What do you think?
Rate this book
Why Me?
A New York Times BestsellerIn the blink of an eye, Mom ran up behind me and pushed me into the fence. Instinctively, I reached out my arms to stop my fall and ended up grabbing the live fence. My hands clamped around the thin wires, and my body collapsed to the ground as the electricity coursed through it. I opened my eyes and saw my mother standing over me with the strangest smile on her face. “Oh, my God, I’m going to die!” I thought in panic.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2010
2243 people are currently reading
2898 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 828 reviews
December 20, 2021
Have you ever thought that your home that is supposed to be a safe place is a place where your mom, a person who is supposed to protect you, is not that is supposed to be? What if the place where a teenage girl is I used whole her life, physically and mentally, tortured, and thought wrongs. A home is the worst place ever.
This book was free to download on Audible. Reading a few comments, I came across some that stated this book does not teach anything personally, that readers have not gained any benefit for themselves.
Well, it is a real-life biography written by a woman who was abused so much that even painful to think about it, and she could never get Justice for her abuser; she never got an apology or abuser remorse.
Having read different people biographies, this one has no fun or Hollywood parties or luxurious comfort. The story is the other spectrum type, sad, full of pain. No nastier home than homes like that. "Why me" is a biography about a girl who raised herself, even if she was forced to act terribly by her mother. It was a vicious cycle of horror. Home, where you can be strangled, called all sorts of horrible things and fear for a living.
Such homes, such mothers might have raised a dozen of serial killers for America in the last fifty years. However, a heroine is a true heroine. Despite her teen's age, she left home only sixteen, and yet, she did it all right, despite everything, and I am proud of her for writing the story behind closed doors publishing it. Nonetheless, I would say there is a happy ending in this story. Girls from a similar situation should be aware that they can save their life. One option is to walk away and do everything as right as possible by yourself.
This book was free to download on Audible. Reading a few comments, I came across some that stated this book does not teach anything personally, that readers have not gained any benefit for themselves.
Well, it is a real-life biography written by a woman who was abused so much that even painful to think about it, and she could never get Justice for her abuser; she never got an apology or abuser remorse.
Having read different people biographies, this one has no fun or Hollywood parties or luxurious comfort. The story is the other spectrum type, sad, full of pain. No nastier home than homes like that. "Why me" is a biography about a girl who raised herself, even if she was forced to act terribly by her mother. It was a vicious cycle of horror. Home, where you can be strangled, called all sorts of horrible things and fear for a living.
Such homes, such mothers might have raised a dozen of serial killers for America in the last fifty years. However, a heroine is a true heroine. Despite her teen's age, she left home only sixteen, and yet, she did it all right, despite everything, and I am proud of her for writing the story behind closed doors publishing it. Nonetheless, I would say there is a happy ending in this story. Girls from a similar situation should be aware that they can save their life. One option is to walk away and do everything as right as possible by yourself.
October 22, 2011
Sarah Burleton relates in detail the verbal and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother throughout her childhood. I'm sure it took a lot of courage to tell this story. But I'm not sure if telling it to me accomplishes anything. It's a shame she didn't tell it to someone who was in a position to help her.
It's a quick read, and Burleton has a good writing style. But I don't believe this book serves its the purpose, which I assume is to tell an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.
She begins by saying she doesn't want to be perceived as a victim, then goes on to describe countless episodes of being a victim. Even the title "Why Me?" says Victim with a capital V. Expecting the aforementioned triumph over adversity, I kept reading, hoping there would finally be one caring person who'd rescue her, that perhaps a favorite teacher would recognize the signs of abuse and take her in as a foster child. Or that she would finally work up the courage to tell someone in authority just how bad things were for her at home.
*****SPOILER ALERT******
Doesn't happen. Instead she escapes the abuse by moving in with a man in his twenties. She's 16 at the time, and she's just met him. Now the author says he was kind and decent and she's forever grateful to him. She lived with him for three years, finishing high school and going to community college. And, yes, she does get counseling.
But without being judgmental, I have to say that if this book is meant to be helpful to young girls in the same situation, it's a poor example to give. It turned out fine for the author, but moving out of your abusive home to live with an older man you just met is a huge risk.
Perhaps survivors of abuse would want to read this book, if they're looking for stories of people who've been through a hellish childhoold and came out OK on the other side. But I didn't get anything out of it.
It's a quick read, and Burleton has a good writing style. But I don't believe this book serves its the purpose, which I assume is to tell an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.
