Damaged Goods

by C.A. Hocking

This is a powerful, hardhitting story about three sisters who are subjected to a childhood of unrelenting abuse at the hands of their father. But it is human nature to seek escape, and each of them chooses a different path out of her own personal nightmare. The eldest, Sis, chooses biological escape in a world where being a girl is fraught with danger and becomes a manwoman. The youngest, Sweetypie, loses her mind to flee her own reality and becomes a childwoman. The middle sister, Helen, first takes the ultimate revenge to save her sisters and then puts the distance of geography between herself and her past, becoming a woman to be envied and admired by all. Fifty years after leaving, Helen returns to her childhood home to find Sis and Sweetypie much as she had left them. Or so it seems at first, until she discovers secrets within secrets and an act of vengeance that still haunts their lives. So begins a journey for each of them that will ultimately end in tragedy, closure and release.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2006

About the author

I am a Bestselling Independent Author and have been writing since I was six years old. It's what I do and how I define myself. My works range from powerful family sagas and dark dramatic fiction to light hearted romance, children's fiction, short stories and poetry, with an occasional foray into screenwriting. My books sell all over the world, with three translated into Mandarin and now selling in China.

I was born in South Australia and have lived both rural and city lifestyles in many parts of Australia, which is reflected in the various settings of my work. I've had some good times, some bad times, made some wrong turns and some right turns, had some awful jobs in order to keep the money coming in whilst writing in my spare time, raised a family and become a grandmother. I am now living the blissful writer's life (at last) with my husband and laptop in Canberra, Australia.

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day if that tells you how riveting I found the story. At times I had to set it down because what the sisters endured was so horrific but I kept coming back because the story is beautifully written. A very powerful and emotional story.

[Christy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The horror of sexual abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to love and protect you is the beating heart of this story. Realistic and painful, the tale unfolds in the midst of the pure and unadulterated love of the sisters. Despite the torment they endure, they somehow manage to not sink into evil themselves. Alone, they would've never survived. Together, they could conquer anything.

Instead of being swallowed by anguish, the author has the reader soar with hope and inspiration. An amazing story. Highly recommended read.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic story about three sisters who were sexually and physically abused by their father. Sixty years later, they reunite and tell stories of their childhood - through their eyes as children. Although their memories were horrendous, the story is beautifully written and the characters' loyalty and love for one another made this story a fantastic read.

[Lene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifying, but impossible to put down...

[Dawn Bonnefond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very explicit and quite sickening at times, yet an extremely well written story that grabs you and doesn't let go. Very hard to put down even when you know what comes next will likely be horrifying.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. The story is disturbing because of the abuse that these 3 girls went through. I couldn't out it down

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think you know it all, another awful thing is waiting. Excellent read, very riveting, very dark, not for the faint of heart.

[Cherie Williams Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

Very graphic, and deep. Makes you sick to realize that there are people this sick in the world we live in and little children going through the hell on earth described in this book and nothing is being done because when carrots told her wasn't believed and was even beaten 3 times by 3 different people for lying, and the girls me no better thought it was what all dad's did.
My God... PLEASE HELP THE LITTLE CHILDREN

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book and it’s the first one I haven’t finished.. I love to read and I didn’t love to read this book almost an entire month and I finally gave up on trying to finish it. It’s not a bad book per se I just personally could not get into it!
It was alright I did read over half or maybe about half and it was okay I probably won’t try to finish reading it at any point.

[Karen Salt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to write a review with these tears in my eyes but I'll do my best.

This is the first book by C.A Hocking I've read and i couldn't put it down. Such an emotional roller coaster.

Those poor girls went through such horrific abuse at the hands of a monster who was meant to love and care for them.

Absolutely heart breaking but I loved the ending.

[Debbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damaged Goods

I bought this book on a whim and an advertisement on Facebook.
It exceeded all my expectations and though eye opening I read it in two days. I am not going to spoil it and make your own assumptions but realize how lucky you are.
Amazing author and book.

[Emin Gul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and harrowing story of three sisters who went through hell in the hands of their abusive father
This book will stay with me for ever! My first book bb this author and must say I am very impressed

[Melissa James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute brilliant read, a very dark and upsetting story, this had me hooked from the start, the brutality them kids went through is heartbreaking, no cries for help answered, and a sick, violent and perverse upbringing, it’s a hard hard read but it’s one of those books you can’t put down

[wendi c duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an amazing read. Very well written and the characters are very engrossing. Absolutely abhorrent at times but the story was one you won't be able to put down.

[Debbie Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Heartbreaking read…couldn’t put it down! Read this all in one day..it’s so hard to see how some grow up and make the best of it or flourish.

[Wendy McKellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite a story of an abusive father to his family and how they survived

[Jennifer Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to wait a few days after finishing this book to sort out my feelings. While it was a very interesting book, some of the content was just too graphic for my tastes. I was too far into it to quit. I honestly don’t think that I could read another book of this type again. It is to heartbreaking.

[Christee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the descriptions of sexual abuse were too explicit for me. Left me feeling worse rather than better for reading it.