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The Packing House
When 16-year-old Joel Scrivener has a raging nightmare in study hall and someone records it on their phone, he awakens to a living nightmare where everyone knows his secret, one that he's suppressed for ten years. Reeling as the whole school finds out the truth, Joel takes to the woods, leaving the bullies and his broken home behind.
However, life as a runaway isn’t easy, as Joel’s hallucinations and nightmares follow him into the wilderness. To stop them once and for all, he pieces clues together with flashes of the images that play endlessly inside his head – will he figure out the identity of the person who caused his nightmare before it’s too late?
However, life as a runaway isn’t easy, as Joel’s hallucinations and nightmares follow him into the wilderness. To stop them once and for all, he pieces clues together with flashes of the images that play endlessly inside his head – will he figure out the identity of the person who caused his nightmare before it’s too late?
- GenresYoung Adult
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2016
4 people are currently reading
929 people want to read
About the author
G. Donald Cribbs
4 books96 followersG. Donald Cribbs has written and published poetry and short stories since high school. Donald is a graduate of Messiah College in English and Education, and holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Donald is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with the PA state board. He and his wife and four boys reside in central Pennsylvania where the author is hard at work on his next book, the sequel to his debut novel, THE PACKING HOUSE (2015), by Booktrope. Having lived and traveled abroad in England, France, Belgium, Germany, China and Thailand (you can guess where he lived and where he visited), the author loves languages and how they connect us all. Coffee and Nutella are a close second.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 31, 2023
✅An amazing thrilling young adult read which deals with mental health/depression, bullying which also can be read as psychological thriller fantasy with a bit of mystery
✅Easy to read; easy to follow writing with short chapters and a very satisfying ending
✅Relatable characters with some very important social themes to discuss
✅Amazing plot
I haven’t read a young adult fiction this fast paced and well written when it comes to ya thrillers/mystery in a while. I am pretty happy with this read.
Thank you, Cherish Editions, for the copy.
✅Easy to read; easy to follow writing with short chapters and a very satisfying ending
✅Relatable characters with some very important social themes to discuss
✅Amazing plot
I haven’t read a young adult fiction this fast paced and well written when it comes to ya thrillers/mystery in a while. I am pretty happy with this read.
Thank you, Cherish Editions, for the copy.
January 4, 2022
The Packing House returns to print with a new blue cover April 7, 2022 from Trigger Publishing and Cherish Editions. You can add it to your to read list here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
March 24, 2022
I can’t ignore these dreams. They come from somewhere. Maybe they’re trying to tell me something, but what exactly?Joel’s nightmares have been getting worse recently. It doesn’t help that his mother is emotionally unavailable and his father has been MIA for over half of his life. When one of Joel’s nightmares is recorded and posted online, it makes it even harder for him to cope.
Childhood sexual assault is always going to be difficult to read about. While there are more books being published where characters have experienced this, not enough are written from the point of view of male survivors. That’s what drew me to this book.
It’s hard to be objective when sexual assault and its impacts are addressed so I’ll focus here on what did and didn’t work for me personally as I read this book.
One of the strengths of this book was that it dealt with trauma that the main character didn’t always have clear memories of. Trauma encodes itself in the brain differently than non-traumatic memories and sometimes this means the memories aren’t accessible until the survivor is safe. Joel’s memories begin to resurface in the themes of his nightmares and in flashbacks. His understanding of what he’s experiencing doesn’t come all at once.
Some aspects of the story didn’t ring true to me.
With such an extended lead up to Joel remembering what happened to him, the events afterwards felt like a whirlwind. I was left with some pretty big question marks and some of those are because the book finishes so abruptly. I don’t know if a sequel is planned or not but here’s the short list of what I need to know...
There’s no indication in the blurb that religion is discussed in relation to the events in this book. Given that some readers will want to read it and others will avoid it for that reason alone, heads up: Christianity, including Bible quotes, are a part of this book.
Books in a book: Reading is one of Joel’s escapes. Throughout the book, he reads Fahrenheit 451, The Outsiders, The Chocolate War and Catcher in the Rye.
Content warnings include . Please be aware that the scenes describing childhood sexual assault are reasonably graphic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cherish Editions, an imprint of Trigger Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
December 8, 2015
G. Donald Cribbs has achieved something in this his debut novel that many have attempted and failed. He has found a genuine teenage voice to drive this compelling narrative. I was not but five pages in when I found myself strolling down amnesia lane recalling and reflecting on my own awkward high school years. His vivid description of the ins and outs of dysfunction are haunting and authentic. In this wonderful book the author starts us in a realm of nightmare and confusion, moves us to a place of trauma and pain, and ultimately guides us into the light of redemption and healing. This is a book that demanded to be written and I am so glad that the author had the strength and insight to see it through.
April 18, 2022
The Packing House doesn't hold back. It has several major triggers and I was unaware of how brutal these would be.
This is a painful, heart-wrenching read, told through the unique voice of Joel who I wanted to meet, hug and hold his hand. Joel was so genuine I wonder if this was more of an autobiography from Cribbs.
The poetry that runs through this book is stunning, and I was in awe of the writing throughout. The plot wasn't as gripping as I usually like though, but I'll forgo it for the beauty of the writing and the book itself.
Really powerful book, and I would definitely recommend it and read more from the author.
This is a painful, heart-wrenching read, told through the unique voice of Joel who I wanted to meet, hug and hold his hand. Joel was so genuine I wonder if this was more of an autobiography from Cribbs.
The poetry that runs through this book is stunning, and I was in awe of the writing throughout. The plot wasn't as gripping as I usually like though, but I'll forgo it for the beauty of the writing and the book itself.
Really powerful book, and I would definitely recommend it and read more from the author.
April 19, 2022
My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
Twitter @bookread2day
Instagram book_read_2day
This story is told in the voice of 16 year old Joel Scrivener, who suffers from nightmares. It’s so sad, he thinks he is a foster child reject, and believes probably couldn’t find a family dumb enough to take him in.
His mother and father split up when he was young.
Just like children do when parents argue really bad that turn into fights it damages a child and the events stick in a child’s brain for life.
Joel could still remember the fights and yelling, doors slamming, pictures falling off the wall, and shattered glass.
When his mother met a tough guy, Joel and his brother Jonathan called him the Terror Man.
This story is the authors first book and is extremely engaging and well written.
I recommend this book as lots of events are placed within this page turning story.
Twitter @bookread2day
Instagram book_read_2day
This story is told in the voice of 16 year old Joel Scrivener, who suffers from nightmares. It’s so sad, he thinks he is a foster child reject, and believes probably couldn’t find a family dumb enough to take him in.
His mother and father split up when he was young.
Just like children do when parents argue really bad that turn into fights it damages a child and the events stick in a child’s brain for life.
Joel could still remember the fights and yelling, doors slamming, pictures falling off the wall, and shattered glass.
When his mother met a tough guy, Joel and his brother Jonathan called him the Terror Man.
This story is the authors first book and is extremely engaging and well written.
I recommend this book as lots of events are placed within this page turning story.