She begins by saying she doesn't want to be perceived as a victim, then goes on to describe countless episodes of being a victim. Even the title "Why Me?" says Victim with a capital V. Expecting the aforementioned triumph over adversity, I kept reading, hoping there would finally be one caring person who'd rescue her, that perhaps a favorite teacher would recognize the signs of abuse and take her in as a foster child. Or that she would finally work up the courage to tell someone in authority just how bad things were for her at home.
*****SPOILER ALERT******
Doesn't happen. Instead she escapes the abuse by moving in with a man in his twenties. She's 16 at the time, and she's just met him. Now the author says he was kind and decent and she's forever grateful to him. She lived with him for three years, finishing high school and going to community college. And, yes, she does get counseling.
But without being judgmental, I have to say that if this book is meant to be helpful to young girls in the same situation, it's a poor example to give. It turned out fine for the author, but moving out of your abusive home to live with an older man you just met is a huge risk.
Perhaps survivors of abuse would want to read this book, if they're looking for stories of people who've been through a hellish childhoold and came out OK on the other side. But I didn't get anything out of it.
October 12, 2014
A really quick read. I found it a flat and emotionless recitation of the abuse the author suffered until she ran away, and then the story finished.
There's an epilogue telling us that she graduated, how she met her husband, how she attempted to reconnect with her mother, and the email she sent her mother cutting her out of her life. I finished the book wondering about her sister Rachel. How she had fared after Sarah ran away. If they now have any sort of relationship. I hope so.
A sad story, but not very well told.
February 10, 2017
BROUGHT BACK THE PAST
This book brought back so many memories of my own childhood, not so much the physical abuse but the mental torment. It is clear now turning the pages that Sarah’s mother had a mental disorder, but children are not aware of this and blame themselves for not being loved. It’s yet another example of a dysfunctional family, there are so many of us. Why doesn’t society see that and rescue us? I’d like to have followed her life a little further and see how she recovered and began a new and normal life.
This book brought back so many memories of my own childhood, not so much the physical abuse but the mental torment. It is clear now turning the pages that Sarah’s mother had a mental disorder, but children are not aware of this and blame themselves for not being loved. It’s yet another example of a dysfunctional family, there are so many of us. Why doesn’t society see that and rescue us? I’d like to have followed her life a little further and see how she recovered and began a new and normal life.
August 30, 2017
Prior to reviewing this book, I had no idea that this book will captivate me as the way it did. Based on my updates, I mentioned that I was not going to review this book, but my emotions took over my preference. I never had so much hate towards a character in my life, Sarah's mother was despicable. The abuse that she had to deal with as a child is enough to drive anyone crazy. Slapped, kicked, pushed on an electric fence, punched in the ribs, etc. To simply list all of those things will overwhelm me with confusion and angony.
How can people be so cruel an sadistic? The hardest thing about reading this book was the fact that it was based on a true story. Sarah, thank you for sharing your story, no matter what the polarizing opinions you may get from another people. There are people out there that needs to read your story, to describe to them that that are loved, cherished and most importantly VALUED.
The hardest part about this book was that it had no happy ending,bittersweet but oh so deserving!
Highly recommend this book, but beware that this book might have you in an outrage upon finishing.
How can people be so cruel an sadistic? The hardest thing about reading this book was the fact that it was based on a true story. Sarah, thank you for sharing your story, no matter what the polarizing opinions you may get from another people. There are people out there that needs to read your story, to describe to them that that are loved, cherished and most importantly VALUED.
The hardest part about this book was that it had no happy ending,bittersweet but oh so deserving!
Highly recommend this book, but beware that this book might have you in an outrage upon finishing.
August 30, 2012
While reading this book I just felt horrible for the author and all she had to go through, and horror at the behaviors of her mother especially. The writing itself was well done in my opinion, but there are a lot of aspects that the book lacks which is why I only gave it two stars.
First of all, it's only 60 pages and trying to write someone's entire life story in that time, even if only hitting the high (on in this case low) points is still going to leave you with minimal details. There is so much more I would have liked to know about the author's life, such as how is the relationship with her younger sister Emily now that she is an adult? Does she resent her little sister for not being treated the same way she was? Do they ever talk about her abuse or do they pretend like it didn't happen? She says she got some counseling, but that she might need more, it might be nice if she explored more of the healing aspect with her audience. Did she feel counseling helped her? How did she deal with telling her friends about her family in college? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. The book is just really too short to do the story justice and I think most readers want more detail to her life story than was provided.
