is definitely worth the read, but be warned that the content is graphic at times, and this isn’t an easy one.
January 10, 2018
This book has been on my bookshelf for a few months. As a survivor myself, I knew I had to be in the right frame of mind to handle it. As expected, the descriptions of what the author went through were harrowing and caused me to have many flashbacks of my own past, however what really struck me was the continual thread of hope that wove it's way through even the most violent moments. From the very start, it was obvious that this is a story written by a survivor - even during the descriptions of what happened, the insight into why she experienced them the way she did helped to keep a constant reminder that she made it through; for me, this helped me to read even the most horrifying parts.
There is no cruelty or malice in the writing of this book. The honesty rings out in the raw emotion and complete openness. What I really love is the way that the author connected her seemingly irrational fears and strange behaviours to the memories as they unfolded - it really helps to show the connection between trauma and it's longer term effects on the body and mind. Because of the way the author explains this, it goes beyond just an explanation of what trauma did to her and helps to explain on a more universal level; other survivors may have different reactions, but that understanding of the connection to past traumas can still be applied.
Reading this book has come at a very crucial time for me. Just last week I came to the revelation that my body and my mind are not who I am, a sentiment that I then found in this book, explained with such elegance that it has helped me to understand further. While each survivor's journey will be different and our paths to healing will require different routes, this book remains a great source of hope and a solid reminder that recovery is possible and of the healing powers of forgiveness.
There is no cruelty or malice in the writing of this book. The honesty rings out in the raw emotion and complete openness. What I really love is the way that the author connected her seemingly irrational fears and strange behaviours to the memories as they unfolded - it really helps to show the connection between trauma and it's longer term effects on the body and mind. Because of the way the author explains this, it goes beyond just an explanation of what trauma did to her and helps to explain on a more universal level; other survivors may have different reactions, but that understanding of the connection to past traumas can still be applied.
Reading this book has come at a very crucial time for me. Just last week I came to the revelation that my body and my mind are not who I am, a sentiment that I then found in this book, explained with such elegance that it has helped me to understand further. While each survivor's journey will be different and our paths to healing will require different routes, this book remains a great source of hope and a solid reminder that recovery is possible and of the healing powers of forgiveness.
May 29, 2020
Unbroken is an extremely personal, deep, and at times graphic account of sexual violence. Madeleine walks us through her past experiences which in places can be very difficult to read, but an extremely honest perspective on just how aggressive assaults of this nature can be.
Largely, Unbroken is not just an account of abuse, but it is a journey through hope and healing. This book really opened my eyes to an array of therapeutic approaches, many of which address healing the trauma felt physically within our bodies. Trauma plays a huge role in our physiological responses, and I loved how brilliantly Madeleine wrote about the longitudinal impact of these experiences.
Many of the therapeutic practices were extremely personal and I think Unbroken gives encouragement that seeking treatment for these physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms of abuse does not have to be medicalised. There is much more that can be done than just talking it out with a professional.
Madeline gives us an insight into her own life and activities which play a role in surviving and overcoming trauma. There's the message throughout that our past experiences do not define us, which I think is extremely comforting and encouraging for others seeking change in their life from similar experiences.
I would certainly give a warning to those who wish to read this, that at times it can be extremely graphic, which may be triggering for readers, however it is a very well written book which has so much advice and emotion to give. I gave it a five star review on Goodreads.
Largely, Unbroken is not just an account of abuse, but it is a journey through hope and healing. This book really opened my eyes to an array of therapeutic approaches, many of which address healing the trauma felt physically within our bodies. Trauma plays a huge role in our physiological responses, and I loved how brilliantly Madeleine wrote about the longitudinal impact of these experiences.
Many of the therapeutic practices were extremely personal and I think Unbroken gives encouragement that seeking treatment for these physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms of abuse does not have to be medicalised. There is much more that can be done than just talking it out with a professional.
Madeline gives us an insight into her own life and activities which play a role in surviving and overcoming trauma. There's the message throughout that our past experiences do not define us, which I think is extremely comforting and encouraging for others seeking change in their life from similar experiences.
I would certainly give a warning to those who wish to read this, that at times it can be extremely graphic, which may be triggering for readers, however it is a very well written book which has so much advice and emotion to give. I gave it a five star review on Goodreads.
October 1, 2017
It would be wrong to use the words “enjoyed” or “loved” when describing my feelings about it; from the blurb, you can see that this is not fiction, it is not an “enjoyable” nor an “easy” read. I don’t need to give you an overview of plot, themes or characters in this review, simply how it made me feel.