July 16, 2016
Wow! The Packing House is so poetic, so sad, and so moving all at the same time. G. Donald Cribbs's debut novel is about Joel Scrivener, a 16 year old boy who has been a victim of CSA (Child Sexual Abuse). A thing he has repressed for years without even knowing but will have to get to the bottom of before he can be whole again or at least attempt to move passed it.
Cribbs' writing is so smooth, lyrical, and so elegant. I can't 'un-picture' what Joel went through even though the narrative wasn't graphic. I recommend his book to anyone as it raises awareness about Child Sexual Abuse; a thing very close to home for me. We need to watch our children carefully especially around non-relatives we label family. Even with blood relatives, the line can be blurred. It's sickening. Statistics for CSA are alarming and ever growing. But speaking up and not turning a blind eye is the key to eradicate this wrong. Joel is a survivor and so are many of us. We need to keep writing like Cribbs and we need more stories like his to continue to raise awareness on CSA and any type of abuse out there.
I raise awareness on intimacy for the same reason because where there is no awareness, human nature become predator like and hurt lives by using unlawful and traumatizing outlets to relieve the urge. Born and made predators can be dealt with if children are being taught at a young age what boundaries they need to put on their bodies and on others trying to violate their privacy. Open the line of communication about sex the moment your children start talking. I mean it. Start the conversation early with your children so they can tell you right away when bad things occur or they can avoid putting themselves in situations where they can be taken advantage of or in situations where they can take advantage of others. And stand by your children when they relate a disturbing tale to you and don't make them out to be liars. Children for the most part don't lie. They usually say it how it is.
In conclusion, G. Donald Cribbs is a damn good scrivener! Excuse my language but this is how I feel about his writing skills. Get your copy by contacting him via his website .
Cribbs' writing is so smooth, lyrical, and so elegant. I can't 'un-picture' what Joel went through even though the narrative wasn't graphic. I recommend his book to anyone as it raises awareness about Child Sexual Abuse; a thing very close to home for me. We need to watch our children carefully especially around non-relatives we label family. Even with blood relatives, the line can be blurred. It's sickening. Statistics for CSA are alarming and ever growing. But speaking up and not turning a blind eye is the key to eradicate this wrong. Joel is a survivor and so are many of us. We need to keep writing like Cribbs and we need more stories like his to continue to raise awareness on CSA and any type of abuse out there.
I raise awareness on intimacy for the same reason because where there is no awareness, human nature become predator like and hurt lives by using unlawful and traumatizing outlets to relieve the urge. Born and made predators can be dealt with if children are being taught at a young age what boundaries they need to put on their bodies and on others trying to violate their privacy. Open the line of communication about sex the moment your children start talking. I mean it. Start the conversation early with your children so they can tell you right away when bad things occur or they can avoid putting themselves in situations where they can be taken advantage of or in situations where they can take advantage of others. And stand by your children when they relate a disturbing tale to you and don't make them out to be liars. Children for the most part don't lie. They usually say it how it is.
In conclusion, G. Donald Cribbs is a damn good scrivener! Excuse my language but this is how I feel about his writing skills. Get your copy by contacting him via his website .
January 7, 2019
Every 11 minutes, a child is sexually abused in the world. And 90% of the victims know their abuser. Joel’s story in A Packing House is an account of such abuse. The pain, confusion, and anger he experiences as he tries to piece together his hidden past is palpable, and my support and love for this brave boy is unwavering. Not only does this book resonate deeply with me for personal reasons but I also find myself completely enthralled by the characters, plot, and beautiful writing in this novel.
The author truly captures what it is like for survivors to have to live with the traumatic memories and emotions that accompany CSA. The subject of such an atrocious act is not an easy thing to talk, or read, about, but it is one of the utmost importance; it is one that needs to be discussed with sensitivity and honesty. Throughout the duration of this book I never felt as if what Joel went through was sensationalized or dramatized in a way that was meant to simply thrill and entertain the reader. Yes, the story is raw, intense, and gritty, but, most importantly, it is REAL. G. Donald Cribbs relays Joel’s tale in a candid manner with no restrictions nor mendacity. Everything about this book, every single intricate detail, is genuine and respectful. I felt what Joel felt because I have walked along the same sandy beaches that he has forged a path through.
Now that I have completed what is reportedly the first book in a duology, I am very anxious to get the second book in my hands. So many questions are left unanswered, like will Joel get the justice he deserves, will his abuser be stopped before he can hurt another child, will Joel’s relationship with his father be mended, and what does Joel’s future hold for him in terms of romance and his journey towards healing? I am very hopeful that Unpacking the Past will be available for avid readers like myself in the near future because I desperately need to know how it all ends!
The author truly captures what it is like for survivors to have to live with the traumatic memories and emotions that accompany CSA. The subject of such an atrocious act is not an easy thing to talk, or read, about, but it is one of the utmost importance; it is one that needs to be discussed with sensitivity and honesty. Throughout the duration of this book I never felt as if what Joel went through was sensationalized or dramatized in a way that was meant to simply thrill and entertain the reader. Yes, the story is raw, intense, and gritty, but, most importantly, it is REAL. G. Donald Cribbs relays Joel’s tale in a candid manner with no restrictions nor mendacity. Everything about this book, every single intricate detail, is genuine and respectful. I felt what Joel felt because I have walked along the same sandy beaches that he has forged a path through.
Now that I have completed what is reportedly the first book in a duology, I am very anxious to get the second book in my hands. So many questions are left unanswered, like will Joel get the justice he deserves, will his abuser be stopped before he can hurt another child, will Joel’s relationship with his father be mended, and what does Joel’s future hold for him in terms of romance and his journey towards healing? I am very hopeful that Unpacking the Past will be available for avid readers like myself in the near future because I desperately need to know how it all ends!
January 18, 2016
The world of teenagers is naturally filled with individual levels of angst and uncertainty. These are the years in which children should be permitted safe places to grow, explore and self-actualize without fear, bullying or ridicule. However, when children are subjected to neglect and assaulted by sexual abuse, childhood then quickly unravels, leaving in its wake a trail of victims, and producing a lifetime of unfathomable nightmares. The Packing House, by author G. Donald Cribbs, strips away the illusion that somehow, children are magically resilient and immune to the lasting effects of abuse, and can simply bounce back from attack. Cribbs deftly shows in his well-written account how deeply sexual assault cuts into the soul of a survivor, as well as revealing the crushing and lasting remnants of cyclical emotional damage.
The Packing House is not a comfortable story for young adults, no less anyone to have to read, but it is most certainly necessary as well as enlightening. This subject, despite how difficult, can no longer be shelved or irresponsibly sequestered and hidden away. Nor can this topic be discussed in secret hushed overtones meant to imply guilt, or worse -perpetuate embarrassment -for the victim.
No, this is the kind of story that a reader needs to remain present in. Willing to observe like a fly on the wall, allowing oneself to stay intrinsically engaged, safe enough to absorb, but unable to revise or turn away, and when faced by all the elements that make the moment- whatever they are- culpable to the truth.