If the author isn't ready to do that, then that's fine, but you should not publish the book. If the purpose was purely cathartic release she could have written the book and never published it. If it was a book for people who are currently being abused, then it doesn't do a good job of listing possible resources if you happen to be in that situation. If it's for people who are living post-abuse lives, I think it does a good job of being a relatable story, but once again it just leaves so much to be desired.
First of all, it's only 60 pages and trying to write someone's entire life story in that time, even if only hitting the high (on in this case low) points is still going to leave you with minimal details. There is so much more I would have liked to know about the author's life, such as how is the relationship with her younger sister Emily now that she is an adult? Does she resent her little sister for not being treated the same way she was? Do they ever talk about her abuse or do they pretend like it didn't happen? She says she got some counseling, but that she might need more, it might be nice if she explored more of the healing aspect with her audience. Did she feel counseling helped her? How did she deal with telling her friends about her family in college? I could go on and on, but you get the idea. The book is just really too short to do the story justice and I think most readers want more detail to her life story than was provided.
If the author isn't ready to do that, then that's fine, but you should not publish the book. If the purpose was purely cathartic release she could have written the book and never published it. If it was a book for people who are currently being abused, then it doesn't do a good job of listing possible resources if you happen to be in that situation. If it's for people who are living post-abuse lives, I think it does a good job of being a relatable story, but once again it just leaves so much to be desired.
November 10, 2011
Read this in one night. Disappointed in how short it was and would have liked more backstory on the mother to maybe determine what went wrong in her life and why she is the way she is. Also, more details on how sarah got away and made something of herself.
March 12, 2012
LEMONS INTO LEMONADE. Thank you, Ms. Burleton. Your book touched me deeply. Before writing this, I checked out other comments and responses. My own opinion is that your writing is perfect, just the tone to tell such a distressing and emotion-laden childhood account. I came across your book while setting a goal for my own, and the presence of "Why Me?" on the NYT Bestsellers' List is encouraging.
I have a teaching background and seen students carrying other titles about difficult childhoods. Although I haven't been in the classroom for a few years, I am sure "Why Me?" is carried and read by your target population, the young and troubled. Well done.
I have a teaching background and seen students carrying other titles about difficult childhoods. Although I haven't been in the classroom for a few years, I am sure "Why Me?" is carried and read by your target population, the young and troubled. Well done.
August 3, 2017
Another heart-wrenching story of a child subjected to a torturous life at the hands of a deranged mother. Even though the book is a short and a fast read, it includes the times most remembered by the author and times that still stay with her. My heart went out to Sarah as she struggles to cope with the abuse and torture she suffers, with her mother also abusing a much-loved pet. Such is the mind of this mother. A highly recommended read if you like reading this type of book. The story does end positively but I do wonder about Sarah's little sister Emily and how she is and whether Sarah still sees her.
December 10, 2012
A true heartbreaking but soul healing book of the brutal,horrific,nightmarish, situation the author experienced, no wait that she survived! Till the age of 16. The courage that it took to take your life's control when all you have ever heard was negative, and never having anyone to nurture you give you positive reinforcement, is mind blowing, mind blowing that we at times are sent a group of "misfits" or how others judge them to be. And in a very short time give us ALL we have been missing and lacking that feeds us with the power to stand up to our demons. Very well written, hate to say things like a page turner, great book, things like that as I would feel I am enjoying reading of your suffering.... The journey to your healing. The answer to why you, I can only see because you made it, you made it! And you are sharing, giving strength to others, and taught you to strive to be a better wife and mother.
November 28, 2015
Sarah Burleton's memoir Why Me? tells the story of her horrifically abusive childhood. Her mother's hatred of her is focused to the point of obsession and it seems a miracle that Burleton survived at all. That she has gone on to be a loving wife and mother is impressive and inspiring.
I found this book painful but compulsively readable.
I found this book painful but compulsively readable.
December 29, 2011
I'm not sure I fully understand the purpose of this book. The author says she doesn't want to retaliate with her story or appear the victim, but I'd say that's exactly how she comes across in the story. What happened to Sarah is undeniably horrible, but the juvenile writing and teenage "I won" attitude do little to accomplish her goal of just getting her story out there. How should other children in this situation cope? How should someone who is confided in deal with the information should they find that a child is in a similar torturous home? What is the final lesson here?
March 19, 2012
What Sarah went through was absolutely horrific. I understand she needed to get her story out... to get it told... but I'm still not sure what was accomplished in the telling.
It essentially consists of a few short essays detailing specific instances of abuse, and an afterword that she left home and led a decent life.
