BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: A Daughter's Story

by Daniella Dechristopher

This story is about an Italian Catholic family that came to America on vacation and never returned to their homeland. When their youngest unwed daughter became pregnant, her family disowned her. It was 1949. Abortions were illegal. She was seventeen when she gave birth. She was my mother.

This book chronicles the effects the birth of an unwanted child had on three families and three generations. It takes you through the unsettling chain of events that followed when my mother’s family sent her away. It shares her fight for survival to care for us, and how she eventually gave up and left me with strangers. After years of separation we reunited, but I struggled to forgive her for all she had done.

I spent a lifetime trying to find my place in the world. My greatest dream was to have a home and a family I could call my own. The book tells you about the bad decisions I made along the way, and the price I paid because of them. I share with my readers the lessons I learned about life, and how I finally managed to find happiness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Abuse, Thriller, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook, Ebooks

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2018

Reviews

[J.P. Willson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I feel for the author and having to live through this, that is not the point of a review.
This is like a very long run-on sentence that seems to never end. Grammatically it's not so bad yet as a literary work, it comes across as one long droning one-sided conversation and not too much more.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Daniella DeChristopher for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.

Daniella DeChristopher is incredibly brave woman to share her heart wrenching story in Behind Closed Doors A Daughter’s Story with the world. Plus, I feel she is such a strong woman for everything she endured! I just want to give her a hug for what she went through.

I absolutely loved this book cover and how well it went with this book. Kudos to the graphic artist.

Warning this book may not be for everyone as it has triggers in this book. This book talks about abortions, deals with teenage pregnancies, violence, pedophile, parental abandonment, etc.

This book is dedicated to Daniella’s mother, who gave up her family and made personal sacrifices to allow me to live. She thanks you from the bottom of her heart. She loves you, misses you, and she will love you.

Daniella wrote this book in the beginning as therapy to heal from everything that happened to her. However, she hoped that by writing this that she could inspire someone that read it.

I found it fascinating that throughout all of this she searched for her own happiness during all of this. She was able to find it and gives the tips she found.

[Megan Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but so poorly written. I almost didn't want to finish this book around page 50. I'm glad I did, though. It did become more interesting. However, the grammar is ridiculous and there's plenty of editing mistakes in the eBook version. This book feels more like someone wrote me a personal letter of their childhood, so grammar and detail weren't important. Characters randomly come and go. I understand that actually happened to her in real life, but what I mean is it mentions later on that she meets up with someone from childhood and they act as if they have been together this whole time but yet the book doesn't ever explain that. It's just confusing. The time jumps are fine with memoirs, but in this book we never learn what age she was when specific things happened. One minute she's 4 years old, then 6, then 8, then 16, then 26 but all with no real transition in between. Also, the point of view changes abruptly. The first few chapters are told through her Aunts point of view, and then very randomly it jumps to the authors point of view, with no real transition. My last complaint too, is that the title of this memoir doesn't seem to fit the story.

Overall I dont think this book was bad, I just think it wasn't great.

[Rainy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, in the right hands, can provide a great deal of healing, understanding, encouragement, and grace among many other things. It was both heartbreaking and beautiful. I was so glad to hear that Daniella was able to get where she has in life and that she has experienced true love and happiness. This has a heartwarming ending in that aspect, however, I really hate to hear how much she has to go through as a child. It’s amazing how she was able to take what she has been through and find peace and growth. I hope Gina somehow found this book. A quick read, worth reading.

[Audrey Cail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Open the door and let me out

This book really fell flat for me. So many unanswered questions... Boo!
I understand that this book was cathartic for the author as she interprets events from her own life; however, as the reader, I didn't feel like I was experiencing the events along with her. I was left feeling confused, bored, and unfilled because the story didn't come full circle even in her attempts to draw the story to a close. In my opinion, it was just poorly written.