This author’s story shows how triggers from past abuse are vast. How they can spring apart and lash out, caused by a memory, a flashback, or even a familiar scent or sound. In this novel, the main character is Joel, a teenage boy who was battling such an infringement. Initially, Joel remained somewhat unaware of the suppressed trunk-full of painful recollections he thought he had successfully compartmentalized, but soon he can no longer run away from the truth that follows and taunts him. He comes to realize that even in his sleep, he is not safe from intrusion. For those who have never experienced this level of sheer brutality, will witness with absolute transparency how awareness of these insipid elements that draw from the soul of the victim becomes apparently clear through Joel’s private thoughts and actions.
For Joel, most of the adults in his life have let him down. He has been neglected, ignored, endangered, and manipulated. Violated repeatedly until he no longer knows who is left in his world for him to trust. Questioning the motives and intentions of every grown person he is forced to encounter. So-called ‘adults’ who knew and did nothing to stop ‘it’ from happening, failed to protect, to hold the perpetrators accountable, and willfully remained blind to the truth at the cost of a child’s safety and innocence.
However, Joel has a special friend, -Amber, who is the one person he thought he could continue to trust. His heart gravitated and yearned to share memories with her in the hope that her closeness would somehow allow him to make sense of his fears. However, forced distance coupled with misunderstanding threatened to pull them apart as well. The more Amber tried to draw Joel into a spiritual peace, the more he refused to open himself up for further disappointment –even from God, who Joel thinks abandoned him too. In the story Joel poignantly thinks to himself, “I can picture her [Amber] watching the sky, startled, as the immense sun rises from the water like a fiery bather, and later reading her Bible as the salty breeze rustles the pages. I wish I could find peace like that. The other part of me is scared God would show up.”
Like Joel, many young people who have been forced to face these kinds of horrific and volatile challenges need a voice, -a platform to express their pain, even if veiled behind the barricade of fiction. They need reassurance that what crime did to them was not their fault. This author provides such a place and more. He leaves no stone unturned. Not one painful thought indistinct. The story takes the reader through a cacophony of directions, each one unraveling and further exposing the dissonance of raw truths, as they lie –at the feet of the damaged, helpless victim, and in the face of a society all too willing to turn away and pretend blindness.
The Packing House is not a comfortable story for young adults, no less anyone to have to read, but it is most certainly necessary as well as enlightening. This subject, despite how difficult, can no longer be shelved or irresponsibly sequestered and hidden away. Nor can this topic be discussed in secret hushed overtones meant to imply guilt, or worse -perpetuate embarrassment -for the victim.
No, this is the kind of story that a reader needs to remain present in. Willing to observe like a fly on the wall, allowing oneself to stay intrinsically engaged, safe enough to absorb, but unable to revise or turn away, and when faced by all the elements that make the moment- whatever they are- culpable to the truth.
This author’s story shows how triggers from past abuse are vast. How they can spring apart and lash out, caused by a memory, a flashback, or even a familiar scent or sound. In this novel, the main character is Joel, a teenage boy who was battling such an infringement. Initially, Joel remained somewhat unaware of the suppressed trunk-full of painful recollections he thought he had successfully compartmentalized, but soon he can no longer run away from the truth that follows and taunts him. He comes to realize that even in his sleep, he is not safe from intrusion. For those who have never experienced this level of sheer brutality, will witness with absolute transparency how awareness of these insipid elements that draw from the soul of the victim becomes apparently clear through Joel’s private thoughts and actions.
For Joel, most of the adults in his life have let him down. He has been neglected, ignored, endangered, and manipulated. Violated repeatedly until he no longer knows who is left in his world for him to trust. Questioning the motives and intentions of every grown person he is forced to encounter. So-called ‘adults’ who knew and did nothing to stop ‘it’ from happening, failed to protect, to hold the perpetrators accountable, and willfully remained blind to the truth at the cost of a child’s safety and innocence.
However, Joel has a special friend, -Amber, who is the one person he thought he could continue to trust. His heart gravitated and yearned to share memories with her in the hope that her closeness would somehow allow him to make sense of his fears. However, forced distance coupled with misunderstanding threatened to pull them apart as well. The more Amber tried to draw Joel into a spiritual peace, the more he refused to open himself up for further disappointment –even from God, who Joel thinks abandoned him too. In the story Joel poignantly thinks to himself, “I can picture her [Amber] watching the sky, startled, as the immense sun rises from the water like a fiery bather, and later reading her Bible as the salty breeze rustles the pages. I wish I could find peace like that. The other part of me is scared God would show up.”
Like Joel, many young people who have been forced to face these kinds of horrific and volatile challenges need a voice, -a platform to express their pain, even if veiled behind the barricade of fiction. They need reassurance that what crime did to them was not their fault. This author provides such a place and more. He leaves no stone unturned. Not one painful thought indistinct. The story takes the reader through a cacophony of directions, each one unraveling and further exposing the dissonance of raw truths, as they lie –at the feet of the damaged, helpless victim, and in the face of a society all too willing to turn away and pretend blindness.
March 20, 2016
Raw and open, The Packing House doesn't hold back any punches. True to its cover, it will pull you into the mind of a teen suffering from abuse, and desperate to find a way out.
The main character, Joel, has thoughts that are broken, jumping around between memories and the present, and almost is able to remove himself from them like a survivor coming to terms with his traumatic ordeal and trying to keep himself disconnected.
I'll warn you, it's a heartbreaking read. A great debut novel.
The main character, Joel, has thoughts that are broken, jumping around between memories and the present, and almost is able to remove himself from them like a survivor coming to terms with his traumatic ordeal and trying to keep himself disconnected.
I'll warn you, it's a heartbreaking read. A great debut novel.
April 4, 2022
From the moment we see Joel fall asleep in study hall and have his nightmare recorded, the warning signs that could explain his behaviour are there. Throughout the book I found it incomprehensible that nobody thought to look beyond the surface…he was exhibiting classic signs of trauma and there were recollections of medical intervention that should have had someone (actually, many) looking a little further into what was happening.
The grim reality is that many victims of child sexual assault will go through their experience alone. They will find ways to manage their trauma and many will hit self-destruct before anyone has a clue. Joel offered indicators that should have been picked up on, and it’s hard not to feel broken by the state of a system that allows such behaviours to continue.
Joel is plagued by nightmares, which are evidently symbolic of his experience. Seeing how he developed these coping strategies was interesting, but I can’t help feel angered that it still has to be done.
The Packing House is not a book I’ll easily find myself able to recommend, but I sincerely hope that people will read it, take time to reflect on what is read and then do their utmost to make sure we do something to reduce the numbers affected by such trauma.
I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this. While the subject matter is distressing, it’s a book that ought to be widely publicised.
The grim reality is that many victims of child sexual assault will go through their experience alone. They will find ways to manage their trauma and many will hit self-destruct before anyone has a clue. Joel offered indicators that should have been picked up on, and it’s hard not to feel broken by the state of a system that allows such behaviours to continue.
Joel is plagued by nightmares, which are evidently symbolic of his experience. Seeing how he developed these coping strategies was interesting, but I can’t help feel angered that it still has to be done.
The Packing House is not a book I’ll easily find myself able to recommend, but I sincerely hope that people will read it, take time to reflect on what is read and then do their utmost to make sure we do something to reduce the numbers affected by such trauma.