I had hoped for something a little more in-depth, slightly more inspiring.
It essentially consists of a few short essays detailing specific instances of abuse, and an afterword that she left home and led a decent life.
I had hoped for something a little more in-depth, slightly more inspiring.
May 5, 2011
Super sale on Kindle for iPhone, 2/19/11
Not really a full book, and seems like it's probably a self-published attempt to work out the issues surrounding her terrible childhood. Sad stuff, but not especially well-written, so tough going.
Not really a full book, and seems like it's probably a self-published attempt to work out the issues surrounding her terrible childhood. Sad stuff, but not especially well-written, so tough going.
January 15, 2023
I’m not sure how this was a NY bestseller
This book is rushed and skips years, other books of this genre are captivating and suck you into their lives to feel like you’re watching their life unfold. This book felt like the author was in a hurry and reads more like a diary than what it does her life story.
This book is rushed and skips years, other books of this genre are captivating and suck you into their lives to feel like you’re watching their life unfold. This book felt like the author was in a hurry and reads more like a diary than what it does her life story.
March 30, 2012
I didn't read this book as one would read a novel for pleasure or leisure. I read this book for the human interest factor. Therefore the star rating is not really important to me. I just finished reading 'Why Me?' about 10 mins ago and I am so affected by the story of abuse that I just can't sleep. I have so many unanswered questions about why no-one reported Sarah's abuse to authorities. I'm sure people would have been able to tell something was seriously amiss with Sarah as she attended school and went about her daily tasks. The extreme nature of the mother's abuse is totally foreign to me. I just don't understand how a glimmer of motherly love didn't penetrate the mother's interaction with her daughter! It is shocking, disturbing, sickening and extremely distressing to read. The mother should even now be held to account for the abuse, and maybe Richard as well. the mother's actions are nothing short of criminal. While I don't believe in holding onto such pain in one's life I do believe that Sarah's mother should face the consequences of her actions, as she so cruelly told Sarah in one of her tirades. I am now curious about the mother's background and what could possibly have turned her into such an evil person. And Sarah if you read these comments I want you to know that my heart ached for you with every word in your book. I can't imagine how much pain you went through, and I am surprised at your strength of character in being able to remain sane and deal with it in a positive way. No doubt you are still healing and probably will continue to heal for the rest of your life but if you've survived this then the love in your heart must have always been so strong in you. (A teacher, mother and daughter)
September 8, 2011
A book written by the author about her childhood and her life with her abusive mother. The story itself is one of sadness and survival and for that, i thoroughly felt the emotions she laid out in the book - of despair, desperation and hurt. I do find something lacking in her writing style - the story, i felt, exist in a vacuum - the writer was focused on the actual day to day abuses her mother inflicted on her, and her feelings of survival and i wished she had also written about the relationship of the family with the outside world, in particular, with their relatives. What could possibly be the cause of her mother's abusive behaviour? what did she not want to seek help despite the escalating abuse? why does she think foster care is not her escape route? what stopped Richard from continuing to abuse her? What happened to Emily? so many unanswered questions in my mind. She wrote i think from the perspective of a child abused and i think the book will hold more gravitas if she chose to write as an adult daughter and now mother looking back at her childhood. There are too many questions left unanswered and i think the author is still holding back on her pain. A good book to read nevertheless for its substance.
April 5, 2014
Heart Wrenching...
This book was amazing and had me from the first page. Although it was very graphic at times, it was real and heart wrenching. It made me want to give my son (whom is 24yrs old) the biggest hug and tell him how much I love him. As a mother I can not imagine treating my child this way. How can you bring life into this world and then almost take it away by violence???? This is the one question I have to anyone who has ever laid their hands on their child. Unbelievable. Thank you Sarah for sharing your personal story with us. You are an inspiration to so many!!!
This book was amazing and had me from the first page. Although it was very graphic at times, it was real and heart wrenching. It made me want to give my son (whom is 24yrs old) the biggest hug and tell him how much I love him. As a mother I can not imagine treating my child this way. How can you bring life into this world and then almost take it away by violence???? This is the one question I have to anyone who has ever laid their hands on their child. Unbelievable. Thank you Sarah for sharing your personal story with us. You are an inspiration to so many!!!
April 1, 2018
4.5 Stars
Wow! What can I say about this book? It was so raw, so real, my heart broke for Sarah as I read. I couldn't imagine a mother doing the horrid things that Sarah's mother did to her. It's absolutely crazy the torture methods this woman thought of, even sneakily getting Sarah's friends involved in the torment.