[Genia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was so bad. The story could have been better if it was written in another way

[Suzanne Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different than the books I a normally read. But it was pretty good. I guess more interesting than good. But it taught me something about life. The girl in the story was a good little girl with a hard life because of the choices her mother made. But her Mother did good with what she had. This is a true story. In all honesty this book taught me to love my parents and my children more than I do already. My children are my life. Nonetheless, this book was about perseverance, compassion, struggles, and rising like a phoenix from the ashes. I gave the book 4 stars. I guess it needed a little bit more of excitement I guess. Anyway, it’s a pretty good book. If the Author ever reads this post I would definitely tell her that I am proud of her and that because of her story it helped me take a look at myself in the mirror and say I am a survivor of life in general….

[Holly McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story of strength and courage. In this memoir, Daniella DeChristopher, tells a horrifying story of abuse, shattered families, abandonment, and hopelessness but also of love, compassion and protection. The author tells her story in hopes to help others who may be or who may have gone through similar trauma and a hope for others to not judge a person based on their background and upbringing. It is a quick read that keeps your head spinning and wondering how a mother could leave her child so many times throughout her life while also being thankful that she overcame and persevered.

[cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeChristopher’s retelling of hers and her mother’s lives draws you in slowly but surely, like catching up with an old friend. I liked the way she organized the story - it’s not choppy, but broken up into narratives from different perspectives. We see her switch from her confusion about her mother’s tumultuous life and distant affection, to her further confusion sorting out the details of her past in finding her identity. Towards the end, there is an air of optimism about her new future. Thank you, Danielle, for telling your story.

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful memoir of a mother who who repeatedly abandons her daughter and then reappears in her life.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook. Honestly I found the book to be quite boring.

[Chantelle J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick easy read but not very well written.

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a memoir written by the daughter of a teenage girl, Josie, who became pregnant, was kicked out by her father, forced into marrying the father of her child, and her struggle to provide for Daniella without education or money. The story is told in two parts. One by an aunt or friend of her mother, wasn't clear unless I missed something, and then the second part is told by Daniella. Josie does not have it easy for many years. Forced into hiding when her husband, whom she divorced while he was in prison, gets out and searches for her. He beats her nearly to her death when he finally finds her. Josie's life takes an unexpected turn when she meets a girl named Gina. She and Gina spent many years together and tried to raise Daniella the best they could with little income. Sadly, they dropped Daniella off with a couple who seemed to be foster parents. Josie was in and out of Daniella's life a number of times when she would take Daniella back and then later drop her off with someone different. Daniella had a number of loving foster parents who loved and nurtured her. It wasn't until Daniella was a grown adult that she found out the truth about her mother's life and life choices. I finished this in just a few hours. It's a quick read. While the writing is somewhat childish, I rather thought it added to Daniella's story since she was just a small child going through so much.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is very intriguing. It made me feel grateful for my family and more fortunate upbringing. Unfortunately the writing is just lacking. The book took me two evenings to read as the script is unusually large. I felt like the book was possibly self published. The writing is not refined. This is a great memoir with poor writing. I think with a good publicist, it’d be a best seller because the story line is fascinating.

[Deanna Calderon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. I respect that this is someone’s life story but it was written in the style of a 6th grader. Lots of unnecessary And overemphasized moments that didn’t need that much explanation yet lacked depth. I felt like I was reading a story written from the perspective and in the style of one of my students.

[Susan Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read. I was able to read it in a few hours. The title of the book doesn’t match the story. I was expecting a traumatic childhood based on the title and summary. The writing lacked emotion, her story was uneventful, and the book could have been written a lot better.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

So poorly written, I was very tempted to stop reading. I am not sure how this book was published in its current form.

[Stephanie Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story

Daniella’s story is sad yet powerful. Her ability to overcome her circumstances is inspiring! I felt her emotions through the ups and downs. I hope she finds Gina.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club book pick.
What I liked:
- inspiring story
- a quick read, not difficult--read on my lunch breaks over a couple of weeks
- attention grabbing, cliffhangers, foreshadowing really made me eager to get to read this book each day.
- lots of emotions and empathy towards Daniella and her mother, immensely disliked her father
- liked Daniella's take aways at the end: learn from the past--it doesn't define you, you can make your own happiness, you deserve to be loved
- she learned how to love
- Daniella had a hard life, she examined her life, learned from it, worked hard, learned to be happy
- I liked Daniella's voice. When she switched to narrating her own remembered experiences, I liked her voice.