I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this. While the subject matter is distressing, it’s a book that ought to be widely publicised.
January 15, 2016
This book is a game changer! Beautifully written and exacting with its topic. It braves a topic that's taboo and shouldn't be. It speaks up where others do not. Such an important book. I have so much love for it.
MY REVIEW:
This story is an exceptional internal dialogue with self. And yet, it does not waiver in the least from also letting the reader in on the external world of the protagonist, Joel Scrivener. What the reader can see here, more than anywhere else in literature that I know of, is the internal struggle the survivor of childhood sexual abuse faces on an ongoing relentless basis.
What Cribbs has done here is phenomenal. I knew as soon as I read the draft of this novel that it was special. It takes us down the deep dark rabbit hole of confusion faced by many sexual abuse victims. It shows how the mind plays tricks on the survivor in order to help them to move forward in the world without checking out of it. Joel Scrivener is painted as a boy in the midst of confusion. He knows that everything is not right...but the kernels of truth he needs to complete the puzzle and get to the bottom of the problem are just outside his reach.
Only a survivor of sexual abuse can know the frustration of having great swaths of their lives cordoned off from their accessible memory. Joel struggles through a failing year of high school, while dealing with his highly dysfunctional mother and the feeling that something horrible has happened to him.
As Joel ricochets through a series of blind and frustrating choices, from running away from home to breaking into a school for shelter to recalling a botched experimental sexual encounter with a male friend, he struggles to piece together the story of his life. With parts missing even from his own view, he has no idea how to do this. On his journey, he recounts tender moments with his first love, Amber, whom he has since moved away from. We see him struggling with the side effects of his dark secret in the way he falls asleep in class and the way he cannot concentrate enough to settle into his schoolwork. There are many telltale moments in his reasoning that suggests he is a fragile egg about to crack. The ache that builds throughout this story is real. The reader will feel frustrated and sympathetic while getting an inside look at Joel's roller-coaster of emotional turmoil. And they will wonder at his strength as he chooses to take the rabbit hole he sees before him and tries to reconstruct his shattered life.
Some captured moments in THE PACKING HOUSE:
At the onset of the story, Joel admits to his way of dealing with things when he says, 'Running is my go-to response'.
When Joel speaks of how deflated and defeated he is, he says, 'I might as well be a week-old balloon, trailing limply, trying to keep from touching the ground. The fight is gone out of me. I don't even want to try anymore.' The reader feels the power of his defeat so deeply.
Perhaps my favourite passage from The Packing House is the following one:
The stuck place I'm in is too familiar, like the final box unpacked after a move; sometimes it's not ready to be unpacked, or we're not ready to face everything that's inside, so it sits there until we have to face it, one way or another.
That, dear readers, is the perfect analogy for the victim of childhood sexual trauma. And one never knows when that box will unpack. It is the threat in the heart of the shattered life...the threat of the last box's unpacking. Cribbs has written of an incredible journey here. A journey that moved me to tears and wonder.
Though a fictional one, this is a true documentation of what happens to the victim of this horrific crime. One look into the snowballing careening fall of Joel Scrivener, and the reader will get an idea of what it is to struggle with this terrible secret...one they often don't even know they carry. Sometimes the brain knows that the only way to survive is to send the terrible secret into a deep dark cellar somewhere inside its buried chambers until it's ready to be accessed. Or until it just cannot be contained any longer. Cribbs has perfectly captured this journey in telling Joel's story. And he keeps the reader at Joel's side through every step of the journey, expertly revealing the kernels at just the right moments of Joel's struggle.
I suggest everyone read this story. It's one of the most important ones I have ever read, and moreover, it is beautifully told. Cribbs is an exceptional writer...I look forward to more from him and I'm excited to see where he goes from here. After telling the story he needed to tell, there's no limit to what he can do with the stories he wants to tell!
My hopes with THE PACKING HOUSE? That it begins (or continues) the much needed conversation that some are unwilling to partake in. Childhood Sexual Abuse is an epidemic. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys prior to the age of 18 will experience an unwanted sexual act, either including touch or not. That's unacceptable. Dialogue helps prevent future occurrences. G. Donald Cribbs's THE PACKING HOUSE is a perfect jumping off point. READ IT NOW! Don't be afraid to take this sometimes hard, but always beautiful, journey.
MY REVIEW:
This story is an exceptional internal dialogue with self. And yet, it does not waiver in the least from also letting the reader in on the external world of the protagonist, Joel Scrivener. What the reader can see here, more than anywhere else in literature that I know of, is the internal struggle the survivor of childhood sexual abuse faces on an ongoing relentless basis.
What Cribbs has done here is phenomenal. I knew as soon as I read the draft of this novel that it was special. It takes us down the deep dark rabbit hole of confusion faced by many sexual abuse victims. It shows how the mind plays tricks on the survivor in order to help them to move forward in the world without checking out of it. Joel Scrivener is painted as a boy in the midst of confusion. He knows that everything is not right...but the kernels of truth he needs to complete the puzzle and get to the bottom of the problem are just outside his reach.
Only a survivor of sexual abuse can know the frustration of having great swaths of their lives cordoned off from their accessible memory. Joel struggles through a failing year of high school, while dealing with his highly dysfunctional mother and the feeling that something horrible has happened to him.
As Joel ricochets through a series of blind and frustrating choices, from running away from home to breaking into a school for shelter to recalling a botched experimental sexual encounter with a male friend, he struggles to piece together the story of his life. With parts missing even from his own view, he has no idea how to do this. On his journey, he recounts tender moments with his first love, Amber, whom he has since moved away from. We see him struggling with the side effects of his dark secret in the way he falls asleep in class and the way he cannot concentrate enough to settle into his schoolwork. There are many telltale moments in his reasoning that suggests he is a fragile egg about to crack. The ache that builds throughout this story is real. The reader will feel frustrated and sympathetic while getting an inside look at Joel's roller-coaster of emotional turmoil. And they will wonder at his strength as he chooses to take the rabbit hole he sees before him and tries to reconstruct his shattered life.
Some captured moments in THE PACKING HOUSE:
At the onset of the story, Joel admits to his way of dealing with things when he says, 'Running is my go-to response'.
When Joel speaks of how deflated and defeated he is, he says, 'I might as well be a week-old balloon, trailing limply, trying to keep from touching the ground. The fight is gone out of me. I don't even want to try anymore.' The reader feels the power of his defeat so deeply.
Perhaps my favourite passage from The Packing House is the following one:
The stuck place I'm in is too familiar, like the final box unpacked after a move; sometimes it's not ready to be unpacked, or we're not ready to face everything that's inside, so it sits there until we have to face it, one way or another.
That, dear readers, is the perfect analogy for the victim of childhood sexual trauma. And one never knows when that box will unpack. It is the threat in the heart of the shattered life...the threat of the last box's unpacking. Cribbs has written of an incredible journey here. A journey that moved me to tears and wonder.
