Amanda (RockStarGirl) reviewed If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation on + 329 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
This was less about the murder of Amy Latus and more about the relationship of two sisters, both of whom are willing to put up with abusive relationships because of the dysfunctional childhood they shared. The majority of the book is about the author's own life....it is not until near the end of the book that her sister disappears. It is through her own experiences though, that she can sadly understand why it is that her sister never came to her for help. It is a sad book and a peek into the mind of those who are willing to put up with abuse from those they love.
Mindy B. (min) reviewed If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
This book is so consuming from finish to end. I loved it!! I bought this from Barnes n nobles and finished it in 2 days.
In 2002,Janine Latus's younger sister Amy, wrote a note and pasted it to her desk in her office drawer. It was not until her body was found a week later that her family had for the first time of her troubled emotional and physical violence in her relationship that she was enduring. It is a heart wrenching, journey of discovery as Janine traces her own roots and her sister's victimization and unflinching candor. This memoir will move you, an hopefully play a part for all the women who have known or are in this situation and and break the cycle of abuse. One sister got out and one is now dead. Tragic!!
In 2002,Janine Latus's younger sister Amy, wrote a note and pasted it to her desk in her office drawer. It was not until her body was found a week later that her family had for the first time of her troubled emotional and physical violence in her relationship that she was enduring. It is a heart wrenching, journey of discovery as Janine traces her own roots and her sister's victimization and unflinching candor. This memoir will move you, an hopefully play a part for all the women who have known or are in this situation and and break the cycle of abuse. One sister got out and one is now dead. Tragic!!
Sabine R. (dutchgirl38) reviewed If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation on
Helpful Score: 10
Let me start by saying that this was a tough book to read, yet I couldn't put it down (I read the book in just over 6 hours!). Janine Latus candidly shares her life story and her history of abuse. It starts with her father and his emotional abuse of Janine and her siblings and chronicals her relationships with men and the physical, mental/emotional, and sexual abuse she endures along the way. Her life mirrors that of her sister who also endures abuse in its' different forms. The latter part of the book delves into the death of her sister, Amy, at the hands of her abuser. Of the two, Janine is the lucky one.
Reading the back of the book is somewhat misleading in that the reader might think that the book is more about Amy's story. That's not the case. Amy's story is really only told in the last one-third of the book.
While this book is incredibly gut wrenching (I was crying while reading the last part of the book), there are moments of levity. And while this book is predominantly about abuse and all its' forms, this book is also about families and familial relationships. In those passages the reader sees that there are genuine bonds of love that hold the Latus family together through it all.
This is a book that everyone, especially women, should read. For men this book can show how comments, acts and gestures that may seem harmless can be forms of abuse. For women, this book is a really a gift. I believe that Ms. Latus wanted share her story so that all of us could remember how truly wonderful and amazing we are. While tragic, there was an underlying message of hope that shined through.
Although I have passed this book on to another PBS member, this book and it's message is one that will stay with me for a long time. It's simply unforgettable.
Reading the back of the book is somewhat misleading in that the reader might think that the book is more about Amy's story. That's not the case. Amy's story is really only told in the last one-third of the book.
While this book is incredibly gut wrenching (I was crying while reading the last part of the book), there are moments of levity. And while this book is predominantly about abuse and all its' forms, this book is also about families and familial relationships. In those passages the reader sees that there are genuine bonds of love that hold the Latus family together through it all.
This is a book that everyone, especially women, should read. For men this book can show how comments, acts and gestures that may seem harmless can be forms of abuse. For women, this book is a really a gift. I believe that Ms. Latus wanted share her story so that all of us could remember how truly wonderful and amazing we are. While tragic, there was an underlying message of hope that shined through.
Although I have passed this book on to another PBS member, this book and it's message is one that will stay with me for a long time. It's simply unforgettable.
Marianne S. (sfc95) -
Helpful Score: 8
This is a fabulous book. As a domestic violence counselor I do not think that I have ever read a better account of "life on the inside" as I did in this book. If you know someone who questions the validity of their relationship this is the book to hand them. I cannot sing the praises of this book enough, it is horrific, enlightening and informative at the same time. The author captured what women having been telling me for years, it is very important that battered women know that they are not alone and in this book they will learn that it is so much more prevalent than they ever imagined. It depicts the cycle of violence perfectly, don't miss this one!
Jessica S. (iluvlibros) -
Helpful Score: 8
To be honest, my jury's still out on this book. There is no doubt that the author is a great writer. She really pulled you onto the emotional rollercoaster that the sisters were on. The book was heartwarming in the sense that it showed a deep, loving relationship between two sisters. But what these sisters endured was also shocking and heartwrenching. It's a tearjerker. Ultimately, the book left me frustrated and saddened at what the two sisters went through.