What I didn't like
- the first half the book describing Daniella's mother Jozie was written in third person (as told to Daniella by her aunt). I was confused at who was speaking for the first 50 pages. Daniella was refered to as "you." Example: Your mother loved you. Instead of Jozie loved Daniella. I had to go back and figure out it several times whose perspective I was getting. I didn't like the way the story was told at this point.
- When Daniella was narrating, especially from her early days, she would be telling the story from the perspective of her younger self but also from her older self who knew the ending. As a reader, we didn't know the ending yet so I felt confused sometimes--like there was some foreshadowing but then we didn't really get closure. (not sure how to explain this reading experience). Example: Big Al and the boys--while reading she was dropping hints but they weren't really explained until the last chapter and it was just glimpsed over. Example: Who was Dempsy? we never got an answer.
- I needed more details. Time frames, how did the Johanson family feel, how did the Anderson family react to her leaving--did she keep in touch with these families? I needed to know more about how old Daniella was in each of these situations. It was all very vague. What happened to Jozie during the times she was gone--it was all just summed up quickly at the end with a few sentences.
-It felt like this story was being told to friends of the author who already knew key details about her life. I felt like I was part of a conversation but I was missing chunks. I kept saying to myself, "wait, what?"

Overall
A good book, I enjoyed it, I learned from it. It had some flaws but I loved Daniella's voice and that she shared the very vulnerable story of her hard life. It was inspiring how she experienced trauma in her life but has learned from it and grown. I am looking forward to discussing it with our book club next week.

[Littleowl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a bit perplexed about this Italian background. Perhaps the family changed names and surname in America? Or the author?
The grandparents, called Joseph and Adriano Dechristopher, emigrated from the Campania region of Italy over a century ago. Joseph is not an Italian name, never was. Perhaps Giuseppe?
But the real shock was Adriano, the grandmother. Adriano is a name for a MALE person (like Adriano Celentano), the female version is Adriana and I don't think a traditional Italian woman from the end of the XIXth century could have been called Adriano... in 2025 anything is possible.
Dechristopher? It's Di Cristoforo in Italian.
Sooooo.... if they were Giuseppe and Adriana Di Cristoforo from Campania, Italy as I think and their names were changed for whatever reason, it's a pity. But the author should have called them with their original, birth names for the story to be more authentic or otherwise explained that the names were changed later.
I understand that for English speaking readers it's not an issue and perhaps they don't even take notice but anyone who is Italian or knows Italian can say that these are not Italian names. I almost stopped reading the story in the beginning because it didn't seem realistic for two Italian people to be called like this. Then I wanted to see what happened to the author so I continued and I respect her for sharing all these painful memories, it must have been really hard to grow up while her life changed so dramatically every so often.

[Liane Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind Closed Doors is a simplistic retelling of an anything but simple life. The author, born to a teenage mother and a teenage father who went to prison before she was even born, is put through the wringer time and time again by the very people she should be able to trust. It almost read as a fiction story that had me turning pages to see what could possibly happen next. And happen it does. Over and over I shook my head at the way a little girl was let down at every turn.

Every story has two points of view and so often we do not see the story from both sides. The author accomplishes what most don’t. She tells her mother’s story (before and after her birth) through conversations with her aunt until she is old enough to remember and pick up the story herself. It doesn’t excuse, but it does help us understand. When her mother is dying, the author finally has a chance to reconcile her past and determines her future needs to look different. She makes up her mind she deserves more than the hand life, and her parents, dealt her and sets out to live a life she can revel in. After reading her story, I celebrate her metamorphosis as well. She deserves it.