I have no shame in telling you that the tears were flowing down my cheeks as I came to the end of Unbroken; this is a raw yet compelling read told with a brutal honesty and frankness.
It is a powerful memoir which inspires hope, faith and courage.
It is a story which will not only break your heart but it will also show you that it is possible to pick up the pieces and build them into something so much stronger.
It is a story which gives voice, not only to the author but also to others who have gone through the same or similar.
It is a voice that needs to be heard and it is a voice that should not be silenced.
It is a story of recovery, of silencing the stigma and shame that is so often attached to those who have been victims of rape or violent sexual assault.
It is a story you must read.
Madeleine, thank you for being brave, for finding the courage to tell your story and for coming through the other side.
I have no shame in telling you that the tears were flowing down my cheeks as I came to the end of Unbroken; this is a raw yet compelling read told with a brutal honesty and frankness.
It is a powerful memoir which inspires hope, faith and courage.
It is a story which will not only break your heart but it will also show you that it is possible to pick up the pieces and build them into something so much stronger.
It is a story which gives voice, not only to the author but also to others who have gone through the same or similar.
It is a voice that needs to be heard and it is a voice that should not be silenced.
It is a story of recovery, of silencing the stigma and shame that is so often attached to those who have been victims of rape or violent sexual assault.
It is a story you must read.
Madeleine, thank you for being brave, for finding the courage to tell your story and for coming through the other side.
October 30, 2020
Unbroken: One Woman's Journey to Rebuild a Life Shattered by Violence. A True Story of Survival and Hope by Madeleine Black is the true story of the vicious attack and rape the author experienced when she was only thirteen. The details of the assault unfold throughout the book as she remembers and shares what happened to her mother and in therapy sessions. It would certainly be a horrible event in anyone's life but maybe more so for someone so young. While parts of the attack and rape are somewhat graphic, they are integral to understanding the inner strength of this girl to deal with the physical and mental effects as she works to recover and begin her journey of healing. Part of her recovery included helping others who have gone through similar experiences which indirectly helped her as well. While the psychological damage has lessened over the years but will likely be with her for the rest of her life. But this did not prevent her from moving on to find love and support from a really decent man with whom she was able to start her own family as she also grew much closer to her own mother who shared a surprise of her own. Well written and is in reality a story of recovery and overcoming serious obstacles in spite of the trauma she went through.
September 3, 2017
Unbroken
Wow, what an amazing read. Unbroken absolutely consumed me, I couldn't put it down once I'd picked it up. It took me through a whirlwind of emotions and feelings, my heart broke in places and reading became difficult but I'm so glad that I read it to the end.
It's true that people shouldn't be in the position where they have to write a story of their survival through horrific ordeals. Sexual assault is wrong full stop, but especially the assault of children. That said, if the positivity that ultimately comes out of this book can help other survivors of the same ordeals, then writing this book was completely the right path to take. I hope I've been able to express what I meant so that people understand me!
All in all, Unbroken allowed Madeline Black to bravely share her story with us, her journey, and ultimately her empowerment. Thank you Madeline 💜
Wow, what an amazing read. Unbroken absolutely consumed me, I couldn't put it down once I'd picked it up. It took me through a whirlwind of emotions and feelings, my heart broke in places and reading became difficult but I'm so glad that I read it to the end.
It's true that people shouldn't be in the position where they have to write a story of their survival through horrific ordeals. Sexual assault is wrong full stop, but especially the assault of children. That said, if the positivity that ultimately comes out of this book can help other survivors of the same ordeals, then writing this book was completely the right path to take. I hope I've been able to express what I meant so that people understand me!
All in all, Unbroken allowed Madeline Black to bravely share her story with us, her journey, and ultimately her empowerment. Thank you Madeline 💜
February 2, 2018
It's unputdownable! Gripping you with angst, connecting you in pain and dejection, pulling you out with sheer grit and mental strength that is latent in all of us...its a must read as much for girls as for the boys! Sexual abuse that is rampant across the globe...majorly behind the dark alleys and closed veils...is actually a very serious psychological disease that needs immediate handling! For the same reason...the real 'victims' are those perpetrating it on their vulnerable preys...and not vice versa!
Its far from easy to come out in the open, that too in such details, about one's predicament...but by far more difficult to rise up like a Sphinx to vindicate one's innate character...of strength and forgiveness! Madeleine...you are a role model for millions of girls and women across the world! God bless you...and all those like you!
Its far from easy to come out in the open, that too in such details, about one's predicament...but by far more difficult to rise up like a Sphinx to vindicate one's innate character...of strength and forgiveness! Madeleine...you are a role model for millions of girls and women across the world! God bless you...and all those like you!
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