Lost In Thought: Memories of an Abused Child, the Horrifying True Story

by Karson Lee

***** From the Amazon Bestsellers lists comes Lost In Memories of an Abused Child! Top 50 bestselling ebook in Child Abuse and Dysfunctional Relationships categories for over twelve weeks! ***** What would you do if you knew a child who was being abused? If that child was a member of your family? Would you call the authorities and have the child taken away or would you turn a blind eye? These are the kind of questions that Lost In Thought provokes. The author, who lived through the atrocities mentioned in this book, paints a vivid, if disturbing, image of child abuse and how it affects the psyche as one grows older. What begins as abuse leads quickly to suicidal thoughts and loss of control. Lost In Thought is the unbelievable true story of a child who was in this predicament. His mother, who was hooked on prescription pills, sexually abused him for years and convinced him that nothing was out of the ordinary. Family members knew of the horrifying situation, yet did nothing to stop it. He distanced himself from his family as he grew older only to become more of an outcast. This is the powerful true story of a man who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome on the Autism Spectrum in his mid-twenties, overcame adversity, and took back control of his life before it was too late.

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2018

About the author

Karson Lee was born in North Carolina. He is the survivor of child abuse and has since worked with abused children. He advocates to end child abuse. He currently lives with his wife and three fur babies. They are currently in the process of fostering/adopting their first child.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW


Wow what a harrowing and brutally honest audiobook about abuse that is beyond imaginable. This audio is at time’s really hard to listen to but it makes you realise how lucky you are to have the life you have. This poor boy grew up being abused by everyone who he should have been able to trust and no one saved him. The strength of this author to carry on living and finally break free from the pain as much as he ever could is breathtaking. I would hope in the future stories like this could never happen again but unfortunately these days we only have to turn on the tv to see that this still goes on today. The book does have hope and the author has survived all of this hell and is finally living an amazing life and going to be an amazing father once that happens as you can feel the love this man has in his heart now he’s finally learnt what love really is and it’s not pain and suffering.

[Sheila Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the deeply moving story of a child betrayed by those whom he should have been able to trust the most. But as heart-rending as his story is, it leads to a happy ending (which he tells us at the beginning, so this is not a spoiler!). Against great odds, the strength of the author's spirit keeps him moving forward. Clearly, he has learned the important lesson that all-too-often, family is who we make it, rather than those with whom we simply share DNA. May the next chapters of Karson Lee's life erase the earlier ones.

[Melanie Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having a son who's a social worker meant that maybe I wasn't quite as horrified as others listeners might be at this story. I wanted to listen to make sure when my son feels the need to talk about his work, I am able to listen intelligently. This book is a testament to the strength of character of the author. Time and again I was taken aback by his resilience, his bravery and courage. The fact that he went all the way through the school system, was the subject of numerous court battles and no one picked up on what was happening was, for me, the most appalling aspect of this story. The fact that family members knew and did nothing is abhorrent and the opening guidance from the author was spot on. I can only commend Karson Lee for his strength in writing this book and Todd Waites for what can't have been an easy narration. If we are to improve our social care we need survivors to show us where we went wrong. Thank you Mr Lee, and I wish you a future lifetime full of health, wealth and all the happiness you truly deserve.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to give this a read because I’ve been monitoring some sexual assault scandals that have unfolded recently, mainly involved with religious institutions, and thought this might give me a valuable perspective from the eyes of the abused. It did that. But it also got me thinking about divorced families and the games parents all too often pull, using the kids as pawns in their power plays. It had me pondering relationships within families and drove home how lucky I am to have the close relationship with my siblings that I do.

Those who might be triggered by any number of things that could go on within a dysfunctional family might want to steer clear of this book. For others looking for a different perspective, this can provide it.

The author says at one point in the book that “My mind jumps from one thing to another, seemingly unrelated thing, then back to another. I struggle to follow a constant, steady train of thought. I feel like I have written this memoir the exact same way. I start one idea, go off on a tangent, and end on something completely unrelated.” That’s true, to a degree, but in some ways it felt like it put me in his mind even more when that happened.

In the end, there are also some positive things in the author’s story and some lessons about what the human spirit can endure and adapt to in order to get yourself to a better place. In that regard, the story was inspiring.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Gracie Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly heartbreaking. I admire this man for writing this book. It takes alot of guts for a man to speak up and say "me too". A truly heartbreaking story about what a mom did to her little boy. I strongly encourage anyone to read this book. It shows his determination to fight back against generational curses. If you havnt read this book then what are you waiting for?