[Saleena Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words sum this up: beautifully heartbreaking. I have such awe for those who are willing to self-reflect on their own past experiences and showcase them as learning experiences. That is why I love reading memoirs. It is safe to say that each person is uniquely their own person, because they have endured their own childhood experiences. Some have had it harder than others. Daniella’s choices as a young adult were a direct result of her childhood and her mother’s choices. I, of course, hurt for what Daniella has had to endure, but she has become much wiser from it. In her own words, she said “discovered youth often helps us heal and move on”. Another direct quote she wrote was “We can’t change our pasts. We can only learn from them and use the knowledge we gain to create a better future”. I hate rating non-fiction, because it’s not written for enjoyment, but rather enlightenment. However, I still think this book deserves 5 stars and I hope Daniella gets her wishes fulfilled and Gina reads this too.

[Marcia Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life Is Not Fair!

Her story is one about a tough life. As a child, she endured too many changes, negative people and experiences to call it a normal upbringing. I was concerned for her all the way through the book.
She writes well and honestly.
I empathized with her legal troubles in her adult years. Sometimes things go very wrong. It hurts whether we are somewhat responsible or not.
She repeats towards the end of the book that Life is not fair, a saying my own mother used.
She drew a comparison between herself and her mom, both being fighters. Again, I felt empathy. My mother fought depression and an unhappy marriage for years. I struggled financially as a single mother for years.
Good read here. Recommend it just for its interesting story. It will be better for those who have struggled and come out happy.

[Rhonda Parkhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter where you come from you have the power to choose!

Daniella’s beginnings in life where unstable with many heartbreaking disappointments. Her Mother’s cold personality, being left with complete strangers with no idea why or when Mom would be back. I could go on it was deeply emotional to read this child’s experience in life.
However she rose up when she becomes aware regardless of circumstance she learned to choose to respond.
When she begins it is how her Moms choices affected her and how angry she was with her. When the other side of Mom’s story is revealed she realizes how her Mothers life was shaped by a bad choice. That everything her Mom did was to protect and love her in her own way
Daniella I could not put your book down read straight thru.

[Jennifer Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read memoirs I take into account this is someone's life and how can you really rate someone's life?!
Daniella's story is one of heartbreak and abandonment which is truly very damaging to anyone's soul. Glad she has had the strength to make it through and find forgiveness for most of the people who caused the damage. Curious to know if she has ever thought to reconnect with her half brothers and sister? If she has ever reached out to the families she stayed with for those years who fought to adopt her and how they have/have not received her.

At points in the book where it seems as though the aunt was supposed to be telling the story it seems like it should have been told from Daniella's memory instead is the only real critique I'd offer.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting, I enjoyed it so much,I even read. The end where Daniala thanked all the people who

I read this amazing story, one of my favorite in one day I am in the hospital with two strains of the flue. I had my flue shot in the beginning of October My nurse asked me what I was reading, her name is Pam.She will be reading this book also, thank you Blood reads. I am crying because this is her life, she really was a special person to have lived this terrible life and stayed true to herself, thank you Good Read

[Ecatarina Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read. Quick with relatable writing style.

Overall: not a bad read. It could have been a bit faster but realizing this is based off of the authors real life events, pace was important. I appreciated the authors candor and how she expressed changes in her speaking style through her writing.

You should read if: you are someone interested in stories of perseverance. The story outlines the life of a woman that was less than ideal.

Time: took me less than 3 hours to complete this book which makes it a great train or plane companion.

[Ben Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Wow! This was quite an interesting read. I loved it. It’s amazing all Daniella had to go through in order to get where she is now. She and her mom were handed a cruel fate in life and all they could do was deal with the cards they were dealt. It’s great to hear she moved on, got stronger and found closure.

Man, Nickie was so despicable. He didn’t deserve to hear from Dani one last time on his deathbed. Completely horrible. It goes without saying but this’s a great read. One that I highly recommend to anyone interested in non-fiction as well as self-help.

[Tom Troiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir about the life of a woman who was born in 1949 to a single mother.
Her childhood is filled with abandonment, mistrust of all the adults in her life, and constantly being shuffled from point a to point b.
Despite all of this, it is an inspiring but easy read about her life as an adult, and how her decision to seek out her biological father was a major mistake. It is also proof that what happened in your childhood does not have to define you for the rest of your life.