I Forgive You, Daddy

by Lizzie McGlynn, Lizzie McGlynn

To the outside world, Lizzie McGlynn's father was a model citizen. To little Lizzie he was a violent and depraved monster. For years, Lizzie was raped and beaten by her father, whilst her alcoholic mother stood by, helpless. She eventually found the courage to report him and her father was imprisoned - but 12 weeks later he was allowed to return to the family home and continue his reign of terror. He seemed to be above the law. Battered and violated, Lizzie knew she had to stay alive to protect her two little brothers. She went on to escape her father's evil clutches, but the physical and mental scars continued to haunt her. Then, as her father lay dying, she summoned the strength and courage to forgive the man who had caused her so much pain.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely astounding, what a child had gone through. I was the the point in the book where I was thinking whether I would actually be to read on but I had to know how things turned out.
It's so hard to think of a child going through that, where their innocence has been stripped until there is no sign of their happy childhood.
I sympathize so deeply of the hurt and betrayal that this young girl and her family went through. I also feel anger towards the disgusting father and social workers who done nothing to keep the children safe.
I have never whilst reading a book felt so many different emotions and the worst thing of all is that they were real emotions pointing towards a real story.
I always thought that my childhood was unfair and shocking but looking back now I see that it wasn't bad at all and well I'm just at the stage where I'm thankful for the life that I did have.
Inspiring book with a brilliant strong, independent writer.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe not the best thing to have read when we are all rather low at the moment, but nevermind.
Lizzie grows up being abused, sexually and emotionally by her bully of a father. When he finally dies she tries to make peace with her mother but ghosts from her past refuse to let her live her life.
Well written - I finished in one session.

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I again am at a loss for words on how to write a reveiw on such a sad story. Children should not have to have this kind of childhood.They do NOT choose to be born. I don't think if you treat a child this way, that you have any love for them. This poor women grew up ans tsill suffered daily almost for what her father had done to her. What gives this man the right to destroy lives? I also want to know why the mother kept her relatioship with this man? Choose your children not the man who abuses you and them. I also think school and social workers dropped he ball on this family. They saw the kids in this state of neglect and all bruised up and really did nothing to help them..Don't get me wrong it does seem like someone tried to help here and there. There was just to much just forgiven I think. It is ver sad she grew up to do drugs and there for neglect her child a bit. I can understand wanting to be blacked out for the memories she had. Multiple suicide attemps to escape her tragic memories..I would think more would have been done to help her. I think she is a very strong person she just had not discovered it yet. I am also happy she found something she felt was worth living for. She chose to share her story and maybe someday it will help someone. As for forgiving her father...I would want to know he was ill or had something happen to him to make him do such things to his children, before I could forgive hifor hurting her so badly.She could not have more children and needed part of her intestines removed. Come on that to me is almost unforgivable. Book was very well written I thought. It held my attention cover to cover.

[Kathy Stott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first ever book i fell in love with, when you hear what it's about, it sound disgusting and grim, but its not about that, it is an emotional turmoil, and once you read it, you just fall in love, and cry.

[Haizir Othman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saya terjumpa buku ini semasa mengemas bakul bookdrop di perpustakaan kolej, langsung tergerak untuk membacanya. Ia mengisahkan kehidupan sebenar penulisnya, Elizabeth (atau dipanggil juga Lizzie) yang sejak dari kecil diseksa bapanya sendiri. Namakan segala jenis penyeksaan – semuanya telah dilakukan bapanya kepada Lizzie. Saya membaca buku ini dengan perut yang ketat; seperti berada dalam kereta yang sedang menuruni bukit dengan laju. Penyeksaan terhadap Lizzie begitu teruk dan tidak dapat dibayangkan boleh dilakukan oleh seorang bapa kepada anaknya. Ia menjejaskan setiap aspek kehidupan Lizzie, baik fizikal, mental, emosi, psikologi dan spiritual. Lizzie membesar sebagai seorang wanita yang tanpa zaman kanak-kanak normal.

Sehingga dia dewasa, bertemu dengan Iain dan melahirkan anak perempuan, kehidupan masih terlalu sukar baginya. Kesan emosi yang dibawa dari kecil sangat menghantui dan menjadi mimpi ngeri dalam setiap tidurnya. Ianya berupa bapa yang sangat dia takuti. Kehidupannya terjejas, dia berpisah dengan Iain, bertemu lelaki lain yang mengambil sifat bapanya, jatuh sakit, terpengaruh dengan kokain dan terlibat beberapa kali dengan percubaan membunuh diri.

Namun, di sebalik segala kesengsaraan begitu teruk yang dia alami, dia tetap bangun pada satu malam apabila rumahnya didatangi oleh kakak angkatnya yang membawa perkhabaran bahawa bapanya sedang berada di hospital, di ambang kematian. Di pinggir katil bapanya, dia mengungkapkan kata maaf – kata yang membolehkan bapanya meninggalkan Lizzie dan dunia ini dengan tenang, kata yang dapat merungkai satu rantai dari sekian banyak rantai-rantai yang membelenggu kebebasannya sebagai seorang manusia.

[Katherine Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read! Had to put it down a few times due to it hitting close to my heart but truly opened my eyes to difficult home life.

[Netsen7Bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably one of the hardest books I have ever read, not due to the length, but due to the content.
What Lizzie goes through during her childhood is horrifying. I was thinking at some point it couldn't get worse but it did.

I feel sad to think that when she was young she felt his sexual and other abuse normal, as she didn't know otherwise. Then again that is not so strange not having any friends, and being allowed to go outside the house.

I also felt saddened by the fact that she had to go and see her father in jail after what he did to her. The fact that no one believed her or interfered is just heart breaking. So is the injustice by the social service.

I am glad that she met Scott and that she had a daughter before that and seemed to be doing more or less well as another and grandmother now. And I am glad she survived to tell her story.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book though I was hoping more details could be shared to let us feel more connected with the story. I had a hard time looking and talking to my dad while reading this book. It arose a certain fear towards him.

[Brittany Wilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt so sorry for her, but in the end she was stronger then what she thought she was, after all, had that been me, I would've forgave, nor would I have gone to the hospital, so good on you Lizzy!

[Abir · Rating 4 out of 5]

the meeting of good and evil... many tears and sadness