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book, amazing author

This honestly is one of the best books I've ever read. I am so glad I was able to experience this book, at it is absolutely amazing. It tells the story of a young boy turned to a man that went through some vicious things in his life but had overcome and blossomed. Very highly recommended

[virginia c porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

I have to say that i enjoy this book so easy to read .From a little boy who knew right from. Wrong has my respect !! Yes I have been Abused as a kid and it has been a long road to forgive as the abuser made us not to tell .I read to help me

[Heather Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love heals most

This is a tragic story of this man's life. So many sick people tried to ruin him forever. But through his own strength he was able to survive. With a lot of love he was able to find joy in his life. Such an amazing man.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter of this book is truly heartbreaking. I feel so sad for the author. Sexual abuse should never happen to anyone, and especially not to a child. Very brave to wright about it.
For me, the book was a bit longer than it needed to be. And it did jump around a bit.. The author explains why later in the book.
I was confused about why he wanted his parents in his life as an adult. But since I have not lived through abuse, and can't presume to know what that does to a person's ability to block out toxic people.
I enjoyed how he wrapped up the ending and I am happy he found his peace.

[Zelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moved me deeply. In spite of some of the heavy content, I could not put this book down. Mr Lee expresses so eloquently what many of us wish we had the courage to express. He takes us through his painful, despairing and often hopeless childhood; a victim of his mother's relentless sexual abuse and drug addiction; a victim of his father's alcohol abuse and terrible temper; an observer of his father's inappropriate actions towards his half sisters, and mistreatment of his stepmother.
In spite of his parents letting him down, he has managed to, nevertheless, find positive role models throughout his life, and this has been his guiding light, and the reason why he triumphed over the road blocks in his life and managed to make a good life for himself and his wife. I really appreciate the author's honesty about how he still suffers from some after effects of his childhood, but that he is now better able to deal with them.
This book has given me more clarity in dealing with my own dysfunctional childhood.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and hope to see more books written by him in the future.

[Nicole Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of survival

Loved this amazing story, of strength, survival, & hope. Congrats to this young man! He deserves every good thing in life, that comes his way. I wish the best for him, and his beautiful family.

[Erma Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for your courage

Your story was told with such raw emotion. I was sexually abused as a child by several people but not my parents. However, my parents were alcoholics and our lives were unstable. I can relate to your struggles. Thank you for the courage to write your story!

[blondie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely boring

This book literally put me to sleep. Compared to the other books that I've read about child abuse, this is nothing. I would not recommend reading this book to anyone. It's not worth it.

[J T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strength of endurance!

Very important subject. I am 68 years old and still have issues from my childhood. I empathise with Karson. I struggle with sharing my abuses publically but I agree that this book was right to publish.

[lauren twomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Was hard to put down. Many of your feelings and experiences I too share. I look forward to seeing what more you may have.

[Joni Janice Mielke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It saddens me that any person should have to endure the kind of childhood experiences that this author has gone through, with the broken and distorted relationships he had with both parents, and especially his mother. Neglect, abuse and humiliation are not things that any child should grow up with, but somehow this author has emerged from his ordeal into a healthy, happy environment with loved ones who support him and a family of his choosing.

This is a heartbreakingly sad book that offers insight and understanding into the life of someone who was most vulnerable. It tells us what abuse abuse looks like, what it feels like, how it can manifest itself later in a victim's life, but it also provides hope. Writing a book like this is a courageous act, and I commend the author for it. I am glad he has found love, joy and fulfilment in his latter years, despite the challenges and hurdles thrown at him by his family.

The narration was also pitch perfect - a commendable job well done with a difficult subject. Altogether, this is an excellent book.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it about 1/2 way through....

I really wanted to like this book. The story could have been really interesting but, the grammar is so bad I had to re-read things. A lot of sentences made absolutely no sense. I gave it 2 stars for the effort it took to write.

[Crystal Mohlsick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

I kept expecting something to happen in this book. Something that made the reviews so good. Yet I I felt like something was going to happen yet never did

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost in Thought by Karson Lee is an extremely difficult book to read. It is a memoir detailing the years of sexual, mental, & physical abuse the author suffered at the hands of those who should have loved him the most, his mother and father. The abuse began at a very early age and escalated as his parents drug and alcohol abuse increased. No child should ever have to go through this horror.

The story chronicles his climb out of misery and into the loving arms of his wife and her family. Thank goodness for them because I’m not sure Karson Lee would still be with us without them. His aim is to shine a light upon the horrors of child abuse, not for himself, but to prevent it from happening to others.

Please give this a read. It is a story told from the heart.