Though a fictional one, this is a true documentation of what happens to the victim of this horrific crime. One look into the snowballing careening fall of Joel Scrivener, and the reader will get an idea of what it is to struggle with this terrible secret...one they often don't even know they carry. Sometimes the brain knows that the only way to survive is to send the terrible secret into a deep dark cellar somewhere inside its buried chambers until it's ready to be accessed. Or until it just cannot be contained any longer. Cribbs has perfectly captured this journey in telling Joel's story. And he keeps the reader at Joel's side through every step of the journey, expertly revealing the kernels at just the right moments of Joel's struggle.
I suggest everyone read this story. It's one of the most important ones I have ever read, and moreover, it is beautifully told. Cribbs is an exceptional writer...I look forward to more from him and I'm excited to see where he goes from here. After telling the story he needed to tell, there's no limit to what he can do with the stories he wants to tell!
My hopes with THE PACKING HOUSE? That it begins (or continues) the much needed conversation that some are unwilling to partake in. Childhood Sexual Abuse is an epidemic. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys prior to the age of 18 will experience an unwanted sexual act, either including touch or not. That's unacceptable. Dialogue helps prevent future occurrences. G. Donald Cribbs's THE PACKING HOUSE is a perfect jumping off point. READ IT NOW! Don't be afraid to take this sometimes hard, but always beautiful, journey.
April 16, 2022
Joel Scrivener suffers from horrendous nightmares, to the point he hardly sleeps. When the kids at school film him having one of these nightmares when he falls asleep during class, they put it up for all to see. Joel decides to run away from home and all the bullies. Can Joel get to the bottom of what is causing his nightmares?
Joel’s escape is writing letters to his friend, Amber and also writing stories and poetry. Will he be able to get his relationship back on track with his mum and brother? Can anyone help Joel?
A well written story with interesting characters throughout. The poetry in the book was beautiful yet haunting.
This story is raising awareness of Child Sexual Abuse. It is a difficult subject but a book that is well worth reading. Not everyone survives CSA but this book does well at showing you can be a survivor. I found this to be an emotional story and I’m not ashamed to say that I shed some tears.
My thanks to G. Donald Cribbs and Literally PR for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Joel’s escape is writing letters to his friend, Amber and also writing stories and poetry. Will he be able to get his relationship back on track with his mum and brother? Can anyone help Joel?
A well written story with interesting characters throughout. The poetry in the book was beautiful yet haunting.
This story is raising awareness of Child Sexual Abuse. It is a difficult subject but a book that is well worth reading. Not everyone survives CSA but this book does well at showing you can be a survivor. I found this to be an emotional story and I’m not ashamed to say that I shed some tears.
My thanks to G. Donald Cribbs and Literally PR for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 1, 2016
“The Packing House” by G. Donald Cribbs is an incredible, powerful book. It is an absolute must-read for anyone with a son or for any boy/man who has survived child sexual abuse.
“The Packing House tells the story of Joel Scrivener from his point of view. download (3)Joel is a sophomore in high school who frequently moves on short notice at the behest of his mother. This adds to his difficulties in dealing with many typical issues of a social outcast. He has trouble connecting with girls, particularly his long-time love Amber, he’s unsure of his sexuality, and he experiences bullying, sometimes at the hands of his younger brother. All of that is simply the foundation for the greatest horror Joel faces. He experiences horrible nightmares which lead to him recovering memories of being raped a decade earlier.
While the primary subject is childhood sexual abuse, Cribbs also tackles other issues like the aforementioned bullying as well as domestic violence, gambling addiction, parental abandonment, questioning sexuality, and others. It may seem like Joel deals with a lot, but research continues to show that experiencing multiple forms of child maltreatment is not uncommon. I’ll admit it was a tough read for me because so many of the issues in the book echoed with me and my own history. However, this is truly a wonderful novel, impeccably written. Had I not known Cribbs to be a fully grown man (and father of four), I might’ve suspected this book was written by a teenage boy.
Cribbs masterfully captures the voice of a teenage boy. At times, it’s almost too masterful as Joel discusses his burgeoning but very normal sexuality. This could be a little troublesome for those not comfortable with the subject matter, but it will hopefully not get in the way of anyone enjoying this wonderful novel. G. Donald Cribbs has really accomplished something special with “The Packing House”, and I highly recommend everyone read this book.
“The Packing House tells the story of Joel Scrivener from his point of view. download (3)Joel is a sophomore in high school who frequently moves on short notice at the behest of his mother. This adds to his difficulties in dealing with many typical issues of a social outcast. He has trouble connecting with girls, particularly his long-time love Amber, he’s unsure of his sexuality, and he experiences bullying, sometimes at the hands of his younger brother. All of that is simply the foundation for the greatest horror Joel faces. He experiences horrible nightmares which lead to him recovering memories of being raped a decade earlier.
While the primary subject is childhood sexual abuse, Cribbs also tackles other issues like the aforementioned bullying as well as domestic violence, gambling addiction, parental abandonment, questioning sexuality, and others. It may seem like Joel deals with a lot, but research continues to show that experiencing multiple forms of child maltreatment is not uncommon. I’ll admit it was a tough read for me because so many of the issues in the book echoed with me and my own history. However, this is truly a wonderful novel, impeccably written. Had I not known Cribbs to be a fully grown man (and father of four), I might’ve suspected this book was written by a teenage boy.
Cribbs masterfully captures the voice of a teenage boy. At times, it’s almost too masterful as Joel discusses his burgeoning but very normal sexuality. This could be a little troublesome for those not comfortable with the subject matter, but it will hopefully not get in the way of anyone enjoying this wonderful novel. G. Donald Cribbs has really accomplished something special with “The Packing House”, and I highly recommend everyone read this book.
April 21, 2016
For many of us, monsters are all too real, forcing us to fight against them as well as the effects that encountering them have on our lives. In THE PACKING HOUSE, G. Donald Cribbs, monsters plague Joel Scrivner’s life and subconscious, and he must vanquish them or lose his sanity.
Predators infuse Joel’s life via his self-absorbed mother with a penchant for the dysfunctional. The teenager faces beatings at home from his mother’s current boyfriend as well as bullying from schoolmates with whom he rarely makes a connection due the transiency of his family life. In addition to the “monsters” in his personal and school lives, a terrifying monster afflicts Joel’s dreams and makes sleeping impossible. Joel must alleviate himself of all this dysfunction or completely break down.
Cribbs demonstrates the various manifestations of victimization that often concurrently inflict an individual. Joel is subject to physical abuse, cyber bullying, and emotional abuse, and the author does an excellent job at conveying the overwhelming sense of despair that Joel experiences. Readers will want to reach out to the teenager and do what the majority of adults in the novel fail to do – help. THE PACKING HOUSE shows what may happen when those in the position to help a victimized child do not and the dire consequences of ignoring warning signs and victim blaming.
My one criticism is that the author inclusion of multiple poems, letters, and story excerpts was a little distracting, but the story was engaging and cathartic for me as a sexual assault survivor. It took a while for me to finish this book because I identified with much of the dysfunction and abuse, but reading it helped me to reexamine and fortify myself against my own monsters. THE PACKING HOUSE is a must-read.