The book was a good length for her story, I finished it in a day! It didn't drag at all and really kept me reeled in.
I'm giving 4.5 star rating because there were a couple of little mistypes. I'm not sure if this was an indie-published book, and typos don't bother me much, but that should be addressed.
All in all, a great heart-wrenching read.
Wow! What can I say about this book? It was so raw, so real, my heart broke for Sarah as I read. I couldn't imagine a mother doing the horrid things that Sarah's mother did to her. It's absolutely crazy the torture methods this woman thought of, even sneakily getting Sarah's friends involved in the torment.
The book was a good length for her story, I finished it in a day! It didn't drag at all and really kept me reeled in.
I'm giving 4.5 star rating because there were a couple of little mistypes. I'm not sure if this was an indie-published book, and typos don't bother me much, but that should be addressed.
All in all, a great heart-wrenching read.
July 10, 2016
Abuse - whether physical or verbal...is still abuse and unacceptable. Except in this day and age it still goes on. A true story by the author..which must have been so hard to write...but had to be told - covers the years Sarah went through this abuse until the age of 16 when she escapes. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger - and this story showed how Sarah managed to survive her mother's hate and still become a bright, productive woman.
October 10, 2011
I just want to cry and find out who this mother is so I can have a talk with her. I commend the Author for sharing her life and can not even try to understand everything that happened in this book, You are a strong Woman and I thank God that you have found a way to get on with your life and start anew.I cant believe the monsters that are in this world.
June 10, 2012
This is a tough read. As a survivor of physical and mental abuse, I read it to see how she handled writing those tough private moments.
She conveyed moments that I could totally relate to and I understood her final response to her mother. I've had to come to the place in my own life too.
Well done.
May 24, 2016
Absolutely Wonderful
This book was intense. So intense, it makes you wonder how there are such awful people in this world to treat another human being with such hate and torment. It was powerful and I applaud Sarah for surviving such brutality and coming out a better person than most in the given situation.
This book was intense. So intense, it makes you wonder how there are such awful people in this world to treat another human being with such hate and torment. It was powerful and I applaud Sarah for surviving such brutality and coming out a better person than most in the given situation.
March 14, 2017
I had to give this book a five star due to the fact I can actually feel her emotions and also picture everything.... This is a sad book I cried through the entire book... I can kinda relate to Sarah but she went through alot in a childhood life...
My favorite part was she actually stepped up to her mother after goin through 16 years of abuse. The ending was extremely good....
My favorite part was she actually stepped up to her mother after goin through 16 years of abuse. The ending was extremely good....
September 5, 2011
I found it difficult to connect with the author of this book. There were so many vague parts when she could have been more specific. The book was too fast. I finished it in four hours. Her story was very sad, I will never understand how a mother could treat her daughter so awful.
September 28, 2011
I was bored with the writing of the book. I did not feel attached to the author. I'm sorry she had to endure the things that she did, but I work with kids with stories hundreds of times worse. I just felt throughout the story, "so what?".
May 4, 2017
Inspiring read.
Such an amazing story of a girl who is a true fighter. I couldn't put the book down from beginning to end.
Such an amazing story of a girl who is a true fighter. I couldn't put the book down from beginning to end.
May 20, 2017
Amazing book
This book was so compelling it really shows what can and does happen behind closed doors!We all need to keep our ears and eyes open!
This book was so compelling it really shows what can and does happen behind closed doors!We all need to keep our ears and eyes open!
February 6, 2021
This is the most shocking story of maternal physical and verbal abuse I have heard-(I listened to the audio version.) Sarah has a no-fanfare writing style and the book is quite condensed, though it could easily have been twice as long, I am sure there was much she didn't share. I don't really enjoy prologues that explain the purpose of the book, the authors view or how they have survived. I prefer that to become evident as the story unfonds. Still I give it five stars because it is a well written, devastating story. I am a memoir writer myself and know the pain of reliving and writing about trauma is excruciating. I thank Sarah for sharing her painful memories.
October 23, 2020
A very disappointing book about a victim.
I grew up in a very abusive home, i am not a victim. I took control, left, put myself through college and university. I made good choices and bad ones but reading this book made me cringe.
I felt more like Wahh poor me? Than a story of strength, perseverance or “ not being a victim “
I grew up in a very abusive home, i am not a victim. I took control, left, put myself through college and university. I made good choices and bad ones but reading this book made me cringe.
I felt more like Wahh poor me? Than a story of strength, perseverance or “ not being a victim “
Displaying 1 - 30 of 828 reviews