Predators infuse Joel’s life via his self-absorbed mother with a penchant for the dysfunctional. The teenager faces beatings at home from his mother’s current boyfriend as well as bullying from schoolmates with whom he rarely makes a connection due the transiency of his family life. In addition to the “monsters” in his personal and school lives, a terrifying monster afflicts Joel’s dreams and makes sleeping impossible. Joel must alleviate himself of all this dysfunction or completely break down.
Cribbs demonstrates the various manifestations of victimization that often concurrently inflict an individual. Joel is subject to physical abuse, cyber bullying, and emotional abuse, and the author does an excellent job at conveying the overwhelming sense of despair that Joel experiences. Readers will want to reach out to the teenager and do what the majority of adults in the novel fail to do – help. THE PACKING HOUSE shows what may happen when those in the position to help a victimized child do not and the dire consequences of ignoring warning signs and victim blaming.
My one criticism is that the author inclusion of multiple poems, letters, and story excerpts was a little distracting, but the story was engaging and cathartic for me as a sexual assault survivor. It took a while for me to finish this book because I identified with much of the dysfunction and abuse, but reading it helped me to reexamine and fortify myself against my own monsters. THE PACKING HOUSE is a must-read.
December 12, 2015
I’m not an avid reader, but I could not put this book down!
The Packing House is an extremely important story to share. It is educational for adults to know that abuse really happens too often and that too many kids experience it every day. It is empowering for teenagers who need encouragement to go to someone they trust and to get the help they need.
As a parent of a boy who is the same age now as Joel was then, what sticks in my mind is the innocence of how young Joel was. He didn't have any way of knowing what was happening to him or why. It breaks my heart, but also reminds me to be grateful for my own children’s safety.
The descriptions are tactfully written, enough that the reader knows exactly what happened without needing every detail "spelled out."
I found myself rooting for Joel particularly at the school and later for him to tell someone so that Joel could get the help he needed.
The Packing House makes me want to tell every child being abused to go get help, to talk to someone, and that it’s not their fault!
I highly recommend it be shared in schools and churches for teenagers to read (maybe for their parents to read it first). The resources and discussion questions listed make it an excellent “ready for classroom” teaching tool. Even if the teens who read it are not currently in a situation such as Joel’s, they likely know someone else who is or was and can maybe even help that someone.
May this book greatly impact readers in meaningful, life-changing ways!
The Packing House is an extremely important story to share. It is educational for adults to know that abuse really happens too often and that too many kids experience it every day. It is empowering for teenagers who need encouragement to go to someone they trust and to get the help they need.
As a parent of a boy who is the same age now as Joel was then, what sticks in my mind is the innocence of how young Joel was. He didn't have any way of knowing what was happening to him or why. It breaks my heart, but also reminds me to be grateful for my own children’s safety.
The descriptions are tactfully written, enough that the reader knows exactly what happened without needing every detail "spelled out."
I found myself rooting for Joel particularly at the school and later for him to tell someone so that Joel could get the help he needed.
The Packing House makes me want to tell every child being abused to go get help, to talk to someone, and that it’s not their fault!
I highly recommend it be shared in schools and churches for teenagers to read (maybe for their parents to read it first). The resources and discussion questions listed make it an excellent “ready for classroom” teaching tool. Even if the teens who read it are not currently in a situation such as Joel’s, they likely know someone else who is or was and can maybe even help that someone.
May this book greatly impact readers in meaningful, life-changing ways!
January 4, 2016
This book is an important piece of work.
G. Donald Cribbs takes us on a very personal and spiritual journey through his life of abuse. From the beginning, I was transported back to the painful and confusing times of adolescence accentuated by abuse and neglect. I felt his story in my bones, I felt his shame and confusion as he maneuvered as best he could the maze of craziness he was subjected to.
Writing about abuse is a difficult mission. G. Donald Cribbs accomplishes this task beautifully and with balance, taking us to the places we need to see and begin to understand without coloring the story so dark that we feel we are drowning.
I felt especially grateful for his character, Amber. She provided the beacon of hope and faith that I wanted to provide for his character from the onset of the story.
This significant book illuminates the world of child abuse and neglect from a young man's perspective. While it's a tough book to read, it is a necessary piece of work to move the world from a poorly and rarely acknowledged issue to one of understanding and compassion.
G. Donald Cribbs takes us on a very personal and spiritual journey through his life of abuse. From the beginning, I was transported back to the painful and confusing times of adolescence accentuated by abuse and neglect. I felt his story in my bones, I felt his shame and confusion as he maneuvered as best he could the maze of craziness he was subjected to.
Writing about abuse is a difficult mission. G. Donald Cribbs accomplishes this task beautifully and with balance, taking us to the places we need to see and begin to understand without coloring the story so dark that we feel we are drowning.
I felt especially grateful for his character, Amber. She provided the beacon of hope and faith that I wanted to provide for his character from the onset of the story.
This significant book illuminates the world of child abuse and neglect from a young man's perspective. While it's a tough book to read, it is a necessary piece of work to move the world from a poorly and rarely acknowledged issue to one of understanding and compassion.
December 12, 2015
An Emotionally Accurate Portrait
(I have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Though this book deals with a difficult subject the author does an excellent job of making the book enjoyable to read.
He is a master at relating the emotional upheaval and turmoil that results from the abuse portrayed within these pages. The roller coaster ride the readers experience will leave an indelible impression of what it is really like to experience such horrific exploitation.
Having experience similar treatment in my own childhood, I would not wish such an experience on anyone. But I do believe that having a clear understanding of the long-lasting impact of such abuse is important to any caring adult. Although I have no illusion that such a book will end all childhood abuse I do believe that exposing the after-effects to the world-at-large can go a long way towards that end. This book is a definite step in that direction.
(I have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Though this book deals with a difficult subject the author does an excellent job of making the book enjoyable to read.
He is a master at relating the emotional upheaval and turmoil that results from the abuse portrayed within these pages. The roller coaster ride the readers experience will leave an indelible impression of what it is really like to experience such horrific exploitation.
Having experience similar treatment in my own childhood, I would not wish such an experience on anyone. But I do believe that having a clear understanding of the long-lasting impact of such abuse is important to any caring adult. Although I have no illusion that such a book will end all childhood abuse I do believe that exposing the after-effects to the world-at-large can go a long way towards that end. This book is a definite step in that direction.
May 11, 2016
I found myself unable to put the book down. I was captivated, drawn in as I felt my own thoughts and feelings from my childhood being validated as I read. As I cried (sobbed) my way through the final chapters of the book, I was grateful for the transformative truth incorporated in the end.
Powerful story, one I will most definitely read again. A story that will aid in your recovery journey if you allow it.
Powerful story, one I will most definitely read again. A story that will aid in your recovery journey if you allow it.
Read
August 15, 2018I read this a couple years ago during SAAM (Sexual Assault Awareness Month). My sister has written a book "A Work of Art" on the same subject, but this caught my attention because it is written from a male point of view. Well written and important material, it's a book that sticks with me. Read The Packing House for free on Inkitt. Post your review to support this project: https://t.co/DySaharzzt via @inkitt
April 17, 2022
When I read the synopsis of this novel, I was intrigued. Not because I thought it would be a fun read, but because I felt it would be an important one. As an elementary teacher, I have known many children who have suffered some kind of abuse or trauma in their childhood. Reading novels such as this helps me to understand the signs to look for and the way children may deal with their trauma.
In this novel, a 16 year old named Joel begins suffering from terrible nightmares. They keep him from getting enough sleep and he inevitably falls asleep during the school day. While asleep at his desk, he ends up having another nightmare and other students catch it on camera. Now he is being ridiculed at school, on top of having an unstable home life and the ever increasing bad dreams. All he wants to do is escape and figure out what's haunting him.
The entire novel is told from Joel's perspective. Even though you, the reader, may know what's causing Joel's nightmares, you enter on the journey with him to find out the truth. You will experience the emotions with Joel: fear, confusion, horror, loneliness, fatigue, hunger, anger, longing, happiness, sadness, and calm. Although you could read this book in one sitting, the story is heavy and you may want to take breaks to process what you've read so that you don't feel the extreme exhaustion that Joel does.
This book is beautifully written! There are some exquisite poems throughout the novel, written by the main character Joel, as he finds writing to be an outlet for his emotions. Sadly, it is clear that the author has first hand knowledge of processing childhood trauma and abuse. I believe this book will be a beacon of hope for many who need to know that they aren't alone.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who works with children, for parents, and for those who have experienced abuse themselves and are ready to work through the trauma. 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley , #LiterallyPR , and #CherishEditions for a copy of #ThePackingHouse by #GDonaldCribbs in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed are completely my own. I look forward to the sequel!!!!
In this novel, a 16 year old named Joel begins suffering from terrible nightmares. They keep him from getting enough sleep and he inevitably falls asleep during the school day. While asleep at his desk, he ends up having another nightmare and other students catch it on camera. Now he is being ridiculed at school, on top of having an unstable home life and the ever increasing bad dreams. All he wants to do is escape and figure out what's haunting him.
The entire novel is told from Joel's perspective. Even though you, the reader, may know what's causing Joel's nightmares, you enter on the journey with him to find out the truth. You will experience the emotions with Joel: fear, confusion, horror, loneliness, fatigue, hunger, anger, longing, happiness, sadness, and calm. Although you could read this book in one sitting, the story is heavy and you may want to take breaks to process what you've read so that you don't feel the extreme exhaustion that Joel does.
This book is beautifully written! There are some exquisite poems throughout the novel, written by the main character Joel, as he finds writing to be an outlet for his emotions. Sadly, it is clear that the author has first hand knowledge of processing childhood trauma and abuse. I believe this book will be a beacon of hope for many who need to know that they aren't alone.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who works with children, for parents, and for those who have experienced abuse themselves and are ready to work through the trauma. 5 stars
Thank you to #NetGalley , #LiterallyPR , and #CherishEditions for a copy of #ThePackingHouse by #GDonaldCribbs in exchange for an honest review. The views expressed are completely my own. I look forward to the sequel!!!!
April 24, 2022
This book starts with a warning to readers about the graphic depictions of child sexual abuse, sexual violence, and the mental state of those experiencing PTSD related to such trauma. The moment I read this, I questioned whether I should or would even be able to read this book. As a survivor of sexual violence, myself, and sufferer of PTSD, I found the book difficult to read, but necessary as well. The book provides acceptance for those who have experienced sexual abuse and insight for those who are lucky enough to have never experienced it. This book allows those suffering to know they are not alone, their reactions are okay, and they too can survive in the end. For those that have never experienced trauma, this book allows them to have a better understating of what the survivors are dealing with internally.
16-year-old Joel Scrivener has endured paralyzing nightmares, ridicule from schoolmates, and neglect from his mother all while growing up bouncing from broken home to broken home, all while trying to make sense of the secret he has suppressed for nearly a decade. The writing found within these pages is so real, graphic, and spot-on, that it forces the reader to feel the pain Joel is feeling and it becomes nearly impossible to remain unmoved by the entire experience.
I found the book’s format to be very interesting. It is broken down into three parts averaging roughly 15 chapters within each part. This within itself isn’t new, however the addition of poems woven throughout the book that appear as “From the journal of Joel Scrivener” were wonderful. It felt as though the reader was able to enjoy a novel as well as a book of poetry. The book dealt with very difficult and very real topics but also managed to involve a love story and a reminder of how important a strong support system can be.
Do not miss the opportunity to read this book. While it may not be easy – it will have been worth it. It would be an excellent book to share and discuss with others. A simple dialogue can change a life.
16-year-old Joel Scrivener has endured paralyzing nightmares, ridicule from schoolmates, and neglect from his mother all while growing up bouncing from broken home to broken home, all while trying to make sense of the secret he has suppressed for nearly a decade. The writing found within these pages is so real, graphic, and spot-on, that it forces the reader to feel the pain Joel is feeling and it becomes nearly impossible to remain unmoved by the entire experience.
I found the book’s format to be very interesting. It is broken down into three parts averaging roughly 15 chapters within each part. This within itself isn’t new, however the addition of poems woven throughout the book that appear as “From the journal of Joel Scrivener” were wonderful. It felt as though the reader was able to enjoy a novel as well as a book of poetry. The book dealt with very difficult and very real topics but also managed to involve a love story and a reminder of how important a strong support system can be.
Do not miss the opportunity to read this book. While it may not be easy – it will have been worth it. It would be an excellent book to share and discuss with others. A simple dialogue can change a life.
April 19, 2022
Some books pack a punch. Others sneak under your skin without you even realising until you reach the end. And then there are books like The Packing House, that grab hold of your heart from page 1, and don’t let go.
It’s clear from the opening scene, that the main character, Joel Scrivener, is a deeply disturbed teenager. Vivid nightmares make him so afraid to sleep at night, that he can hardly stay awake at school, and this comes to a head when he is filmed battling his demons while he dozes at his desk, and the footage goes viral. Gradually, events that have haunted Joel for ten years, start to manifest in visions and images that he can no longer escape from.
Beautifully written, the reader feels Joel’s anger and frustration through short, punchy sentences. At the same time, you sense his need to be free of the burden weighing him down through the poetry he writes for his friend Amber. He is a multi-layered character, one that the reader cannot help rooting for even when he’s beating up his younger brother, which is probably when I most wanted to wrap my arms around him and make it all better. He’s certainly a character that I’ll never forget.
This book deals with a difficult subject, Child Sexual Abuse, with sensitivity, honesty, and awareness. It’s an amazing achievement.
Many thanks to G. Donald Cribbs and Literally PR for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It’s clear from the opening scene, that the main character, Joel Scrivener, is a deeply disturbed teenager. Vivid nightmares make him so afraid to sleep at night, that he can hardly stay awake at school, and this comes to a head when he is filmed battling his demons while he dozes at his desk, and the footage goes viral. Gradually, events that have haunted Joel for ten years, start to manifest in visions and images that he can no longer escape from.
Beautifully written, the reader feels Joel’s anger and frustration through short, punchy sentences. At the same time, you sense his need to be free of the burden weighing him down through the poetry he writes for his friend Amber. He is a multi-layered character, one that the reader cannot help rooting for even when he’s beating up his younger brother, which is probably when I most wanted to wrap my arms around him and make it all better. He’s certainly a character that I’ll never forget.
This book deals with a difficult subject, Child Sexual Abuse, with sensitivity, honesty, and awareness. It’s an amazing achievement.
Many thanks to G. Donald Cribbs and Literally PR for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2019
G.Donald Cribbs takes YA readers on a challenging journey as they follow protagonist Joel through his recollection, mainly by nightmares, of sexual abuse he experienced as a child. The process of consciously remembering the abuse as it breaks through in nightmares and through triggers is realistic, accurate, and well written. Cribbs paces and plots his story well, it is engaging, and he understands how to draw characters that mirror real life. He takes on a formidable task- telling a story that confronts the huge stigma surrounding male child rape- and he does it with skill and total commitment. My world is larger for having read this story, and I would encourage anyone to expand their world by hearing Joel's story.
July 30, 2018
Once I began the book, I couldn't stop reading. I read it completely in two settings and only stopped to sleep. Any avid reader can see how carefully and adeptly the author handles the content/plot and the characters--it's like he cradled the main character in hope and comfort as the most difficult of life's tragedies hit. This story depicts the raw honesty, confusion, disorientation, and reality of a rape survivor who realizes the trauma a decade after it happened. His family context is like far too many of the children in our schools and communities--adults/parents wrapped up in their own selfishness too much to love or consider their children before themselves. Fortunately, there are other adults with integrity out there who can help--they help our main character stand up and face the abuse while his resilience leads him toward a journey of hope. He finds his talent in writing, where young people can lay out the messages of their lives. This book can be a saving grace to any young person who is haunted by a violent past or by family members who can't love or don't care. Through a theme of "packing" and the interweavings of some great literary works from JD Salinger, Ray Bradbury and others, the character AND the readers find or remember that there's always hope and that love can be just a visit away from the ocean.
March 5, 2016
I have to admit, I was thinking about tossing the book aside and not finishing it. I'm glad I stuck it out and finished reading it though. I was very confused for the majority of the book. The general storyline was easy to keep up with, but the details were hard to follow along with. It seemed to jump from one point to another so quickly that I was confused and had to re read that section. It wasn't until the last few chapters that I was enthralled in the book and couldn't put it down.
As I think back to the characters, I think maybe since I couldn't relate to any of them and didn't even like any of them, that made it harder for me to enjoy. The mother was absolutely horrible. I felt so bad for the 2 boys to have to grow up with a mother like her. Then there was the brother Jonathan who was cruel to his older brother all to gain popularity for himself. He didn't care about anybody but himself. Joel I just wanted to slap him out of his haze he was in. In the beginning I was thinking get over yourself Joel and move on with your life. Then at the end I was crying right along with him.
Once you find out what really happened, which I had a pretty good idea what that was when Uncle Steven was first mentioned, all of Joel's actions and nightmares make sense. It is amazing that our minds can completely push back memories and put something else in their place. Meaning Joel had no idea what happened to him when he was young, for so many years. He always blamed his father leaving them at a young age for all his problems. Then all it took was a trip back to where it all happened to flood back all the memories. In the end it was exciting to see Joel face his problems and try to solve them instead of running away. You knew that he was on the right track and was going to survive.
This is a very slow going novel until the last few chapters. I will have to read this book again to try and comprehend some things I feel I missed. I also enjoyed the poetry at the end of the chapters, although some were difficult for me to understand. I would recommend this book, just push through the beginning because the end is worth it.
I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As I think back to the characters, I think maybe since I couldn't relate to any of them and didn't even like any of them, that made it harder for me to enjoy. The mother was absolutely horrible. I felt so bad for the 2 boys to have to grow up with a mother like her. Then there was the brother Jonathan who was cruel to his older brother all to gain popularity for himself. He didn't care about anybody but himself. Joel I just wanted to slap him out of his haze he was in. In the beginning I was thinking get over yourself Joel and move on with your life. Then at the end I was crying right along with him.
Once you find out what really happened, which I had a pretty good idea what that was when Uncle Steven was first mentioned, all of Joel's actions and nightmares make sense. It is amazing that our minds can completely push back memories and put something else in their place. Meaning Joel had no idea what happened to him when he was young, for so many years. He always blamed his father leaving them at a young age for all his problems. Then all it took was a trip back to where it all happened to flood back all the memories. In the end it was exciting to see Joel face his problems and try to solve them instead of running away. You knew that he was on the right track and was going to survive.
This is a very slow going novel until the last few chapters. I will have to read this book again to try and comprehend some things I feel I missed. I also enjoyed the poetry at the end of the chapters, although some were difficult for me to understand. I would recommend this book, just push through the beginning because the end is worth it.
I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2016
This rather remarkable book is categorized "young adult fiction." I am far from a young adult but as a retired teacher of high school kids can really relate to the author's writing style. He truly captures the thoughts and feelings of a teenage boy--particularly one who has experienced such adversity and trauma. Chaotic thoughts--constantly changing and often fearful. Self-doubting and feeling abandoned--over and over. At times I found it heart-breaking and hard to read but never was I unable to identify with this damaged child as he struggled to find himself--and the truth of his existence. No spoilers here--but I was a bit less than satisfied with the ending because it left one to speculate. But in light of the subject matter--a neat, perfect ending would not have worked. Every middle and high school teacher and guidance counselor should read this book!
January 12, 2016
This was a powerful and important story needing to be told, both for survivors and those of us who love a survivor. The main character, Joel, is well developed and relatable. His journey of healing is both inspiring and informative. Joel's story could be so many people's story and the author, Don Cribbs, does a remarkable job of imparting information about abuse while still developing the plot. As a parent and an educator, this story has motivated me to consider the ways I myself might be more effective in both preventing and addressing child abuse. This book would be a valuable resource to help dispel the silence and shame that so often surrounds this difficult topic.
December 16, 2015
The Packing House is a well written and accurate description of what a teenage boy goes through after abuse. How an abused child views what is happening and how the human mind can protect you from the truth until you are ready to face it.
This author created a character that one can relate to, and empathize with. After a couple of chapters I was unable to put this book down until I had finished reading. I wanted to know what was around each corner as Joel remembers and relives his past.
I cannot wait to see what other books G. Donald Cribbs writes in the future.
This author created a character that one can relate to, and empathize with. After a couple of chapters I was unable to put this book down until I had finished reading. I wanted to know what was around each corner as Joel remembers and relives his past.
I cannot wait to see what other books G. Donald Cribbs writes in the future.
March 2, 2016
"The Packing House" brings the reader through the darkness of abuse into the light of resilience. I found myself emotionally engaged with the main character; weeping when he wept, fearful when he was scared, and hopeful as he walked toward wholeness.
As a counselor, I believe male survivors of sexual abuse (teens and adults) can find hope and healing through the expressed vulnerability and life-giving messages embedded within the pages.
As a counselor, I believe male survivors of sexual abuse (teens and adults) can find hope and healing through the expressed vulnerability and life-giving messages embedded within the pages.
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